ichiban

Ichiban's

Monday May 4th 2015

I have heard about Ichiban's restaurant since I was a child. I just never went. Why had I never went? Well #1. My father's not so fond of anything other then American food (me too) and #2. I was under the impression it was an expensive meal. (which it was but so totally worth it.). When the girls...opps sorry the Ladies heard I had never been we had to go. Apparently it was a few people's favorite and an absolute great eating adventure. Below the pretty lite tree in the lobby.

Nancy and I started off with a cocktail. I had the Geisha Delight.

Once seated, we start out with soup.

and salad. I was good with the soup, but the ginger dressing on the salad was toooo much for me.

Then the chief comes out and the entertainment begins.

He did a little egg dance balancing it every so effortlessly on his spatula the he would through the egg up in the air crack it as it fell and it would land perfectly on the fryer..

Now for the fried rice. (My absolute favorite of the whole meal.)

Our plates and dipping sauce (not my favorite but Nancy loves it..)

See he LOVES the fried rice too.

I could have ate this all night long...but there was more...

Here comes the main course....the meats.

While he cooked he juggled the meats and cut the pieces up including the shrimp that he cut the tails off which he threw up and had land nicely in his shirt pocket.

Fried Shrimp..that I gave to Nancy

and chicken which was divine...

you would have thought the MEAL was done...but there was more,.

Bean sprouts and mushrooms...(I LOVED the mushrooms.)

notice my plate is emptying as I go along. There was not much that my picky eating would not take a bite on. I even ate the zucchini and other veggies. Here is our burning hearts.

In the end, we all got a burning heart...see the smokey outline.

and here is the ladies all full of great food.

The evening meal ended with a calming cup of tea and full bellies.

YUM!

Vera House Clothesline Project 2015.

Destiny Mall
April 20th 2015

This was the third year I had volunteered to assist with the Vera House Clothesline Project . This year they had a special opening evening presentation. I took the exert from the Vera House website

 "...a performance by Grammy award winning artist, Joanne Shenandoah.  Ms. Shenandoah has captured the hearts of audiences all over the world with praise for her work to promote universal peace.  “I decided to partner with the Vera House to bring attention to the great work they do,” stated Joanne Shenandoah.  “This past year as Co-Chair for the Attorney General of the United States on Children Exposed to Violence, I understand we must begin healing in our communities.  We need to learn how to live in balance with one another and the natural world.” The opening event will conclude withchocolate fondue for all attendees donated by The Melting Pot."

A few words from the commissioner chair. ( I am so sorry I do not recall his name.)

http://www.verahouse.org/domestic-violence-sexual-assault/survivors/clothesline
I volunteered at the the information booth. This gave me an opportunity to provide information about the Vera House services and sell item while taking donations. Below are some of the shirts.

Then the show began. She sang beautify.

There was also music from the wind instrument that was amazing. 

It was a lovely evening that help to support a good cause while reaching out and giving victims a voice. I sure hope I can participate again next year.

Crouse Dance

Destiny Mall
Syracuse NY
April 18th 2015

Through out the year, my friends and I have been attending the Crouse Spirit of Women celebration.
 Here is a link....

http://www.crouse.org/services/spiritofwomen/

There were a few evenings over the year that held an evening of food, relaxation, information...a photo booth for each event paired with a lecture on Women's health. These evenings concluded and then there was the Day of the Dance. This FREE event was held at the Destiny Mall in the canyon. Tammy and I went and she brought her daughter Allie and Allie's little friend. We all Had the BEST time...Up first was getting teddy bears....

Meet Fuzzy and Wuzzy....I can't remember who had which bear but they each got little hospital bands as they took an adventure in medical care.

One bear had a broken leg while the other suffered a broken arm. The bears were taken through triage, x-ray and provided with a little blue cast.
Feeling much better Fuzzy and Wuzzy were shown how to brush their teeth and the girls were given an opportunity to practice on a funny looking monkey with BIG TEETH!!!!

Allie gets to floss this monkey's teeth!

Great Job Ladies....

Amy of "Ted and Amy" the 93Q local radio station opens up with information on the event. Through out the day there were dancer who taught the audience  moves...Tammy and I tried the line dancing. I thought it would be fun to attend a line dancing class. (I was informed that Toby Keith's did a line dancing class on Tuesday evenings and made a plot to get some co-workers there sometime after work...a few weeks later Toby Keith's shut down over night....mysterious....)

The Syracuse University Cheer leaders lead many of the dances...

In between dancing,,,we entered contests, talked about women's health and learned a few things about keeping HEALTHY!!!

I had all of my children except my daughter at Crouse Hospital. They have an extensive neonatal unit. I got a little silly with their baby demo...(Just the thought of having another baby....NO!!!)

Otto the Orange. Syracuse University Mascot enjoyed a picture withthe girls. (Check out their painted faces..)

If a picture with an Orange (If that is truly what Otto is) isn't enough how about a picture witha Subway SUB!!!

Subway subs were offered for lunch. I enjoyed a turkey sub. It was yummy!

Beautiful Tammy.
Once we had our fill of Dance fun we headed off to Joanne's where we participated in another FREEBEE. We all made colorful shaving cream designed paper.

After Joanne's we had some after lunch eats at Margaritaville. I had not eaten then since it opened up in the mall and was excited to have a fun fruity drink. Hey...It's five o'clock somewhere.

The girls take a break in the lounge chairs.

I settled on a virgin strawberry margarita....but I could not resist the fried cheese curds. OMG!!!

Don't we look festive?

The girls wanted desert and they ordered a chocolate hurricane..

This ice cream chocolate, marshmallow, camel, candy bar. brownie yum was spinning while more yummy toppings were added. (I guess that is what makes it the Hurricane)

and it is BIG tooo....

This is what was left....

We ended desert and headed out in the mall having some fun at Five Below and stopping at the candy store. (as if anyone needed anymore candy.) I saw these cute little lady bug chocolates and got some for the girls.

We all got new summer shoes...(Flip Flops and I got myself some summer wedges.) and some silly Minion masks...

Even Tammy got in on it....

and poor Renee was simply driving by the house when I stopped her and invited her to were a minion mask too!