Wahines on Tour - Hawaii and peek at Aulani! LAST DAY IN THE SUNSHINE UPDATE 8/6

[pkondz]

Rained Out - ... Today, Friday, those were welcome words for all of us

When I read 'Rained out', I thought, "Oh, no! Not again!" Then I see, 'welcome words' and I'm thinking, "Wha...?"

Now, let me assure you, F-15 fighters are not made of sugar.

No. Nips and snails and puppy dogs tails

FREE DAY OFF!!!

When the boys called to tell us this, Michelle and I were just getting our coffee on

Whoa. Sexy. Wearing nothing but coffee. Hubba hubba.

That is what you meant, right?

Right?

I'm going to get beat up now, aren't I.

First up, by the time we were out and about, it was about 11am - we hadn't eaten yet so it was lunch time. Where do you go for lunch when you are driving around Hawaii? SHRIMP TRUCK of course!

Definitely a moment!

Wayne was a feeling a little shrimp truck snobbery as He and Jim had eaten at another truck the week before - more on that later.

Wait. Let me guess. Giovanni's or Fumi's?

We stopped at Diamond Head, but the hiking was closed due to the high winds. That was on Wayne and Jesse's bucket list, so we were sad about that.

Oh, that's too bad. I wonder how windy it really was up there. Was it that bad for reasonably fit people? Or do they just close it according to the lowest common denominator?

Our friends go to Bellows AFS every Feb for 2 weeks, and they love it. This is a military place with cabins for rent and a private beach with a small restaurant and bar and store. Kind of a retro resort kind of place. It is pretty old and quaint, circa. 1950 or so - but it is wonderful to have a private cabin on a beach in Hawaii at these prices.

That sounds like 1. fun and 2. a good deal.

We headed up the road and across the Mountains

Boy those pics look familiar!

And back toward the hotel. We spent some time doing laundry and napping, because we had a big night planned with Tabby and her Major

NEXT UP: DOUBLE FISTING AT DUKE'S!

Thanks for the update!

 

[eandesmom]

I LOVE me some coconut shrimp, that looks delish!

Glad you could make the best of the crummy weather!

 

[blessedmom4]

The tour was fabulous and the pictures VERY moving on this day to honor our heroes. The coconut shrimp looked yummy, glad I am cooking! Just watned to say:

​

 

[anewmac]

Well yeah for them having a "free" day! The shrimp looks to die for and even thru the rain it still looks like a pretty place to be!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh, the sight of that coconut shrimp is makin' me hungry! Mmmmm.

I'm glad the guys had a day off to spend some time with you newly-minted tourguides.

The shrimp is not to be missed in Hawaii for sure! It was a nice time to try out our skills!

Finally a reason for LOVING bad weather ...... a day off for the guys!

Are those shrimp wagons something regular on the island? I don't think I would have decided to stop there, but the food looks delish!

Love the beach photos too! What a leisurely day!

Yes, a day off is always nice!

The shrimp wagons are legendary! They have shrimp farms just for that purpose The most popular style is the garlic shrimp - sauteed in butter and LOTS of garlic!

When I read 'Rained out', I thought, "Oh, no! Not again!" Then I see, 'welcome words' and I'm thinking, "Wha...?"

I'm glad I made you look!

No. Nips and snails and puppy dogs tails







Whoa. Sexy. Wearing nothing but coffee. Hubba hubba.

That is what you meant, right?

Right?

I'm going to get beat up now, aren't I.

Hmmm, mind out of the gutter, please. I try to make sure I'm not saying something stupid that can be misconstrued - I have done that a time or two on the DIS But you men will find a way - every time.

Definitely a moment!



Wait. Let me guess. Giovanni's or Fumi's?

Hmmm, not Giovanni's - we'll have to see what the pic says, I'm not sure.

Oh, that's too bad. I wonder how windy it really was up there. Was it that bad for reasonably fit people? Or do they just close it according to the lowest common denominator?

It didn't seem that terrible to us, but maybe it was gusting or something. Probably a little over cautious on the government's part.

That sounds like 1. fun and 2. a good deal.



Boy those pics look familiar!

Nice, huh? I'm waiting to see some liquid sunshine in your TR!

Thanks for the update!

Thanks for reading!

I LOVE me some coconut shrimp, that looks delish!

