Mellie Dee ♥

Lifestyle | Food | Travel

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver, Colorado | Day 1

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I’ve been dreaming of having a mother daughters trip since I was a little girl and it’s finally a reality. Sissy wanted to go to Tampa, I wanted to go to another state I’ve never been and Mum wanted Denver. We ended up in Denver, freezing our asses off.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Houston to Denver

I got to use a drink voucher and get a mimosa while I watched a movie I downloaded while playing a game.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Union Station | Denver, Colorado

We rode the train to Union Station. This place is gorgeous. Reminds me of something out of a Hallmark movie where they meet up and do their final kiss before the credits roll.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Pigtrain Coffee Co | Denver, Colorado

We ordered a light snack to share from Pigtrain Coffee Co. I don’t remember what the pastry was but it was perfect.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Hotel Indigo | Denver, Colorado

We walked to Hotel Indigo and checked in early. We dropped off our stuff and refreshed ourselves before heading back out in the cold.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Leaves Changing | Denver, Colorado

I love seeing the leaves change colours. I wish I could witness it with more shades but I guess this will do.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Appaloosa Grill | Denver, Colorado

We did a lot of small shops before stopping at Appaloosa Grill for lunch. They served fried pig ears but it’s not what I thought. The flavour was nice but the cut and size of each was too big. Else everything was good but nothing to rave about.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | State Capital | Denver, Colorado

We trekked back outside in the snow and walked passed the capital.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Squirrel | Denver, Colorado

I bumped into this squirrel who was very photogenic and even went to me and posed for me. Mum tried to do the same but it ran away.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Molly Brown House Museum | Denver, Colorado

We decided to do the Molly Brown House Museum. She’s a survivor from the Titanic and it was interesting to see how they used to live. They had such beautiful stained glass windows and I find those stoves to be adorable though I’m happy I don’t have to use one.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Hearth & Dram | Denver, Colorado

We went back to our hotel, took showers and relaxed before heading off to dinner at Hearth & Dram. This is connected to our hotel so it was a quick walk. We ordered a lot but one of my favourites is the best salad. Crazy, right?

It’s so early and they’re both asleep already. I guess I’ll head to bed soon too.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3

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  • 2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Tourist Home Cafe & Bakery | Flagstaff, Arizona | Hash Bowl

Today was a day where we all pretty much spent it together. We drove and had a nice breakfast at Tourist Home Cafe & Bakery near our Airbnb. I ordered the Hash Bowl which was terrific. I’ve never cooked with beets before but I just might after this experience. I need to recreate it!

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Fay Canyon | Sedona, Arizona

We then drove to Sedona and started on our hike at Fay Canyon. I was wearing long sleeves everything but I didn’t feel overheated. When I talk about hiking, I talk about this. Simple, pretty flat, rocks with a pretty view. The pictures really don’t do it justice.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Fay Canyon | Sedona, Arizona | Arch Way

Everything was dandy until we deviated off the path for a tougher, more steep off the road path so that we could get up to the arches. We had to leave SIL under some shade since it was getting too tough for her. But we did it!

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Fay Canyon | Sedona, Arizona | Top of Arch View

The view is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The breeze was so rewarding. Getting pricked by cactus was worth it.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Fay Canyon | Sedona, Arizona | End of Maintained Trail

The way down was hell. I thought I was going to fall a few times but we survived and finished off the trail. I didn’t finish the other hike up since my knee was killing me but we all survived and made it back to the car.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Art of Wine | Sedona, Arizona

We went to The Art of Wine for a sip. I opted out of drinking since I was driving back. I shared a grapefruit fizzy type drink instead and we ordered a couple hummus for the table.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Wildflower Bread Company | Sedona, Arizona

They didn’t have any cheese and meat boards because they apparently ran out so we went to Wildflower Bread Company for some soup and bread.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | View | Sedona, Arizona

We walked back to our car and saw this amazing view. I am still mesmerized that nature made this and am thankful I got to witness it.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3 | Josephine's | Flagstaff, Arizona

We all drove back to the Airbnb, showered and got ready. We decided to dress up a little for our last night together. We ended up at Josephine’s and it was a great pick. Because we have a bigger party we were seated on the upper floor and We’re able to hear each other talk. Everything tasted fantastic to where we decided to get dessert too. Highly recommended.

