After School

Since the weather has been warming up and with more day light, we have been doing more things after school. I also figure that Maya can get some more outside time and burn some energy to help her sleep.


This was a happy surprise for Maya. The first thing she asked was if she could take off her shoes.


Bare foot and bucket in hand she started playing in the sand. Few minutes later...


Needless to say, Maya did sleep well.

Rainy MLK Day

Happy MLK day to everyone. I hope most all of you got the day off. It has rained most of the day, so we have been inside mostly. We took a break from the TV to jump on the internet, Maya wanted to play Curious George on KidZui. I think we'll play some Candyland™ next. Best day off ever!

Seattle 2009

A gift from the flight attendants. I was the only one drinking in first class. It may have been 10 AM but so what, I was on Vay-Kay.


House of Cha. Congrats on the pad Cha. Got to help with some gardening. I was a natural. Must be in my asian blood.


Loved the photo of Jedi.


Uwajimaya + Pikes Market = delicious meal washed down with large Asahi beers.


Breakfast at Easy Street Records.


Rock hopping at Snoqualmie Falls.


I remember that collection of mini beers from our trip to Japan.


Seattle heatwave. Yes, that was the temperature inside.

Thanks to Cha and Gina for putting me up and driving me around Seattle and taking me to Portland for my Kenny & Zuke's corned beef sliders and organic ale. I miss the amazingly fresh seafood and produce and the 5 different imported prosciutto di parma.

Del Mar Fair 09

After 6 years in San Diego, I finally decided to go to the Del Mar Fair. As soon as I entered, I was hit with smells of cooking food that brought me back to my teens and my first visit to the North Georgia Fair.

I was overwhelmed by the choices. There was deep fried everything. I was scared and excited at the same time.

Is deep fried avocado a California thing?

The smell of grilled BBQ, peppers and onions were so amazing. I had to check to make sure I did not wet myself...from drooling. Seriously, I was following the grill smells like Homer Simpson to a doughnut.

I had a man crush on the grill dude. Any man that can produce wonderous smells like that is so beautiful...wait...that didn't come out right.







Maya had a blast. We started out with feeding the animals.

Then she got to go ride a horse. Her horses name was Pumpkin. Maya didn't stop talking about Pumpkin till until weeks after. This was a first for her. Maya also rode the ferris wheel with me and a few other rides.


Later that afternoon, Maya's dance class, along with many others, put on a dance show.



Not pictured were the giant smoked turkey legs and grilled corn with the husks tied back as a handle. I made mental notes of what I will try next year. Mmmm...Krispy Kreme Chicken Sandwich...

Shichi-Go-San

Shichi-Go-San is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year-old girls and five year-old boys.


Pan and Mini Pan in traditional Kimonos.


Chitoseame (千歳飴?), literally "thousand year candy", is given to children on Shichi-Go-San. Chitoseame is long, thin, red and white candy, which symbolizes and ensures healthy growth and longevity. It is given in a bag with a crane and a turtle on it, which represent long life in Japan. Chitoseame is wrapped in a thin clear rice paper film that resembles plastic. This is edible and a great source of fun for children.


Western version outfit. The blue dress was chosen because it reminded Maya of Cinderella.

"They said he couldn't do it"

Check out this entry on G's Perspective.

Willie's - Dalton, GA

Little Kahula $5.25 (small chicken sandwich) from Willie's, Dalton GA.

Fresh chicken breast marinated in buttermilk and lightly floured in seasoned flour.

Willie's is next door to Green Spot and they get all their meat fresh from there every morning.

"This is why i'm sleepy" -Wah 01.29.09

Gran Torino - Clint Eastwood

I think Gran Torino is one of the best movies of the year. Also the best Clint Eastwood directed/acted films.

Gong Hay Fat Choy! (Dalton)

"Uncle John and my mom cooked." -Siu Fai 01.28.09

Thanksgiving 08

Apple and Spices Brined Turkey. Brined for 36 hours. Rubbed with herb butter. Apples, onions, fresh sage and fresh rosemary were placed in the cavity before baking.
Basted every 30 minutes.


Glazed ham rubbed with brown sugar, green beans with minced shallots and crimini mushrooms, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, mascarpone cheese mashed potatoes topped with carmelized leeks, roasted brussel sprouts with saute onions and apples in a balsamic dijion sauce, port glazed pearl onions, prosciutto di parma wrapped asparagus and apple-orange cranberry relish.


Mango puto, mini pumpkin cheese cake, whipped sweet potato topped with marshmallow and mini cornbread muffins with maple pecan spread and/or pumpkin butter.




Not pictured: Cranberry pecan stuffing, stuffing with herb de Provence, cornbread stuffing, turkey gravy, giblet gravy and a pumpkin spiced bundt cake.

We didn't make it to the east coast this year, so we decided to host Thanksgiving dinner at our place. I tried to make a anti JoeyS approach to the meal...meaning incorporating pork fat, butter and cream into as many dishes as possible.

All in all, I was happy how everything turned out. I was happy that everyone was happy...and eating. Thank you to all the friends and family for coming, it made all the hours in the kitchen worth it.

Note to self: Make more gravy next time.

Whole New World

Maya has really been into the Disney Princesses. Picking her up one day from daycare, out of the blue, she started to sing along to "Whole New Wold" from the Aladdin movie.

Badger Logo Concept - Wiscondiego.com

This is a concept art I did for wiscondiego.com. All University of Wisconsin Alumni out here on the west coast should check out the website.

*All work shown is copyrighted. Duplication of this grahic is not authorized without the written permission from Robwonton™ or its owners.

Daddy & Daughter

It's been crazy last few months. Just busy w/ our life...
Maya is 2 and 7 months old now. Helen goo goo always says "She is like 4 year old kid!". It's true if she opend her month :)

Random Photo : Why men shouldn't own action figures

Buddy of mine sent this picture to me this morning. Thought it was done in Photoshop at first glance.

Welcome Mia Isabella McKinnon!

Pat and Petra just had a baby girl. Check out the details on his blog, patrickmckinnon.blogspot.com.

Congratulations guys!

Cleaner in Training