Glad you could make the best of the crummy weather!

Jim kept saying, "at least it's not snowing, and at least we're in Hawaii! Can't argue with that!

The tour was fabulous and the pictures VERY moving on this day to honor our heroes. The coconut shrimp looked yummy, glad I am cooking! Just watned to say:

​

Thank you, Judy!

Well yeah for them having a "free" day! The shrimp looks to die for and even thru the rain it still looks like a pretty place to be!

Free is good! I could love some of that shrimp about now! It is very beautiful - doesn't get that green without the rain!

I will be back to write more - still having internet issues. I'm taking advantage of the kids being out of the house today - kind of a reverse situation from when they were kids Hey maybe we should have a party!!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Sorry for taking so long to come back - besides the move and the lack of internet signal, we picked up our kids and grandkids in Sacramento on Saturday, and I've been in Grandma Heaven

So back to the beach! After a nice nap and some time to freshen up, we were headed out to do our Mai Tai crawl!

We headed back to the Hale Koa with Wayne and Fam, Tabby and her Major, and the Lt. (who played baseball with our son in HS, his parents are good friends, now Jim has to salute him! ) They were offering a seafood buffet, which Jim took advantage of, but didn't look so appealing to me. I ordered the grilled salmon with a very nice caper sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. Yummy!

We all ordered a Mai Tai, except Jim, who was saving his for Duke's; and Wayne, who had a Longboard. Jim brought me a few chocolate covered strawberries from the buffet - okay, here it comes -

and a piece of chocolate cake for Jesse. Of course the waiter came by and raised one eyebrow at me, pursing his lips. When he saw Jesse's cake, he promptly told Wayne and Michelle that he was adding $9 to their bill for the cake as he did not pay for the buffet! Jim felt really bad for getting Jesse in trouble.

It made Jim so mad that he didn't leave a tip! I think the others made up for it, but I was The waiter was pretty surley with all of us from start to finish - so that just topped it off - Jim didn't eat dessert, so he gave his dessert to Jesse - no harm done, really.

Dinner forgotten, we walked down to the beach. It was suddenly a beautiful night - warm and balmy - beautiful lights and the surf looked like it almost glowed in the dark. We took off our shoes, walking in the surf and across the sand and headed down to Duke's. He was a famous surfer and they named a restaurant after him.

I didn't get very good night shots, sorry.

All of the restaurants seemed to have tables or bars down on the beach, and you could just walk up the steps from the beach!

One group shot turned out

We finally came to

We walked up to through the bar to the top of the bar steps to try to be seated. There just wasn't anything. We ended up perched on the flower boxes lining the steps, with about 2 chairs next to it. We decided to just stay put and watch for a table to empty and take turns ordering and using the facilities. Jim and the Lt, (Eric) went up to the bar to get Mai Tais for the 3 of us - Eric came back to get me because they wouldn't serve the 2 of them 3 Mai Tais They wanted to see my ID. So I showed up, the bartender didn't even card me- I guess I looked old enough I walked back while he was fixing it, and then Eric was embarassed to have to come and get me because they wouldn't hand it to him, either. :rotf:: We heard that you have to get a drink at Duke's! So the verdict? This MaiTai was really good, but very different. There was more juice and a little less rum along with a really sweet mixer. I think I preferred the Hale Koa so far.

I handed Jim my drink and took his pic - looks like he was two-fisting it:

This is especially funny because he pretty much doesn't drink! Can anyone see the hidden Mickeys on his shirt? I have a matching dress, but with it not being a Disney night, I didn't wear it.

The rest of our group decided to wait for the Outrigger bar, so they headed out on the beach and we followed them. Jim headed out, and just as I was stepping out past the wall, Eric stopped me. He saw a sign that said we could not take our drinks out to the beach. We called Jim back and we stood at the edge of the area and enjoyed our drinks. We lost track of the rest of the group. It took quite a while after we finished our drinks to find the others - when they asked where we went, I said, "the Lt. said we couldn't leave the area, so we stayed!"

We got to the outrigger and sat on another wall across from the bar while Wayne went in and got a drink. After he headed in, Michelle said, "He didn't even ask me if I wanted one?" So Jim went in and got her and I each another Mai Tai! Hmmm, I felt like this one was the most watered down of all. My vote goes to Hale Koa!



