Kushi's favorite puppy sitter

While we were away, Kushi was also on vacation...boarding with her favorite puppy sitter Sara: She seemed in no rush to come back home: More pics from Doggy Lama.

Hamachi Kama lickin' good

After broiling some hamachi kama (Japanese amberjack collar): I decided to give some to Kushi. Fish seems to be her favorite meat (based upon the scientific measurement of time to finish licking her bowl clean): Kama lickin' good! Tigger the cat loves it too. Quick Marinated Hamachi Kama: Hamachi Kama (often available at the asian supermarket) 1 tsp grated ginger 1 clove garlic, grated 1 Tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp sugar or honey dash of any chili sauce Turn oven on to broil to preheat. Meanwhile, mix together the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sugar and chili sauce in a bowl. Lay out the hamachi on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush or spoon the marinade over the hamachi. Broil for 8-12 minutes, or depending on the size of the kama pieces.

An uneasy truce

A rare sight, all three animals sleeping together.

Visit from Amma

Kushi's "grandma" visiting from India

Ode to Tongie Beast

Our favorite fat black cat, Sheboo (aka Tongie Beast): gets her own painting after Steinlen's Tournée du Chat Noir:

"Introducing the belly of the black cat (of Tongie Beast)!"

Schnuggle time @home

Fourth of July

Kushi sits in the shade, patiently waiting for the grill to be ready

Hokke fish and bacon wrapped filet mignons with veggies

The grilled food with all the delicious fixin's

On the way to the lake, Kushi watches the road so she won't get carsick!

Kushi and co. out on the lake

Kushi shows she prefers to be high and dry:

Kushi trying out the new Ikea pillows

Cat tunnel of love

Ordered the Cat Tunnel from petsmart.com

Sheboo holding her breath to squeeze her tummy through the tunnel

The humans also tried to squeeze through, with mixed results

Princess Kushi and the Pea

Since Tigger doesn't do the sharing thing with Kushi, especially with the pink pillow...


Kushi went off to make a pillow nest for herself...

and settles down for a nice cozy nap.

Waiting for Summer

Spring has arrived...

...and now Kushi waits for summer.

Memorial Day BBQ

Waiting to see any wayward meat will fall off the grill wagon...

Grilled seafood, tandoori chicken and grilled veggies, mmm...

Tandoori Chicken recipe:

2-3 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (approx 6 thighs)
3 Tbsp unflavored yogurt
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp grated garlic
1 Tbsp grated ginger
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander seeds
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/4 tsp ground green cardamom (1 pod)
1/4 tsp ground cloves (4 cloves)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 bay leaf, ground
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
optional: 1/4 tsp red food coloring
Sliced red onion, lemon wedges and chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander powder, cayenne, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaf, salt, turmeric and optionally the red food coloring. Score shallow parallel lines into the chicken meat so the marinade will soak into the meat. Put the chicken into the marinade, coating well, and let sit for 4 hours or more (or overnight) in the fridge. Take the chicken out of the fridge for a half hour to let come to room temperature. You can either bake or grill the chicken. To bake the chicken, preheat the oven to the max temperature setting (550 degrees F for my oven). Lay the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and bake for about 18-20 minutes (15-16 minutes if the thighs are boneless). Garnish the chicken with the raw red onion slices, lemon wedges and coriander leaves.

Bean Hollow State Beach

We drove to the Half Moon Bay State Beach to see if we could take Kushi out on the beach (we didn't look at dogfriendly.com first to see if the beach allowed dogs). We found out that dogs weren't allowed, so we drove south on Highway 1 until we found a beach that allowed dogs, which turned out to be Bean Hollow State Beach.

Finally free!! Kushi lets loose some pent up energy (that annoying snapping noise is me chewing gum, sorry)

Kushi is more nimble across the rocks than her human companions

Exploring the rocks and tide pools

Harbor seals sunbathing

Kushi's first boating trip at Lake Del Valle

On Saturday, we took advantage of the heat wave to go boating/swimming at Lake Del Valle in Livermore. We bought a life jacket for Kushi, and it would be her first time swimming.

The marina at Lake Del Valle

Motoring around the 5 mile long lake in the fishing boat we rented. Kushi looking hot. We'll soon remedy that...

Taking his turn steering.

The dragonfly liked my hat.

Finally in the water! Kushi is furiously paddling away. See her video below:



Kushi wondering why I'm still in the water.

Drying off in the boat.

Dried off, and happy to be back on solid earth.

Another day at Fort Funston

Who's excited to be at the beach??

Treats in human's bag = sticking close to human

Too many big dogs/small ponies = failure in Kushi's courage

Waiting for us slow pokes to catch up on the steps