Little Ladies

It's summer time again and for our family that means a slew of birthdays. Well this weekend we kicked off 4th of July and my mom's birthday. My sister's and I always collaborate for our parents birthdays and holiday gifts and this year was no different. But as we get older, we find it harder and harder to get our parents gifts. I mean what do you get someone who has everything?

One day we were bouncing off ideas in a group text message and Dani suggested, "What about a girls day?" And it just clicked. That's what we'll get her. I mean what woman doesn't love a good a girls day? So I have a connection at La Note, a local Berkeley restaurant and staple for the Ladies Who Brunch, and booked us an appointment for a nice breakfast to begin the day. Dani then scheduled the second half of the day by booking us mani pedis at a local nail salon. Michelle then put it all together, as only a ultra planner does, by creating a invitation to send out as a surprise.

We ended up celebrating the birthday a day early and that weather could not have been more perfect. It was sunny but still comfortable enough for a jacket. My mom had not been to La Note in quite some time and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Plus it was such a big advantage having a reservation, weekend wait times can typically be at least an hour wait. 

Michelle and I picked out some nail polish and surprised her with a small gift.

We started off our meal with an order of the Toasted Cinnamon Brioche with Hot Cocoas and Mochas all around. And yes, that is a bowl that they come in.

*Cote Nord - two eggs lightly scrambled with cream cheese, over toasted levain bread and served with home fries and Provencial tomatoes

*Omelette A La Confiture- orange marmalade omelette served with grapefruit and a croissant.

*Omelette De Pommes De Terre- potato and carmelized onion omelette, served open face, with Provencales tomatoes and a croissant.

The whole day ended up being a great success and my mom really enjoyed herself. It was nice having a day for just us girls, and I'm sure my dad enjoyed the peace and quiet. We are hoping to do this again when our Aunt Joni comes into town.

Carb Loading

Hey Y'all! Well, the day that we have all been training months for has arrived. Tomorrow at 7am we will all running in the Nike Women's Marathon here in Washington DC. For those unfamiliar with what that distance equates to, it is 13.1 miles. Our course will be an amazing route that goes around all the monuments and ends at the Capitol building. Needless to say we are beyond excited.

So tonight for dinner we went out for pasta since we wanted to load up on carbs before the race. My dad is volunteering for the marathon and ended up making some friends. One of which suggested visiting Maggiano's. Maggiano's is a family style Italian restaurant in the Chevy Chase area of Washington DC. It was recommended to us because of it's good food and large portions. Oh man, this place did not disappoint. All of it was great---pasta, vegetables, seafood, appetizers, and desserts. We definitely got our fill. Now we are going to rest up and get ready to crush 13.1.

Appetizer: Calamari Fritte 

My Meal: Crab & Shrimp Tropheo
hand twisted pasta, grape tomatoes, zucchini and lemon garlic sauce

Dani's Meal: Taylor Street Baked Ziti
italian sausage, pomodoro sauce and ziti topped with a layer of melted Provolone & Parmesan

Mom's Meal: Chef KB's Lobster Carbonara
spaghetti, lobster, smoked bacon, snap peas and garlic cream sauce

Dad's Meal: Linguine di Mare
lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams and spicy lobster tomato broth

Dessert: Vera's Lemon Cookies

Shake Shake Shakes!!

This week I am exploring the Midwest with my dad. Today finished up our stay in Ann Arbor, MI but before hopping on the Ohio Turnpike in route to Pittsburgh we made a necessary stop at Steak & Shake.

thumbs up!

My dad LOVES this place. So we stopped inside to pick up two strawberry shakes. I was tempted by the many choices but my dad convinced me to go simple and I was not disappointed.

Despite his less than emotional reaction, he is very happy with his shake.

Happy 80th birthday!!!

This week our Papa turned the big 8-0 and looks great I must add. Anyway my dad decided to take him out to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. This was Papa's first time at this establishment and he LOVED it.

Papa's Meal: Shrimp & Gumbo

My Meal: Jamaican Jerked Shrimp with plantains, black beans, and mango salsa

Dad's Meal: The New Orleans Shrimp

Dani's Meal: The Americana Cheeseburger

Mom's Meal: Macaroni & Cheese Burger

Mom & Dad

Dani & I with Papa, the birthday boy.

Welcome to the 'Burgh

I've had my first visitor!! 

                                   

Last weekend my Dad took a trip out to visit me in Pittsburgh. This was his first chance to see my apartment, neighborhood, new school, and just Pennsylvania in general. Although his stay didn't include a stop at the famous Primanti Bros., it did involve a lot of good eating... and surprisingly a fair amount of home cooking.

Friday's Lunch at Steak N' Shake

Dad's Guac Burger

My Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Burger

Dad enjoying a Strawberry Shake

Friday Night's Pre-5K Dinner:

                        

Fresh fish from Giant Eagle's Market District including

Jamaican Jerk Salmon (upper right) and 

Salmon with Bourbon Marinade (lower right)

Close up of the Jerk Salmon, my Dad's favorite

Saturday's morning race:

Sunday's Brunch at Pamela's Diner:

(aka Monique's favorite restaurant)

Sunday Night's Dinner:

                                 

Smother Pork Chops

*Soooooo Goooooood!*

Thanks for visiting! If anyone else wants to come just let me know!! :)

Birthday dinner

I can't believe that it my birthday has arrived already. Time really does fly. I mean fall is here, which means the holidays are just around the corner, which also means 2012 is almost over. I just can't believe it. Anyways, I decided to go to Scott's in Walnut Creek for my birthday dinner. Even though I am a vegetarian, I still eat fish from time to time. But do not be fooled, my diet is primarily veggies & fruit. :)

Mom & Dad
I promise you, I told him to smile yet he kept talking as I took the picture

Dani & I

New yoga top from Mom :)

New Lululemon gear from Papa :

New Water Canteen from Dani :)

complete with a lotus design

New bracelets from Miche :)

Now onto the real focus, FOOD!

Mom's meal: Dungeness Crab encrusted swordfish

My meal : Shrimp Au-Gratin

Dani's meal : Seafood Salad

Dad looking proud in his bib.

Dad's meal: Cioppino 

**Items not pictured**

Traditional Clam Chowder

Oysters Rockefeller

Fried Calamari