Mellie Dee ♥

2018 Wilson & Mei Mei Visit | Part IV

April 16, 2018 by Mellie Dee 1 Comment

We were able to sleep in today, thank goodness! We were all so tired. We started out meeting Joanna, Jasmine, John, Katie, and Sarah at Hash House A Go Go for breakfast.

We all ordered different things and shared so that we got a little of everything. These portions were hella big. I didn’t think anything was too special as it seems to be regular Texas like breakfast.

We then went back to Brudda and SIL’s house for a bit before heading to Allen Premium Outlets. We (mostly Wilson and Mei Mei) shopped for HOURS and even skipped lunch so I was thankful to find old BelVita crackers in my purse to munch on. We called it quits leaving behind, John, Joanna, Jasmine, Katie, Wilson, Mei Mei, and Peggy. The rest of us headed back to Brudda and SIL’s for some small lunch.

Sometime later, we headed out to Rise N°1.

I thought it was kind of cute that they had this on the table when we walked in. My cousin booked the table so it had her name on it.

Their plates were so adorable, I wished I could have taken some home! It even has “rise” imprinted on them.

We got complimentary bread and butter. I loved their little cutting board knife duo. They even sell them by the front door but since I’m not a big bread eater, it would have gone to waste if I bought one. Great idea though!

Wilson, Mei Mei, SIL, and I shared our souffles, Escargot, Crab Cake, Crawfish, and Truffle Mushrooms. The best one was the escargot.

Then we shared our desserts of Pistachio, Chocolate, Grand Marnier, and Raspberry. Our favourite was a clear winner amongst the whole table: Pistachio.

Would I come back here? Probably not. It was just carbs and air we were eating. Nothing substantial but it was nice to experience it. The service was amazing though.

When we got home everyone seemed to be snacking. I guess I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t full! Brudda served an abalone each to himself and I. It was delicious and much filling than the dinner.

Tomorrow is going to be another long day so I’ll be hitting the hay now. Night, y’all!

Hash House A Go Go
1900 Preston Road, Plano, Texas 75093 | (972) 867-4646 | Website | Yelp

Rise N°1
5360 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, Texas 75209 | (214) 366-9900 | Website | Yelp

2018 Wilson & Mei Mei Visit | Part III

April 15, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

We all woke up and headed towards Dallas before the sun came up stopping by McDonald’s for a quick breakfast.

After a long drive, we stopped by Buc-ee’s at Madisonville for gas and others to use the restroom.

Once we got there, Brudda showed the house before heading to lunch meeting up with Joanna and Kiran at Lockhart Smokehouse.

We ordered two pounds of ribs, moist brisket, two links of original sausage, two links of jalapeno sausage, deviled eggs, mac & cheese, coleslaw, beans and potato salad. Everything was delicious. My favourite were the ribs, jalapeno sausage, and beans.

We stopped by Dude, Sweet Chocolate that was next door so that Wilson could try and buy if he wanted to.

We stopped by Joanna and Kiran’s new house that’s being built then headed to Hurts Donut Company.

We ordered way too many donuts but it was nice getting to try different flavours. Everything is way too sweet and we all agreed this was more for looks than for taste. Majority’s favourite was the bear claw.

Tammy went and got Emmy a little sausage kolache to munch on. It was not too shabby but it’s got nothing on the Kolache Factory … obviously.

We stopped by Ford Center at The Star to walk around.

I went and got a lotto scratch off. Wilson bought his first lotto ticket (Powerball I believe) and we’re excited to see what the outcome is, understanding it’s quite difficult to win.

Afterwards, we went to the outlets, not knowing it was closing early due to it being Sunday. We ended up going to one store but they were able to buy a few pairs of shoes and t-shirts. We’re aiming to have a full day of shopping for them as long as they needed.

Then we met up with Joanna, Kiran, Katie, John, Sarah, and Peggy at Legacy Hall. Tammy’s parents even joined us!

I love the little quotes they have on the wall. This one was my favourite.

This place is like a three-level food court and we all bought different things so everyone could try. These were some I was able to get a taste of. Overall, the food wasn’t bad but the cost wasn’t the best for the quality. Would I come back? Probably since it’s nice to be able to pick and choose different things.

[2018] 105/365: Movie Time with Brudda

Brudda and I both edited our own pictures while we watched Pitch Perfect 3. Sadly, we’re both so tired that we couldn’t finish it. We have 20 minutes left which I guess we’ll watch tomorrow. Until then, it’s bed time for me because it’s been a super, duper, long day.

McDonald’s
405 S Fry Road, Katy, Texas 77450 | (281) 492-2242 | Website | Yelp

Buc-ee’s
205 IH-45 S, Madisonville, Texas 77864 | (979) 238-6390 | Website | Yelp

Lockhart Smokehouse
1026 E 15th St, Plano, Texas 75074 | (972) 516-8900 | Website | Yelp

Dude, Sweet Chocolate
1016 E 15th St, Plano, Texas 75074 | (972) 424-6200 | Website | Yelp

Hurts Donut
3288 Main St, Frisco, Texas 75033 | Website | Yelp

Ford Center at The Star
9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, Texas 75034 | (972) 497-4900 | Website | Yelp

Legacy Hall
7800 Windrose Ave, Plano, Texas 75024 | (972) 846-4255 | Website | Yelp

2018 Wilson & Mei Mei Visit | Part II

April 14, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

This morning, we went to the cemetery to do some Buddhist/Daoism thing for Grandma. We aren’t religious but we do it for her when she asks. Afterwards, we went to lunch at Crown Seafood Restaurant.

Timothy, Peggy and June ordered way too much food. This scene brings me back to Hong Kong with the family when Dad ordered a table full of food. It was fun trying new things though.

