My Watch / Asian Shopping

 

Song:  Poor Side Of Town

Artist:  Johnny Rivers

I hadn't worn my watch for years as it is a special watch designed for certain militaries...

made extra rugged with a specially thick crystal to withstand impact...

extra rugged parts and casing...

and fully able to go down to 300 meters underwater.

As a result...

most watch shops where I used to live refused to change the battery

because they said it would be expensive as they had to put it in a special

pressure vessel to test it afterwards.

And so...

I just didn't wear it for years.

However...

as I no longer dive...

I just took it into Colorado Springs to have the battery changed.

It took a few minutes...

and cost but $15.00.

This watch has an extra large face and an extra thick casing.

As a result...

it is extra heavy...

but...

I much prefer to having something upon which I may depend in all circumstances...

than having a watch with which I must be careful.

Plus...

all I need is the time at a glance.

Sometime in the future...

I plan to install special tritium 100 capsules on the face and hands.

As they will last 20 years...

it should be a one time only installation.

After the watch shop...

my wife and I went to the Asian market...

mostly for veggies.

I didn't know there were different kinds of daikon.

They have white, green, and purple daikon.

My wife bought Japanese sweet potatoes.

As I just picked up Japanese sweet potatoes before...

I never noticed how many different types of fruit and veggies they had there...

many of which I had never before seen.

They also had giant avocados.

And...

they had a whole range of peppers.

On our way out of Colorado Springs.

On the way back...

we stopped in at Walmart for a few other items.

As my wife shopped...

I just waited in Subway.

I had a double bacon BLT...

...and I had hot honey beef nachos...

which, to my surprise...

were delicious.

-------------

As my wife is receiving many packages...

I stopped off at the post office on the way home.

She is still busy unpacking...

and I will be helping her putting together some of the furniture she bought online.

I will soon be shopping for a movie projector for the downstairs movie theater...

and I will probably get the screen online

(I am looking at 150" screens).

In a couple of weeks...

we are going to drive the Million Dollar Highway.

It is a few hours away...

but we will just make it a day trip filled with beautiful sights and Autumn colors.

----------

This morning...

we took Bandi to see the dog sitter we will be using when we go to Japan...

and so long as everything works out...

we will be using her for all of our overseas trips.

The sitter wanted to see Bandi before she fully committed to having her stay with her 

for three weeks.

Everything worked out well...

and the sitter is just 15 minutes away...

in a nice house on a couple of acres in the mountains.

She plans to take Bandi on nature walks.

Bandi immediately took to her...

and the sitter liked her as well.

Bandi is very gentle by nature...

so...

I knew there would be no problem.

More Delicious And Nutritious Food For The Future

Song:  Us And Them (cover)

Artists:  Cicero Maura (Bass Flute)

Tomaz Mota (Guitar)

Last night...

my wife made us large salads for supper.

I had a chicken salad...

and my wife made herself a tofu and smoked salmon salad

(she is not so big on land meats...

but she loves fish).

It had been a long time since I had eaten a proper salad...

and it felt good to have a more healthful meal once again.

My wife makes very healthful meals...

as she incorporates a large amount of varied veggies and fish in most of her dishes.

She is always experimenting with other ethnic dishes...

but always only the most healthful ones.

I think my wife's cooking will add years to my life...

even with us eating out every so often.

My wife uses a whole variety of veggies in each salad.

For just my salad...

she used:

Chicken

Green leaf lettuce

Cucumbers

Cherry Tomatoes

Avocados

Cilantro

Radishes

Onions

Various Colored Peppers

and she often adds some nuts as well.

My wife's Smoked Salmon and Tofu salad.

This is one of the most delicious salad dressings I have ever had.

It was the first time I had this particular dressing.

Japan has so many innovative and tasty foods...

and as a whole...

it is my favorite ethnic food.

This dressing not only has a fresh citrus base...

but the hot pepper adds a delicious kick.

However...

it must be used far more sparingly than with American dressings...

as I had initially added too much.

My wife then traded some of her salad greens with mine...

to give me some fresh greens to dilute the dressing...

and to use them in her salad...

as she used the same dressing.

Before I had even tried the dressing...

I had also added a lot of black pepper...

and I had eaten it with my Rocky Mountain Reds...

and when it was all combined...

it felt as if my mouth were on fire.

That is when she traded some of her salad greens for mine.

My wife really likes my pickles...

Rocky Mountain Reds.

My pickles go so well with almost any meal...

and as we will be eating them so often...

I bought one gallon Mason Jars for my pickles...

and I will be making them in one gallon containers from now on.

---------------

This morning...

my wife made shrimp fried rice for me.

As my wife adds much more and varied flavors in her food...

I am sure my cravings for eating out so often will greatly decrease...

as I was getting tired of my own cooking.

Everything was just so good.

I already feel better with a much more varied diet...

especially with more veggies and unique flavors.

