Persepolis

I just finished these books yesterday, Persepolis and Persepolis 2, by Marjane Satrpi. I really enjoyed them. {Boarders has a paperback edition that has combined both books.} They are quick reads because the books are graphic novels, which is a very effective medium for telling a story. The movie came out in limited release, has anyone seen it? I can't wait to see it when it comes to DVD. You can see the trailer here.

An Unexpected Comedy

This has got to be one of the worst movies I have seen in a while, truly terrible. Avoid The Invisible at all cost, unless you are into remakes of Ghost without the Whoopi. I think this picture says it all.

Cafe Rio

Apparently this recipe is very close to the BBQ pork they have at cafe rio. I have only had the real thing once a long time ago so I can't vouch for it's authenticity, however I am a huge fan of BBQ and sweet pork and this is a great dish. Make sure you make the green sauce or don't bother making the dish at all.

CAFE RIO PORK

6 lbs. pork (Shoulder)
1 16 oz. bottle of salsa
1 can of coke
2 c. brown sugar

Place pork in crock pot and fill it 1/2 way up the pork with water
Cook on high for 5 hours. Drain off water. Cut pork into thirds. Mix together sauce ingredients and put on top of pork. Cook an additional 3 hours on high. Shred pork with forks. Leave it on low until ready to serve.


CREAMY TOMATILLA SALAD DRESSING

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Dressing
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. mayo
3 tomatillas
2 cloves of garlic
1 c. fresh cilantro
½ tsp cayenne pepper

Blend all ingredients in the blender. Refrigerate.

Just a note on cooking the pork, I did not cook the pork in a crock pot for 8 hours and I skipped the step of cooking the pork in water first. Instead I went straight to cooking the pork with the salsa coke and sugar in a large covered pot in the oven for several hours at 325, till the meat was tender and I could shred it with a fork.

We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet

While I am very sad to say goodbye to our beloved prophet President Hinckley, I can not help but feel happy for him that he is once again with his beloved wife, Marjorie and with our Heavenly Father. Thank you President Hinckley for your happiness, tireless service and Christ like love.

Boys

These guys belong to Jess and Cat. Needless to say Mike and I feel pretty intimidated about producing cute kids.

Miasma

Here is a good word for you.
Miasma:
1. Noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere.
2. A dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere.


the bog of eternal stench

Family Dog

Like many Grandy family favorites {Dunderklumpen any one?} I don't expect that any one outside our family ever saw this show. I remember that we all were really sad when it got canceled, but thanks to You Tube, Family Dog lives on.



P.S. Tim Burton is one of the executive producers, which really make sense, especially when you look at the kid Billy.

Sing Along

When Mike and I went to the Big Island we listened to the Sweeney Todd soundtrack pretty much the entire time... we did a lot of driving. Don't think we know all the songs? Try us. Anyhow, we highly recommend the music.

Wii Will Not Be Purchasing This

Last night we saw Rob and Sharon and their darling kids. While we were there we had the pleasure of seeing how skilled Sharon is at playing Wii tennis, really quite impressive. We all played for a bit and everyone was pretty good, everyone but me that is. I was horrible at everything, but happy that I proved entertaining to watch. Sharon marveled at how unskilled I was. There is a fitness test you can take and apparently my fitness level is that of an 80 year old. I guess I should not be surprised, my hand eye coordination is not great, but I've never heard of anyone not loving Wii and not being good at it. I guess there are exceptions to everything.

The Complete Jane Austen



From January 13th to April 6th PBS is showing new adaptations of all of Austen's novels and a biopic of her life. Last night I watched most of Northanger Abbey, and I thought is was pretty good. I never seem to get sick of Jane Austen, and PBS does a good job of adapting her books. I missed Persuasion, last week, but I am pretty sure they will do reruns. Check out this site for schedules of the upcoming movies.

Metamorphosis

Yesterday I read Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka. Last night my dreams were filled with giant insects hanging from the ceiling and spiders littering the floor, which I tried in vain to sweep up and out of my room. When I woke up I thought, well that's one thing I won't miss about Hawaii.

Oh You Pretty Things

I have been salivating over this cardigan since I saw it in the J.Crew catalog several months ago. I also snagged this lovely blouse in Ivory. I guess this is my attempt to banish all scruffy tee shirts from my wardrobe.

Big Island

We had a really nice time on the Big Island, although we did a LOT more driving that I had expected. When we got back to Oahu the nasty weather had disappeared, which made leaving even harder and the last few days even more wonderful and memorable. Here are some pictures of our trip, per your request Sheila. I will try and get a slide show going, or post some more of these on flickr.


North tip of the island, and a port-a john behind the shack {thank goodness}.


I picked a lot of guava on this trip


Place of refuge


By far the BEST snorkeling I have ever experienced anywhere, and happens to be where Capt. Cook was killed .


Volcano National Park crater hike


Yellow church on the trail head a black sand beach


Our hidden beach


Punalu'u black sand beach


Mauna Kea, way too cold for me but Mike loved it

Southern most point on the island, and the US

Open empty space

Stealing from Denny's

We are sitting in the parking lot in front of Denny's in Kona stealing their wireless, as we wait for our very early flight tomorrow. Viva sleeping in a rental car!

V is for Vacation



We are on the Big Island till Monday. See you when we get back.