Riverfest Sundown Parade
Posted on June 9, 2016 by Ching under Events, Food and Drink.
Both Westar Energy and the Kansas DUI Impact Center participated in the Wichita River Festival Sundown Parade again this year. Last year Brian and I both walked with Westar. Since the two groups staged right by each other, I actually thought of walking with both — walking with one part of the way and switching to the other the rest of the way. However, I realized that they were actually going to be far apart in order. The Kansas DUI Impact Center was toward the front of the line, while Westar Energy was almost at the very end. Realizing this, we decided to split up.
Brian walked with the Westar group.
My little sister Nickira and I walked with the Kansas DUI Impact Center.
Figured she would like it better because (a) they had a cool ballon arch, bead necklaces, and noisemakers, and (b) they ha fun tailgate with hotdogs and chips. Nickira had some chips but passed on the hotdogs because she said, and I quote, “I’m picky about hotdogs and these have cheese inside.”
Who knew my little had such discerning taste? LOL. 😉
Nickira rode in the trailer, which was completely packed. I walked the route and was starving by the end of it. I opted out of the hotdogs too because I knew, according to the schedule, that Kamayan Truck would be at the ICT Pop-Up Urban Park. I totally underestimated the time it would take to walk in the parade, though. It was almost eight o’clock in the evening by the time we finished. It didn’t help matters any that we started a little late. Though I’m not really sure. Maybe the groups ahead of us just moved very slow. We might have started on time. The only thing I know is that it was almost seven by the time the Kansas DUI Impact Center group started moving.
It was well past eight by the time we got to the park. Lucky for us, the Kamayan Truck was still there and they still had food to sell.
Predictably, Brian got ribs and I got porchetta.
Nickira got the Asian tacos.
And, the mango watermelon salad, which she thought was weird.
And, some watermelon juice.
It’s been mayhem downtown due to Riverfest week so neither Brian nor I have been back. Plus, I was supposed to be in Topeka this week so I didn’t schedule anything with Nickira. Besides that, we actually have something going on just about every night.
Nickira and I pick back up again next week. Until then, I hope you guys enjoyed the photos. (NOTE: The first two are Joe Montiel‘s photos. That’s why they’re good. I highly recommend hiring him if you need family, engagement, senior, or wedding photos. He does an amazing job.)
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Steampunk Day at Old Cowtown Museum
Posted on June 7, 2016 by Ching under Events, Things to Do.
Here are our pictures from Steampunk Day at Old Cowtown Museum…
It was a high-calorie day. We started off with lunch consisting of pizza and wings at Ziggy’s. Nickira had a bonus rootbeer float.
We ended the day at my favorite ice cream joint, Churn & Burn, before taking Nickira back home. I would have felt bad for consuming all of those calories were it not for my Zumba class that morning and all the walking we did while exploring Cowtown in the afternoon. I definitely need to buckle down, though. I’m now about the same size that I was in 2009 (when I was at my heaviest) if not bigger. Yikes!
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Painting Night at Pinot’s Palette
Posted on June 6, 2016 by Ching under Hobbies, Things to Do.
We opted to stay put over Memorial weekend because I didn’t want to have to search for subs for my Saturday and Sunday Zumba classes. Plus, knowing that we were staying in town, I volunteered to teach a class on Memorial Day. Yes, this girl does not take any days off. Everyday that you’re alive is a day worth being productive.
Anyway, since we weren’t leaving town but wanted to do something fun, Brian and I decided to check out Pinot’s Palette. We’d done painting parties at Paint the Towne a few times before but we’d never been to Pinot’s Palette.
We started the evening by having dinner at Sabor, one of our favorite restaurants. We picked it for a couple of reasons: great food and proximity to Pinot’s Palette.
After our delicious dinner, we headed over to Beyond Napa (next to Pinot’s) to pick up a couple of bottles of wine to enjoy for the evening.
Jarrica and her friend Sarah joined us. They’re a couple of Pinot’s Palette regulars.
Obligatory awkward selfie. 😉
I love how they write your name on your designated spot.
Me and Jarrica and Sarah…
Much better selfie…
Here’s a photo of our awesome instructor.
Here’s what we started with…
These are the paint colors we got to play with.
Jarrica watching the master at work. Brian was fixing my shadows.
Here’s what we had about an hour in.
Proof that I painted my own work of art.
My finished piece…
Brian’s finished piece…
Sarah’s and Jarrica’s… they’re pros so they weren’t afraid to deviate from the model.
All four of us with our respective works.
Afterward, Brian and I dropped our paintings off in his car and walked over to Oeno where we met up with Jen and her husband Brian and several others.
