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2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | A Week in San Antonio

May 23, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Daily Coffee by Patricia

My work days begin with a cup of coffee made by Patricia every morning. It’s not a bad way to start the day and makes me wonder if I ever end up with someone, would they do the same. Something to keep in mind, I’m not a big fan of coffee unless it’s a latte and she came through for me. All the mugs were different too. Can you guess which one is my favourite?

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant | HEB Meals

Monday was a pretty chill day. I ordered lunch from Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant. It’s been on my list of places to try since day one. It’s opened by one of my old collegemates from when we were in FTK. Their lumpia and lechon were amazing and I would order again in a heartbeat even though I feel they are a little overpriced. The rice and Kare-Kare was a little on the miss side. The peanut soupiness was not flavourful enough and was very bland. The peanut butter didn’t come out enough. The rice was also mushy and with the stew it made it a big ole no-no. But I had it for lunch a few other days because no waste over here.

For dinner, we had bought some HEB meals to make and it came out great. We watched Thunder Force before heading off to bed.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | 54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse with Doug and Patricia

On Tuesday, Moises and Emily got me a poke bowl from Hula Poke for dinner but I saved it for breakfast for a couple of days since Patricia and I had plans to see Doug. We met at 54th Street Restaurant where we had not so great old fashions, tater kegs, dressed roasted Brussel sprouts, and rattlesnake pasta.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Rock and Rye with Patricia & Doug

We then went to Rock and Rye for real old fashions. Note for Patricia in the future — she likes the Pimms drink because she couldn’t figure out what she liked from here and made the guy keep guessing.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Toro | Amy, Thuy & Chloe

On Wednesday, we all took a bit of a half day from work. Patricia and I met up with Amy and Thuy. We finally got to meet Chloe and she is the CUTEST. Her back bends made us laugh SO much.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Toro Tapas with Patricia, Amy, Thuy & Chloe

We ordered the WHOLE menu at Toro — or it felt like we did. Huevos Rotos, Patatas Bravas, Champinoes Lugo, Tacos de Cochinita Pibil, Calamares Fritos, Toro Pallea, Valencia Gin, Red Sangria Pitcher, Torrijas a la mode.

This is my new favourite tapas place. Why does it have to be so far away?! I definitely want to come back here next time and try their other stuff.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Thuy's with Amy, Patricia, Mellie Dee | Ube Crinkle Cookies & Pop Tarts

We went to Thuy’s afterward so that she could put Chloe away. Patricia worked while Amy, Thuy and I sat and had girl talk and caught up a lot. It was nice. Thuy even made us Ube Crinkle Cookies and Ube Pop Tarts. All delicious.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | El Mirasol with Andy, Jakob, Amy, Patricia

Later that day Patricia stopped by James Avery and then we headed off to El Marisol where we met up with Andy, Jakob, and Amy.

There is too much food that I don’t know what everyone ordered … and Andy’s is not even in the picture. But EVERY SINGLE thing was good. I was lucky enough to try them all and it sent me in a whirlwind of wanting to come back next time.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | El Mirasol | Andy, Jakob, Amy, Patricia Texting

I made a joke that I drove 3 hours for them to be on their phone while they spent time with me.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | El Mirasol | Andy, Jakob, Amy, Patricia, Mellie Dee

But overall, lots of new memories were made.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Bovinos Churrascaria with Patricia

On Thursday, Patricia had made reservations for Bovino’s Brazilian Steakhouse. We did the seafood choice and it was somewhat worth it since I ate some of Patricia’s too. I would be fine with just the meat and salad bar choice since the salad bar had an amazing fish ceviche!

When the server asked if we were here for a special occasion, Patricia told them it was for my birthday and so we were surprised with a show and a free cake. Probably one of my favourite cakes now because it wasn’t sweet at all.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | La Cantera | Patricia & Mellie Dee

Since we overate — mostly me — we walked around the closed La Cantera and took lots of pictures to commemorate our time together.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | Emmy & Mellie Dee Video, Patricia Lasik, McAllisters, Las Palapas

On Friday, we ordered McAllister’s and I had a video chat with Emmy. She said she loves my hair and wants hers to be purple and pink too. haha Dad was not too happy with that conversation.

I then took Patricia to her Lasik surgery appointment. I took care of her and then Andy, Ana, and Amy came over. Amy came first and we were able to have one on one conversation and it was what I’ve been missing. Whenever you hang out with a group, it’s hard to have in depth conversations with each individual so I was happy that we had that time together.