We stopped by Eck Bakery on the way home.

They have the best egg tarts in Houston. Houston because everything in Hong Kong tastes better of course! This would have been my picture of the day but there’s something better down below!

Wilson went to the market and bought live, fresh lobster to cook for the ENTIRE family.

He even took time out to crack the shells beforehand for easy eating.

This is the end result. The picture doesn’t do it justice. It was steaming and fogging up my lens but my dang, was it good.

The best thing was seeing razor clams in a stainless steel bowl. I was so surprised because I didn’t know these were sold here. I’ve only had it once by June’s sister back in Hong Kong in 2012.

[2018] 104/365: Razor Clams by Wilson

The end product was DANG good. This was the highlight of the day. Razor clams and getting to spend time with my cousin. He taught me a lot of new skills. There was a part where I got teary-eyed because I wished we saw each other more.

We stopped by Katie’s house a bit for Wilson and Mei Mei to see before we headed home. Tomorrow is a new day and a long drive ahead so, peace out world!

Crown Seafood Restaurant
10796 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, Texas 77072 | (281) 575-1768 | Website | Yelp

Eck Bakery
6918 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, Texas 77072 | (281) 933-6808 | Yelp

2018 Wilson & Mei Mei Visit | Part I

April 13, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

The day started off ~~bright~~ dark and early. We left the house by 5 AM meeting at Gordon’s by 5:30 AM. We drove for a long bit before stopping for breakfast at IHOP. So generic but it was the only thing opened on the way.

I had my usual chicken fried steak and eggs sharing some with the guests and giving away my pancakes (not shown) to Gordon.

We drove a bit further landing at the location the rest of the trip will be at, Natural Bridge Caverns and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.

We started with the ranch first, where we got a map. Sadly we didn’t get the list of what the animals were and by the time we found out, we were too lazy to go back and get it. We still had fun though.

Gordon bought four bags of pellets to feed the animals.

We saw so many of them and many were unafraid to come up and stick their head in the windows. There were also many that were shy and only ate if we threw it on the floor. Overall, it was a great experience. I never expected to see so many variations so it was a plus.

[2018] 103/365: Become a Photographer

Just kidding. I am not going to be a photographer ~~anytime soon~~ ever. But this is one of my favourite shots I took so I didn’t resize the image. But look how chill that calf is!

Right next door was the caverns so we headed there next. Gordon and Dad sat in the car while Wilson, Mei Mei and I made our way through the cave. This was the beginning, bright and breezy.

As we got further it, it got wetter, darker, and more humid. It was still a sight though.

Look how clean that water is. And look at that formation! They had water fountains where you can try a bit of the cave water so we did it. It tasted a little funky, as it should be. This was my favourite shot down there so I didn’t resize this one either. This picture doesn’t do it justice but it’s the best I could do. Enjoy.

After that, we headed back home meeting up with Patsy, Sissy, and BIL at Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill.

I got the lamb shank so it’s something they can try. I am in love with their cauliflower. The only thing I can order A LOT of and not get sick of. Score!

The lady was also nice enough to give us all complimentary tea.

After dinner, we all headed home. The guests are asleep and I’m going to follow suit soon – after a few episodes of New Girl though.

Night, everyone!

IHOP
2777 N Hwy 123, Seguin, Texas 78155 | (830) 379-1241 | Website | Yelp

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266 | (830) 438-7400 | Website | Yelp

Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266 | (210) 651-6101 | Website | Yelp

Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill
716 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 | (832) 500-3611 | Website | Yelp

Chill Day In The Nice Weather

April 12, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Favor had a free Chickfila sandwich and delivery day. All you have to do is tip so, I did just that while watching the new season of New Girl that is out on Netflix.

[2018] 102/365: Rizzo Chillin’ Outside

Afterward, I let Rizzo run around outside while Rocky chilled on a cot and I read Food Network magazine. I fell asleep doing so in the wonderful weather. Gave Rizzo a bath and he sat on me afterward soaking up the sun.

Wilson and Mei Mei are finally here and are getting ready for bed for our big adventure tomorrow. Yay!!

Hash House A Go Go 1900 Preston Road, Plano, Texas 75093 | (972) 867-4646 | Website | Yelp

Rise N°1 5360 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, Texas 75209 | (214) 366-9900 | Website | Yelp

McDonald’s 405 S Fry Road, Katy, Texas 77450 | (281) 492-2242 | Website | Yelp

Buc-ee’s 205 IH-45 S, Madisonville, Texas 77864 | (979) 238-6390 | Website | Yelp

Lockhart Smokehouse 1026 E 15th St, Plano, Texas 75074 | (972) 516-8900 | Website | Yelp

Dude, Sweet Chocolate 1016 E 15th St, Plano, Texas 75074 | (972) 424-6200 | Website | Yelp

Hurts Donut 3288 Main St, Frisco, Texas 75033 | Website | Yelp

Ford Center at The Star 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, Texas 75034 | (972) 497-4900 | Website | Yelp

Legacy Hall 7800 Windrose Ave, Plano, Texas 75024 | (972) 846-4255 | Website | Yelp

Crown Seafood Restaurant 10796 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, Texas 77072 | (281) 575-1768 | Website | Yelp

Eck Bakery 6918 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, Texas 77072 | (281) 933-6808 | Yelp

IHOP 2777 N Hwy 123, Seguin, Texas 78155 | (830) 379-1241 | Website | Yelp

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266 | (830) 438-7400 | Website | Yelp

Natural Bridge Caverns 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266 | (210) 651-6101 | Website | Yelp

Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill 716 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 | (832) 500-3611 | Website | Yelp