2012

Archive for the year 2012

The Lord’s Diner

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Ching under Things to Do.

Brian and I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Lord’s Diner last Tuesday. Brian had to be forced into participating, but overall it was a great experience for both of us. I’m actually thinking of volunteering on a regular basis. Except, I don’t belong to a church or other community group so I will need to reach out to Sheryl and find out what days they need help most. On the plus side, I already have my food handler’s license so at least that part is out of the way.

The most amusing apart about volunteering at the Lord’s Diner is that I thought it was a restaurant when I first started working downtown several years ago. As Brian and I were driving home one night, we saw a huge line of people waiting outside.

I said something like, “Wow. That restaurant must be really good because there’s a huge waiting list. We need to try it sometime.” Brian explained that it wasn’t a restaurant, but rather a soup kitchen. I felt like a dodo. The long line outside the building totally made sense.

Fast forward a decade and we finally got to see inside. Brian volunteered for dishwashing duties, despite having arrived before any of the other volunteers and having his pick of all of the jobs. Sheryl said she usually has to ask someone to be dishwasher. It’s very rare that someone eagerly volunteers for the job. Brian didn’t want to interact with anyone though. Since I had my food handler’s card, I got to serve food in the food line.

The experience was both fun and rewarding. I can’t believe I hadn’t volunteered before. Then again, I was going to school and working full time for most of the last ten years so I didn’t really have much free time to spare. Now that I’m no longer in school, I can now participate in various community service activities. It’s one thing to be thankful for the blessings that you have. It’s another to actually give back.

If you are interested in helping, contact Jan Haberly, Executive Director of the Lord’s Diner. Volunteers are encouraged to work through their church, work, or other community group. Go that route first. Gifts and monetary donations are also welcome.

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Christmas Tree Envy

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Ching under Projects, Things to Do, Travel.

The Christmas tree at the Manhattan Hilton Garden Inn gave a serious case of tree envy. It looked like it was easily over twenty feet and there wasn’t an unadorned inch.

The tree that I’d been working on at home looked completely naked by comparison. I was tempted to go to Michael’s this morning to pick up some more ornaments. LOL.

Speaking of Christmas decorations, Brian and I were inspired by this wine-themed Christmas tree that we saw at Von Maur today. We’re totally doing one next year!

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Harry’s Restaurant

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink, Travel.

I had the opportunity to try Harry’s restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas the other day. The restaurant is kind of fancy. The dim lighting, the ornate crown molding and chandeliers give the restaurant an elegant and almost romantic ambiance. I’d heard some good things so I was actually looking forward to giving the restaurant a try.

This was Darcy’s dinner salad with blue cheese crumbles. The dim lighting inside the restaurant made it difficult to take good photos of the food and my cellphone doesn’t have a flash. Brian and I did get new phones this week though, so this problem should be a thing of the past going forward.

I had the roasted bell pepper and crab bisque.

Darcy had the beef stroganoff for dinner. Again, the photo didn’t do the dish justice. It looked absolutely delicious in person.

This was my pork roulade — slow roasted center cut pork loin stuffed with shrimp, crab, and spinach dressing. It was very, very good.

I didn’t get any pictures of Ginger’s salad and entree because she was sitting across from me and my phone was too slow and we were all starving. I’m surprised I was able to get photos of Darcy’s food. LOL.

If you are ever in Manhattan, Kansas, I recommend dining at Harry’s.

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Our Saturday Morning Routine

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink, Zumba.

My favorite part of Saturday is teaching Zumba fitness class at Evergreen Rec Center and then coming home to a wonderful breakfast prepared by my even more wonderful husband. I think it’s Jenni’s favorite part of Saturdays too. I’m pretty sure that she only endures my Zumba class because she gets fed afterwards.

Here’s what we had last weekend.

This is a picture of Jenni taking a picture of her breakfast.

The weekend before last we had bacon and eggs and rice. Yes, always with rice because we love, love, love eating rice. We eat rice with EVERYTHING!

Oh, and Brian usually has to make three different kinds of eggs: fried hard for him, over medium for me, and sunny side up for Jenni.

Except this last time he made a breakfast bowl for himself instead. Anyway, no breakfast after Zumba this weekend because we are going to Ben’s birthday party right after my Zumba class. Sorry, Jenni! Will you still give me a ride home, though?