We ordered dinner from Las Palapas and Andy and Ana were nice enough to pick it up for us. We then watched What a Girl Wants. Andy and Ana had never seen it and I loved watching their reactions. Patricia fell asleep on the couch while Amy and I planned our trip. We ended up choosing Charleston and Patricia will be joining us as well. Cannot wait! Planning has begun.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Ida Claire with Patricia

Saturday morning, Patricia had to go to her next day Lasik check up so we went there and the drug store to pick up some eye drops for her. She was doing so well she ended up driving and even was down to go to Ida Claire for brunch.

This place has been on my list since forever and I was ecstatic! Mimosas in orange juice and grapefruit juice, French Press coffee, Nashville Cauliflower, Gristmill Asiago Grits, Chicken & Waffles, and Ida’s Fried Chicken – Nashville style.

Seriously thankful for our server for letting me know that I could Nashville style the fried chicken because I was between that and the Nashville chicken made a different way. I am so coming back here next time I’m back. I had a lot leftover, packed it to go and ate it for breakfast this morning after making some sunny side eggs.

2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | Hot Pot | Rocky, Rizzo, Mellie Dee

I spent some time taking naps and waking up then left back to Houston. I was greeted with hot pot for dinner. Lots of veggies as requested.

Rizzo loved having cuddle time and Rocky even came and slept on my bed for a long time.

It’s Sunday. Workout, Charleston trip planning, bachelorette planning, and lots of Rizzo cuddles. I’m so pooped. It was a great week filled with great friends and laughter. So many new memories made.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Bars and Pubs, Breakfast and Brunch, Filipino, Mexican and Tex-Mex, San Antonio, Sandwiches and Burgers, South American, Spanish, Steakhouse, Texas

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine

March 21, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | COVID Shot

First order of business. I’m fully vaccinated as of Monday. I took off Tuesday thinking that I would have symptoms but I am unsure if it’s proud to say that I had no symptoms whatsoever. No fevers, no aches, etc. I have already started talks with some friends who are also vaccinated to hopefully visit them and travel somewhere. Eek!

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | Funny Dog Puzzle

I finished another puzzle. This one makes me laugh because of how silly if is. On the newspaper, one section reads “Bark Obama Approves Universal Pet Care”.

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | Taste Buds Cereal Bar | Katy, Texas | Mallory, JJ, Jacob

Friday was my day off but I tried some loose ends at work then met up with Mallory, JJ and Jacob at Taste Buds Cereal Bar. Everyone that knows me knows I’m not a fan of cereal but am always down to try new places. The boys loved their bowl of sugar while I opted to share a funnel cake with strawberries, fruity pebbles cereal and dunkaroo cereal. I would def come back for the funnel cake. I loved watching Jacob eat with two spoons.

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | Kura Sushi | Katy, Texas

Afterward I had a date with myself. I took myself to Kura Sushi. It’s been forever and this place will always hold a special place in my heart. I don’t eat as much as I use to so no prizes. I did accidentally ordered a box of rice with beef. Sigh. I was too excited and pressed the wrong button.

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | The Rustic | Houston, Texas | Brooke

Later that night, I met up with Brooke at The Rustic. This has always been a place I wanted to try and was so happy Brooke mentioned it! Super big space, very cozy and live music. Their food was amazing. I got the spicy chicken sandwich. DROOL. I’ve never had a super long conversation with Brooke before and was surprised we were there for almost four hours.

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | The Cafe at Brookwood | Brookshire, Texas | Ryan

I was able to snag a reservation for The Cafe at Brookwood. This has been on my list since Alyssa got married YEARS ago. I’ve tried to get someone to go with me and was so excited Ryan agreed.

This place hires special needs adults to help them out and they even make a lot of the things they sell in the store. So cool!

I loved my shrimp and grits and Ryan loved his Mango Chicken (?). We finished everything!!

And then headed into their store where they sold A LOT of stuff. We grabbed a few things each before heading into their nursery. I’m sure a lot of the plants died from the freeze but this place will be on my come back list with Mum. She’ll love it.

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | Food Fest

Speaking of asking foods, I had a lot of good ones this week. Including crawfish an Rudy’s! I’ve also perfected brussel sprouts.

