2012 Maui Trip -- Day 1

Sunset at LAX looking from the Crowne Plaza toward Hawaii

Up at 3:45 AM all packed and ready for a cup of coffee before heading for the airport. At 4:30 we were watching for the taxi. At 4:35 I called J.J. who sounded very sleepy. He said something came up and he would be over to pick us up in twenty minutes. I asked him where he was coming from. And could he be here in ten minutes?

He couldn't tell me where he was so I cancelled the taxi, unbolted the garage door and we drove to the airport. And parked in the expensive parking garage there. A tiny bit of much needed good luck: there was a parking space right next to the elevator and near the main lobby entrance.

My knee replacement sometimes causes a lot of delay getting through security so I get nervous when it appears we are late getting to the airport. As it happened we were fine and, with the kind help of the AirTran agent, got set up with wheelchairs for ATL and LAX.

We left Pensacola on time and were off the plane in ATL about 8:30 (AM!). With lots of help from the friendly staff at the airport we got to our gate for the flight to LAX with time to spare. The airport is huge and to get from one terminal to another involves elevators and train rides.

We even had time for a sit-down restaurant breakfast by our gate. As for the Atlanta-style southern cooking, it was the worst breakfast this side of the free breakfasts they give you at Hilton's Hampton Inns -- scrambled eggs cooked till they bounce and icy-cold sausages.

Our flight to LAX was on time at both ends, taking off a little after 10:00 AM and getting to LAX before 1:00 PM. Wheelchairs from the gate to baggage claim. All our bags arrived OK, then we were off to the hotel van pickup area. It took forever. Neither of us had been to LAX for nearly ten years. Very little has changed. Total chaos at the curbside. The only change in all this time is, it's gotten worse.

The Crowne Plaza LAX was ready for our early check-in and the room was nice as were the naps we immediately took.

2012 Maui Trip, Getting Ready To Go

Toward the end of last June the future of American Airlines looked bleak indeed. And we still held a lot of their AAdvantage Club frequent flyer miles. We could use them for upgrades or even free first class tickets.

We worried that a reorganized American Airlines, taken over by US Airways, could make the frequent flyer miles difficult to use or they might cancel the program completely.

As much as we both wanted to go to London, getting around London wasn't going to be easy. The last trip nearly did me in. So we decided on a late fall trip to Hawaii.

The design of the Hawaii State Flag was commissioned by King Kamehameha in 1816. It originally represented the Kingdom of Hawaii. Later it came to represent the Republic of Hawaii, then the Territory of Hawaii and now the State of Hawaii.

It's a lot easier to fly to Hawaii if you live in Los Angeles, as we used to. From Pensacola you need to fly to a "hub" airport and connect -- and connect. Lots of flights; lots of changes of planes.

After many phone calls and hours on the Internet we got an itinerary and used up nearly all of our frequent flyer miles. The only bad connection was outbound. We came in to LAX late in the evening and had to be at the airport very early the next morning. But that was to change. Flights got rescheduled and one got cancelled. What had been the late arriving -- mid-afternoon takeoff -- flight was now leaving Pensacola at 6:00 AM.

At one point, because of the early morning flight we planned to spend Sunday evening at an airport hotel by the Pensacola airport. Instead of that we made an appointment with Pensacola Taxi. J.J. will pick us up at 4:30 AM exactly.

Sleeping cats

After a half hour of fighting over which cat gets which chair they are both at peace. Maggie's on the left; Joey's on the right.

Grilling by the Pool

Last evening -- beef kebabs, grilled Vidalia onions from Georgia, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red peppers over steamed rice.

Jack's Birthday Lunch

We had lunch today at The Grand Marlin. It's on Santa Rosa Sound in Pensacola Beach.

It was a belated nod to Jack's birthday last month. Actually we went to Rodizio's on his birthday but we had been given a gift card so Joan and Billy actually provided that meal.

The Grand Marlin was less formal and stuffy than we had expected from their publicity and newspaper ads. The building and restaurant spaces have lots of very nice design features and great views. The food was good but needs a chef who can add some finishing touches. Plain and salty.

I am sure we will go there again. Looking from the Grand Marlin towards Pensacola Beach

What's for Dinner Tonight? Part 12

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Ever since Saturday, January 27, 2007, I have kept a log listing nearly all of our evening meals. The intention is to help answer the daily questions:

(1) "What do you want to eat tonight?"
(2) "What haven't we had lately?"

