July 2, 2009

Caramelized Maui Onion Dip

I found this Carmelized Maui Onion Dip recipe in the June issue of Sunset and I can't wait to share it with all our “grass skirt wearing” friends on Saturday.

I love Maui. I love everything about Maui; the peacefulness, the beaches, the rainbows, the whales, the pineapples, the Maui onions and the Maui onion chips.

While in the midst of a little meltdown yesterday, I had to have a talk with myself about trying to think happy thoughts when all I felt like doing is sitting down and crying.  And when I think happy thoughts, I always think of Maui.

I had intended on taking photos of our entire spread at the Luau Party this Saturday, but because of circumstances beyond my control, that's just not going to happen. (I promise I'll try to keep this short.)

While at our family reunion in Chicago, my camera stopped working at the end of the evening. I just thought that the battery had died, so the next day I charged the battery and still nothing. When we got home, I tried connecting the camera to my laptop and it didn't recognize the camera.

Yesterday, I broke down and took my memory card to CVS to check and see if their machine could find my pictures. Nope. Nada. Nunca. Nothin. They are ALL GONE!! Not just all the pictures of the family reunion, and the kids and grandkids, but hundreds of others that I had not backed up.

Seriously! I've got I had so many irreplaceable pictures on that disk. And, it's all my fault for not backing them up.

So, that's all I've gotta say about that. (Did I just quote Forrest Gump?) I just wish I was in Maui eating some of this dip with some of these Hawaiian Sweet Maui Onion Chips.

Don't even try to eat just one!

When in Maui together, BigSis and I have been known to make a run to the nearest ABC Store to stock up on a few bags of these amazing chips. And, yes, a tummy ache is sure to follow, but it's worth it.

I think all this talk about Maui and Maui Onion Dip and Chips has already made me feel better. What about you? What thoughts make you happy?

~LilSis

February 24, 2009

Well, I have to say that my Cooking Bucket List is nothing as specific or fun as yours, BigSis! These days, I'm just struggling to stay on top of weekly meal planning and shopping for the family. We have too much going on right now for me to carve out any extra time in the kitchen. Maybe one day things won't be quite so hectic.

If I could have just one thing on my Cooking Bucket List, it would be to try to become a better baker. I'm going to have to get past the fact that I don't like to measure ingredients! Actually, I have lots to learn! I think it will just require some time and patience. Hopefully, the day will come when I have time to experiment.

I've been working on my ‘other' Bucket List, ever since I saw the movie. Some things are more trivial than others and some are bigger wishes, but I thought I'd just share a few. (They're more fun than my cooking list.)

This list is not necessarily in order by priority, but I think the likelihood of me getting front row tickets to Elton John's Red Piano concert might happen before I get to go to Egypt or spend a month in Maui.

Here's just part of my Bucket list:

• Go to Vegas and see Elton John's Red Piano concert again and get front row tickets so I can get onstage
• Go on a hot air balloon ride
• Take my dream trip to Italy
• Learn to speak Spanish fluently
• Learn a little bit of  Italian before the dream trip to Italy
• Go back to Magens Bay in St. Thomas with SirHoney
• Swim in the French Riviera
• Visit Egypt, tour the Valley of the Kings, and see where they discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen
• Watch the sunrise at Haleakala, take the 28 mile bike ride down the mountain, and then spend a month in Maui

Haleakala Sunrise

Oh, how I would love to be there right now! I'm looking forward to the day when I can start scratching some of these off my list.

Come on…I'd love to hear what's on your Bucket List!

~LilSis

October 3, 2008

Aloha! Oh how I wish I had a magic genie right now! I would close my eyes, make a wish and hope to open my eyes and find myself in Maui. In my wish, it would be 5:00 a.m. and we would be starting the day out on our balcony watching the whales play. From there, we would go for a wonderful brunch, then to the beach for the day, then walk to Hula Grill for dinner and music, watch the sunset, and finally, walk back to our room for a good night's sleep.  A girl can dream, right?

BigSis posted some awesome photos from our previous vacations! I know we'll be talking more about Maui in the near future. We both love it so much. I would love to talk about some of our favorite local eating places and my favorite local artists.

I don't know what it is about Maui that is so magical, but it is a place like none other. It's almost as if once you get off the plane there; something says to you “It's time to slow down, enjoy life; enjoy who you're with, and enjoy the stunning scenery.” SirHoney and I talk about retiring there someday. Who knows, some dreams do come true. Unfortunately, it's time for me to get back to reality.

~LilSis

October 3, 2008

We've been to Maui together twice now, and it's without a doubt our favorite vacation destination! We love it! We would recommend it to anyone and if you're thinking about going, you should definitely take a look at https://www.kaikanani.com/ and look into the boat tours then offer. We could talk about what we adore about Maui for days, but for now we'll give you a list of our 10 favorite things about Maui, plus one to grow on!

1. Hula Grill on Ka'anapali Beach

2. Life-size checkers games, with coconuts for the game pieces, at Kaanapali Beach Hotel

3. Black Beach

4. Lava fields

5. Sunsets

6. Walks along the golden sands

7. Golf courses

8. Red Beach

9. Local charm

10. Pa'ia

11. Spectacular ocean views

~BigSis