What a Wonderful World

When you get a personal invitation and a table up front to hear a resident Kauaiian who garner’s the title of World Famous Ukulele Artist, you pay attention. Aldrine Guerrero, one of the creators of Underground Ukulele, is a thirty-something marvel on the Kanile’a stringed instrument. Aldrine has a goal to expand the next generation of ukulele players by combining a community of talented artists together with knowledge and technique through the internet. His unique style and nimble fingers have produced YouTube videos accumulating over seven and a half million views. In demand at concerts, Guerrero builds a friendship with the audience in every song. He finds a way of connecting you to the music through personal lyrics, old favorites, and fast-paced acoustics. Often his fingers move so fast, they become a blur. Then his smile says it all. He and his guitarist, Aaron Nakamura, performed at the Oasis on the Beach for two hours without pause leaving the audience to clap their hands in jubilation. My husband and I departed with a personalized CD, a snapshot, and a feeling of being in the presence of greatness. 

The Song of Angels

“The earth has grown old

with its burden of care,

but at Christmas it always is young,

the heart of the jewel 

burns lustrous and fair,

and its soul full of music

breaks the air,

when the song of angels is sung.”

~ Phillips Brooks

Look Up Through the Treetops 

“The sensitive ear of the musician

detects a certain musical note

in every city which is different

from that of another city. 

He hears in each little brook

a new melody, and to him

the sound of wind

in the treetops of different forests 

give a varying sound.”

~ Max Heindel

Dining Outside the Home: MIA of Oxford, Ohio

Smooth jazz set the stage for a celebration dinner at an intimate table for two in a private curtained alcove set apart from others. The flickering candlelight seemed to dance off the red lampshade casting tiny shadows across the stemmed water glasses. Dinner was divine: Filet mignon upon a bleu-cheese risotto cake served impressively with a delicate pink plumeria as its crown. Is it any wonder the magic of its allure transported us to a tropical island where these same flowers lure Sphinx moths to their fragrant petals? The attention to detail earned this upscale restaurant a five star rating, in my opinion.

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter B

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: Bleu Plate Special! As the day winds down, the kids are fed, and the sunset turns to burnt-sugar orange, take some time out for yourself. Make a delightful cheese plate filled with inviting textures balanced by a range of flavors from aged and smoky to salty and sweet. Pair with a glass of sweet wine (or fruity spritzer) for an amazing taste sensation. Sink back into a comfy chaise lounge and let soft music fill the room. Remind yourself this is a classic French dessert, and prepare to be pampered. 
BLEU PLATE SPECIAL
Ingredients:

Wedge of Bleu Cheese (or any aged cheese variety)

Bunch of Green Grapes (or any seasonal fruit)

Smoked Almonds

Water Crackers (or crusty breads)
Instructions:

Choose a platter where all ingredients can be arranged in a simple way, leaving space between choices. Identify cheeses if offering more than one kind. Rule of thumb: Place one cheese knife or spreader for each type of cheese. Keep it simple.