We found a nice outdoor seating area in the open air lobby and enjoyed our drinks, then headed back down the beach toward the Hale Koa, where our car was parked. It was quite a walk, so we were pretty sober again by then, but Wayne was our driver so all was good! The grounds at the Hale are so beautiful - winding path up through the area, past the outdoor bar with live music - We encountered several of the work mates from the base in here and stopped to chat a little while.

At some point, we were walking outside on the front side of the street - I think looking for the outrigger, we found this tribute to "Duke"

We made it back "home," having experienced a beautiful night on the beach - I was very content to have enjoyed a warm tropical evening!

NEXT UP: Beach Bum!

 

[eandesmom]

yeah for a night of no rain, balmy breezes, sand between the toes and a fun drink comparison.

boo for grumpy waiters nickle and diming you over one piece of cake!

 

[MEK]

Where did you get that flame smilie? That is too cute. I have never seen it before. Love it. That'll teach you guys to accept strawberries and cake. Seriously, its hard to believe the waiter was watching the buffet that closely.

Watch a lovely evening of friendship and I am enjoying all your mai tai descriptions.

 

[CRdisMom]

how have i missed almost all of the trip ! SMH! resubbing!

 

[anewmac]

Sorry for taking so long to come back - besides the move and the lack of internet signal, we picked up our kids and grandkids in Sacramento on Saturday, and I've been in Grandma Heaven
aww no worries, your excuse is a good one! and from the pics ive seen there cute excuses LOL

So back to the beach! After a nice nap and some time to freshen up, we were headed out to do our Mai Tai crawl!
OHH I LIKE!!!!

We headed back to the Hale Koa with Wayne and Fam, Tabby and her Major, and the Lt. (who played baseball with our son in HS, his parents are good friends, now Jim has to salute him! ) They were offering a seafood buffet, which Jim took advantage of, but didn't look so appealing to me. I ordered the grilled salmon with a very nice caper sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. Yummy!
aww man food sounds so yummy! (darn my stupid wisdom teeth)

We all ordered a Mai Tai, except Jim, who was saving his for Duke's; and Wayne, who had a Longboard. Jim brought me a few chocolate covered strawberries from the buffet - okay, here it comes -

and a piece of chocolate cake for Jesse. Of course the waiter came by and raised one eyebrow at me, pursing his lips. When he saw Jesse's cake, he promptly told Wayne and Michelle that he was adding $9 to their bill for the cake as he did not pay for the buffet! Jim felt really bad for getting Jesse in trouble.
what a jerk.. not like he was bringing a full meal for him or you to eat along.

It made Jim so mad that he didn't leave a tip! I think the others made up for it, but I was The waiter was pretty surley with all of us from start to finish - so that just topped it off - Jim didn't eat dessert, so he gave his dessert to Jesse - no harm done, really.
Exactly, Im with Jim I would have done it that way too!!

One group shot turned out

looks like a fun time


Eric came back to get me because they wouldn't serve the 2 of them 3 Mai Tais
oh I hate that.. should at least allow a 2 drink buy max at 1 time LOL

Eric was embarassed to have to come and get me because they wouldn't hand it to him, either. :rotf::
ohh man what another pain

We heard that you have to get a drink at Duke's! So the verdict? This MaiTai was really good, but very different. There was more juice and a little less rum along with a really sweet mixer. I think I preferred the Hale Koa so far.what a bummer on the not so great drinks

I handed Jim my drink and took his pic - looks like he was two-fisting it:

LOVE IT!!


Eric stopped me. He saw a sign that said we could not take our drinks out to the beach. We called Jim back and we stood at the edge of the area and enjoyed our drinks.
Im begining to think it was Eric that steered you wrong at this bar LMAO

After he headed in, Michelle said, "He didn't even ask me if I wanted one?" So Jim went in and got her and I each another Mai Tai! Hmmm, I felt like this one was the most watered down of all. My vote goes to Hale Koa!
aww yeah for Jim.. my hero!!! Michelles too it seems!


At some point, we were walking outside on the front side of the street - I think looking for the outrigger, we found this tribute to "Duke"

aww Ive been there .. oh the memories

We made it back "home," having experienced a beautiful night on the beach - I was very content to have enjoyed a warm tropical evening!

