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2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver, Colorado | Day 2

November 2, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Tupelo Honey | Denver, Colorado

In the morning we forgo the breakfast plans and picked a Tupelo Honey closer to our hotel. Everything was perfect here. From their brussel sprouts to the shashuka and grits and shrimp and grits. I wouldn’t mind having one of these places back in Houston.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Plants

Since the walk was kind of far we took and Uber to the botanical gardens. There’s not much to see since it is winter but they did have a couple of exhibits that were indoor.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Dio de Las Muertos

They were also celebrating Dio de Las Muertos. They had so many things painted and lots of children activities in tents such as face painting.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Frozen Pond

We skipped all of that and walked around and found a frozen pond. It still surprises me that this happens every year for the people that live here.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Japanese Garden Snowy

My favourite part of the whole garden was the Japanese Garden. Everything was snowy here so it was beautiful.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Little Owl Coffee | Denver, Colorado

After the gardens Sissy wanted coffee so we took an Uber to Little Owl Coffee. It was a short distance to our hotel but the only thing I didn’t like was their lack of pastries. We saw pictures online but nothing in person so we opted to just lattes and mochas.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Walking on Snow | Denver, Colorado

We chugged our drinks and trekked on. I love being able to step in snow with my boots. I love the sound and the way it feels. No more after today.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Cooper + Dash Gifts and Gallery | Denver, Colorado

We made a couple stops to find souvenirs and ended up at Dash + Cooper. I love that there is a giant unicorn at the doorway. Emmy would have loved it!

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Milkbox Ice Creamery | Denver, Colorado

As we were walking back to our hotel, we stopped by Union Station to Milkbox for some ice cream. I got a peanut butter type while she got a vegan chocolate type. Both delicious and perfect treat for the cold weather.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Union Station at Night | Denver, Colorado

We showered and lazied about the hotel until close to our dinner reservations. As we walked to the restaurant we got to see Union Station lighted up at night. It was gorgeous.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Panzano | Denver, Colorado

We finally made it to Panzano for dinner. I’ve been looking forward to their brussel sprouts. If you haven’t noticed, that’s usually one of the things I have to order if it’s on the menu. The way this was prepped reminds me of the place I went to in San Antonio since they both use apples and pistachios with their dish. My lamb was also on point and being able to suck out the bone marrow was a huge plus for me.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Panzano | Denver, Colorado | Mellie Dee

We walked to another shop for a souvenir before calling it a night. We packed as much as we could and are now in bed. Night, world!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Breakfast and Brunch, Coffee and Tea, Colorado, Denver, Ice Cream, Italian, Sightseeing, Southern

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

2019 Summer Trip | Day 6

August 5, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

We got to sleep in today which was nice since I worked for over five hours last night to catch up on everything so that I have less to do when I’m back in the office Wednesday. There were some shipwrecks I had to tend to and we’re slowly trying to figure everything out.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Beans on Broad | Grove City, Pennsylvania

We got ready and drove an hour away to Grove City. We had breakfast sandwiches and coffee at Beans on Broad. This is an adorable coffee shop place with two stories worth of seating and free internet connection.

They also sell little knickknacks people make which I thought was nice. Everything tasted delicious, even their little breakfast sandwiches. If I lived here I’d come here a lot.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Keystone Safari | Grove City, Pennsylvania

We drove the ten minutes to Keystone Safari. The total for admission and four different feeds for two people was about thirty dollars which isn’t so bad.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Keystone Safari | Grove City, Pennsylvania | Animals

We saw a lot of animals in the walking area. They usually have an area you can drive through but due to the weather this year, it was shut down until next year. We still had fun though.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Keystone Safari | Grove City, Pennsylvania | Liliana Feeding Animals

Liliana and I got to feed the animals. She’s more of a let me stick my hand out and you guys can slobber all over them.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Keystone Safari | Grove City, Pennsylvania | Mellie Dee Feeding Animals

Whereas I was not wanting them to lick or touch me at all. There are many pictures of my face in disgust that Lily took but I don’t think the world needs that. There was a moment where a goat got so overly excited he jumped out and I dropped about half the feed all over the floor from being startled.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Keystone Safari | Grove City, Pennsylvania | Mellie Dee Butterflies

We bought the extra feeding for the butterflies which is essentially just sponge painting brushes soaked in Gatorade. All the butterflies were the same colour which was a bummer but they were still pretty. They kept sticking to me like glue. Either they love my dress and think they’re real flowers or because I give off a sweet scent. hehe

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Farmers Market in Ohio

We stopped by the Farmer’s Market to see what we can get but realized we’d be out and about for a few hours more. We had to say no to the fresh produce but they did have a store inside with jars of picked things and little knickknacks. Lily picked up some special powder gum she’s been craving, else, we said goodbye to the beautiful foods.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Tunnel in Ohio

We drove to Garretsville, Ohio. I Saw this cute, scary tunnel and snapped a photo. When we got to our destination we realized everything was pretty much closed. Instead we picked up some gas station snacks and headed back home. We stopped by Wal-Mart and Aldi’s for magnet search and some groceries on the way.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Market Square | Warren, Ohio

We had no luck with the magnet so last resort was the Market Square. They didn’t have any magnets but did have the oldest continuously operating soda fountain from 1930s as well as over 100,000 used books. Lily and I each got a milkshake and enjoyed them while looking at greeting cards. Since this place is pretty old, they had some old school cards which we thought were adorably cute and ended up buying a few.

2019 Summer Trip Day 6 | Homemade Dinner By Daniel
Appetizer: Spiralized Cucumbers, Avocado and Tomatoes Drizzled with Italian Dressing and a Side of Prickly Pear | Entree: Stove Top Parmesan Chicken Thighs over a Bed of Spiralized Zucchini Topped with a Four Cheese Sauce and a Side of Roasted Asparagus

When we got back home, Daniel was waiting for us with the pups. He grabbed the groceries and got to work. The appetizer was so refreshing that I want to recreate it when I get home. The entree was perfectly cooked and paired with a local wine and I was sad to eat it all so fast. I slowly ate to savour everything before it was gone forever.

We sat around talking about places we want to go to and other mish mash of talk. Tomorrow’s my last day and it’ll be a relaxing one. I am already dreading going back to work.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Breakfast and Brunch, Coffee and Tea, Dessert, Ice Cream, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sightseeing

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