Hideki was there in a fancy suit.
Missy, Paula, Andrea (Ketner), Holly, and Meader were there too. It was too dark and I don’t take very good photos. Anyway, Brian and I had to be up early the next day so we didn’t stay late. We only stayed long enough to dance a few songs.
Suavemente usually gets played a few times. We were there for the first round. It was hilarious! If you’ve ever seen the hilarious Suavemente video making the rounds on Facebook a few weeks ago, you’ll understand why this is so funny.
What a fun evening! You all should come join us next time.
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Fork & Fennel
Posted on June 5, 2016 by Ching under Food and Drink, Reviews.
Brian and I got to try a new restaurant a couple of weeks ago. We were supposed to got to the Andover Rotary Club’s summer picnic but it was canceled due to weather. Plan B was to hit Central Standard Brewery, which is where the Flying Stove usually parks on Thursday nights. We texted them to see if they would be out but they hadn’t made the call yet. It was pretty clear on our side of town so we decided to go for drive and swing by CSB. We were so disappointed to find the truck absent. Apparently, though the weather was pretty clear downtown and on the East side, it had rained hard on the West side of town were the Flying Stove guys are from. They were worried that things would get worse so they made the call to turn around and cancel for the evening.
Brian and I were already out but didn’t really have an alternative plan in mind. We were driving East on Douglas, toward our house, when we came up Fork & Fennel. Neither of us had been there but I’d heard great things about the restaurant. A potentially stormy night seemed like the perfect time to try it. LOL.
The restaurant has a pretty cool interior, which is a huge departure from the old decor. The restaurant used to house a taco joint years ago.
It’s been completely transformed and looks great. I love the lighting and metal chairs. Note that the lack of people is not because the restaurant isn’t any good but because we were supposed to be in some kind of thunderstorm watch.
Here’s a glimpse of the menu which Brian carefully studied, as we should since we are first timers at the Fork & Fennel.
Brian and I had to try the waffle chips and dip. I’m glad we did because it was amazing. The waffle chips are like waffle fries but thinly sliced and crispy. The chips were great alone but phenomenal with the house dip, which had excellent flavor.
To keep ourselves from overeating, Brian and I decided to split the smokey bleu and bacon. I don’t particularly like onions so I would have them hold the red onion marmalade next time. Other than that, the burger was amazing.
The burger normally comes with a side of waffle chips but, since we had already stuffed our faces full of it, we opted for a side salad. For a nominal fee, they halved our burger for us and we each got our own salad.
The salad was amazing. I loved the pecans, blackberries, and cheese crumbles. We probably could have done with just one salad though, because Brian didn’t really eat his. I think it was too frou frou for him.
Anyway, if you’ve never been to Fork & Fennel you have to check it out. The food is delicious and the restaurant ambiance is unlike anywhere else in town.
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Date Night – Salina
Posted on June 3, 2016 by Ching under Food and Drink, Reviews, Things to Do.
Brian and I had the opportunity to watch Kathy Griffin’s stand up performance at Stiefel Theater in Salina a couple of weeks ago. Neither of us had been to the Stiefel Theater before. We actually thought the drive there would be longer. It’s really only a little over an hour. Anyway, we decided to make a night of it.
We decided to eat dinner at Tucson’s before the show because it’s pretty close to the theater. We also checked online and the restaurant had pretty good reviews.
Here are some pictures of our food.
I had the tilapia with rice and veggies.
Predictably, Brian got chicken tenders. He really should have ordered steak. It is a steakhouse after all. But neither of us that fond of beef. Why we picked a steakhouse to eat at for dinner, I have no idea. LOL.
I suppose we wanted to avoid fast food and there really weren’t that many options.
Here’s a picture of the sign in front of the theater.
This is where everyone congregated as we waited to be let in to the auditorium.
Here’s a picture of the theater auditorium.
It wasn’t too obvious from the previous picture but there’s also a balcony area.
We got really good floor seats. We were only seven rows from the stage.
Obligatory pre-show selfie.
And just in case some of you are not familiar with Kathy Griffin, I took a picture of the flyer. She’s semi-famous. LOL.
She’s also super hilarious. I really like her conversational, story-telling style. I don’t feel like I’m watching a stand-up comedian. It just seems like you’re listening to a friend tell you stories, except they’re juicy and funny and entertaining.
We drove home immediately after the show because we both had to work the next day. It was a long night but totally worth it. If you get a chance to see the “Like a Boss” tour – I think she’s hitting 80 cities on this tour – you should. Brian and I give it two thumbs up.
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