2021 | Week 53 of Quarantine | Rizzo

My days were filled with Rizzo moments. My favourite is when I’m outside with my Kindle and he just wants to snuggle up even in the colder temperatures.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American, Breakfast and Brunch, Brookside, Houston, Katy, Texas

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Tattoos, Bread Baking, and Christmas Fun

December 27, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Baked Amish Friendship Bread

Even though I was off this past week, I had to work as needed. So after sending off the reports to the leadership team, I went and baked the Amish Friendship Bread MacKenzie had given us to grow.

The texture is more like a pound cake but still delicious nonetheless. I made one exactly as the recipe asked and another with a lot of dried minced garlic and everything but bagel seasoning with sesame seeds on top. The later was the winner at our house.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | JJ & Jacob Open Christmas Presents

Wednesday, I went over to Mallory’s to give them their Christmas presents. They were all excited for “Melissa Crackers”. That’s JJ’s face as he screamed “MELISSA CRACKERS!” with enthusiasm and Jacob’s while he chowed down on one.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Rizzo in Penguin Onesie & Christmas Nails

Rizzo and I got into the holiday spirit. He wore one of his many Christmas pjs and I put on some Christmas light nails.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Emmy & Mellie Dee Makes Dinner Rolls

Brudda, SIL, Emmy and Ethan came into town Thursday the 24th. On Christmas day, Emmy and I made dinner rolls from scratch. Always something I wanted to do but never had someone to make it for so it was the best occasion. As Sissy said, “I’ve never seen someone so excited to eat dinner rolls.”

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Mellie Dee, Rizzo, Ethan, Emmy, Hot Pot, Christmas Gifts, Jackbox

We did a video call with the cousins to open presents together after lunch. Then it was our usual Hot Pot for dinner and open presents after. Sissy and BIL came over in the morning to grab their presents so we did a video call as well.

Mum ended up with me as Secret Santa which meant, I bought my own gifts within the limit set. Brudda and SIL ended up getting me a signed copy of Folklore from Taylor Swift! I officially have an autograph from two of my favourite artists that got me to pick up a guitar and write.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Emmy's Starbucks Fail

Day after Christmas, SIL, Emmy, and I went to Target and picked up Starbucks since they had 20 percent off. Emmy accidentally got Tammy to spill her drink a minute after she got it in her hands. Luckily, Starbucks was nice enough to remake her drink.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Emmy, June, Rizzo & Crown Kitchen

I played guitar as Rizzo cuddled up beside me, took Emmy on a walk with June, put on nail stickers on Emmy, and we ate Crown Kitchen’s pizza for dinner. Their pizza is super thin. I think that it would taste better if we ate it there. Their toppings due fall off which makes for a meh pizza. I don’t hate it but it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Rudolph's Light Show | Hockley, Texas | Ethan, Emmy, Mellie Dee

We did the drive thru Rudolph’s Light Show for last Christmas light sensation. Santa’s Wonderland was definitely a better drive thru Christmas light show. This wasn’t horrible, but not worth the cost. The drive to get there was longer than the show itself. I think we were done in less than 10 minutes. Emmy had fun though.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Inkbox Tattoo Prank with Sissy and Brudda

When we got home, we video called Sissy and showed our parents our sibling tattoos. Best prank ever because of how angry our parents were. It was so hard to hide it from our family. I wore long sleeves even though I was sweating and Brudda kept his shirt on always. There where times it slipped but they never noticed.

Brudda bought the Inkbox Freehand kit, I made stencils and drew them all on us. Sissy took off her jacket and messed up the design before it dried so that’s why it looked so bad. Still, Mum couldn’t tell the ugly.

The triangle signifies the three of us. Top is thicker for Sissy, Middle for Brudda, and last one of me. It’s weird but after a while, I don’t even notice it being there.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Emmy & Mr. Donuts

This morning, Rizzo and I decided to leave with Emmy, SIL and Brudda back to Dallas. Ethan stayed behind. We stopped by Mr. Donuts for breakfast and headed out.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Emmy's Ice Cream Cart

When we got back to Dallas they cleaned the house and built Emmy her Ice Cream Cart Christmas gift. She kept trying to feed me ice cream but I told her I’d get diabetes if she fed me any more.

2020 | Week 41 of Quarantine | Dallas Eats of the Week

SIL and I picked up dinner from Densetsu. All the sushi rolls and towers, etc. were delicious and plentiful. Definelty a place I’d order from again.

