Ocean Zen and Sweet Hubby

LJ went home to KC, getting ready to fly to Cali today. Jay and Christy and the girls went to her parents' house. The girlees haven't seen Ama and Paw Paw in "forever"! So Sweet Hubby and I headed to Springfield. I promised to buy him a trolling motor for his birthday (Sunday) . After getting his motor at Bass Pro's annual tent sale, we headed to lunch.

Hmmm, where to go.
There was Hemingway's inside Bass Pro, but nahh, not this time.
Mexican Villa? HA!
Ziggie's Cafe?
We thought about Springfield Brewing Company,
as we were dropping off the bucket from the root beer keg,
but we hadn't been pleased with the food or service of our last visit. Good thing, because they were closed yesterday!
Incredible Pizza? As if.

So we hit the streets and wondered back and forth where to go.
After several suggestions, I piped up with Ocean Zen.
I explained how it was a local award winner and the Culinary/ProStart teachers had had a "meeting" there last July during Summer Conference.
Sweet Hubby was game.
So we drove on over.

It was delightful!
In the reception area is a floor to ceiling glassed-in wine locker.
Everything is modern and streamlined.
Lots of brushed stainless steel.

Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful.
Mike was our waiter. Looked like most of the waitstaff was male.

The Menu is fun.
We had the Crispy Jumbo Saltwater Prawn Tempura appetizer.
It came in a martini glass with a wonderful salsa.
Mike was kind enough to request the avocado on the side
(I love avocados, but they don't love me)
I chose Asiago Dusted Crispy Panko Chicken with Garlic and Herb Grusted Shrimp, Garlic Mashed Ootatoes and Garlic Cream Sauce.
Sweet Hubby chose the Hibatchi Grilled Teryaki Glazed Atlantic Salmon with Jasmine Rice, Asian Vegetables and Sweet Soy Butter Sauce.
Well, he won hands down.
His was awesome, mine was good, but his was better.
On the very top of his was a crisped won ton, similar to the ones underneath in the appetizer photos above.
Sorry the photos don't match the food, but ya see...

... I guess I was out of it yesterday,
totally forgetting to take my own photos.

If you are a fan of Asian Fusion,
try Ocean Zen.
If you are tired of same old, same old,
try Ocean Zen.
If you like to try new things,
try Ocean Zen.
Even if you don't like seafood,
there are chicken and steak (even ribs) choices, so go for it!
Try Ocean Zen.

In trying to find photos for this post, I read several reviews of the restaurant and of Springfield.
Check out 417 Magazine.
Some call Springfield a city of restaurants.
I know that I found a lot of new names that I will try!
The one negative review I found of Ocean Zen was from a blogger that wanted chicken fried midwestern heavy fare.
Oh well, this is place not for everyone.
But the aforementioned recommendation by the state Culinary/ProStart Teachers can't be ignored!

Photos courtesy of 417 magazine, lucky dog blog, ozarksmetromix, flickr

Bloomers

Today is the first day of my 79 day weekend!
Yep, school is out for Summer!
Yipppppeeeee!

As I was coming in the driveway I was struck with the huge blooms of the clematis and also contrasted with the roses next to them.
Gorgeous!

Up close and beautiful!

As I stepped in to take the above shot, a Momma Cardinal came flying out of the rosebush as she sassed me.
Look closely at the little nest.
She sure picked a pretty spot!

And then at the head of the driveway this lone peony. On my to-do list... find more bloomers for my garden. Off to plant the flower boxes.

3TH

The spelling of 3TH threw LJ.
Third Thursday is a monthly event during the Summer months to attempt to bring folks downtown.
We were intrigued, so LJ and I went up to see what it was all about.
I love how you find things you never see just driving by.
This old painted sign on the side of the building for a restaurant.
I wonder how many years ago?

And we started our Art Walk:
Signs pointed us to the galleries:

As we walked up Main Street, we saw this in front of the library:
and this:
As we continued to walk up Main Street we found a store front that looked familiar but we knew we had not been there before. A new "storefront" for Rapha House!!! If you don't know about Rapha House,click on the logo below. It is a refuge in Cambodia for girls who have been or are at risk for sale into slavery. Other locations are being built and considered. Bad stuff, but pray and support!The founder and his daughter go to our church and a group of 25 youth and adults are leaving in a week to minster:
Ah, finally. Our destination for dinner: El Rey Taco Shoppe. To go only!
I ordered chile relleno and a chicken taco w/ rice and beans.
LJ ordered the same but with an el pastor taco.
Oh, this is worth the walk and the best!
The chile rellenos are made with Anaheim chiles (my fave) and the chiles are roasted (instead of the bitter, stringy skin being left on).
We took our food and walked back down the street to sit on the wall around the fountain and listen to the band playing while making messes of ourselves with our food. Mmmmmmmmm. There are were all ages walking the sidewalks and visiting with friends. My daughter ran into 3 or 4 different groups of (former) classmates from college.
Oh man, I just didn't get the camera swung around quick enough.
These two old cars were racing up Main Street.
(The brown car is just barely visible, hidden by the newer car)
Okay, racing may not be the appropriate descriptions because their engines putt-putted more than varoomed. But it was cool
Downtown is undergoing revitalization.
Aren't most downtowns trying to come back to life?
Love the old tyme streetlamps and signs and the hanging flower baskets.
There are plenty of iron trashcans and iron benches to sit and relax along the street.
Look what we found when we returned to the parking lot:

And home again. Hope you enjoyed our walk!

