Foodie Blubs from Haleiwa, HI

Beach House Restaurant

62-540 Kamehameha Hwy #1, Haleiwa, HI

Yesterday, we went off in search of where the big waves show surfers what they're made of. This took us on a ride up to the North Shore, approximately 34 miles from Honolulu. I felt transported to another time and place as we passed Coffee Farms and Pineapple Plantations along this Pacific Coastal area. Our search ended at a restaurant called the Beach House overlooking the ocean and an amazing sunset.

I dined on a tasty House Fettuccini with mushrooms, onions, and asparagus. The dish was accented by a white wine butter sauce and a memorable balsamic reduction. Like most people, I was completely satisfied until I got a better look at hubby’s meal. Although I am vegan most of the year, I had to taste his Beef Short Rib, braised in red wine with roasted onions on top of tantalizing Yukon mashed potatoes.

The trip was well worth the meal and the stunning going down of the sun! Thank you, Haleiwa.

Speed of Life Stops!

Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Places to Ponder

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Since 2013, we’ve gotten the chance to visit many once-in-a-lifetime cities around the world with Dave Koz. A lot of these were places that I’d dreamed of since I was a child. There are others that I didn’t know would impact me until I actually arrived. Rome, for example was one of those cities with its rich history and famous attractions.

I went there and learned to relax despite the Speed of Life. It soon came to my attention that St. Petersburg would also be on my list of special destinations. There were unique things that made it stand out but familiar things that couldn’t be missed. One of the things that I write about often is the fact that people are essentially the same.

When you ride through a city and see families interacting and excited pets, it’s hard to separate individuals based upon location. Whenever there’s a lot of information to consume and a short period of time to do so, music makes me relax and ponder. I think our host DK knows exactly what he’s doing when he selects truly amazing places for use to visit. Then he offers us jazz creativity at its best through artists, such as Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Peet Project.



Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Another Surprising Connection

A big part of this European trip included research for my writing, both before we traveled and after we set sail. Reading about Tallinn was interesting and got me excited for the trip. Actually arriving in the city and seeing it with my own eyes was another thing altogether. I thought that I knew what the experience was going to be but it truly was so much more.

Walking the cobblestone streets and seeing the gothic influence in the buildings was amazing. These mixed in with modern structures and businesses harmonized with so many of the other cities in this part of the world. As usual we took a hop-on hop-off bus tour to see the things that we’d read about.

St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Tallinn TV Tower, Toompea Castle, and many other attractions were on our list. These were a part of the things that were expected. We had no idea that on one of our tour buses would be a familiar face. The world is definitely large but it would seem that it’s small at the same time.

An elementary teacher of my husband’s was there on the bus with us. A conversation about states and travel brought this truth about. How awesome and humbling to go around the world only to find another surprising connection. The Speed of Life is absolutely a real thing that makes its way back around.

It was inspiring, as well to see this woman not letting age or anything else keep her from what she loves. Travel and jazz are included among these things. Swirling around our conversation was the anticipation of Richard Elliot, a featured headliner for the main performance.

Chronicling Europe 2018 – Embracing Stockholm

All of the locals that we met along the journey confirmed that the weather was unseasonably warm. I’d thought that heavy clothing would be necessary throughout the entire Baltics Cruise with Dave Koz and Friends at Sea. The sun was a staple as we arrived at Stockholm, Sweden.

The previous night’s main show included our host and special guest Kenny Lattimore in concert. Late nights and jazz in every venue on board couldn’t keep us away from this beautiful city. As usual our hop on-and-off tours allow us to visit historic parts of the city, as well as, those that were filled with business and cosmopolitan life.

The lack of hustle and bustle on the early morning roadways, struck me as different from the typical sights at home during this time of day. Stockholm Palace and City Hall were definitely two landmarks that showcase the brilliance of the past.

Excursions that included the Swedish Opera House, the City Centre, and other popular locations were high on the list of many of our fellow cruisers. Sampling regional and national cuisine is always on my personal list of must-do activities.

Lunch time in the park displayed workers from all backgrounds relaxing and embracing the gorgeous city of Stockholm. There were no Speed of Life struggles that we could see!

3 Quick Meals – Use 9 Standard Ingredients

Rice

Pasta

Cheese

Tomato Sauce

Canned Beans

Frozen Corn

Hot Dogs

Onions

Cold Cuts

These are some of the most common ingredients that are staples in homes. They are sometimes items purchased to prepare specific dishes. Some people purchase them simply because they are useful when the cupboard is getting bare.

