"You mean, like on vacay? Road trip!"

(Extra points for whoever can tell me what movie the title comes from…)

At the beginning of last week Squirrel and I hopped into a car and headed out on our own little road trip adventure! First stop? Las Vegas to visit Polly! Squirrel was in animal heaven meeting Polly’s little menagerie.

We made it a point to visit one of the Asian markets in LV, 99 Ranch Market, where Squirrel was fascinated by the variety of seafood (though she was more interested in making friends than in buying something to eat). We bought the ingredients to make Japanese “Curry Rice”. . . mmmm . . . . I kept forgetting to pull out my camera, so I guess what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Thank you Polly and WHN for a great visit!

Second stop? MIL’s house in Draper, Utah (just south of Salt Lake City). MIL has been anxious to see Squirrel since we arrived in the US last month and we were happy to oblige. My SIL flew out from Ohio with her little boy who is just a few months older than squirrel, so it has been a party! We have been here ever since and have been taking advantage of the hot weather by making trips to the pool, making water balloons, playing with Grandma and Grandpa, and enjoying the gorgeous scenery that Utah has to offer.

The best part of all of this is that YOU are going to benefit from my trip out here. The other night my SIL was the head cook of the house and made a to-die-for dinner. She graciously agreed to let me post her recipe for the main dish she whipped up.

Unfortunately, by the time I thought to snap a picture of it, we were all sitting back in our chairs rubbing our full bellies and there wasn’t much left to see!

If you are in the mood for pasta, you have GOT to try this recipe out. I’m expecting it to make a regular appearance in the Fuji household.

Master Chef M’s Shrimp Feta Pasta
Makes approximately 6-8 servings

1.5 lbs. shrimp (or more if you want!)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2-3 tomatoes, chopped (not seeded if you want saucier pasta)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
8 oz. feta
7-8 oz. angel hair pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook and drain noodles. Save some pasta water to thin sauce if needed later on.

2. Saute shrimp in olive oil until pink.

3. Add tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, and feta. Stir over medium heat until well mixed and feta has begun to break down. Add salt and pepper.

4. If sauce is too thick, mix in pasta water as needed.

5. Pour sauce over noodles and mix well.

6. EAT!!!

———————————

WARNING! Shameless blog promotion ahead…

My friend friend Melanie Gray Augustin, authoress of the blogs My Life as a Gaijin and Kimono Reincarnate, was interviewed by The Japan Times, Japan’s largest English-language newspaper! Go check it out. (Hey, I would have mentioned this even if she hadn’t mentioned me!) Congrats Melanie!

Kawaii Crafter of Zakka Life was kind enough to pass on these awards to me. Aaaaw shucks! Thank you!

I’d like to pass on these awards to the people (and their blogs) who inspire me in so many ways:

1. Kimono Reincarnate–Seriously, this girl is going places, I don’t think there’s anything she can’t do.
2. Tartelette–This woman is Queen of the kitchen!
3. Krafty1–She knits up a storm and is an awesome mom of 2 gorgeous girls. How does she do so much in one day?
4. Phoeknits–Wonderful writer, prolific knitter, living in and exploring England all while battling some serious health issues.
5. Beautiful Poulette–My talented crafty blogging friend on the other side of the Atlantic pond.