4th of July

It is once again that time of the year!  Having a home with an awesome view of the city fireworks is just asking for us to host for the festivities.  This year, we kept it more simple having a new 8-week old at home.  I did not want to prep, cook and clean all day this year.  Instead we opted to invite people for savory nibbles and dessert (ice cream sundaes=no prep time needed!).  This cut down on the prep and the guest list since less people are willing to trudge to our house for 3 hours or so and then fight traffic to go home.  I also asked for people to bring something which I hardly ever do….I think this was only the second potluck I’ve hosted.

Here’s a run-down of the menu

• BBQ Chicken Pizza:  Store-bought whole wheat dough topped with BBQ sauce, mozzarella, store-bought BBQ pulled chicken, thinly sliced red onion, sliced black olives, frozen roasted corn and cilantro to garnish
• Loaded Nachos with:  Store-bought BBQ pulled pork, BBQ sauce, Mexican blend cheese, black beans, caramelized onions, guacamole, pico de gallo
• Sundae Bar: Vanilla, Cookie Dough & Mint Chip Ice Creams.  Salted caramel sauce, hot fudge, sliced almonds, strawberries, bananas, brownies, sprinkles and whipped cream

a weekend with aunt ellian

V and C came to visit hoping to enjoy a  weekend of sun and sand with their daughter V  Unfortunately, the rain decided to come along for the ride =(  Little V was a very sweet little girl who is quite talkative and full of personality.  She has long wavy hair that her mom likes to put in pigtails.  The cutest thing she did was her very brave attempts to climb up on our couches.  She had to use all of her might and her head as an anchor to hoist her little body onto the sofa.  She did it again when we were out to brunch.  She made the guy seating us laugh just watching her!

The rain hit hard, but at least V and C were able to bring V to the zoo without getting drenched.  It was so nice to see our friends again.  They were very happy and you could tell that little V was the love of their lives!

nothing sleepy about Snooze!

Today, I am enjoying a much-deserved day off after working through the New Year’s holiday for the past 6 days.  I slept in, then met an old friend visiting from LA.  We met for brunch at a new spot in Hillcrest called Snooze.  The decor was a fresh take on a 60s retro coffee shop, playing he latest modern rock hits.  The space was open and airy with white, orange and grey accents.

I was intrigued by all the sweet and savory breakfast items including pineapple upside side pancakes, homemade granola and creative eggs benedict choices.  We took a seat at the counter and was greeted by a very cute server who made my cappucino.  We asked for his recommendations, and let us in on the secret “Sinful” pancakes.  He also said that we could order half orders and individual pancakes, so this is the best place for the indecisive like my friend and me!

We ordered a sampling of wo different eggs Benedict, Sticky Bun French Toast and the Sinful Pancakes-a fluffy buttermik pancake with chocolate chips topped with white chocolate anglaise, cinnamon butter, nuts and bacon-maple syrup.  BEST PANCAKE EVER!  They were fluffly and suprisingly not too sweet.  I would have taken a picture, but they were gone in a flash!

It was so great to catch up with my friend, and our wonderful meal topped it off!  This will be my new go to place for brunch with friends.  Unfortunately, it is already gaining popularity and is difficult to get a seat right away on the weekends

blushing beauty mocktail

Tonight we are going over to a friend’s house for an Italian-themed Bon Voyage party for two friends travelling to China.  Yes, I know, an Italian dinner for a China voyage?
I wanted to bring a festive non-alcoholic drink, since the hostess does not drink alcohol.  I wanted something that was autumn-hued to celebrate the new season.  Some thoughts that came to mind:  lemon and mint, basil and mint, grapefruit and cranberry, cranberry and lime….then I came across a recipe on the internet which apparently was adapted from a recipe from Rachel Ray.

6 cups ruby red grapefruit juice
3 cups diet ginger ale
1 cup cranberry or pomegranate juice
1 cup peach nectar

After tasting it, I think that a little lime juice would balance the bitterness of the grapefruit and cranberry and the sweetness from the peach.  I’ll try that next time.

Baby Preview

My friend is recovering from shoulder surgery and needed some help looking after his very adorable 9 month old son while his wife was away for a few hours. I happily agreed since the last time I hung out with his little one he was such a delight! One look at his big round eyes, and anybody would agree that he was worth a few hours of your weekend. I walked in to see to my suprise and baby who was much bigger than the last time I saw him. He was sitting up be himself in his highchair eating organic cereal one at a time with his hands. We took him out for a walk on the beach with his cool high tech stroller while he napped. He was just an angel during my whole stay. And just too cute! It was so fun wathing him trying to crawl…he would sit up, see something he likes just a bit over arm’s-length away, and contemplate whether he should go for it. He would bend over and reach, but never really got on all fours….maybe another day. I also chenged by first diaper after a very messy jumpie incident. The poo smeared all over his back! Although it was fun taking care of little A, it took 2 little mishaps for me to realize how dependent babies are. The 1st close call was when he was left unstrapped from his stroller. He started sliding down before I reach under the tabe to grab him as J caught him from above. The other was when he started coughing and choking on a little cereal puff. No biggie, he coughed it out, but still! They are such a huge responsibility, but from an outsider’s viewpoint, seems like it’s worth all the stress and worry 🙂

Happy Baby

We spent the weekend in LA to visit our friends C&T who are expecting their first baby – a little girl to be named Madeleine….probably. 35 or so of their closest friends gathered at Maggiano’s for an Italian feast, with a special gluten-free pasta dish for mommy. And who can visit LA and not run into someone at least semi-famous. Our celebrity was Justin from Brothers and Sisters….I don’t even know his real name! I was very excited that our hotel was so close to Hollywood because that meant that we could have dinner in Thai Town. After ordering way too much food and Ruen Pair, which included barbeque pork, papaya salad, basil chicken and pad see eew, we were in for a real treat – Thai desserts! B ordered sticky rice with banana grilled in a banana leaf. I ordered kaya filled buns. We also took home so home-made curry paste. I’m hoping that it will be yummy! Sunday was spent at Universal Studios. I haven’t been there since 1994! A lot has changed considering that they try to keep up with the times. Highlights included the Simpsons virtual roller coaster and the King Kong portion of the Studio Tour. I was too chicken to go on the Mummy and Jurassic Park, but next time, I think I’ll do it. I think 1 trip to the House of Horrors was enough for me. Being attacked once by a walking Chucky figurine with a knife in his hands is enough for me. Best part was the minimal lines due to the drizzly weather. After perusing one of the Asian markets and picking up dried shitakes, a steaming rack/pan, dinner was spent in Westminster at Saigon Restaurant trying the northern style bun, something B has never had. It was a very nice weekend. It was great seeing old friends, eating yummy food and discovering a new part of LA

in sickness and in health

Two weekends ago, our friends from LA came to visit for the weekend to celebrate a birthday and a year of survival. It had been a very difficult year for the couple, with P battling cancer at the young age of 35. It was very touching to hear her toast her devoted husband who had supported her through her illness. He had abided by his vow to love her and support her in sickness and in health. She was thankful for her friends and let us know that they would be there for us through thick and thin, understanding how difficult life can be. She broke down in tears when they brought her birthday cake with the candles lit, reminded that she may not have lived to this birthday had she succumbed to her disease.
P’s profession of gratitude and thanks to D really was a fine example of how strong love in a marriage can be. P and D’s love was tested, P’s mortality challenged, and I think it made them stronger in the end. Although it was the first time really spending time with P, she put life back into perspective, highlighting that family and loved ones are the center of happiness. She inspired me to reflect on the the vows I made to B, and I am more thankful for everything that I have.