H's Banana Bread, honoring Sensei, Tofu

The Best Banana Bread!
We're always so happy when Henry bakes his bread from a recipe he was able to get from an Inn in the Adirondacks some years back.
Since I love walnuts, he always has a section of the loaf chock full of the nuts.

Even Betty and her husband agreed it is the best Banana Bread ever.
Henry has tried many recipes using different sweeteners, oils, flours, bananas, and pan liners and has settled on this.
This happy eating event takes place in our gym before our Zumba class.   Great incentive both to come to class and to exercise diligently.
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Last Saturday was the Installation luncheon of the new UJSH president Sheree.
She wanted to honor Miura Sensei for promoting naginata in Hawaii.
A much deserved honor for Sensei.

Sheree did a kata with Kent Sempai.
Besides having taken naginata, Sheree also teaches Japanese dancing as Hanayagi Mitsusumi, won the Grand Champion award of the 1989 amateur karaoke contest and represented Hawaii in Japan,  and opened Mililani Aikido Dojo.
Wow.

Here are Kent and Glen Sempais demonstrating a kata.

The Cherry Blossom Queen and her Court were there to greet guests.

Pretty Princesses

Old and new members at our table

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It's been awhile since we last visited Shokudo restaurant.
I had a nice fatty Hamachi nigiri and Ikura Sushi.  Yum.

The house made tofu was delicious.
And it was served with Hawaiian salt as well as dashi.

Father's Day, Renovation over!

Father's Day dinner on Sunday (we had a pre-dinner with the kids on Friday) was at Buzz's in Pearl Ridge.
And of course, it was crowded because of the holiday.
Buzz's in Kailua is an old traditional place where I remember my parents used to go when I was young (quite a long while ago).

The Top Sirloin and Lobster Denise and I ordered was okay (overdone), but we had fun eating it!
Also the Escargots for appetizers.

Jay and R  had the Rib Eye Steak special.
It was big but tough.
Even though we broke our rule of not going to a restaurant on a holiday, we had a much needed relaxed  and fun time.
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We've been having our floor renovated, which took two months and most of our time and focus and energy.
But always time for Shaved Ice at the Mall!

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Our refrigerator had to be removed from it's nook because flooring had to be put under it.
That meant having movers come to move it out because it is very heavy and not a job to be done by the tilers or contractors.
And while it was standing alone while the flooring was being put into the kitchen,  the door was taped shut so no one would open it and have it fall on them.

The final topping on the 3 plywood boards that go under the final waterproof vinyl tiles.  Fast drying something (plaster?) to even out the rough surfaces.

Part of the ceiling in the kitchen had to be opened to fix the pipe that was dripping. 

Of course, our dishwasher and wine cooler had to be removed like the refrigerator.

The baseboards had to be removed also.

            But all things come to an end, and the renovations are over.

Goodbye, lovely views from the apartment we were lucky to live in for two months during our renovation.

Back come the furniture and the hard part begins.
Oh boy.  Finding places for everything not given or thrown away was tough.
Even tougher is trying to remember where I put everything.

Janie gave us olive branches trimmed from her trees.  So far they have lasted  over two weeks in just water, and are giving us a chance to get used to our new look before we do more decorating.