Panipopo: Coconut Buns

Last night we made Panipopo, a Hawaiian dessert. We were introduced to it by one of our fave missionary, sister Soliai (she's from Hawaii if you haven't guessed!). We loved it so much we asked her for a recipe!

I had been meaning to make this for a while but just didn't get to it. So last night we finally decided to just go. It was pretty easy. My kids could pretty much do it themselves, if they wanted to.

buy these and let them thaw and rise on their own. I lined mine 3 a roll, which came out big so next time i'm trying 4 a roll.

see? They come already pre-rolled so you don't have to do anything!

To make sauce!:
you'll need a can of coconut milk. Heat over medium heat and add sugar to taste. Depends on how sweet you want it.
Pour the sauce all over lined rolls. Don't use all of it. Just half.
You will need to use the other half for when it's almost done.
When rolls are cover with sauce bake it at 350 degrees.
Once rolls are a little golden brown (almost done) pour remaining sauce all over rolls.
Let cook. Once it's golden brown and ready bring it out and ENJOY! We sure did!

Well this is an attempt at a recipe so if you don't understand it, let me know.
Now go ahead and make it, I promise it'll be soo good! And it's easy too! So what will be your excuse? : )

Pattersons' Farm

A few days ago the kids had a day off from school. Must have been some teachers meeting thing. I'm not sure. But any who, i decided that this year we should do the whole hayride, corn maze and picking pumpkin kind of thing people do on Halloween. Since we never do it. I know i know, i'm horrible....just shoot me.

So I told the kids and they were excited, so was i. The only problem? I've never been to Pattersons' Farm. So I looked it up and got the directions and off we go. We were pretty excited!!!!
We got to the farm and okay i have to admit, it wasn't what i expected it to be, but who cares. We are actually here! So we look around and see some pumpkins. But in my mind I'm thinking "hmmm i thought they would be on the ground every where, not in crates".
We found some nice sized ones for $2. So when I went to pay for them, i asked the cashier where the corn maze was and she said "oh that's not here, it's at our other location down the street a bit more".
Great! I was at the wrong place. How was I suppose to know. So I asked for the direction (very easy and close by) and off we went again.
On our way there we saw this nice little place that had a corn maze so I asked the kids if they wanted to stop by.

they had to take one with the spider!

This is my hunk! I do think we make a lovely couple! Don't you? 

 

We were not impressed with the corn maze. Very small

We only spent about 15 minutes there and then it started drizzling a bit. So we decided to just head out to Pattersons' Farm.
We found it! Right when we drove into the farm it started raining. Wait I should correct that....it starting pouring cats and dogs!
We were pretty disappointed. We waited a bit but the rain kept on going and going.
So needless to say we never got to do the things we wanted to do. So Pattersons' farm is still on our 'to-do' list. Boohoo.
But it was a good thing that we bought pumpkins earlier. And by the way I did not see any pumpkin patches at the farm either. If any one knows....is it further in or something? How about the big slide, corn maze and hay rides? Where were they? Because i didn't see them at all? Unless i'm not going in all the way? Weird.

Can you tell he was excited? Since he didn't get to go with us on our adventure (he was at a friends) we got him a pumpkin to carve. Yay for us! 

Ignoring the fact that I went to the wrong place, I'd have to say we had a little fun, it was an adventure! At least i can say i tried right? I get points for that don't I?

Girls' Night

I always feel giddy when I'm dolling up just to go out and have dinner with a friend. I don't get those kinds of nights all the time so when I do get that chance, I dress up or at least try to and put on some make up (finally) and head out into the night and maybe just maybe turn some heads!
We headed out to Coventry for some Thai food at Mint Cafe. But you can't just go to Coventry and not go to City Buddha! That place is my favorite place in Coventry, asides from the food. You can find some really unique things there and every time you go there, there are always some new things.

she's so cheesy huh?

Lad Nah! My fave but this one at Mint Cafe was not as great as ones that I've had before. Chicken was very dry too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this one is called Coventry Road Madness. It was pretty tasty especially with the Basil flavor but I personally thought the squid was a little too chewy. But the Salmon was wonderful especially with Basil. I think I'll have to try a Salmon and Basil recipe now!

We had such a wonderful time. We giggle and laughed and joked and just chatted. About every thing and anything. Being mommies we hardly ever get a chance to see our friends because we are so busy taking care of our kids and our 'home front'. I'm grateful that I am able to get to do this even if it's once in a while.
We totally enjoyed our 'date' the other night. We laughed till we almost cried. That's how fun it was. I wished I hadn't waited 3 months just to spend some time with a good friend. I think i'll have to change that. 3 months is just way to long!
So now it's back to our mommy and wifely duties til next time we will doll ourselves up again and think we are gorgeous even if no one notice.

To top this night off we went and watched this movie. 

Yes in 3D!!! It wasn't what I had expected at all. We were all worked up on it being a scary movie. We WANTED it to be scary, but it wasn't. Wasn't even a horror movie. It is a good movie, got my brain working and all. It's a good movie but if you are looking to be scared then this movie is not the one. A good watch but not scary. Plus the 3D really helped! I think I like 3D now!