-----------

We still have much to do...

but...

we are handling it day by day.

Pretty soon...

we will start exploring other areas of Colorado...

and I will be sure to take many photos for this blog.

My wife is buying a new camera soon...

and I will be getting her old one...

as it takes excellent photos while still fitting in my shirt pocket.

 

Moving In / Kimchi Stew Recipe

Song:  Oil Of Angels

Group:  Cocteau Twins

This is a belated picture of me gassing up on the way to pick up my younger sister 

at the airport...

on the same day as my wife's arrival.

I just liked this photo...

and so...

I included it.

Some five hours before I took this photo...

my wife and I had gone to eat at 'Rascally Rabbit'...

the subject of the previous article...

The Rings Reunited.

My wife was so tired that night...

that as I departed home to pick up my sister some five hours after my wife's arrival...

my wife just climbed onto the recliner and took a nap as I picked up my younger sister 

in Colorado Springs.

On the following day...

my wife contacted the movers to deliver her boxes from her previous address.

After that...

we all went grocery shopping.

The above car is the one we are keeping...

and we gave my little sister our second car...

the one my wife drove in her previous location.

It is the same make and model of our present car...

and on the following day...

my sister drove back home in the car we had given to her

(she actually got it to give to a granddaughter in need of a vehicle).

(My wife's bowl of stew)

All the rest of that day (yesterday)...

my wife spent unpacking...

and applying to different governmental agencies reporting her change of address.

As my wife was so tired...

I made kimchi stew for us to eat...

while she continued her unpacking.

(My first serving of stew with rice)

Again...

I am not one to be falsely modest

(although I am naturally modest and gentle by nature)...

and so...

when I say that my kimchi stew is excellent...

and so much better than from any Korean restaurant...

it is simply a fact  :)

My wife loves my kimchi stew...

as do I.

I had greatly modified the basic recipe

to make it far less garlicky...

much more rich in other flavors...

and more substantial by adding much more tofu (2x).

It hit the spot for the both of us

(see the recipe below).

1.5 cups of Kimchi

1 Tbsp Korean Red Chili peppers -  coarse ground

1 Tbsp Hondashi

2 Tbsp Beef Stock Powder

2 diced Tofu cakes

1 handful of diced green onions

Fill with water to just cover the top of ingredients 

Bring to a boil and remove from heat.

Ready to serve

This kimchi stew is so delicious...

and so quick and easy to make...

so delicious the following day after reheating in a microwave...

that no matter your ethnicity...

this stew will savored by everyone who tries it...

no matter where one lives in the world.

Trust me...

the taste is out of this world

(I am confident that even the people of Korea would be impressed).

--------------

For the rest of today...

my wife will continue unpacking...

and then she will do some online shopping.

After my wife settles in during the following few days...

we will finish up planning our Japan trip.

 

The Rings Reunited

Song:  To Zanarkand

From:  FFX

My wife arrived at around 5 PM today...

to the home where the rest of our lives shall be spent.

As she had been driving for two days...

she was tired and hungry.

We decided to go to 'Rascally Rabbit' in Cripple Creek for something to eat...

as my wife felt like eating a large salad.

Even though it has been a while since we had last seen each other...

upon her arrival...

it seemed that hardly any time had passed.

We easily fit right into the flow of things as if no time had passed...

at all.

The rings united once again.

We have much to do over the next few weeks...

as tomorrow she will be contacting the movers for delivery here...

and then we have a lot of shopping to do.

I had gotten a hot Italian sandwich...

...and a BBQ Pork sandwich.

There was a lot of meat in the BBQ sandwich.

My wife had gotten a arugula salad...

...and a hummus plate.

She will be going to bed early...

but as my younger sister is just a couple of hours drive away...

and I will leave to pick her up at the Colorado Springs Airport soon

(car rental place...she drove here)...

I will be staying up for a while longer.

--------------

My wife still has more planning to do on our upcoming Japan trip...

and so...

we will be doing the rest of the planning together.

My passport is scheduled to arrive in a couple of days...

so...

everything is falling easily into place.

-------------

I am sure my wife and younger sister will want to take it easy tomorrow...

so we will just take it easy...

at least for a day or two.

In a few days...

we will try a new restaurant in Colorado Springs.

I must soon prepare to leave to pick up my younger sister...

so...

I will just cut this article short.

But...

it will be good to get on with things during the homestretch of our lives.

The best is yet to come.

 

Rascally Rabbit - A Touch Of The Eclectic In Cripple Creek

 

Song:  Treat Me Well

Group:  Heart

I received more good news today...

and so...

I treated myself to one of my favorite restaurants in Cripple Creek...

'Rascally Rabbit'.

I not only love that they have a wonderful menu of mixed cultures

(as best as I can make out...various areas of the Mediterranean mixed in with American)...

and that their prices are very reasonable...

but that they have excellent coffee drinks and desserts as well.

