Aloha!

It feels like spring.  The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and aside from chilly nights you could not tell it was January at all.  I am currently feeling a bit of rain withdrawal.  I enjoy the four distinct seasons we have in Grass Valley, and winter is supposed to have rain!  But while I was bemoaning the lack of appropriate weather, mom caught the tropical bug, so we had a Luau!  (Sadly, I did not take a picture.)

Last night our family, plus a couple of friends, dressed with a tropical flair and ate barbecued chicken (covered with a delicious Hawaiian BBQ sauce, yum!), coconut rice, sweet potatoes, avocados, a green salad, and mandarins.  We dined with soft Hawaiian music in the background and candles nestled among leis on the table.  We also set up a station with various fruity juices to be mixed in whatever way struck your fancy.  Mine came out a strange brown/orange color, but it tasted great!  The meal ended with a delicious gluten-free brownie mom has been experimenting with, topped with a scoop of coconut ice cream, and sprinkled with crushed macadamia nuts -- Mmmmmmmm, so good!

By the end of the meal (I must ashamedly report I ate far more then I should have), I was ready to fall into a food coma, though I did manage to put away some popcorn during the movie.  We started the evening's entertainment with the Pixar Toy Story short Hawaiian Vacation, followed by Lilo & Stitch, a fun Disney film set in Hawaii with a few aliens thrown in for fun.  Regardless of the cold night and the date on the calendar, we had quite a fun tropical adventure.  I wonder where we should go next?  Aloha!!!  :D