Cannery

Last week I went to the cannery with a few friends from my ward. I've never been to the cannery, I have only heard of it so when my friend asked if I wanted to go I took the opportunity to say yes. I really wanted to see how it all works. I'm curious...i'm a monkey!
I'm so glad that I decided to go. It was a great experience for me to go and help out in some way. Even if it's just to can a few things, i felt like i've contributed to society.....even if it didn't seem like it.
I also had the chance to see the 'bishop store'. How wonderful is that? A place to store food for families that need it? And all out of the our pockets because we want to help. I'm so glad that we have something like this going on here right in our back yard. I see commercials all the time about donating or giving money....but to be honest i wonder how truthful and honest that is? I mean seriously I'd love to help, but how do i know that that money is going where it's suppose to go? How? I've heard way too many stories that the money isn't necessarily going to the children/s.
At least with this 'bishop store' I know where that money is going. And I'm so grateful that we get the opportunity to provide this when we get the chance. I'm so grateful for the volunteers that are there every day filling orders. People helping people in need! What better way to live. I hope I can be a good example like these volunteers...I hope to do more for society and help. I will try to do the best I can. I don't have much but I can help.

Being at the cannery has opened up my eyes a bit. I see things in a better light, i guess you can say. I'm sure I'm mumbling here, but it's how i felt just being there. Knowing that i've helped in some way to get food to my ward families! And that's a good feeling no matter who you are.

rice

this machine was awesome. I loved working it. It's a machine that closes shut the lids.

pouring in the wheat

I know that this might seem a small thing to most people and it probably is. But to me it was a big step/milestone for me. I've always wanted to be able to get out of my comfort zone and help others or just at least be helpful in a way. And this was an opportunity for me to do just that. It may just seem like an every day thing to some and not a big deal. But for me it was everything. I'm so grateful and thankful that I got this chance to be involved. Even if it's just canning hot chocolate.....and it smelled so good!

Car Trouble

Last week Liens' car broke down. Something about the brakes. He had his brother look at it since his brother knows a few things about fixing car. He was a mechanic for the Air Force....i think! He fixed the convoys. Usually Lien could fix it himself but he has been working 12 hours a day every day so he has been unusually very tired. And since his brother is living with us right now and not doing anything he thought he should get his brother to take a look at it.
Turns out it was worst than he had thought. They pretty much had to take every thing out and fix all the brake lines and stuff like that. I don't know anything about cars but when i heard:
"okay we'll go buy a torch tomorrow" I know it's something huge....right?
It's been at least 4 days total now that Lien hasn't been able to ride his car. He has been getting rides with my dad to work since they work together. But for the pass 2 days i have been picking him up from work since dad is not working 11 hours. Only Lien and 2 other guys work the extra hours.
It's been a pain in the butt to say the least. It's not fun when you don't have flexibility. When you have to depend on some one else to pick you up and drop you off it gets a little frustrating doesn't it?
He misses his car and we sure hope it is up and running soon. It's an old car but he can still drive it. And we will be using it till it really breaks down and dies on us.....which i hope won't be for a very very long time (knock on wood) I really can't afford another car.

fixing his baby! 

Nilun has been helping the boys out too. He is learning so much. That is a good thing.

Hopefully this baby will be up and running really soon.

Liz's surprise baby shower 9/18/10

A few days ago I threw a friend of mine from church a surprise baby shower. I have been planning this shower for weeks and weeks but couldn't really figure out what i should do. This is my first time hosting a baby shower. So i was a little nervous. I've been to plenty of baby showers but it's a little different when you are actually the one planning it and hosting it.
I really stressed myself out with planning this. I'm glad that another friend of mine offered to help. What a relief, finally some one who knows what she is doing! She ended up helping me with the invitations, which are very awesome! So cute. So thank you Niki!

I was stressing out over and over again. I was afraid that there wouldn't be room for every one in my house or the food wouldn't be great. What was i suppose to do with decorations? I know i sound like an idiot right? Like i don't know how to do anything. I really do know how to do lots of things but since it is my first time hosting a party of this type i wanted it to be good. I didn't want to disappoint.

I got things done just in time! Thanks to the missionaries who came over to help with a few things. I had just enough time to get myself all pretty up. Just when i had gotten done with putting on my make up the first guests had arrived. A little early i might add but still okay. Then every one started coming one by one. I'm so glad i did this party. It gave me an opportunity to mingle with some of the ladies from church and get to know them (well i kinda didn't really get that, since i was busy worrying about things and stuff). I'm really glad we had a great turn out too. I'd love to thank every one for coming, sorry i can't post your names - only because i can't remember who all came. So i'll leave it at THANK YOU for coming and enjoying this day with the happy parents-to-be! They greatly appreciate it.
And a special shout out to all that helped bring food: Rochelle, Barbara, Niki and Camille. Thanks to my sister-in-law who made salad for us and my mommy who made noodles.
It helped me so much. THANK YOU again!

You all should have seen Liz's face! Priceless! I wish someone would have captured it on camera....too bad. She had no clue, which is good. I'm so glad her husband didn't let it out or any of the girls. I'm glad he could get her to my house!
These two are great people and they will make great parents, i can just tell. My husband and I are grateful to meet these two. We hope the best for them and their child. This baby is going to be one lucky kid!

marshmallow pop party favors and Orchids for gift for our games

missionaries helping out! Thank you!

 I have to add before i forget. I've like to thank Rochelle for writing the list for the gifts and such. So grateful. Now i'm really a bad host.
And i might add, thank you for bringing the fried rice. Much appreciated! : )
I do have to say that i was a pretty bad host. I didn't really know what i was doing. I forgot about the cake, i forgot about the games, so not every one got to play. Sorry. I'll do better next time, if there ever is a next time.

mom to be!

these socks are so adorable

I'm glad we got to meet these two. They are wonderful. Can you imagine the son they are having? He's going to be a heart breaker i have a feeling!

So all that stressing i did? Yeah they were all for nothing. It turned out great. I was just being a little too hard on myself....as always! 

I hope you enjoyed your party! I hope it was a blast or at least a little fun. I can't wait to see the little guy!
CONGRATULATIONS MIKE AND LIZ GILLINS