This was the holiday...
I made these cute little placecards that look like wheat sheaths, which ended up taking a lot longer than I thought, but I can use them again eventually.
Here's the day's menu. I did end up dropping one dish mainly due to time constraints (the green beans). I took Wednesday off to prepare, but it still ended up taking a little longer than I thought.
My turkey process was very simple - easiest part of the meal. I brined the turkey in saltwater for six hours, patted it dry, then let it air dry in the fridge, uncovered, for 24 hours -- that gets the skin super crispy. It took about 2.5 hours to cook, starting breast-side down for 45 minutes, then each wing side for 15 minutes, then the breast up for 30 minutes, basting with melted butter on each turn.
I just got through all the turkey leftovers, upon making a turkey tetrazzini the other night. And the bones made a bunch of rich turkey stock.
Here's some cranberry grappa jelly that I made. I wanted a homemade version of the canned jellied cranberry sauce. Everyone else seemed to prefer the whole berry cranberry sauce, but there's still a place in my heart for the jellied. The dish wasn't hard to make, but a little time-consuming because you have to strain it, and let it set in the fridge for several hours.
And the honey and I when it was all done... whew...
I put my kitties on CL and now someone wants them. :((
Here's a review for your North County residents. Leucadia Sushi is located on North Coast Highway, north of restaurants such as Jamroc and Cap'n Keno. Basically, where Leucadia really gets funky - not in a bad way, but in a decidedly low-brow, relaxed way. On a side note, I've been wanting to visit Cap'n Keno, for the hell of it. Spaghetti dinners are $2.95. I'm not expecting much, but it's intriguing.
I had a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com for Leucadia Sushi so we decided to try it last night when I was sick of turkey leftovers. It was empty except for a group of 4-5 diners, but I think it may be a new restaurant. Here's what it looks like; it's one of those sushi boat places.
The sushi was pretty cheap (around $4 for two pieces of nigiri), and a fairly decent quality considering the price. It definitely can't compare to nicer places like Sushi Ota, Station Sushi, Tomiko or Tajima... but if you're looking for someplace cheap, this is better than your typical cheap joint in, say, P.B.
Overall, I'd say it could be an ok happy hour spot if it attracts some more business. There's a coupon on their website, and of course, you can get a gift certificate off Restaurant.com. The honey and I ended up paying about $28 after the coupon, including tip, two teas, 4 orders of nigiri, and 3 rolls.
The restaurant doesn't offer enough to make me want to come back, because I'd prefer to hit the Tomiko happy hour, which is in Encinitas, which would end up being slightly more expensive, but much better sushi and a much better ambience.
The final word
(1-5 rating: 1=BAD, 2=mediocre at best, 3=ok, 4=wow, pretty good!, 5=one of my all-time favorites)
Food (Taste, Quality): 2.7
Value: 3.4
Service: 4
Ambience: 2
Memorable Experience: 2
Price: around $4 for nigiri, and $7-14 for rolls.
Menu recommendations: I liked the salmon nigiri and the albacore. The tuna wasn't very good. Their dynamite dishes had too much creamy mayo-like sauce.
Notes:
Would I make a point to go again, paying full price?: Probably not, given the other better sushi places that are closer.
recipe from: milk and honey cafe I used 3 tablespoons of Maeda-en Sweet Green Tea instead of 2 Tb matcha because it's what I had on hand. My pound cake turned out much lighter because of this substitution. The flavor was light, not too sweet and both my very Japanese grandma and her very Japanese friend loved it. I can't wait to try baking it again but with proper matcha. The closest thing I can compare it to is castella.
I'm pretty sure the following is the funniest thing Work Dad has said in a long time:
I was surprised that I liked Michael. When you said he was from Europe, I figured he'd come in all, like in tapered pants with square shoes and looking down on us for being American... all smoking a cigarette like they do over there in Europe.... with their hand all flipped up and stuff, all like "oh, I am Michaaael. Americans are fat." Stop laughing. You know how they are over there... with their tight dress slacks and fancy shoes and all...
Ohhhh, Work Dad.
-K.
Hey guys,
Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend!
I've probably mentioned before that I really like Restaurant.com. They sell $25 restaurant gift certificates for $10, and they often have 80% off sales, so I usually buy the $25 cert for $2. Deal!
They're having this nice little promotion now. I can enter up to 30 friends' email addresses and they'll send you a free $10 gift certificate. (Of course, expect to be getting emails from them.... that's why I use my spam email address). But they're not that frequent.
So, if you'd like the free gift certificate, let me know. If I don't already have your email address, private message me with it.
Much love,
HapaLove
I hit the hay early on Thanksgiving so I would be all bright eyed and bushy tailed for Black Friday. I woke up even before my alarm went off, is anyone surprised? My first stop was Macy's. I made my way to the shoe department and it was a complete zoo! I wandered the sales racks, dodging overzealous shoppers and found myself at the Coach display. The boots were on sale and 50% off at that. Suh-weet! I managed to grab the Gene booties. After Macy's I found myself at Nordstrom and except for the handbag and shoe departments, the rest of the store was practically deserted. I came away with a black cardi and textured tights, neither on sale, ughs.
I wandered through the rest of the mall hitting my usual haunts. J Crew was A MESS! The place was packed despite their paltry sales racks. I guess that's why they're doing so well, peeps are willing to pay full price for their shiz. I too am guilty of this. Even though I abhor paying retail, I finally broke down and bought the majesty stone necklace after waiting forever, ok, three months, for it to go on sale. BUT, I did make my purchase with a JCrew coupon, I got $25 off, so take that J Crew! I must say, I love love love the necklace! I want to wear it everyday with everything. I'm thinking of getting it in the crystal color too or maybe the duchess stone necklace in pink, but I can wait for those to go on sale. I hope.
Black Friday was a bit of a disappointment as much of the stuff I have my eye on remained at full price. Gah. So, HOPEFULLY, in the next few weeks these bad boys will see a price reduction and make their way into my closet.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Cherry Blossom dress.
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. I love this dress the minute I laid eyes on it. Since I'm already prepping for my vacation (despite not booking anything for it yet =P) I thought this dress would be perfect for roaming museums or long drawn out lunches at some cafe. It would work equally well with flats or heels or even boots. I for sure would go for the navy version of the dress, but Bloomies only had the hot pink. Cute, eh? Methinks it's more versatile then the Nanette Lepore I tried on earlier.
White House Black Market Ecru Shawl Collar Jacket. I saw this on Chloe and I had to have it. Once it goes on sale that is. I need something light to break up the oodles and oodles of black that pervades my wardrobe. It would be cute with the cherry blossom dress, no?
J Crew Pippa Metallic Ballet Flats. I'm a sucker for metallic flats and this amethyst color is gorg!
J Crew Nottingham Flat Boots in dark Mushroom.
Yea, I know, I know, these were just on sale. The boot is still
available in all sizes online so I'm guessing it's not selling too
well. I could be totally wrong. However, if I am right, that means
these boots are in for a bigger discount.
While I was in the Bloomies dressing room, I snapped a pic of the outfit I wore to Frenchie's wedding ceremony. It was so comfy!
Mossimo Target Dress, Anthro Snakebite belt, Dior pumps.
http://hoobears.wordpress.com/
A new form of procrastination!
Having spent the last 12 hours unpacking boxes, juggling the baby, moving furniture, cleaning, wiping, bleaching, building, and remodeling our new home with my husband, our baby, my brother-in-law, and my in-laws... I can honestly say that this has been the most blessed year of my life.
Fantastic family, awesome friends, steady jobs, food in our pantry, roof over our heads... I have so, so much to be thankful for!