I had other great foods this week. Los Balitos tacos, Raising Cane’s kids meal, Mala Szechuan, sushi, and steak made by Brudda. Gaining weight but I’m finally off and going to enjoy it. Working tomorrow to send reports to the leadership team, then hoping no one else emails me for the rest of the week.

Hope you all had a great holiday celebration!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: Bread, Breakfast and Brunch, Dallas, Hockley, Japanese, Pizza, Plano, Sightseeing, Sushi, Texas

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Mum’s Birthday & Thanksgiving

November 29, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Daily Walk, Relaxing Outside with Rizzo

If I told you we continued to walk every single day, would you believe me? Because you shouldn’t. With the festivities and weather, we had to skip a few days. I will say that running/walking in the rain is actually very therapeutic. Rizzo was not a big fan though. Regardless of what happened, I did spend a couple of hours outside with a hot cup of tea watching my shows to relax.

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Annual Holiday Volunteer, Starbucks, McDonald's

It was Mum’s birthday Wednesday so she got to leave early and she joined me while I searched for goodies for the elderly in different stores. Sissy and I usually sign up for a holiday volunteering event and this year we chose to buy a few necessities and assemble the bags to donate.

I got my Starbucks and Mum got a McDonald’s happy meal. She saw the Disney toys and want to collect them all. #kidatheart

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Mum's Birthday | Antonia's Italian Ristorante | Katy, Texas

At night, for dinner, Dad and Mum pulled out their own alcohol so June and I followed suit for jokes. I ordered everyone Antonia’s Italian Ristorante. We haven’t ordered Italian food during this whole pandemic and it really hit the spot. No one had leftovers but me which is crazy since my fettucine alfredo was a kid’s meal and everyone tried out the mussels. Definetly a place we’d order from again in the future.

We video called in Brudda when we did the cake and Emmy sang along with us. Sissy called in shortly after to open presents with us.

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Thanksgiving Hot Pot

On Thanksgiving day, Sissy, Brudda, and I stayed on video chat together for over 8 hours. Brudda was in and out of the chat but Sissy and I were there from start to finish – until it was time for us to retreat back to our families to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Sissy mostly worked on her paper while we shopped and talked about random things. Whenever Brudda was on, we talked about random computer stuff and his photography website. There were times of silence but knowing someone is there with you makes it all the best. It’s different this year, but not, since our family has always been connected.

Hot pot was crazier than usual. A lot of leftovers but Mum wanted the feeling of celebration, so much so that we got lobsters. Best addition. We watched a movie together afterward before we all retreated back to our rooms to relax and fall asleep.

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Raising Cane's | Annual Shutterfly Calendar

On Friday, we all jumped back on video chat to discuss annual calendar making and Black Friday shopping, all while Sissy continued writing her paper. We make one every year, collecting our extended family members’ pictures of the current year and creating a calendar for the next. I was able to start and send it off to the presses on the same day which is the best feeling.

Mum and June went out shopping and came back with Raising Cane’s for a late lunch for me.

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Sayad Mediterranean Grill | Houston, Texas
Pita | Free • Cold Vegetarian Sampler [hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, grape leaves, eggplant with tomatoes] | $16.25 • Mixed Grill [shish kabob, kofta kebab, chicken kabob, meat, and chicken shawarma with grilled tomatoes, onions, and rice] | $21.99 • Cauliflower [fried spicy cauliflower with cilantro and garlic] | $9.29 • Batata Hara [fried spicy potato with cilantro and garlic] | $9.29

On Saturday, everyone had their own thing going on. June had to work, Mum went out shopping, Dad did his own thing, and I worked on random projects. I ordered Sayad Mediterranean Grill for my one meal a day. I’m not trying to lose weight or anything, but I just forgot to eat.

I will for sure order from here again. Everything was made to perfection and I was surprised at how giant their pita was! Their mixed platter hit the spot. It reminds me of Ashy’s cooking whenever I had this at his house. Oh the memories.

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Minuti Coffee, Kolache Factory, Sushi

Today, Sissy and BIL came over with Minuti Coffee and Kolache Factory. Mostly to come and pick up the Holiday Bags. She’s going to drop them off at the donation place since it’s closer to her house.

Later at night, Mum and Dad went out and came back with sushi. If you can guess where this is from, you’ll be a genius.