NEXT UP: Beach Bum!

[/COLOR]

that sounds like an awesome night, even with all the misshapps

 

[dizneeat]

Saw your grandma "duty" photos on FB ..... you are excused!

Sounds like a nice evening with sand between your toes! The more I read your TR the more I am determined to go to Hawaii, but I checked airfare ........... oh holy

 

[MAGICFOR2]

yeah for a night of no rain, balmy breezes, sand between the toes and a fun drink comparison.

boo for grumpy waiters nickle and diming you over one piece of cake!

It was a wonderful sand between your toes kind of night! It didn't take us long to forget that waiter!

Where did you get that flame smilie? That is too cute. I have never seen it before. Love it. That'll teach you guys to accept strawberries and cake. Seriously, its hard to believe the waiter was watching the buffet that closely.

Watch a lovely evening of friendship and I am enjoying all your mai tai descriptions.

I may have copied and saved it to my pictures from another DISer - feel free to steal it - or sometimes I google them - maybe "angry mob smiley" or "restless natives smiley" It's amazing what comes up!

I will be sure to purchase my own strawberries next time! It was a perfect night! Thanks for being here - glady you're enjoying it.

how have i missed almost all of the trip ! SMH! resubbing!

Hey! Welcome Home Laura! I'm glad you're back! Don't worry, there is alot more fun to come!

that sounds like an awesome night, even with all the misshapps

It was a perfect night - made me realize why people love Hawaii so much!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Saw your grandma "duty" photos on FB ..... you are excused!

Sounds like a nice evening with sand between your toes! The more I read your TR the more I am determined to go to Hawaii, but I checked airfare ........... oh holy

Oh, Thank you Karin! There is one more little guy, but he's too young for "camping" I'll have to post one of him some time, too!

I guess the airfare to Hawaii would be steep for you - it is about as far away as you can get from your part of the world, I guess. I hope you can make it happen - especially if it is on your bucket list

 

[laura74]

Rained Out - those words are usually not welcome. Today, Friday, those were welcome words for all of us

Say what??

FREE DAY OFF!!!

Ah!

we would go exploring! In fact we ended up as tour guides, because we went back to the WINDWARD side to show the boys everything we had seen the day before

In the rain and wind?

it was lunch time. Where do you go for lunch when you are driving around Hawaii? SHRIMP TRUCK of course!

Or if you're Ponzi you go to a chain restaurant for a burger.

It was really delicious, and behind the truck there was kind of a local hangout - chairs grouped around the BBQ where the cooking was going on and people standing around laughing and drinking beer. Pretty laid back, but the food was delicious!

Looks great!

I've been in Grandma Heaven

Just had a funny mental image with that.

So back to the beach! After a nice nap and some time to freshen up, we were headed out to do our Mai Tai crawl!

Like that giant Mai Tai you had?

I ordered the grilled salmon with a very nice caper sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. Yummy!

That sounds great. Not sure how caper sauce pairs with a Mai Tai though.

Jim brought me a few chocolate covered strawberries from the buffet - okay, here it comes - and a piece of chocolate cake for Jesse. Of course the waiter came by and raised one eyebrow at me, pursing his lips. When he saw Jesse's cake, he promptly told Wayne and Michelle that he was adding $9 to their bill for the cake as he did not pay for the buffet! Jim felt really bad for getting Jesse in trouble.

Not a very bright waiter angering the customers.

It made Jim so mad that he didn't leave a tip!

See above.

All of the restaurants seemed to have tables or bars down on the beach, and you could just walk up the steps from the beach!

Would love that!

They wanted to see my ID.

Nice!

when they asked where we went, I said, "the Lt. said we couldn't leave the area, so we stayed!"

Great updates Tammie!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Say what??



Ah!



In the rain and wind?

Well, we're from Oregon - home of the DUCKS! LOL!

Or if you're Ponzi you go to a chain restaurant for a burger.


Or Michelle, I think!

Looks great!



Just had a funny mental image with that.



Like that giant Mai Tai you had?



That sounds great. Not sure how caper sauce pairs with a Mai Tai though.

A Mai Tai pairs with everything!

Not a very bright waiter angering the customers.



See above.



Would love that!



Nice!





Great updates Tammie!

