Arts and Crafts 1: Painted Rock

The quiet that comes with cooking and crafting, for me, is extremely relaxing.  I don't measure. I don't use patterns or directions. However, I may consult a video or DIY blog before getting started.  There is a welcomed challenge in trying it out and not being limited by any sort of rule.  Am I still talking about crafts? Sure am!

Any rock can be painted.  Some are more porous and may require a thicker paint for colors to be bright. I find rocks at the beach or other places in nature.  Basic, acrylic paint works really well. You will probably want to start with a rock that is palm sized or smaller and one that has a fairly flat surface.  Then, just go to town. Here is what I came up with:

After the rocks are painted, you can use them as paperweights, put them in your garden, or just display them in your home,

Enjoy,

Lī'ula

Chicken Adobo in 30ish minutes

This is my mama's recipe.
WARNING: I've had to estimate the proportions here because my mom doesn't measure. When you ask her how much of any ingredient, she says, "enough". It's as if she is responsible for keeping the Ancient Filipino Secrets.

Ingredients:
2 lbs Chicken bone in- with skin, legs and thighs are the best
2 tbs cooking oil
2 bay leaves
1 cup vinegar- plain white or rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water or chicken broth
Garlic cloves- a lot of them
10 Black peppercorns

Pat chick dry with a paper towel. In a pot, brown chicken in cooking oil. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 25 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and reduce the remaining broth by boiling over high heat for 5 minutes. Serve over rice or as seen here with sautéed book choi.

Enjoy!
Li'ula

Beginning My Ukulele Journey

This is my Lanikai concert ukulele, my first ukulele ever. I started playing as part of an assignment for my hula class, to play and sing I Ali'i No Oe. So far, I can play about 7 chords that I've learned from watching youtube videos and playing Happy Birthday and Pua Mana. I need to work on singing and playing at the same time. It's so hard! I also need to memorize the chord names. I'm more of a "play it by ear" music student but my brain can only do that for so long. Advice from veteran ukulele players would be much appreciated.

Mahalo,
Li'ula