Will Hike for Malasadas

On day 3 of our wedding festivities, Bryce found a man-cave to hide in and bask in the glow of back-to-back-to-back NFL games while the ladies (his Mom Teresa, my Aunt Slynn, and her friend Patty) and I went about our touristy ways! 

Day 1 and Liliha Bakery can be found here, day 2 and Monkey Pod Kitchen here, for those of you who might just be joining us.

After gathering the troops, we hiked to the top of Diamond Head, Waikiki's trademark crater, and caught the great views.

Aunt Slynn's Arrival + Monkeypod Kitchen

Last Saturday, September 7, was the first 6 am Penn State game (in Hawaii, of course) and Bryce's Mom Teresa was less than interested in joining us for breakfast, bloody mary's, and football viewing at the bar. (Click here if you missed her first day in town.) After the Nittany Lions CRUSHED the Eastern Michigan Eagles, Cassie, Teresa, and I journeyed to the KCC Farmer's Market. WOO - canteloupes!

Liliha Bakery

The wedding visitors have begun to arrive and the celebrations are officially underway. I'll try my best to make quick updates throughout the week(s) full of activities!

Bryce's Mom was first to arrive yesterday. After a quick lunch and running lots of errands, we had a low-key evening at our place complete with a Marky Mark movie (We Own the Night, which I HIGHLY recommend) and take out from one of our favorites, Liliha Bakery.

Liliha Bakery is an awesome and historic bakery in Honolulu near, but not on, Liliha Street. It's most famous for the signature cocoa puffs and the store front is open 24 hours a day! This photo was taken on a Saturday morning and the bakery was a ZOO.

In addition to the bakery shop it also includes a belly-up counter with about 20 seats and delicious (most especially breakfast) foods. Both photos were taken from the very long and slow line for these coveted seats.

Wedding, Wedding, Wedding

You might be wondering where I've been and what I've been doing lately, since I've been absent on the blog-front for weeks...

 

Planning for the wedding. Deciding on marriage-related things. Answering the questions surrounding the nuptuals "How much longer? Are you getting excited? What's your theme?" Honestly, it's all anybody wants to talk to me about! I'm still a real human with other interests, although those are no longer acceptable topics of conversation, I suppose. We can hardly wait for next year month when everyone switches gears and begins pressuring us to have kids!

 

Even Bagheera gives me a guilt trip when I take a break from planning.

 

Christine's Colorful Potato Salad + July 4th BBQ

It's the 4th of July week, HOORAY! It's only appropriate to celebrate America by BBQing and spending quality time with family and friends.

This recipe is one of my favorites from a very good friend of mine, Christine. At first glance you think it's your everyday potato salad, although after just a bite the tangy flavor and crunch of the Granny Smith apples combined with the potent zing of the blue cheese create a perfect surprise. 

For each and every holiday I'd request that she make this, her specialty, and she would always oblige. She no longer lives in Hawaii and when she left she passed her ever famous recipe on to me. I'd return the recipe to have her back here in a heartbeat, although I'm honoring her by recreating her infamous BBQ side dish.