Thanks for being here, Laura! I have lost track of your thread - I'm heading over right now!

 

[karajeboo]

Looks so pretty, even with the rain. I'm so sad you were there during that wonky weather!!!

 

[pkondz]

Sorry for taking so long to come back - besides the move and the lack of internet signal, we picked up our kids and grandkids in Sacramento on Saturday, and I've been in Grandma Heaven

Nope. Not good enough. We want a better excuse… Hmmm…

Sorry for taking so long. I moved, there was no internet, we had our kids and grandkids over and I was attacked by a lion.
See? Much better.

So back to the beach! After a nice nap and some time to freshen up, we were headed out to do our Mai Tai crawl!

Please excuse my ignorance… how many Mai Tai’s do you have to drink before the crawling begins?

(who played baseball with our son in HS, his parents are good friends, now Jim has to salute him! )

And does he make him do it every chance he gets?

I would.

We all ordered a Mai Tai, except Jim, who was saving his for Duke's; and Wayne, who had a Longboard.

That’s a beer isn’t it?

Jim brought me a few chocolate covered strawberries from the buffet - okay, here it comes -

and a piece of chocolate cake for Jesse.

Nope. Sorry. You won’t get a reaction from me. I could care less if you snag a few cherries or even a slice of dessert from the buffet. I don’t think you should feed your family of six on one order, (or even two people on one order) but a slice of cake or a few berries? Please.

Of course the waiter came by and raised one eyebrow at me, pursing his lips. When he saw Jesse's cake, he promptly told Wayne and Michelle that he was adding $9 to their bill for the cake as he did not pay for the buffet!

“Oh, yes. Absolutely. Add the $9 to the bill. Let’s see… the total bill comes to $200. That’s a $40 tip… but since you added $9, I’m still saving about $30 by not tipping you. Thanks!”

It made Jim so mad that he didn't leave a tip!

Good!

I think the others made up for it,

Bad!

but I was

Don’t!

The waiter was pretty surley with all of us from start to finish

And yet the others still tipped??

Jim didn't eat dessert, so he gave his dessert to Jesse - no harm done, really.

But it cost you an extra $9. I’m ticked just thinking about it.

Dinner forgotten, we walked down to the beach. It was suddenly a beautiful night - warm and balmy -

Yay! For having the rain finally stop for you guys!

beautiful lights and the surf looked like it almost glowed in the dark.

That’s reflections off all the sharks… trust me.

and headed down to Duke's. He was a famous surfer and they named a restaurant after him.

Originally, he was famous for his swimming. He won several medals at the Olympics.

All of the restaurants seemed to have tables or bars down on the beach, and you could just walk up the steps from the beach!

I remember that, too. It was really nice.

Eric came back to get me because they wouldn't serve the 2 of them 3 Mai Tais

They should have just told the bartender that they were in love and wanted to share the third drink. Very romantic… and could they get two straws in it, pretty please?

They wanted to see my ID.

You go girl!

So I showed up, the bartender didn't even card me- I guess I looked old enough

The cad!

I walked back while he was fixing it, and then Eric was embarassed to have to come and get me because they wouldn't hand it to him, either. :rotf::

So if a waitress orders 10 drinks for a 10 top, does she have to carry them one at a time?

It took quite a while after we finished our drinks to find the others - when they asked where we went, I said, "the Lt. said we couldn't leave the area, so we stayed!"

Well an order’s an order.

At some point, we were walking outside on the front side of the street - I think looking for the outrigger, we found this tribute to "Duke"

Got that picture with the DDs. Pretty much an iconic Waikiki spot, isn’t it?

NEXT UP: Beach Bum!

I first saw that and read Beach Burn instead of Bum and thought, “Oh, oh.”… Now I’m just curious. Thanks for the chapter! :

 

[podsnel]

Duke's! We're having our last dinner in Kauai there before we board the plane to Oahu. Duke was a Gold medal Olympiad in the sport of surfing and is thought to be responsible for popularizing the sport around the globe.

I'm really going for the Hula Pie.

I was just reading about Mai Tais, too- it seems originally they were made with rum, curacao & lime juice- and somewhere, somehow, someone changed it to pineapple juice. Sometimes. There is a bar on Kauai in Hanalei (where we are staying) that is supposed to make great ones- the original way- can't wait to try it out!! The bar is actually Tahiti Nui- we're going there for dinner. It was the bar George Clooney found his uncle in, in Descendants.