Eventually the list became too long to navigate easily. So I broke it up into six-month segments:
January through June, 2007
July through December, 2007
January through June, 2008
July through December, 2008
January through June, 2009
July through December, 2009
January through June, 2010
July through December, 2010
January through June, 2011
July through December, 2011
January through June, 2012

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Sunday, July 1, 2012 -- Beef Stroganoff on baked potato, green peas
Monday, July 2 -- poached Gulf shrimp, horseradish cocktail sauce, mustard coleslaw, guacamole and chips
Tuesday, July 3 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Wednesday, July 4 -- hamburgers with bacon, lettuce, tomato
Thursday, July 5 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese Buffet; snacks for supper
Friday, July 6 -- roast chicken, stuffing, gravy, corn on the cob, cranberry sauce

Saturday, July 7 -- seared Ahi tuna, mango salsa, steamed rice
Sunday, July 8 -- Chicken Parmesan from Publix, mashed potatoes, collard greens
Monday, July 9 -- lobster rolls
Tuesday, July 10 -- lunch at the Grand Marlin, Pensacola Beach; snacks for supper
Wednesday, July 11 -- Take out from Panda Express
Thursday, July 12 -- NY Strip Steaks, twice-baked potatoes
Friday, July 13 -- Chicken breasts, rice, gravy, corn on the cob

Saturday, July 14 -- take away pizza from the New Yorker Deli and salad
Sunday, July 15 -- pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes, black eyed peas, applesauce
Monday, July 16 -- breakfast for supper: scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese grits, English muffins, jam
Tuesday, July 17 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Wednesday, July 18 -- Chicken Parmesan from Publix, rice and gravy
Thursday, July 19 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; snacks for supper
Friday, July 20 -- bacon-wrapped steaks, crusted with crushed green and black peppercorns, Rösti with sour cream

Saturday, July 21 -- burgers and fries
Sunday, July 22 -- Chicken Fried Steak, country gravy, mashed potatoes, collard greens with bacon and ham
Monday, July 23 -- crispy chicken fingers, corn on the cob, salad
Tuesday, July 24 -- beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Wednesday, July 25 -- Chicken Parmesan from Publix, roasted potatoes with garlic, creamed green peas
Thursday, July 26 -- Lunch at Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse; snacks for supper
Friday, July 27 -- Copycat Roast Beef Po' Boy sandwiches in the style of Parasol's Bar & Restaurant, New Orleasn, with Zapp's Potato Chips

Saturday, July 28 -- spaghetti and salad
Sunday, July 29 -- steaks with baked potatoes
Monday, July 30 -- burgers and fries
Tuesday, July 31 -- pork chops, corn, rice and gravy, applesauce
Wednesday, August 1, 2012 -- fried chicken, Moros (black beans and rice) topped with chopped red onion and salsa
Thursday, August 2 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Friday, August 3 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese Buffet; snacks for supper

Saturday, August 4 -- New Yorker Deli pizza and salad
Sunday, August 5 -- Roast Beef Po' Boy sandwiches with Zapp's Potato Chips
Monday, August 6 -- Chicken Parmesan. rice and gravy, green peas
Tuesday, August 7 -- beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Wednesday, August 8 -- pork chops, rice and gravy, corn on the cob, applesauce
Thursday, August 9 -- Salisbury steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy
Friday, August 10 -- fried chicken breast, rice and gravy, White Acre Peas with bacon and ham, hot biscuits

Saturday, August 11 -- shrimp and avocado salad, citrus dressing
Sunday, August 12 -- bacon-wrapped green and black peppercorn-crusted steaks with baked potatoes
Monday, August 13 -- chicken quesadillas, beans, rice, corn chips, fresh Pico de Gallo
Tuesday, August 14 -- breakfast for supper: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage patties, grits, English muffins, jam
Wednesday, August 15 -- Take out from Panda Express
Thursday, August 16 -- Roast Beef Po' Boy sandwiches, fries
Friday, August 17 -- Chicken Parmesan. rice and gravy

Saturday, August 18 -- pork chops, roasted garlic potatoes, corn, applesauce
Sunday, August 19 -- creamed chipped beef over baked potato, green peas
Monday, August 20 -- Pizza from the the New Yorker Deli and a salad
Tuesday, August 21 -- N.Y. Strip Steaks with fries
Wednesday, August 22 -- Joan, Billy and Kim here for burgers and hot dogs, mac and cheese, chili
Thursday, August 23 -- crab cake salad, fried chicken, rice and gravy
Friday, August 24 -- fried chicken, rice and gravy

Saturday, August 25 -- poached salmon, grilled Ahi tuna, rice, mango salsa
Sunday, August 26 -- Chicken Parmesan, mashed potato, corn
Monday, August 27 -- steaks and baked potato
Tuesday, August 28 -- burgers and fries
Wednesday, August 29 -- breakfast for supper: scrambled eggs, sausage patties, cottage fries, English muffins, jam
Thursday, August 30 -- family dinner at the Daughdrill's
Friday, August 31 -- fried chicken, carrots, rice and gravy

