Today was the first full day visiting my folks in New Mexico and we most certainly made the most of it as evidenced by this slideshow of the Sandia Crest hike Dad and I took on and conquered nicely. Weather? Perfect at @73 degrees even though we expected colder temps, bringing jackets just in case but ending up wearing them around our waists unnecessarily. Then after landing all of the perfect photo opportunities and feeling confident about our overall hike achievement, we finished off the afternoon in the best way possible by eating Gyoza, Sushi, and Bento boxes at Kyoto Sushi and Steak House, the best meal I've encountered in longer than I can remember and one that I hope to repeat again soon. So this whole hike through the Sandian Mountainside experience was not on my bucket list but entirely should have been. So in retrospect of it all? CHECK.

Being a Mostly Empty Nester has its perks, such as having the ability to visit the oldest in her new habitat and check out local sushi while doing so. Above is a slideshow of the sushi feast we landed compliments of Hiko Sushi with rolls named after exotic car types, amongst other interesting varieties. Not one to be shy about indulging *cough*, I fancied myself a Maserati roll, likely the most scrumptious and expensive sushi roll I've ever laid my hands on ($16!). And not only did I enjoy complete sushi deliciousness, but I also scored a pretty pink Hawaiian flower to wear behind my ear in a selfie for posting online.

Next time? Totally going for the Tesla Roll.

This photo collage is just a peek into all of the excitement I had partying it up on and around my actual birthday. Still coming down from all of the party goodness, I have to admit that shopping, food, and time with my people will never grow old, and neither will I.

As planned, here I am enjoying appetizers and sushi at a local favorite restaurant with the very person who lured me into this situation by texting a certain photo from Minnesota. This is exactly the kind of thing that happens as the result of sushi texting - thus proving you just cannot get away with those kinds of shenanigans in my presence. Unless, of course, you take the recipient (me) out for a big plate full of sushi goodness, complete with a doggie-bag for lunch-time sushi the next day.

Consider yourself warned.

While in Minnesota this week, my oldest texted me this photo of grocery-store-purchased sushi, thus requiring a visit to HIRO88 to acquire actual restaurant-style sushi now that she has arrived back home. Proof that I do not take these teaser pics lightly - perfect excuse to take mom out for sushi, right?

Stay. Tuned.

At the beginning of Summer Break 2018, I sent out a wish to get a certain College Peep hooked on sushi before the end of the break. And guess what?

I Did. Just. That. 

This lovely slideshow is proof of my wish come true with pics of our delicious reverse happy hour sushi meal at H I R O 88, requested by none other than College Peep herself, complete with Shrimp & Veggie Tempura Appetizers, Husker / HIRO's Crunch / Sweet Chili Crab / West Coast Sushi Rolls, and Orange Mimosas to wash down all of that scrumptiousness.

And with that, Team Life-Long Sushi Quest just got one member stronger.

Feeling all exuberant after the 12+ hour road trip bringing this lovely chica back home from college for summer break.  So here we are back in shopping mode again, complete with testing Snapchat selfie filters.  Perfectly legitimate way to bond, IMHO.  Now if I can just get her hooked on sushi... we have plenty of time. *fingers crossed*

This is how I got all spoiled and pampered on a Mother's Day weekend.  Thankfully, a Sunday morning power workout was involved, as well. (photo not included)

After visiting the youngest who is currently away at college and offering to take him out to dinner, I felt a little ambivalent when he suggested we partake in actual sushi eating. My brain flashed to **RAW FISH ALERT** but then thought, But this dude is the pickiest eater on the planet, so how can it possibly be bad?  And I also thought, Wait - this guy has already eaten sushi and managed to live through it, so why not give sushi a try?  

So that's just what we did - WE ATE SUSHI. AND IT WAS DELICIOUS. AND NOW I AM ON A LIFE-LONG QUEST TO TRY MORE VARIETIES OF SUSHI.

And reflecting back over the past 24 hours I am left wondering what the heck just happened and why I have been left unaware of the amazingness that is SUSHI all my life.  To think that I could have died without ever experiencing this delicacy is a complete and utter shock to my system.