2012, the year of the squirrel and nabe (nah-bay)
we acquired the necessary munitions for scaring away the evil spirits, also worked for toddlers and dogs.
same stand, new year. I had to make all the selections, the kids were completely uninterested in looking at and picking out fireworks, except #2 son who wanted to hold "bombs" in the car.
the weather was to nice too let the kids sit indoors playing video games and watching dr who. the daughter has a dr who marathon each day. #1 son made it clear he was disinterested.
lunch at the blanton cafe was pretty cheap with my member's discount.
further expression of disinterest from #1 son.
"this is where they store all their money!" the daughter enjoyed the museum, #1 son and I left on bad terms. lost his gaming privileges that day, he did.
NEW YEARS EVE:
back in the early 80's, my dad went to japan a few times, as guest of the sony corporation. one of the things he came home talking about was this "shabu-shabu" dish. for years, I have imagined this exotic and foreign food. recently there has been talk of making it ourselves and this seemed like a good opportunity to try something new. our friends acquired the devices and the food stuffs to make nabemono, or nabe. shabu shabu is a variety of nabe.
I set the studio light on a boom over the table. the table top burner and nabemono/shabu shabu pot in place.
pretty to look at and nibble on, just like the ladies.
then it hit us! we combined our love of the ruby red grapefruit from the rio grand valley and our love of the french 75 cocktail and it was born! the french rio grand 803!, grapefuit juice, plymouth gin, a bit of organic agave nectar, shake and pour over ice, top with champagne. MAN I'M TELLIN YA! that was GOOD STUFF!
it was fun, not the kind of meal you enjoy in a hurry. I like it. sort of like an asian version of fondue.
using spoons to make chicken balls to cook in the broth.
happy/pretty girls
we used fireworks to frighten away the evil spirits.
fun with sparklers and slow shutter times.
and while I had the light out...
it may not be the two thousand dollar dress from neiman marcus, but the wife filled out a new dress for new years eve. and as the hour came closer... I showed my true self. a man-squirrel hybrid.
