Yum... Yum Cha!

Awakened by ascending jet blasts on their way to a Memorial Day airshow over the harbor, followed by car alarms and neighborhood dogs barking from the commotion, there was little to do this morning but contemplate what to do next. A trip to the hardware store, quick caffeine fix and then a lightbulb went on... a restaurant in the shopping center now serves dim sum! Golden Lion Chinese Kitchen in Aiea, is grounded in local and Hong Kong style favorites, yet they've kept up with the times... bubble tea drinks for the afterschool crowd, a busy take-out business for working families, retirees and singles and now, "dim sum all day." Since Eastern Garden near Pearlridge closed their doors several years ago, dim sum or yum cha is something our central and leeward friends have been missing for some time. With reluctant husband in-tow this morning and the prospect of feeding the hungry boyz (still) asleep at home, we went all out today and brought home a feast. As you can see in this detail, the 'local favorites,' half moon, steamed manapua and pork hash have the lighter looks of the upscale establishments, yet we found the assortment to be stuffed full with whole shrimps, seafood chunks, and extras like shiitake mushrooms and fresh vegetables (local watercress, chives and spinach) that add texture and a flavor boost to even the classics. The owner told us the pork hash is their most popular specialty, "not like other places." Not knowing our exchange at the restaurant, #2son declared, "The siu mai is really good and the mochi rice has lots of meat in it." While balancing local preferences with classic ethnic recipes is a tricky business in Hawai`i, there seems to be more hits than misses at Golden Lion. They've had the staying-power that other storefronts in the area have not. Click on the title of this post for more information. ~alohabc

I Break for Cupcakes

It isn't often that most residents, including myself, actually hit the pavement in Waikiki. The Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk is one of those rare exceptions. It isn't your typical athletic marathon or triathlon that goes on in this health-conscious state, but a fun, family & friends event with entertainment, food, drink and encouragement all along the way. This year's event was held yesterday, and I'm very sorry not to have posted beforehand to encourage more support for the benefactors of this charity event. However, consider this an advance invitation to be prepared for next year's 33rd Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk! This year on the route there were breakfast pastries, giant fresh strawberries, lots and lots of ice cold water, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, live Hawaiian music, crunchy granola, chilled watermelon, kiddie bouncers, rainbow shave ice, bubble machines, heavenly coconut cake, local radio station DJ's, frozen juices & pops, paper fans, mist showers, (have I missed anything?!?) oh, and red velvet cupcakes! If you were one of the thousands to get all the checkpoint stamps, there was a bento lunch waiting for you at the finish line. Waikiki hotel caterers and businesses provided all the yummy treats and refreshments.

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is a great way to support a long list of worthy causes and local non-profit organizations, while team-building with your coworkers, reuniting with friends and bonding with family members. It's not too early to put on those walking shoes and launch your conditioning program for next year's walk. Click on the title of this post and bookmark the event's website for future reference. Hope to see you there in 2011! ~alohabc

Art By Us!

New toys, new venue! ArtByUs.com is a 'virtual' art gallery and auction site, with one-of-a-kind (aka OOAK) pieces created by known and unknown artists. You are buying original and limited edition works directly from the artists. AGJ Word Play, is my latest ArtByUs submission. These copper bits were hand stamped, formed and given a vintage patina to draw out the calligraphy image against a mirror-polished background. 14kt gold filled accents for a contrasting finishing touch. I'm loving this new opportunity to use my hammers, and just wait 'til you see what else can be done with a few steel stamps and finishing tools! Simply click on the title of this post to reach the ArtByUs page to discover the translation and for more information. ~alohabc

I Do MOO, Do You?!?

I love my new MOO business minicards. Aren't they pretty?

Ânuenue means rainbow, and with the opportunity to make up to 100 cards, each a different color, I thought these would make useful color swatches... let people choose their favorite color (very revealing)... make great bookmarks, too. What would you do with MOO?!? ~alohabc

What's Cooking Now?!?