2020 | Week 37 of Quarantine | Rizzo, Mellie Dee, Rocky | Atomic Habits Book | Christmas Contract Movie

I was lazy all day. The only day where I had nothing going on. I was able to start my book club’s choice, Atomic Habit. I’m usually a fiction only type girl, but this book is well written so far that I’m able to blow through more pages than I thought.

It was also nice to cuddle up with Rizzo while I watched sappy movies. If you ever watched One Tree Hill and love it, check out Christmas Contract. It stars five of them in this movie which brought me back to high school/college years.

Oh, how naive I was.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: Breakfast and Brunch, Coffee and Tea, Fast Food, Houston, Italian, Japanese, Katy, Mediterranean, Sushi, Texas

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4

February 22, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Our plans went out the window when we woke up to rain but we were also prepared and was thinking to do high tea if that happened. Except we thought it through and decided high tea might not be filling enough as a last meal since we were both going to get home super late. Instead we decided to get ready and pack.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Bird Rock Coffee Roasters | San Diego, California

Since we’d get kicked out by 10 am and we needed shelter from the rain, we went across the street to Bird Rock Coffee Roasters with thirty minutes before our checkout time for shelter. Funny enough an awning was all there was and we laughed at the idea that the awning would fly away and we’d get soaked.

Amy ordered a Roseberry Mocha which she loved very much. By the time I was ready to order the line got too crazy and I opted out of getting anything.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Bird Rock Coffee Roasters | San Diego, California | Amy

We decided to stay there and figure out our plans since it was raining and we didn’t want to get wet. I was lucky to have two hats stowed in my luggage from the previous trip and lended one to Amy as well which she is so gratefully modeling.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Parc Bistro Brasserie | San Diego, California | Amy

We decided on brunch/lunch at Parc Bistro Brasserie. Amy got bottomless mimosas which she enjoyed. Seafood quiche, brussel sprouts, escargot, and mussels and fries. The mussels were bigger than the ones I had at La Jolla and delicious in their own right but the quiche and brussel sprouts were our favourite this round.

We walked around the edge of Balboa Park and somehow ended up at CVS where we called an Uber. My flight was set to take off an hour after hers so I figured going to the airport together wouldn’t be a big deal.

We bid our farewells and parted ways and that’s when everything goes downhill. I guess the universe thought we were having way too much of a chill and happy time, they threw us, especially me, some curveballs.

I get through security and realized my flight was delayed which meant I wouldn’t make my connecting flight. I exit to the counters, get my flights changed to an earlier departure and arrival time. I go through security and noticed my new flight was delayed once again. I exit again to the counters to where they tell me I had a choice to stay in a hotel in San Diego or to fly to Dallas and stay at one there. I chose Dallas hoping Brudda and SIL can pick me up before my morning flight from Dallas to Houston tomorrow. My once 4:45 pm flight was now at 6:05 pm. I go back through to security the third time.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Airspace Lounge | San Diego, California

Amy told me about lounges and I’ve always wanted to try one. Since I has almost four hours to kill I figured today was a great day as any to try it out so I chose the Airspace Lounge. I paid a total of $37. It came with snacks and some free drinks like tea, soda, coffee, cheap wines and beers as well as private bathrooms and showers, wifi, and charging everywhere. They also give you a $10 credit for food or other drinks.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Airspace Lounge | San Diego, California | Snack Bar

I was shy at first. Since I couldn’t find the plates I used a little dipping cup to fill with cheese, carrots and tomatoes.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Airspace Lounge | San Diego, California | Snack Bar & Moscow Mule

After I was a bit more comfortable I found the plates and filled up. There was a 19 year old hostess learning how to make alcoholic drinks. He offered the Moscow mule he made for free. It’s like the universe is saying sorry for all I went through … Until I looked up and noticed on the monitor, my 6:05 pm flight was now 6:35 pm.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 4 | Airspace Lounge | San Diego, California | Buffalo Chicken Wrap

I finished a movie, watched a few episodes of Gotham and edited pictures. I used my $10 credit to get a $10 meal of buffalo chicken wrap. After enjoying that I headed back to the gate.

It was music to my ears to hear that I was finally boarding. I’m currently in Brudda’s car headed back to his house. I am excited for a hot shower. Bummed I won’t get to see Emmy or Ethan but glad I’m at least back in Texas.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Breakfast and Brunch, California, Coffee and Tea, French, San Diego

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