Tomorrow we head back to the real world. I’m not ready.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 2

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Part of our group headed off to a day of driving, picture taking, and views while the other half stayed in Flagstaff for a small hike, sports games, museums, and breweries.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | McDonald's

Our group went to McDonald’s for breakfast. It took a while since the guy working the register didn’t know how to add a coupon. In the end we got our food, stuffed our faces and headed out. I was able to get some shut eye during the drive which was nice.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Upper Antelope Canyon | Page, Arizona

We got to Antelope Canyon. We decided to do the Upper Canyon which is longer but with better views. I finally got to ride a bummer! Even though the wind was strong I enjoyed it. They were selling things in the waiting area which was nice. Brudda and SIL didn’t go due to the bumpy rides so they dropped Joanna, Sarah, Timothy and I for the fun.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Upper Antelope Canyon | Page, Arizona | Formations

One of my favourite pictures I took on my camera. My heart is so happy.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Upper Antelope Canyon | Page, Arizona | Shark, Eye, Microsoft Screensaver

We got some pictures that the tour guide pointed out. A shark, an eye and one of Microsoft’s famous screensaver.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Upper Antelope Canyon | Page, Arizona | Waves, Bear, Hearts, Dragon

The other shots are waves, a bear, a heart, and a dragon.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Bird House | Page, Arizona

We got picked up and went to lunch to Bird House. Their fried chicken is actually pretty great. Stick to the spicy and honey butter. Their seasoned fries are some of the best I’ve ever had.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Glenn Canyon Dam | Page, Arizona

We went to Glenn Canyon Dam for a hike but since it cost $30 dollars to park and three hours to hike, we opted out and took middle of the road pictures instead since we were on a time constraint.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Horseshoe Bend | Page, Arizona | Mellie Dee

We made it to Horseshoe Bend and I lived on the wild side and sat on the edge. Everyone kept freaking out but I survived. I wanted feet dangling and got it.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Horseshoe Bend | Page, Arizona

We waited for the sun to set and got this amazing picture. My heart is so happy that I got to view this with my eyes.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Day 2 | Oregano's | Flagstaff, Arizona

We drove back to Flagstaff and Sissy, BIL, and Kiran brought back dinner from Oregano’s. We are all stuffed and now sitting and talking about our days and more.

Night, all!

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – LaCenterra | Katy, Texas

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Team Meeting Lunch

I talk about how work is going great almost daily but it really is. Is it stressful? Are people still annoying as eff? Do I sometimes dread going to work because of the amount of angry customers I know awaits me sometimes? Yes, yes, and sometimes, yes.

But I can say, without a doubt, this was what I’ve wanted to do since I was in college. Is it my dream job? No. But I get to do the things I love and it’s pushing me towards what my I want.

Everything takes time and although I’ve only been in this role for eight months I have learned a lot. I also know that maybe a year from now I’ll hate where I’m at but at least at this moment in time, I am happy where I am with my career.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - LaCenterra | Katy, Texas | Ready or Not

Now on to something delicious. June’s birthday is tomorrow so I took her to our usual Houston Restaurant Week at Alamo Drafthouse. You pick a movie, in which we picked Ready or Not, and order off the menu. In their three courses, you pick two for $20 and receive a free movie ticket for the future.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - LaCenterra | Katy, Texas | Awake Until The Endgame Shake, Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower, 2x2 Burger, Seared Tofu Sandwich
Awake Until The Endgame Shake [inspired by Avengers: Endgame, Alamo coffee toddy, Liver & Co Fiery Ginger Syrup, Oreo crumbs, and vanilla ice cream] | Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower [with vegan ranch and celery] | 2×2 Burger [double party, Tillamook cheddar,bred onion relish, lettuce, tomato, 1000 island dressing served with fries] | Seared Tofu Sandwich [marinated tofu, carrot Chow chow, cucumber, herbed Sriacha-soy aioli & cilantro on cibatta served with fries]

June drank all her milkshake and ate her whole burger so I’d say she loved it.