Really, though- like you- I'm looking forward to tasting them EVERYWHERE and comparing as much as I can!!

 

[glennbo123]

I've never been to Hawaii (yet!), but I have heard about Duke's. Glad you got to check it out.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Looks so pretty, even with the rain. I'm so sad you were there during that wonky weather!!!

It is beautiful even in the rain! We kept saying that it doesn't get that green without the rain, and at least it wasn't snow like we left and came back to.

Nope. Not good enough. We want a better excuse… Hmmm…

Sorry for taking so long. I moved, there was no internet, we had our kids and grandkids over and I was attacked by a lion.
See? Much better.

That's much better - I'll let you know next time I need an excuse to miss work!



Please excuse my ignorance… how many Mai Tai’s do you have to drink before the crawling begins?

I guess I didn't find out - I just thought it sounded like a cool party term, but that's about as exciting as it gets for us!

And does he make him do it every chance he gets?

I would.

I think he's a little embarassed by the whole thing.

That’s a beer isn’t it?
Yep, a really good one! Jim brought home another Hawaiin beer from the store here the other day - coconut infused - it was really good too! I think it was a Kona coconut brown ale


Nope. Sorry. You won’t get a reaction from me. I could care less if you snag a few cherries or even a slice of dessert from the buffet. I don’t think you should feed your family of six on one order, (or even two people on one order) but a slice of cake or a few berries? Please.



“Oh, yes. Absolutely. Add the $9 to the bill. Let’s see… the total bill comes to $200. That’s a $40 tip… but since you added $9, I’m still saving about $30 by not tipping you. Thanks!”



Good!



Bad!



Don’t!



And yet the others still tipped??



But it cost you an extra $9. I’m ticked just thinking about it.
Thanks for your support! It was pretty dumb on his part. He could have really tried to help us have a good time, and it would have worked out much better for him!


Yay! For having the rain finally stop for you guys!



That’s reflections off all the sharks… trust me.

You would know!

Originally, he was famous for his swimming. He won several medals at the Olympics.

Thanks I think I knew it that day, but by now I've forgotten all the details.

I remember that, too. It was really nice.



They should have just told the bartender that they were in love and wanted to share the third drink. Very romantic… and could they get two straws in it, pretty please?



You go girl!



The cad!



So if a waitress orders 10 drinks for a 10 top, does she have to carry them one at a time?

I think it's just for the walk up bar guests.

Well an order’s an order.



Got that picture with the DDs. Pretty much an iconic Waikiki spot, isn’t it?



I first saw that and read Beach Burn instead of Bum and thought, “Oh, oh.”… Now I’m just curious. Thanks for the chapter! :

Duke's! We're having our last dinner in Kauai there before we board the plane to Oahu. Duke was a Gold medal Olympiad in the sport of surfing and is thought to be responsible for popularizing the sport around the globe.

I'm really going for the Hula Pie.

You must be so excited! I had forgotten about the Olympics, but I know they called him the father of surfing. Funny, we visited a little museum in Santa Cruz, and they had a guy from there who was supposed to be....

Oh, the Hula Pie! I wanted to have dinner there just to try that, but the rest of the group wanted that seafood buffet that almost no one ordered anyway!

I was just reading about Mai Tais, too- it seems originally they were made with rum, curacao & lime juice- and somewhere, somehow, someone changed it to pineapple juice. Sometimes. There is a bar on Kauai in Hanalei (where we are staying) that is supposed to make great ones- the original way- can't wait to try it out!! The bar is actually Tahiti Nui- we're going there for dinner. It was the bar George Clooney found his uncle in, in Descendants.

Loved that movie! Watched it on the way to Hawaii! Really alot better than I thought it would be, and I loved all the scenery of course!

Really, though- like you- I'm looking forward to tasting them EVERYWHERE and comparing as much as I can!!

I know you are! You are really full of information today - you must be doing alot of Hawaii research! I wonder why?

I've never been to Hawaii (yet!), but I have heard about Duke's. Glad you got to check it out.

I think it's a pretty iconic place! I'm glad, too! Next time I'd like to eat there and try the Hula Pie recommended by Ellen, though!