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2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4

October 8, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Today was our final day and it wasn’t really a day where we hung out. We woke up, got ready and since Sissy, BIL and I have an earlier flight we left first while the others packed and got ready.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Hash Kitchen | Phoenix, Arizona

We drove back to Phoenix and chose to eat brunch at Hash Kitchen. BIL ordered avocado toast the size of his face times two! They don’t skimp on bread here. Even the monkey bread was way bigger than we had thought! Everything was delicious and the decor made me happy.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Phoenix to Houston

We headed off to the airport, found a magnet for Mum and waited by our gate. Sissy and BIL went and got their free upgrade to board earlier and they saved me a seat.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Phoenix to Houston | Drink Coupon Jack and Coke

I got another free drink ticket and went with a Jack and Coke that was so dang strong. I forced myself to stay awake so that I can sleep tonight by watching a movie downloaded from Netflix. The movie is kind of like a Hallmark movie … unrealistic happy ever after.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Pho Tan An | Houston, Texas

We told ourselves we wouldn’t eat for the rest of the day but we ended up getting pho and the like from Pho Tan An since it was on the way of dropping me off back home and them picking up their pups. I had the eggrolls and saved everything for the rest of the remaining week as lunch prep.

Our trip is over. We had a discussion last night and everyone was happy with how the trip was. Everyone got to do what they wanted except for a couple of things with good reason. No one fought and everyone compromised. We talked about having our next one in the Pacific coast. Maybe hike where there are waterfalls or maybe even Alaska since no one’s been. Cannot wait to see where we’ll be next.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Arizona, Asian, Breakfast, Breakfast and Brunch, Houston, Phoenix, Texas, Vietnamese

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 3

October 7, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

  • 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.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Breakfast, Breakfast and Brunch, Sightseeing, Wine Bars, Wineries

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 1

October 5, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Hi from Arizona! Our 1st annual cousin’s trip has begun. It could be our last depending on how things go but so far so good.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Houston to Phoenix | Pappasitos Steak Breakfast Taco

I spent the night at Sissy and BIL’s so Sarah ended up meeting up at the house. We drove, parked our car and made our way through TSA. We ended up getting a taco from Pappasitos. It was not the very best as it was super greasy and hard to hold. Never again.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Houston to Phoenix | Southwest Mimosa

I got a free drink ticket from Sarah and ordered myself a mimosa. I didn’t know they give you the whole tiny bottle! I started Five Feet Apart and cried the whole time until we landed. Ugly crying with snot and all. I didn’t finish the ending yet but it’s definitely not a plane movie with all the emotions that runs through you.

The Houston folk and Dallas folk had around the same time flights. Timothy on the other hand came from Seattle. But it all worked out that by the time we got our rental cars we were all there at the same time. We stopped at Target to buy snacks and water before heading to lunch.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Matt's Big Breakfast | Phoenix, Arizona

We ended up at Matt’s Big Breakfast. I got to try a bloody Mary, which is not something I’d ever order with all that sodium, and a mimosa flight. I really liked the apricot mimosa. Food wise was the scramble scramble. I ordered a side of bacon just in case it didn’t come out okay. Everything ended up being pretty dang good but if I come here next time I’m good with bacon and potatoes. With an apricot mimosa of course!

2019 Cousin's Trip | Papago Park Hole in the Wall | Phoenix, Arizona

We drove and hiked up Papago Park’s Hole in a Rock. It’s crazy how nature makes such beautiful views. This wasn’t a crazy hike but the kind of hike I like. Short, not hours and hours long, and you get to see such beautiful views.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Driving to Flagstaff

Then began the two and a half hour drive to Flagstaff. I jammed out to music while I drove and we stopped for a pee break and for the other car to change drivers before we finally made it. The views were so beautiful and I was a little sad I couldn’t take pictures since I was driving.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Portabella Jerky

Joanna had loot from her conference so we now have a lot of snacks. One of them is the Portabella Jerky. Surprisingly not bad and BIL, the hater of mushrooms even tried and ate it all. If he could chose, he wouldn’t eat it but he doesn’t hate it which says a lot.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Fat Olives | Flagstaff, Arizona

We chilled around the house watching football and baseball before heading out for dinner at Fat Olives. Guy Fieri came her for Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. We ended up ordering both the things he tried and they were both a lot more amazing than I thought. There were two pieces of deli meat in Sissy’s salad and it was pretty dang good too. I wish I knew what it was so I could get some!

2019 Cousin's Trip | Starry Night from Airbnb

We went back to our Airbnb and looked out at the sky. The temperature feels so nice to where I was freezing. I managed to get a shitty picture of the stars in the sky. I’m hoping I will get better when I actually have more time and with foreground.

Half of us are asleep or getting ready to sleep while the other half is up watching the Astros game. It’s against Kiran’s team, Tampa Bay, so it’s funny to hear them.

Night world!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Arizona, Breakfast, Breakfast and Brunch, Flagstaff, Italian, Phoenix, Pizza, Sightseeing

2018 Houston Restaurant Week with Mum

August 12, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Black Bear Diner | Katy, Texas

Sissy and BIL came to visit and picked up Mum, June and I. We went to Pet Supplies Plus, Buy, Buy, Baby and Bed, Bath and Beyond before heading to lunch at Black Bear Diner. They have locations all over the states so it was about time we had one. They have super big portions. I ordered the big portion of chicken fried steak and it came with two giant biscuits. I also added an order of bacon.

I ended up eating half a chicken fried steak, the bacon, a bite of potatoes and the watermelon. I ate a third of a biscuit and gave the rest to June before packing everything up. I was stuffed.

We stopped by Kroger so that they could pick up their groceries before we went home. They left and I went a took a nap.

2018 | 224/365 | 2018 Houston Restaurant Week | McCormick's & Schmick's | Houston, Texas | Mum

[2018] 224/365: 6th Houston Restaurant Week With Mum

When I woke up I went to Mum and I’s annual Houston Restaurant Week. We picked McCormick’s and Schmick’s this time.

Bread and butter for the table. We each ate a slice and pushed it away to save room for the our three course meal.

First course, Crab and Corn Chowder and Buttermilk Fried Scallop. We both agreed the chowder was the best.

Second course, Steak and Lobster (an additional $10) and Pan Seared Sea Scallops. Though it was delicious, I thought the steak and lobster was more worth the money. I even added the Foie Gras Butter with it for that extra oomph. The scallops were great but I wasn’t a super huge fan of the risotto that came with it. I had to pack more than half my steak to go!

We ordered off the Houston Restaurant Week menu and got the Lobster Mashed Potatoes. Mum LOVED this mostly because of the lobster and sauce on top.

Third course, Upside Down Apple Pie and Florida Key Lime Pie. We both finished the Key Lime and wrapped the apple one for June. We were stuffed.

Mum even ordered a cappuccino which was bitter up the wazoo but I guess that’s how it is since it’s not Starbucks. Haha

I went home, meal prepped chicken lettuce wraps for the week and am now ready to shower and head to bed. Night, everyone.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American, Breakfast, Houston, Project 365, Steakhouse, Texas

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