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2021 Ethan’s 2nd Birthday & The Friends Experience

January 9, 2022 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 New Year's Eve & Ethan's 2nd Birthday Rizzo, Mellie Dee, Emmy

An update on New Year’s Eve/Ethan’s birthday. We did some wooden ornament painting with the kids and then got ready for the party. My New Year kiss was from the birthday boy. He was drink on shots of coconut water. He’s currently back home and I miss him after having him for over a month.

The Friends Experience | Dallas, Texas | Mellie Dee, Rosanna, SIL, Brudda, Duy, Michael

I started the year off with something I love: The Friends Experience. I was able to convince Mum and June to go with me, Brudda, SIL, Rosanna, Duy, and Micheal.

It was too short but it was wonderful. I wanted to go back through it again. We took SO many pictures that I am only posting a few. And I loved all the little things like the Science Boy comic strip and the letter Rachel wrote to Ross.

One of the best things to be on “the set” of a show I love so much that I know wish all the shows I love to something like this.

Marugame | Dallas, Texas | Jenny, Le, Mellie Dee, SIL, Duy, Brudda, Michael, Rosanna

Afterward, we meet up with Jenny and Le at Marugame. Not pictured because they came late, Sammi and Tincan. We had great conversations and then it was time for me to drive home.

Friends 300, Italy, Denmark, Turkey Puzzles

Since the year began, I’ve already finished 4 puzzles: Friends 300, Italy, Denmark and Turkey.

I was asked how many puzzles I completed last year and the answer is 45. I need to figure out how to get more puzzles without spending a bunch of money. Sigh. The subscription puzzle might be a good way to go but $$$$.

Mallory, JJ, Jacob, Mellie Dee & Cheddar's

Friday, I picked up Cheddar’s and headed over to Mallory’s. Jacob was in his own world a lot but JJ was actually super engaged and wanted to play a lot. We even took a lot of Snapchat pictures and watched Encanto.

Eats of the Week | Bruno, Kato, Rizzo

The eats this week has been amazing to kick off the new year but I need to go back to my healthy eats and workouts. Sigh. I threw in a pic of Rizzo with his cousins, Bruno and Kato. They were visiting since their parents were out of town.

The house is super quiet yet again but at least this means no more missing puzzle pieces …

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Dallas, Japanese, Sightseeing, Texas

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding

November 21, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Gma's Birthday, Jollibee, Macaroni Soup

Started off the week with celebrating Gma’s birthday by having a family dinner at Gordon’s. Then the rest of the week was Jollibee and homemade soup because the weather was so nice!

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Taste of Texas with NOV Team + Award

Thursday, I met the NOV team for our last lunch together at The Taste of Texas. I ordered a $98 porterhouse steak and was not disappointed. I even got a dessert served in a boot that I got to keep! We were awarded with a tiny drop of oil inside a Texas shaped figurine which was nice as we don’t really get stuff like that. It was a great lunch with one of the best managers I’ve ever had a pleasure of working with even though I was not directly under him, nor worked with him long.

Earlier that day, I had gone to Starbucks to get a free reusable Christmas cup and for the first time, able to snag a couple of boxes of instant peppermint mocha lattes. I can never find them!

After I got back from lunch, which ended almost three hours later, we drove to Dallas to start Jenny and Le’s wedding festivities. We were given Thai food for dinner and started the movie The Rescue. The movie was so long, we had to cut it short and head to bed!

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding | Tea Ceremony | Emmy, Mellie Dee, Ethan

Friday morning, we got ready and headed off to Jenny’s parent’s house to kick off the wedding festivities. Tea Ceremony consisted of bridesmaids playing games with the groomsmen. We ended up making them shots of random sauces we found mixed together and Mary decided adding Bicardi to them would make it better. Too funny. Then Le had to eat half of a chocolate crepe with one of them before singing and dancing to a Backstreet Boys song of his choice. Then they were allowed in and the rest was history.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Kyodai | Ethan, Jenny, Sammi

Later that night, Brudda, SIL, and I met up with Jenny and Sammi at Kyodai for some handrolls. Loved the fresh wasabi and practically ate the rest of everyone elses.

Then we went home and finished The Rescue. Ethan watched the end of the movie with us and wouldn’t take his eyes off the screen. The day before Emmy ran away scared because of the fire scenes. This boy surprises us every day.

When everyone went to bed, Jenny and I had hours of conversations, eating pickle chips on the early morning of her wedding day. Sammi came home from hanging out with Le and the cousins and friends on both sides and they decided it was a great idea to be blow drying their hair at 1:30am. Then sleeps.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Ethan & Rizzo

Saturday morning, I spent some time with Ethan and Rizzo. He loves when Rizzo sits next to him and loves giving him kisses. So sweet.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding | Getting Ready | Mellie Dee, Mary, Rosanna, SIL, Deana

Once Jenny’s mum showed up at the house, we headed to the venue, The Rosemary Barn, and met up with the rest of the bridesmaids. We opened our gifts and changed into the silk pajamas and took silly pictures. We had our rehearsal with just the girls and Rich was nice enough to pick up some Raising Cane’s for us so that we could nibble while getting our hair and makeup done.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding | Decor

I was able to snap these pictures while waiting in line to walk down the aisle.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding

Their first dance with everyone watching and their last dance with no one around. The smiles and laughs especially when it was just them was so sweet.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding | Mellie Dee, Emmy, Ethan, Sammi, Mary, Rosanna

Just some pictures with some peoples.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding | Food

And just some foods. I had bridesmaid duties and when I got back, my food was taken away. Sad day. But luckily, SIL was down to get some In n Out before calling it a night.