Happy New Year!!! After a flurry of last minute cooking, cleaning and partying from Christmas to New Year's Day, there were finally a few moments when I could sit down and enjoy the TV set all to myself (between football games) and watch the foodie film, "Julie & Julia." Not only was I inspired to eat a little more butter this year, but to apply my jewelry making skills to create a few kitchen gadgets! I've always loved dollhouses and miniatures, and though not measured to any particular scale (this whisk is approximately 30mm), these wire-wrapped charms are true to their counterparts in form. This piece is offered as a pendant charm, along with others pictured in copper as earrings. They're all available now on Etsy, just click the title of this post or the thumbnail pictures in the sidebar on the right to go to "anuenuegems on Etsy" and bon appetit! ~alohabc

Aloha Beadazzle Hawaii!

Beadazzle Hawaii in Mapunapuna has been a reliable source for Swarovski® crystals, pearls, gemstones and findings at wholesale prices over the past several years. Our good friends, Amanda and Eddie, of Beadazzle Hawaii are working hard over the holiday weekend to close up shop, with the last day of business, December 27th for 2009. For all of us beadaholics on Oahu, it may come as a bit of a shock, but TAKE NOTE: We are assured there will be a NEW, IMPROVED, BEADAZZLE HAWAII, coming in 2010! The question has already been answered, "How are we going to manage without Beadazzle Hawaii?!?" Eddie and Amanda have been preparing for this business shift by creating a wonderful new website, www.beadazzlehawaii.net with all our favorite colors, shapes and sizes of crystals, findings and more! New items will be added continually, and along with Amanda and Eddie's service-oriented and generous spirit, FREE SHIPPING on orders $100 or more. Eddie and Amanda will continue to post news and status on their blog, www.beadazzlehawaii.blogspot.com so be sure to stop by, sign-up for email news and bid Eddie and Amanda a fond, "Aloha!" this weekend! ~alohabc

7th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza comes to Kailua Town!

It's that time of year, once again... and this time it's extra-special for AGJ. The Chocolate Extravaganza is an islandwide community event on Oahu, benefiting homeless families with children and the mission projects of our host, Emmanuel Episcopal Church. This is my first time donating not only jewelry, but a bit of chocolate, too! This is a peek at "The Works" Deep Dish Chocolate pizza, which will be on the Chocolate Buffet. Also shown here is "Mocha Latte Twist" a fun, flirty necklace set of Swarovski® crystal pearls, crystals, and sterling silver, which will be available at the Silent Auction. The single strand, 43" opera length necklace is shown doubled here, with its matching earrings. Please click on the title of this post for more information, and click on the photos to enlarge them. Hope to see you this Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the Chocolate Event of the year! ~alohabc

Roughing It

A renewing reunion with friends, family and nature up and down the westcoast and Sierras, inspired a few new designs this month. AGJ Lee Vining earrings on the left and AGJ Rock Creek Swirls on the right, reflect an earthy, casual charm in natural lemony turquoise, faceted amethyst, and traditional turquoise stones with antiqued brass findings. Yes, we also caught a few fish, too! ~alohabc

Happy 5th of July!

It could have been the fireworks, or just the extra-long weekend that inspired these sparkly designs, but truth be told, my jewelry forum friends have been the inspiration for "A Year of Jewelry" challenge to make at least one piece per week. Starting off with a bang, I knocked out a few... easy-peasy. As the weeks wore on, it was beginning to feel more of real challenge to have the discipline to think of something new each week. I fell behind, and am still playing 'catch-up,' but these have me nearly up to date. They're even available on my website already! Click on the title of this post to get there. Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, I did! ~alohabc

Time for Change!

Healthcare... finances... global warming... this blog certainly isn't going to solve these issues. However, a bit of fun, food and low cost entertainment might just be what the doctor should order for some of us to reduce the stress of these trying times. This is a peek at my Rx for all of the above, Alohabc's Deconstructed Brownies. Here's the recipe: One box Brownies, on sale at Long's prepared as directed. Cut to serving size. Add nuts, fresh and/or dried fruits, shredded coconut to serving dish. Take one small strainer and sieve powdered sugar in a large pile ontop and around brownie. Take one pinch of S&B Curry Powder (also at Long's Hawai`i, or Asian section of grocery store), and sprinkle ontop of brownie. The one pinch curry is all you need for a bit of color and fragrance, or try cayenne pepper, if you dare. There you have it... healthful anti-oxidants, low cost, one-stop shopping and fun when you serve this elegant treat. Enjoy! ~alohabc