Mickey and Boba Fett's Hawaiian Adventures, Chapter Six: Luau at Paradise Cove

Sunday night was luau night! Fun was had by all.

Mickey and Boba Fett's Hawaiian Adventures, Chapter Five: Dinner Cruise

We are still posting about our travels, even though we arrived back in SC on Tuesday evening (there was so much fun jam-packed into a week that we lost our momentum for posting about mid-week).
 
On Friday, after Pearl Harbor, we were treated to a dinner cruise. The humans really loved the food, scenery, and sunset.

The Funderburks

The Humbers

Christy and Ella

Asparagus Risotto

Tonight, I attempted risotto for the very first time.  It was good!  Jon doesn't like asparagus, so he picked his out.  So, the next time, I will leave the asparagus on the side and just go for plain risotto.  I also think I can cut the butter way down and it will still be creamy and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 lb asparagus, trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups arborio rice or 1 1/2 cups medium-grain white rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 6 tablespoons butter ( 3/4 stick)
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated ( about 3 ounces)

Directions
1. Blanch asparagus pieces in large pot of boiling, salted water 2 minutes.
2. Drain.
3. Rinse asparagus under cold water.
4. Drain asparagus well.
5. Bring chicken broth to simmer in small saucepan.
6. Reduce heat to low and keep broth hot.
7. Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
8. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes.
9. Add rice and stir 3 minutes.
10. Add dry white wine and cook until liquid evaporates.
11. Continue cooking until rice is tender but still slightly firm in center and mixture is creamy, adding chicken broth 1 cup at a time and stirring almost constantly, about 20 minutes.
12. Add blanched asparagus pieces and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes.
13. Remove from heat.
14. Add 6 tablespoons butter and stir until incorporated.
15. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
16. Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper.

We met Elle J!

Elle J and I started following each other's blogs about three years ago. We have been friends ever since, although we had never heard each other's voices (beyond posted videos), and connected for the first time ever TODAY at a downtown Columbia coffee shop. It was awesome! 
This beautiful family lives on the west coast. They were passing through our town on the way to their next destination and asked if we wanted to meet.  YES!  I love this family and the internet and the technological age that has brought us all together in such an unlikely way.

Mickey and Boba Fett's Hawaiian Adventures, Chapter Four: Mighty Mo!

On Friday, the humans (including MK) played a concert of patriotic tunes on the pier of the USS Missouri.  It was windy but the concert was great.  We all enjoyed the time on the massive ship.

In honor of the band's performance, Jon and the other directors received certificates and flags that had been flown over the Mo that morning.

Mickey and Boba Fett's Hawaiian Adventures, Chapter Three: USS Arizona Memorial

The humans had many amazing things on the schedule today: visiting the USS Arizona memorial, playing a concert on the pier of the Mighty Mo, and then enjoying a sunset dinner cruise around Diamond Head.  This post is just about the Arizona, though, because MK is too tired to go through photos of the other fun things until later.

Mickey was unable to attend this morning's outing because the humans were not allowed to take any bags with them (due to security reasons) and I was the only one of the toys who would fit nicely into MK's pocket.  So, Mickey stayed behind and enjoyed some R & R at the hotel for this part of the day.

The morning was particularly special and moving because, on top of the tears that came from visiting the amazing Arizona memorial and honoring the sacrifices of those 1,177 men, Jon's father's ashes had been spread in Pearl Harbor, very near the Arizona, in 2004.  It was a very emotional day.

As we approached, these sailors were saluting the Arizona as they passed by. 

Jon is admiring the massive USS Missouri (the Mighty Mo) from the Arizona memorial.

Here I am with a pensive Jon.

Some students dropped flowers over the center of the ship.

On the trip back to the visitor's center, Jon, MK and I were seated in the front of the boat.  We were splashed upon, just once, which is rare for such a slow-moving vessel.  It made sense, though; we decided it was Jon's dad saying hello.

Mickey and Boba Fett's Hawaiian Adventures, Chapter Two

Hello again from Mickey and Boba.  We are having a great time!

Yesterday, we stopped at Hanauma Bay.

Then, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  These guys from Samoa were climbing trees!

In the Aotearoa village, Jon tried spinning Poi balls.

Then the humans got into a stick passing game.  Drop your stick, and you're out.

Jon and MK dominated! 

We watched the canoes in a watery parade, representing each of the Polynesian regions.

Jon was called on stage in Tonga to play drums! 

Little did the host know, he had called up a ringer.

The crowd really did go wild.  It was a lot of fun for the humans AND toys.

In the photo above, the female humans paddled an outrigger.  The men aren't pictured doing that.  BUT, they are here below, dressed in their finest hula attire.  This was really funny to the women and also the students who were passing by.

Our day ended with a show.  Above, Jon and MK stand with a tiki statue.  Then, they thought it would be funny to put us in its mouth for a photo, as pictured below.  Although we did not share their amusement in this photo staging, we still had a great day and are really looking forward to the next day: Pearl Harbor!