J's Knicknacks , The Sake Shop

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Daren and Lauren, looking for a craft store, found this shop, J's Knicknacks, on the internet, and since it was conveniently located (near a Zippy's), visited it the other day and told me about it.
So, being interested in arts and crafts, I walked to the store.
Cliff, the very kind and interesting owner, is also fun to do business with.

His shop, besides selling dies, stamps, paper, pens and scrapbooking items, has a section that is a jumble of everything you can think of.
There were dolls, dishes, bottles, cups, sieves, pans, shelves - and right there in a box were some little locks.  I had been looking for just the right size and shape for my gym locker and there it was.
The black one I was using was too small.
The stainless steel covered glass salt shakers were nice too.

                                  
                            I'm starting a new hobby, thanks to Cliff's store and a very talented lady I met there who introduced me to die cutting.  I know next to nothing about it, but it will be fun to learn.

And in another "what are the odds" moment, I found out that he is a very good friend of our vocal teacher, Craig Shimizu!  
It's a wonderful world.

Yesterday I saw this bag in a show window, and now I finally know what Hang Ten actually means.
(I guess the strange thing is that I grew up here not knowing)

Passing through Waikiki is always fun.

Even these Goldens love the scenery.
The side of Diamond Head is so green due to the recent rains.

We found The Sake Shop on S.King St. and entered the world of sake.
I was looking for a nigori to bring to our naginata party tomorrow, and had an introductory course about sake from the very pleasant owner, Nadine Leong.

What rice grains look like after having their outer surfaces pollished off in varying degrees.

Gym, Bairin tonkatsu

It was our Zumba instructor, Angie's birthday !
She said she had a karaoke zumba dance number and sang for us while leading us.
She can also play the sax and dance without running out of breath!

It's good to be young.  Of course, I could never have done that even when I was 18!

The lobby of the Condo our gym is in is all dressed up for Halloween.

Our spooky lobby, too.

Tonight we had a great dinner at Bairin with Daren and Lauren.
All opted for the pork fillet katsu, which was crispy and tender as usual, with lots of airy cabbage.

What's wonderful about Bairin (beside the tender pork) are the condiments.  Homemade tartar sauce for the shrimp, ume and  lots of sesame seeds you grind fresh and mix with the tasty tonkatsu sauce.

And they added something new...an old fashioned rice cooker that is brought to your table.  You let it steam for a few minutes and then put the wonderfully fluffy rice into your bowl.
Bairin is always satisfying.  We missed Les, Liz and CL this time, but see you soon.

On the way back to the parking garage, there was a lovely arrangement in front of one of the stores.  The braided palm leaves were interesting.

Then we went to pick up Penelope at Poi Dog puppy care.

There she was, barking as usual and so eager to come home.

Not used to such a big audience, Penny happily barked and growled.

HASR

Linda and I decided on HASR (Highly Allocated Spoiled Rotten) for lunch today.
The public parking is across the street from the restaurant so it is tempting to jaywalk but due to street repairs, an officer was directing traffic so we used the corner crosswalk, enabling us to have dessert because of the extra steps.  Yeah right.

Luckily, too, because there was a sign on the window announcing a $130 fine for jaywalking.

Linda ordered the Crab Benedict Sandwich, which was good.

The Vegetable Pasta was hot (so was the plate) and full of colorful lightly cooked vegetables.
One of the owners said she was changing the menu very soon.  She also owns the wine shop next door.  Too bad the lady who sold scones there moved.  

These desserts will soon be gone too.  Key Lime Cheesecake pie and Banana bread pudding.

At the gym, Zippy's

Al before his Island Tone class on Sunday.  He looks intimidating but he's a sweetie to us as we sweat through his class with weights, bars, push ups, abs.
He's so popular he also has the Island Sculpt class before this one.