Because these are standard ingredients they can be used to make meals that are tasty and budget-friendly. Let’s take a look at 3 individual meals that are quick and easy to prepare. All you need is these 9 ingredients, water, spices and olive oil or margarine.

Change these healthy options to suit your taste and the people eating with you:

Italian Dish – Pasta, Tomato Sauce, Cheese, Onions (sautéed) and Sliced Hot Dogs (pan fried with oil)

Mix cooked pasta and other ingredients to make a simple dish for lunch or dinner. You could add oregano, parmesan and other spices according to your palette.

Spanish Dish – Rice, Tomato Sauce, Cheese, Onions, Beans

Mix cooked rice and the other ingredients to make a side dish or an entrée if you’re adding ground turkey or beef. Chili powder, taco seasoning, salt and pepper are terrific additions to this meal.

Side or Entrée Dish – Rice, Frozen Corn, Onions (sautéed), Cold Cuts (diced and sautéed)

Mix cooked rice with the other ingredients to make a side dish or an entrée. Add a tablespoon of margarine or olive oil as you mix the dish. You can mix the sautéed cold cuts into the rice dish or use it as a topper.

Movie Genres – Experiment with Different Cinematography

Many people have one set go-to genre of movie and never branch out. The only problem with this is that you will likely miss some really great work. Those who enjoy an exciting action flick could delve into a thriller.


This is like going from Mad Max to the Accountant. The leap is not that major when the work is good and the story line is developed. Another option to consider during this sort of exploration is work from the past.


Surprisingly, films like Casablanca, North by Northwest and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are relevant to today’s current events. The all include stories that are serious, comic and relatable. The different ways that directors presented locations can be appreciated.


Find a new movie to view that is a change from your first choice. It is possible to tailor a more diverse appetite for movie-watching. Streaming services allow viewers to explore as many genres as they want.

Outsource Your Writing Needs - Get Content that Produces!

Many businesses and organizations require relevant content on their websites. Content is displayed on each page of the site, as well as, on blogs. The information found here are what visitors see about you. Their impressions will be based upon what's written and the information provided.


It is important to maintain your website on a regular basis. Unfortunately, staff writers are not in everyone's budget. This is one of the reasons why outsourcing options are effective. Hiring a skilled content writer could be the solution to your problem.


Update Site Pages


If your site pages are outdated, they are not producing for you. Changing information or even showcasing new products and services is important. You should want your traffic to fully understand what you offer. Outsource this work to a freelance content writer for tailored wording.


Start a Blog


Blogs are not simply a way to communicate through social media. Corporations and successful businesses around the world utilize blogs as tools. They bring increased interest to the business and can affect sales. It is possible to hire content writers to regularly provide posts for your site's blog.


Post Articles


Articles are one of the most effective Search Engine Optimization tools. These articles are displayed and dispersed in various locations online. They are written to describe your site and services. At the same time, these articles include links back to your specific pages. Having these available could change business metrics altogether.


Thinking about what your business does, whether it provides services or products, is critical. This is the information that you want out there about you. It is extremely important that this information is displayed on your website. Simply existing online will not make your site productive.


Followed by Web Content Matters

The Help!

Are the academy or entertainment media responsible for declaring work to be exceptional? No, I don’t think so. I believe that if the work is historic is its scope and touches the unsuspecting, it is truly exceptional. The acting work of Viola Davis in the movie The Help was not only exceptional, but mesmerizing.

Who knows how long an actor must wait for that role? The role, that will do more than catapult their immense talent. A role, which will relay a message to the world. Davis’ portrayal of a maid during the height of the Civil Rights Movement showcased her skills to be sure. It also served to unearth the ugly scab that has existed for decades between Blacks and Whites in this country.

Certain things and subjects have become taboo, almost untouchable. They get swept under the rug, but never really forgotten. This is because the silence is deafening and the hurt too deep. Movies like The Help do a lot to spark discussion. This movie doesn’t simply focus on our all too unsettling past. It offers us hope, that people like Davis’ character and people like Emma Stone’s character are real!

Their historic passion to make things right and tell the story mirrored what was going on in the world. It spread to millions around the world. This is a must see movie, even if it hurts! High honorable mention goes to Octavia Spencer. And a great honorable mention goes to young Emma Stone. Cheers to Viola Davis!

Let’s allow love, right, and positive behavior rule and dominate. . . .