Fall=Apple Picking

When I was younger, I used to imagine a Winter covered in snow, just like some modern day muggles imagine Hogwarts. It was foreign and mysterious. Basically a fantasy and imaginary world that soon turned into a harsh reality after a few years under my belt as a Mainlander. But Fall... Fall has very little downside in my book. 

Given that there is no Fall in Hawaii, you can probably imagine why this season still holds its novelty. The leaves, the cool air, the sweaters and boots, the hot apple cider and s'mores; Autumn just speaks to me like no other time of year.

When I look back on our time here in Champaign Urbana, there are few locations that excite me like Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch. The sights, the smells, the small town feeling of isolation and no place feels more like Fall to me. So we packed up and met our friends for some family fun.

The trees are turning

Leaves everywhere

Look up

Apple cider donut

Apple picker 

Picking apples right off the tree

Corn maze

It was actually a pretty cold evening, so we went indoors to warm up with the hot apple cider. Apple butter and pumpkin pies fill the air of the indoor shop of the orchard. But my eyes are on the apple chipotle barbecue sauce. No visit to the orchard is complete without BBQ sauce. Pork chops will be in our future. But for now, my Fall appetite is satisfied with our annual visit to Curtis.

Happy Fall everyone!

-Akemi-chan

Dinner and a Movie: The Martian

You could say that I've become lazy, and I would probably agree with you, but I see no better dish to honor The Martian than a baked potato. 

After reading Andy Weir's novel, I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks to Mark Watney's sarcastic humor, I was a fan. However, I am not usually a fan of Matt Damon. It could be that he creeps me out from The Talented Mr. Ripley, or because he permanently looks like he's hiding something from the world, but I was crushed when I found out Mark Watney was being played by the talented Mr. Damon. 

Turns out, he did a great job playing everyone's favorite Martian. I wish they added more of Mark's sarcasm, but I guess some of those arrogant one-liners would detract from the overall story... not. 

Either way, Mark spends the first third of the book cultivating Mars with potatoes, and eating them to survive. So baked potato it it. Nothing fancy, because Mark is not making scalloped potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes. He's eating microwaved potatoes, one at a time. 

We dressed ours up a little more than Mark. But in this house sour cream is a necessity. A little chive to add some color and I'd say Mr. Watney would be proud. 

if you want the recipe, do what Mark would do. Insert potato into microwave until it is soft. Enjoy.

-Akemi-chan

September and October Randoms

Sooo, new developments. I've gone Full Time at FedEx to help out with the holiday season, so things are moving along quite nicely. Less free time, but hard work and experience is worth it. Still lots of eating, so at least I got that going for me. :-)

El Oasis our favorite. Cantaloupe, cucumber, mango and corn flavored Mexican ice creams

Pool time in September?!

Chicken thighs with Brussels Sprout salad and sweet potato fries

Zucchini noodles in garlic and olive oil

Exploring Meadowbrook park

My dogs

First time with spaghetti squash, not bad

Still loving El Oasis. Popsicles, ice cream and fried stuff

Breakfast by Pandamonium Doughnuts 

Brown sugar and apple french toast casserole

Roast chicken with kale and sweet potatoes

Still liking the short hair, think I'll keep it

Wavy clouds

#alldaybreakfat from McDonalds, YESSSS

Adult root beer floats

Flat dog

All the tofu, quarter for scale

Brunch at V Picasso. Grapefruit mimosa, green eggs and ham, and "big breakfast"

Genie tsum approves

Suit up!

Crock pot coconut chicken curry

Still eat nori on my popcorn

Kimchi, egg and veggie saimin

Again with the El Oasis, we get it...

The weather is getting colder and my poor little heart can't take it. Fall is going by so fast and Winter is right around the corner. My favorite season is passing us by.

Luckily, I don't work outside anymore, so the harsh conditions will not hurt me anymore. That is until I slip on the pavement wearing high-heeled boots. One thing at a time, one thing at a time. 

For now I'll focus on less travel and more eating, that is until the holidays come around. Then it'll be more travel, more eat ing:-)

-Akemi-chan

Prohibition Walking Tour in Chicago

What happens when you take a group of friends, a large metropolis, a bunch of alcohol and a history lesson? We're about the find out. You might think I'm talking about Drunk History. But I'm referring to a walking tour we took in Chicago for a friend's birthday. Walking/ drinking/ architecture/ history/ eating tour. What a mouthful.

Here's a picture diary of the things we did. Please forgive my lack of detail, I had been drinking.