Saturday, September 1, 2012 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; snacks for supper
Sunday, September 2 -- roast beef po'boy sandwiches, corn on the cob
Monday, September 3 -- bacon-wrapped, peppercorn-crusted tenderloin steaks with twice-baked potatoes
Tuesday, September 4 -- burgers and fries, secret sauce, bacon, lettuce and tomato
Wednesday, September 5 -- James Beard's Quiche, salad
Thursday, September 6 -- pizza and gaspacho
Friday, September 7 -- Salisbury Steak, Noodles Mary Westbrook

Saturday, September 8 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese Buffet; snacks for supper
Sunday, September 9 -- chicken pot pie, cornbread
Monday, September 10 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Tuesday, September 11 -- Clean Out The Freezer: coconut shrimps, chicken egg rolls, salad
Wednesday, September 12 -- steaks, baked potato, sauteed mushrooms
Thursday, September 13 -- Lunch at Southern Buffet; snacks for supper
Friday, September 14 -- burgers and fries

Saturday, September 15 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice and black beans
Sunday, September 16 -- beef stew over rice
Monday, September 17 -- beef and veggie kababs
Tuesday, September 18 -- chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, country gravy, collard greens
Wednesday, September 19 -- Beef Stroganoff, noodles Mary Westbrook, green peas

Monday, September 24 to Saturday, September 29 -- Road Trip to Savannah

Saturday, September 29 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice and gravy, fresh skillet corn
Sunday, September 30 -- bacon-wrapped filet steaks, twice-baked potato
Monday, October 1 -- Frozen Food Festival, soft food for Ken (had a tooth pulled today)
Tuesday, October 2 -- Roast chicken, rice and gravy, carrots

Saturday, October 27 -- pizza from the New Yorker Deli
Monday, October 29 -- McDonalds Quarter-Pounders with cheese
Tuesday, October 30 -- steak, twice-baked potatoes, creamed spinach
Wednesday, October 31 -- steak sandwich and Stouffers
Thursday, November 1, 2012 -- Bacon burgers, chips and salsa


Saturday, November 17 -- NY strip steak and garlic roasted potatoes


Monday, December 3 -- Dinner at Roy's Ka'anapali

Saturday, December 8 -- steak and twice-baked potatoes
Sunday, December 9 -- Chicken, rice and gravy
Monday, December 10 -- Pork chops, sweet potatoes, applesauce
Tuesday, December 11 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Wednesday, December 12 -- hot beef and cheese sandwiches, fries
Thursday, December 13 -- Pizza and salad

Saturday, December 15 -- Chicken Parmesan from Publix, mashed potatoes
Sunday, December 16 -- filet steak and baked potatoes

Your comments and meal suggestions are most appreciated.

Birthday Lunch

For lunch on my birthday Jack took me to The Fish House Restaurant. It's at Seville Harbor Marina in downtown Pensacola. Always a good meal. And a pleasant view of Pensacola Bay and the port.

We started with their excellent gumbo then I had the Shrimp Po Boy sandwich and Jack had their huge burger. We shared some sides -- coleslaw. black eyed peas and great fries. It was my happy 70th, good food and no cooking.

DIRECTV In Distress

Recently we decided to fire Cox Cable TV. The price keeps going up and the quality has been iffy. Some channels ocassionally make the system lock up requiring a 5 to 10 minute reboot. Also we never knew when the recorder would or wouldn't work. The only way to find out was to check after the program was supposed to record. So we decided to switch to DirecTV.

The appointment for installation was for Thursday afternoon, last week, and that morning they called to tell us it would be around 3:45 and would take about an hour and 45 minutes. The installer arrived right on time. And spent the next four and a half hours trying to get the system to work. Nothing he did would help. He gradually replaced everything. Everything. And called his boss. Nothing helped.

Finally he told us the supervisor would come over tomorrow and fix it. We couldn't be around in the morning and told him to come after noon. Late in the afternoon somebody called and said he would come over in an hour or so. At that point we had company and didn't want to deal with the installers and the disruption so was made an appointment for Wednesday morning between 8 A.M. and noon. There were only afternoon appointments possible for Monday and Tuesday.

Late Wednesday morning when no one had shown up or called to say when he was coming I called them. The phone person said we were still scheduled for 8 to noon, but she would call the installer. Then we found out the installer had moved our appointment to late afternoon and hadn't even told his own people. Nor had he told us. We couldn't be around in the afternoon.

Earlier I had decided that if our installation wasn't up and running by 3:30 P.M. Wednesday, today, I would cancel. And I did. They came and got everything. Goodbye DirecTV.

Power Off

We lost our electricty at 3:45 P.M. I called Gulf Power and the robot lady said we would have power "restored" by 7: 45 -- and we got it back earlier than expected at 6:30. As for cooking supper, I decided if there wasn't power by 6:10 I would light the grill and we would cook with charcoal. We had burgers and great buttered corn on the cob in foil.

Quick Hot Pickles

I made some of these pickles today. I have been making them for years. There's no cooking or prep. Just buy some pickles, add some hot pepper and sugar, mix, refrigerate and eat. Click here for the recipe.