I tried being a bit healthy and went with the vegan options. The tofu sandwich was surprising. I don’t feel ciabatta was the right pairing but the flavour of the aioli was perfect with the fresh vegetables. The cauliflower was a bit too salty but these two dishes are now in my “Recipes to make” list.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - LaCenterra | Katy, Texas | Free Tickets

As promised, our future tickets.

The movie was better than I imagined. I won’t spoil it but I will say that I kept getting surprised but the different outcomes. Also, the actress that plays Grace is so gorgeous. I was infatuated by her beauty even when she was covered in nasty.

Four day weekend has begun and I cannot wait to see what unfolds!

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen – Memorial | Houston, Texas

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Work went by fairly quickly today. Before we knew it, it was time to meet Juhi, Amelia, and Chase at The Union Kitchen in Memorial for my last planned HRW for $35 per person.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen - Memorial | Houston, Texas | Cajun Deviled Eggs with Colossal Crab, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Shrimp and Crab Fondue
Shrimp and Crab Fondue [with roasted garlic crostini] | Cajun Deviled Eggs with Colossal Crab [4 each half eggs with creamy Cajun seasoned yolk filled topped with flash fried blue, smoked paprika and Chipotle aioli] | Chicken Tortilla Soup [braised chicken, roasted poblano and corn, topped with fresh avocado, fried tortilla strips, Pico de Gallo and cotija cheese]

The best out of the three was the fondue. Filling and delicious. The soup was nothing special as you can usually get that anywhere and the deviled eggs per Chase wouldn’t be his choice since he’s a man and portion size trumps taste sometimes.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen - Memorial | Houston, Texas | Veal Osso Bucco Milanese, Surf and Turf, Gulf Coast Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
Veal Osso Bucco Milanese [braised veal shank with saffron risotto and gremolata] | Surf and Turf [14 oz ribeye and shrimp embrochette with cheddar au gratin potatoes] | Gulf Coast Jumbo Lump Crab Cake [with cavum lemon butter sauce, dirty rice and grilled asparagus]

The veal was a little dry on top but the inside was fine. The sauce on top didn’t do much since it dried up a little as well. Green beans could be cooked a little longer though. I loved the bone marrow in my veal though!

The crab cake was very good and the rice seemed to be a dirty pilaf type. Chase loved his steak and cleaned his plate! I’d probably get the steak or crab cake if I got to do it over again.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen - Memorial | Houston, Texas | White Chocolate Champagne Pound Cake, Almond Raspberry Torte
White Chocolate Champagne Pound Cake [with warm grilled peach compote and vanilla ice cream] | Almond Raspberry Torte [layered yellow butter cake and raspberry filling with almond cream cheese icing]

No one seemed to want the flan but thinking back, maybe that would have been better. These two desserts weren’t good at all. The pound cake tasted a little stale. I think the white chocolate made it dense. I didn’t taste the vanilla in the ice cream either.

As for the torte, the raspberry filling was too tart and overpowered the cake layers and almond cream cheese. None of us finished our desserts and we didn’t pack it up either which says a lot of me.

The food overall was good but I don’t know if it’s a place I’d come if it wasn’t for the HRW. I did hear from a coworker the breakfast is very good. Maybe I need to check it out.

Taylor Swift's Lover Album Version 1 to 4

My Lover Taylor Swift albums arrived!!!! I know. It’s stupid to get them all but ever since she came out with her first album I’ve always bought all the different versions and I just had to! I like reading the things she wrote when she was a kid. Shows you how much she’s grown too!

I’m hoping tomorrow goes by fast so that I can start my four day weekend! Eeeeeek!