Free Lettuce Wrap Appetizer at P.F. Chang's

We went to PF Chang's on Sunday. Jay and Christy had never been and even tho' it was the wrong direction 'cause they were heading back to Columbia, we drove to the PF Chang's in Rogers at Pinnacle Hills. Look at that sky. Such a gorgeous and perfect day!

So imagine my reaction when I opened the email from Tif tonight with a link to a coupon for a free lettuce wrap appetizer from P.F. Chang's? (we had one y'know!) After disgust, sadness. anger, depression, angst my attitude changed to a hint of an idea and then delight. Hmmm, means we have to go again SOON! Click on the appetizer photo for the link. Fill out your email and you'll receive the coupon in your inbox and just have to print it out!Look who's warming up to Pop!!

Such a good Daddy:

Pretty roses!

So as we were driving around after shopping for a bit, the light was on at Krispy Kreme. The kids could not believe that neither Sweet Hubby nor I had ever had a HOT Krispy Kreme so Jay wheeled into the parking lot and we unloaded the van! Oh my! Well, I won't be doing THAT for a while...

Of course, we then picked out a dozen and could barely wait to get home and eat the ones each of us picked out! Krisy Kreme is not my friend. But sure is YUMMMMMMY!

Edit: Just noticed that two posts in a row were about donuts. Hmmmm, fate? God's will? I'd say, bad Shay!

Dunkin Love

I know I love me some Dunkin Donuts and they have great coffee and the best donuts, but don't think I would go this far:

(from the Facebook fan site photo album)

I miss you Paul!

It's been a year today that I lost my friend, Paul.

He and his wife, DeeAnne, have been so kind to me and welcomed me into their lives. This photo was taken May 1, 2008 at their home.
A year ago today was the tornado that went through our area and killed twelve people. I wrote about it here Paul and DeeAnne lived just up the road a mile or so. They built their beautiful home themselves and it was demolished. Paul was sitting upstairs watching TV and maybe didn't hear DeeAnne yelling for him to come down and get into the closet with her. DeeAnne says he never heard her because Paul was already in Heaven when she yelled. Paul's granddaughter lost 5 family members, her husband's aunt, uncle, cousin and grandmother... and Paul!
Their gorgeous home, and shop (behind us in this photo) where I made dozens of baskets are totally razed now, the land bought by another family and who is getting ready to build a new home and start new memories on that hill.
DeeAnne has bought another home and moved up to town, her daughter and granddaughters moved in with her. We have all pretty much moved on. The dead trees and almost barren landscape are still reminders of that horrible day a year ago. Oh yes, I know it's Mother's Day. I lost my mother since the last one.

But today I will remember my friend Paul. I miss you Paul!

Super H

I got a text this afternoon from Christy. She said that H is now Super H and her super power is to THINK!

(phone photo)

I think that's the most powerful power of all! What do you think?

Severe Weather Testing Protocols

I stole these instructions from a colleague but it seems timely for the End of Course Exams our district is doing right now and for the nasty, rainy, stormy weather. Enjoy:

Severe Weather Testing Protocols

1. Should a severe weather situation occur during testing, please
remain calm. To display any kind of anxiety would be a testing
irregularity and must be reported.

2. Please do not look out the window to watch for approaching
tornadoes. You must monitor the students at all times. To do
otherwise would be a testing irregularity and must be reported.

3. Should students notice an approaching tornado and begin to cry,
please make every effort to protect their testing materials from the
flow of tears and sinus drainage.

4. Should a flying object come through your window during testing,
please make every effort to ensure that it does not land on a
testing booklet or an answer sheet. Please make sure to soften the
landing of the flying object so that it will not disturb the
students while testing.

5. Should shards of glass from a broken window come flying into the
room, have the students use their bodies to shield their testing
materials so that they will not be damaged. Have plenty of gauze on
hand to ensure that no one accidentally bleeds on the answer
documents. Damaged answer sheets will not scan properly.

6. Should gale force winds ensue, please have everyone stuff their
test booklets and answer sheets into their shirts...being very
careful not to bend them because bent answer documents will not scan
properly.

7. If any student gets sucked into the vortex of the funnel cloud,
please make sure they mark at least one answer before
departing...and of course make sure they leave their answer sheets
and test booklets behind. You will have to account for those.

8. Should a funnel cloud pick you, the test administrator, up and
take you flying over the rainbow, you will still be required to
account for all of your testing materials when you land so please
take extra precautions. Remember, once you have checked them out,
they should never leave your hands.

9. When rescue workers arrive to dig you out of the rubble, please
make sure that they do not, at any time, look at or handle the
testing materials. Once you have been treated for your injuries, you
will still be responsible for checking your materials back in.
Search dogs will not be allowed to sift through the rubble for lost
tests...unless of course they have been through standardized test
training.

10. Please do not pray should a severe weather situation arise.
Your priority is to actively monitor the test; a student might mark
in the wrong section if you are praying instead of monitoring.
Surely God will put war, world hunger, crime, and the presidential
primaries on hold until after testing is over. He knows how
important this test is.