Is it illegal to scan photos I bought at the Grand Canyon Skywalk? Because I just did.
The other day I was in the restroom at a restaurant and heard the woman in the next stall talking.
And not to me.
She was, I figured out, talking on her cell phone.
It was such a strange experience — even for me as an innocent participant in this. I mean, I didn’t want to flush for fear of “outing” this woman, who was casually chatting on her iPhone like she was lounging in her living room.
I’ll admit: I’ve walked into the bathroom still on the phone. But I wouldn’t go into full restroom action with someone on the other end listening. That’s just rude — and gross.
But why? We don’t seem to mind people talking in restrooms. Why is it different if that conversation is taking place on a mobile device?
Probably because we suspect the person on the other end doesn’t know where the caller is — or what those strange sounds are. And we feel awkward, not just for us, but for that unsuspecting person on the line.
The bathroom should be a private space — even if it’s a public restroom. I’m not going to subject others to my bathroom antics — and neither should you.
What do you think?
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#TodaysGift
Dog Kimono from Inu Inu Hawaii
Image 1 of 19
Days left: 3
Dog kimono or yukata from Inu Inu Hawaii (www.inuinuhawaii.com)
Price: $30 online or at pet boutiques such as Calvin & Susie in Kilohana Square
The gist: Bored of the usual dog outfits? Or your pooch is quite the fashion diva? Get a kimono (or yukata) from Honolulu-based Inu Inu Hawaii, which specializes in unique Asian-inspired apparel for dogs. They come in all sizes — in fact, you can custom order ones for larger breeds — and patterns. Imagine your Rottweiler in one of these!
Best for: Dog owners, of course!
A few weeks ago I got invited to be part of a cookie swap.
This is where you bring a few dozen cookies to a party and “swap” them with the others who show up with cookies, too. You share your recipe, you get a few new ones, it’s a win-win all the way around.
But this cookie swap was different.
There was no real “party.” And the “swap” part wouldn’t be done in person.
This was a virtual swap — called The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap — hosted by bloggers (and my Instagram and Twitter pals) Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil and Julie of The Little Kitchen.
Here’s how it worked: we were e-mailed the names of three other food bloggers to whom we would mail a dozen cookies. I sent my cookies — kakimochi chocolate chip sweetheart cookies — to three food bloggers: Katherine Crepeau (@katherine_june), Heather Eure (@hleure), and Monica Rodriguez (@iarethefoodsnob).
Apparently, mine were among the 22,000 cookies that were mailed around the world as part of this swap.
That’s a lot of cookies.
And as part of this “swap,” we’re sharing our recipes with you, too. (No, I’m not mailing out any more cookies!)
So here’s what I baked and shipped. Hope you enjoy them, too.
If you’re interested in participating next year, sign up here.
Kakimochi chocolate chip sweetheart cookies
Ingredients:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup crushed kakimochi (arare, mochi crunch or Japanese rice crackers)
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Enough heart-shaped kakimochi to decorate each cookie
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-1/2-by-13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray (such as Pam).
Pour about 4 ounces of kakimochi — or half an 8-ounce bag — into a plastic, sealable freezer bag. Using a rolling pin — or, like me, your hands and some brawn — crush the rice crackers into small pieces. Do NOT pulverize in a blender or food processor. Set aside.
In a bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Combine this mixture with the wet ingredients. Then add the crushed kakimochi and about 6 ounces (or half a 12-ounce bag) of mini chocolate chips. Don’t overmix the batter. (If you do, the gluten would overdevelop and result in a denser cookie with an unpleasant texture.)
Spoon a small ball onto the prepped cookie sheets and press them down slightly. Place the heart-shaped kakimochi (or any shape, really) onto the middle of each flattened ball.
Bake about 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, then store in refrigerator.
Add kakimochi
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#TodaysGift
Dog Kimono from Inu Inu Hawaii
Image 1 of 19
Days left: 3
Dog kimono or yukata from Inu Inu Hawaii (www.inuinuhawaii.com)
Price: $30 online or at pet boutiques such as Calvin & Susie in Kilohana Square
The gist: Bored of the usual dog outfits? Or your pooch is quite the fashion diva? Get a kimono (or yukata) from Honolulu-based Inu Inu Hawaii, which specializes in unique Asian-inspired apparel for dogs. They come in all sizes — in fact, you can custom order ones for larger breeds — and patterns. Imagine your Rottweiler in one of these!
Best for: Dog owners, of course!
You can’t have too many burger joints.
Especially of these eateries feature 100 percent grass-fed Big Island beef, local produce and milkshakes so thick you’ll hyperventilate trying to drink them.
That’s on the menu at Papa’s Burgers, a new family-owned burger spot in Market City Shopping Center, about a mile from the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus. It opened about four weeks ago to mostly rave reviews, and I wanted to check it out myself.
The menu is small but eclectic. It features eight signature burgers — bibimbap burger, pork and shrimp burger, black bean veggie burger — and a few sides. Some standouts include the freshly cut fries (made from whole potatoes) and the real ice cream shakes.
Here’s what my recent visit looked like:
Papa's Burgers
Papa’s Burgers, Market City Shopping Center, 2919 Kapiolani Blvd. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Phone: (808) 732-5100
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#TodaysGift
Dog Kimono from Inu Inu Hawaii
Image 1 of 19
Days left: 3
Dog kimono or yukata from Inu Inu Hawaii (www.inuinuhawaii.com)
Price: $30 online or at pet boutiques such as Calvin & Susie in Kilohana Square
The gist: Bored of the usual dog outfits? Or your pooch is quite the fashion diva? Get a kimono (or yukata) from Honolulu-based Inu Inu Hawaii, which specializes in unique Asian-inspired apparel for dogs. They come in all sizes — in fact, you can custom order ones for larger breeds — and patterns. Imagine your Rottweiler in one of these!
Best for: Dog owners, of course!
