Archive for "Flickr"
Celebrating with Family
Posted on June 17, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr.
Here are some select pictures from our family gathering yesterday. We were celebrating Brian’s birthday, his grandmother’s birthday, and Father’s Day all in one. You may view all the photos here.
Everyone met up at B&C BBQ for lunch. Everyone being Brian’s grandparents, Brian’s parents, Chad, Brian and I. Mom and dad came, too. So that was nice. It usually takes an act of God to get dad out of the house. I’m really glad they could make it.
We gave everyone their gifts which Brian and I purchased and wrapped almost a month ago. We went the easy route this time and just got movies for all the dads. We got Happy Feet for grandpa, Smokin’ Aces for Dave, and The Greatest Game Ever Played for my dad. Since everyone is getting into golf, Logan and Jen included, we figured it would be appropriate. Plus, it is such a great movie. (more…)
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Salina Road Trip Recap
Posted on June 2, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr, Food and Drink, Travel.
Brian’s parents wanted to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary by driving to Cozy’s in Salina and invited Brian and I to tag along. Now if you tell someone that you are driving 3 hours to eat some burgers, with gas at over $3 a gallon, they’re going to think you are freakin’ nuts. This is pretty much the reaction that Brian and I received from folks we told about our road trip. Our Cozy Inn burgers, as good as they were, have got to be the most expensive burgers I’ve ever eaten. Good thing they were on mom and dad. ;-P
Of course, I managed to talk everyone into checking out some of the Salina tourist traps to make the most out of the drive. No one believed me that there were things to do in Salina. Just type “things to do in salina” on Google and you’ll find several suggestions.
The three places we visited were the Smoky Hill Winery, the Smoky Hill Museum, and the Central Mall aquarium. The trip was loads of fun.
I think Smoky Hill Vineyards and Winery was my favorite part of the trip. We got to sample a variety of different wines. We also walked around the property a bit and checked out the vineyards. Mom and dad bought a couple of bottles of wine to take home with them.
The Smoky Hill Museum was really cool also. They had some really neat exhibits. I love the antique stuff and the reproductions.
Central Mall is just like any other mall, except it has a really neat aquarium by the food court. The aquarium is home to several species of fish indigenous to Kansas. The mall also has plenty of areas for children. It is very kid-friendly unlike some of the malls we have in Wichita. The stores are nothing spectacular, though. I think people mostly just go there to hang out.
Anyway, we had a really nice time on our day trip. We also had a nice treat on the way to Salina. We happened by the Black Kettle Festival in Moundridge. We stopped to check out the antique planes. Of course, I took the opportunity to take some photos. Overall, I think everyone had a great time.
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Bang Bang Sauce
Posted on May 27, 2007 by Ching under Flickr, Food and Drink.
Brian and I tried Bonefish Grill one of the newer restos in town a few months ago and really loved the food. I was completely amazed that Brian liked the restaurant because it is primarily a seafood joint. They offer great steaks, though, which is nice because then Brian has something that he can select from the menu. The two times that we have dined there, everything has been deliciously prepared. We have no complaints.
I was so impressed that I told my coworkers about the place. Jan has been there once or twice. Darcy has taken dining at Bonefish to another level. She’s been there probably half a dozen times since. She and her husband Mike absolutely love the place. They actually drive from the West side of town, where they reside, to the Waterfront, which is on the East side of town just to go to Bonefish.
Anyway, Bang Bang Shrimp is probably the most popular item on the Bonefish menu. Everyone loves their Bang Bang Shrimp. The secret is in the yummy sauce. The sauce kind of reminds me of the signature sauce, found in Honey Walnut Chicken at Fusa, but with a spicy kick to it. Darcy told me that she found a recipe online. This led me to my own search. Here’s what I found..
I found that the sauce consists mainly of three ingredients: mayonnaise, Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, and a few drops of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce. How much of each ingredient you use will depend entirely on your taste buds. The simplicity of the sauce recipe is nice. However, from all the articles I’ve read online, most have failed at successfully duplicating the flavor of the famed Bang Bang Shrimp sauce.
I joked at Darcy that if she ever successfully duplicates the sauce, she could probably use it with everything. You could “bang bang” porkchops, “bang bang” chicken, and “bang bang” just about anything because it really is the sauce that makes the dish. The shrimp is just your run of the mill, garden variety battered and fried shrimp. Granted it is crispier than most, but the sauce is where the magic happens.
I’m not much of a cook, so I couldn’t really see myself toiling over the kitchen for hours mixing a bit more mayo and a bit more chili sauce just to get the flavor right. Surely there is an easier way to “bang bang” nirvana. Here’s a secret I will share with you: you can actually buy pre-made Bang Bang Sauce through the Dinni’s Select web site. I’ve not seen these carried at my local grocery store, but if I find it I will let you guys know. For now, I think it can only be purchased online.
Dinni’s Select offers a wide variety of delicious sauces for you to try. You can buy a three-jar gift pack and choose three different flavors. Or you can just get three jars of the Bang Bang Sauce. 🙂
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Our Botanica Photos
Posted on May 22, 2007 by Ching under Flickr.
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She’s a Natural
Posted on May 19, 2007 by Ching under Flickr.
Riverfest 2007 was super fun this year. Of course, it was more fun because I could actually participate in some of the festivities. It always coincides with finals week so in years past I’ve not been able to attend.
This year Brian and I went to the swing concert on Thursday night. The band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, was amazing! They really entertained the crowd. Brian and I got to do some swing danging which is always a blast.
One of the older guys asked if I wanted a lesson. Not one to turn down a dance, I agreed to dance with him. He showed me some new stuff. While we were dancing he called out to Brian, “She’s a natural!” It was so much fun!
It has been a couple of years since Brian and I have actually gone out dancing so I was achey the next day, but it was well worth it! We need to do that again! =P
Yesterday I took a half day of vacation. Brian and I went to Botanica and then went to the Wichita Art Museum to participate in WAM gallery quest. It was funny watching the other people actually go to the outdoor sculptures.
I found a computer terminal at the Art Investigations Gallery and I just started looking stuff up. We actually found a couple of answers that way without physically inspecting the art installations. It was a shame that the computer didn’t have internet access. Otherwise, I could have looked up all of the answers! Give me the web and I can find anything! LOL.
After that I took Brian to Cafe Moderne for some gelato. Good stuff there. Then poker which was anti-climactic. I got knocked out way early and ended up waiting for Brian. They did start satellite sit-n-go tourneys which was nice. It gives you something to do while you wait for your buddies or, in my case, my husband.
Anyway, if you want to see pictures of some of the festivities feel free to check out the the photostream.
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