We found time to eat again - this time Pork Saimin at Zippy's with Daren and Lauren visiting from California.
They are  faithful Sacramento Kings and Zippy's fans.
It was Daren who once told me to always order the Belgian Waffles here "extra crispy" and I've been doing that ever since.

Love today's class--Zumba Gold, with Kevin.  It's a fun class because he has great dance moves.
Good teachers here at this gym, but I also miss Melinda and Yanos from our previous gym that closed.

Waiting for the next class, Sattva Yoga, to begin.
I know next to nothing about Yoga, but am beginning to enjoy the stretches, especially after the weights and dance classes.

Voice lesson, La Mariana Tiki style

Our voice instructor, Craig,  at Shimizu Voice has so many ways of approaching the various problems that pop up in our singing journey.   

It's challenging, but always interesting and fun, even for an average voice like mine.

After our lesson, we sought out La Mariana on Sand Island nearby.

On Keehi Lagoon and attached to a sailing club, this restaurant was started in the 50s.

It's very atmospheric, having kept the era's Tiki ambience.

Of course, the Queen of Tiki restaurants would be Mama's on Maui.

There is a large sign at the entrance to the road leading to the restaurant.  Even at about 1:25 there were many cars parked on the roadway in front.

A gift shop that sells their Tiki cups and glasses and t-shirts is to the right of the walkway.

On a table by the Hostess stand are photos of the founder, Annette La Mariana Nahinu.

The hand battered Mahimahi burger was delicious.

The Mahimahi was fresh and the crust was crunchy.

The Hawaiian style Chicken Curry was tasty , according to R, but not spicy.

The interior is colorful and a bit dark.
It must be very lively at night.

The Marina is right outside with slips for sailboats only.
As we left, we were given a printed history of how this sailing club and restaurant came to be.
Amazing to read how it survived hurricanes and Japanese buyers and different owners of the Keehi Dry Dock.

Outside is a collection of posters from various old bars and restaurants that closed in the 60's.

Later, since it was so hot again, we went for shaved ice at Ailana on Kona Street after picking up Penny from Doggie Care.

Good Penny never begs or fusses when we eat out.
She's too engrossed by what's happening around her.

This morning

Penny, all set up for a belly rub.

Hey, where is everyone.

Penny hears something coming...

A pig!  Sniff the ears.

Sniff the nose..

Taste the snout..

Better the pig than me.

Waikele, Kunio's, Tokoname's calories

Penny's October grooming photo

Lovely Maidenhair ferns and water lilies in Janie's garden.
Maidenhairs were popular when we were young because they're so delicate and go well in corsages and leis.

 Today, we decided to drive out to Waikele and see the outlet stores.
It has become an outdoor shopping area and many tourists from China, Korea, Japan, Australia were there. 
    I had heard that some Japanese tourists go directly from the airport to Waikele to shop.

Tommy Bahama was having a 50% off sale, and Crocs was great at "buy one get the second one half off" sale.   Looked at Ralph Lauren but didn't have time to go into other stores because it was time for lunch at...

Luckily, friend Denise had told us to go early because it filled up quickly.

R's Maguro bowl.

The broiled Hamachi negi roll was good.  Like tuna, green onion and mayonnaise rolled in rice.

It was fun to walk around here, but there are great sales at the Ala Moana Mall stores also.

On the way back to Honolulu, we passed under the Monorail construction site (I think) that we hear so much about.

Our Condo's lobby is beginning to take on Autumn colors.

At Tokoname, I had the Mu Sake sampler again with sushi.
The Nigori, Snow Maiden, is quite good, like an alcoholic dessert.

Daiginjo Mu was as smooth as ever, and Ginjo Katana was good too, but  just a tad harsher.

R had sashimi again because it goes well with his beer.

Uh oh.   Tempura ice cream.
In order not to have to work too hard at the gym,
we each ate only one quarter of the ball.  The tempura covering was extra crispy tonight and the pound cake like lining beneath it was thicker too.
And then the cold ice cream in the center...
Tuesdays are "25% off "days.