Thought for the Day

As you walk

and eat

and travel,

be where you are.

Otherwise you

will miss most

of your life.     Buddha

   When we were visiting my adventurous son in Hawaii last January he was suppose to meet us at a certain beach that issues only so many parking passes.  So we kept waiting and  waiting for him to arrive when all the sudden I spot him on a paddle board.  He ended up having to go to the next beach and he always has his "fun gear" with him.  So he just paddled on over with a backpack full of food and phone etc.

He asked me if I would like to try the paddle board.  I really did want to, but I let fear get the best of me, and made all the excuses…"you don't have a leash, what if I loose it?"  yada yada yada.  Finally I did try and had better luck on my knees.   I was still afraid to go to far.  Jeramiah put me up front on my knees and he paddled me around the bay.  

I really don't know to many young men who would do that for their mothers so it meant the world to me and I had so much fun.  Better to try and fail then to miss a chance at something new and exciting.          

  

Creamy Polenta with Spinach, Mushrooms and Onions

One of my favorite restaurants on the Big Island of Hawaii is in a quaint town called Hulaloa that sits above Kona.  It started out as a Japanese community, and when I went there 20 some years ago there was one gift shop that sold woven Lauhala mats, and purses etc.  Now it's home to many beautiful art galleries a historic pink hotel and a favorite open air cafe.

Ed and I enjoyed our choices so much the last time we were there four years ago that we ordered exactly the same thing (The tuna melt for me and the Brie Burger for him).  I started eating tuna again after that trip and duplicated the dish many times.   Laura ordered the Polenta dish and it looked so wonderful that I couldn't wait to make it at home.  I added spinach to my dish for added nutrition and color.  I added my recipe at the bottom of this page.  Its so easy and as they say in theIslands  It's Ono! (delicious).

I wish I had taken more pictures of the inside.  It's planted with lush foliage and has beautiful
statues and coi ponds.

Our dear friends who were in Hawaii at the very same time.

     

Creamy Polenta with Sautéed Mushrooms, Onions and Spinach

3 cups of water +1 reserved

1 tsp salt

1 cup cornmeal

2 tbs butter

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

1 carton mushrooms of your choice, sliced

a large handful of cleaned baby spinach

thyme, salt and pepper to taste

Boil 3 cups of water with salt.  Add the cornmeal to the reserved cup of water and stir.  When the water starts a rolling boil add the cornmeal mixture, stir until smooth, reduce heat to simmer and cover.   Every few minutes stir the pot to keep from sticking.  

While thats cooking…

sauté your onions until transparent in hot oil.  Then add in the mushrooms.  It takes some time, but when they start to brown add salt, pepper and thyme.  When everything is the desired color (browned) add the spinach.

Turn the heat off of the cornmeal and add the butter and cheese.  

Serves 4

Quote of the Day

I like to look at my kids friends social sites to see what I'm missing (yeah I know it's creepy, but they are my kids).  If you are a mom you get it,  to see a pic of your kids doing what they love just makes me happy, and this guy does it every time with his craziness!  

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Thanks Lana!