I usually get this large iced vanilla latte with my meals.

The Cubano

The Baller (meatball sandwich)

I had wanted to try two of their many sandwiches...

the Cubano (pulled pork and ham, melted cheese...with a delicious dipping broth)...

and a meatball sandwich (meatballs, melted cheese, pesto, marinara)...

both of which were served hot and so savory.

They were both just so good.

Each had their own unique flavors...

and the green salads were so delicious as well...

as the dressing had a wonderful mixture of being vinegary and sweet.

I finished off with an Affogato...

(espresso over vanilla ice cream).

Everything was just so delicious.

After eating...

I then drove the less than 15 minutes to my home.

---------------

Once again...

everything in life is just falling into place.

I take such great pleasure in living life.

And...

once again...

it is because that I recognize that life will eventually come to an end

that I savor life as do I savor great meals.

I greatly enjoy a variety of foods...

as do I greatly enjoy a variety of experiences in life. 

And...

I fully notice and revel in everything around me.

Each moment in time is unique...

and to not take in the beauty all around us...

is to miss out on the many beautiful experiences to be had in life.

The refreshing alpine country air...

the clouds...

the wildlife and the mountains...

are all the seasonings of our grand feast in life.

Walk through life with your eyes wide open...

and appreciate all of the great simple pleasures to be had...

for it is the difference between merely spending your life stuffing your gut with fast food...

just to kill your appetite...

and that of feasting on a variety of new tastes and grand meals with a ravenous appetite...

of which also feeds your soul.

------------

There comes a point in life when you must treat yourself well...

for if you had made the requisite sacrifices in life...

you will have deserved it.

Two Mexican Restaurants

 

Song:  Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow

Group:  The Monkees

The other night...

I was just watching some videos on YouTube after 1:30 AM...

when I, once again...

just got the craziest cravings for Mexican food.

I searched the web for any Mexican restaurants which were open 24 hours.

I had found one...

in Colorado Springs.

Say no more...

I got into the car and started driving.

On the way there...

I stopped in at a local filling station...

and filled up the car.

While I knew it would be a drive through...

I was surprised at the number of offerings available.

I had gotten a taco / tostada combo plate...

and a carnitas torta.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality.

Tacos and tostadas are my favorite Mexican food.

Even the rice and frijoles (refried beans) were so good.

I ate my fill and drove back quite satisfied.

Those late night cravings are maddening until sated.

I now have a 24 hour Mexican place at which to eat...

whenever I get a deep craving for Mexican food...

and every other place is closed.

---------

I awakened today with another craving for Mexican food.

I decided to try another Mexican restaurant I had never tried before...

and this one is just 20 or so minutes from home.

It is located in the small town of Florissant (20 minutes away)...

just at the crossroads of the main county road going past my community...

and the major highway leading East / West towards Woodland Park / Colorado Springs.

This restaurant has a nice outdoor seating area as well as an indoor area.

Before I had finished my initial basket of chips and dip...

the waitress brought me out another one.

I had gotten the steak tacos...

and they were very good...

and each was packed with pieces of steak that had a delicious char to them.

Although it came with beans and rice...

I prefer frijoles to black beans.

I then drove back home to a wonderful sky filled with clouds.

The community center is building an outdoor pavilion for our residents to enjoy 

more of the outdoor views.

------------

Exploring and enjoying new restaurants is just one of my hobbies.

Life is just so good when it is filled with new adventures...

and of which may be partaken at will.

------------

My wife is still working on our 3 week upcoming Japan trip.

We are going to be visiting some of the most beautiful Fall color locations in Japan...

including taking a couple of overnight ferry rides (one of which is a luxury ferry)...

and the other one is a smaller one visiting a small island and passing through 

places where there are many smaller islands to see in passing.

Of course...

we will be going to Kyoto as well...

as it is famous for its Fall colors.

After this trip to Japan...

we will be planning our next trip

to see the Northern Lights in Finland...

and we will most likely combine it with a trip to Norway...

and we plan on taking a cruise of the Fjords and waterfalls while there.

We will plan it for during the height of the Northern Lights...

and so...

we will have to book early.

---------

In the meantime...

we will be taking many local trips throughout Colorado...

some of which we will take for the Fall colors by train...

as well as by car...

before our Japan trip.

And...

before we leave for Japan...

we will be doing a lot of shopping for furniture...

and setting up the movie theater downstairs.

My wife will be arriving early next week...

as well as my little sister...

as we are giving her our second car...

as we only need one from now on.

We are now on the verge of the adventures of a lifetime.

Of course...

another hobby of mine is blogging...

and so...

I will be posting many a photo of our new adventures.

----------

Again...

one of the keys to life is knowing that it is a marathon.

Always finish strong by pacing yourself correctly.

In this manner...

there will be nothing in which to fear...

and through which...

you will have everything in which to look forwards.

                                                          ..... The Ant