We were going to go out to their after party but it was so late and we were both pooped by the time Jenny and Le decided to leave to the party.

2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Sweet Hut, Dairy Queen

Waking up late the next day, Sissy and BIL were nice enough to pick up some goodies for us to eat from Sweet Hut. We hung out a bit and went home. The drive was so long with so many on the road that we stopped by Dairy Queen and McDonald’s for goodies to wake us up.

We did the bare minimum of cleaning up and have been lounging around and relaxing. Half day of work tomorrow and then a whole lot of nothing. I am pumped for some whole lot of nothings.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: Coffee and Tea, Dallas, Fast Food, Houston, Ice Cream, Japanese, Plano, Sandwiches and Burgers, Steakhouse, Sushi, Texas, Thai, Weddings

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Jenny’s Bridal Shower

September 26, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Beagle Puzzle, Nails, Sushi Block Legos

Work week was pretty easy since our company got some crazy news. I was able to do my nails, finish the Beagle puzzle and built the sushi block Lego that Frankenstein and I won from Kura.

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Poor Richard's Cafe | Frankenstein | Lomonte's Italian Restaurant | Houston, Texas

Frankenstein was off Thursday so we were able to have a romantic date night at Lomonte’s. The weather was nice out so we sat on the deck listening to the live music performance and talked about so many different topics. We both got a chicken dish that came with a side of pasta. The food was pretty good and the ambience of the area reminded us of Austin.

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Poor Richard's Cafe | Road trip To Dallas | Rosanna's Birthday, Ethan, Rizzo, Mellie Dee, June & Emmy | Bols Rice and Ramen

Friday after work, we drove to Dallas. Upon arriving, we celebrated Rosanna’s birthday, ate dinner from Bols Rice and Ramen and played with Emmy. I was pooped after.

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Poor Richard's Cafe | Plano, Texas | Emmy & Mellie Dee Storytime

Saturday morning I took the parents, June and the kids to Poor Richard’s Cafe for breakfast. This is our first time and we all ended up liking it. The kids even ate a lot which was surprising … for Emmy.

I drove them all around to run some errands for Jenny’s Bridal Shower and then went back to the house where I read Emmy some stories before we all took a nap.

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Jenny's Bridal Shower

We went and picked up the cake and headed to the clubhouse to set up for Jenny’s Bridal Shower. We took pictures, ate, and played some games. Oh and shots were had. Good times all around. And it was like a mini reunion. Next up, bachelorette!

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | BBQ Chicken and Happy Lemon

We got home and showered before SIL and I went to pick up dinner of BBQ Chicken and Happy Lemon. Korean fried chicken always hits the spot!

2021 | Week 80 of Quarantine | Bucees Keto Eggs, Stardew, Salmon Sushi Rice

We left for home super early. I am running on 2 hours of sleep today! Had breakfast of keto sausage egg and cheese from Bucees on the way. Then it was grocery shopping. After everything settled down, I got online and played some Stardew Valley with Sissy and BIL then made dinner of salmon sushi rice.

Back to work tomorrow but luckily it’s my Friday off. Last free weekend before Ethan comes back down again. What should I do? Sleep sounds nice.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: Breakfast and Brunch, Coffee and Tea, Dallas, Houston, Italian, Japanese, Katy, Korean, Plano, Texas

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Ethan’s 1st Birthday & New Year’s Eve Party

January 3, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | DoorDash Your Year in Flavour

I like the recap Door Dash gave me. Sadly, I know I ordered more take outs this year that is not in the count. Nonetheless, it’s nice to know that I helped by ordering local.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Emmy, Mellie Dee, Rizzo | Banana Leaf Thai | Plano, Texas | Kickin Crab | Garland, Texas

On Monday, after I worked enough hours to send reports to the leadership team, I signed off. No more working the rest of the week other than to answer emails as needed!

I went to Costco, Hobby Lobby, and Kroger with Sammi and Emmy. Then it was Banana Leaf Thai for lunch, a nap, and a walk with Emmy and Rizzo around the neighborhood.

SIL brought home dinner from Kicking Crab. I opted out of ordering the lobster even though it’s what I’ve been craving. Eating this meal made me realize how much smaller my appetite has become which isn’t a bad thing. Now to continue working out so I can shed some pounds!

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Emmy at Starbucks & Party Decorating

Tuesday morning I took Emmy to Starbucks where I used my 400 points to get something nice for “free”.

I then gave her a choice on where to go. I tried hard convincing her togo to Target but she opted for Walgreens. WALGREENS?! Okay, baby girl. Whatever you want.

When we got back, we decorated for Ethan’s birthday. Emmy had fun with all the balloons that were blown up.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Eataly | Dallas, Texas

My parents and June arrived and a little before 5 pm, Jenny and Le came over to pick me and Emmy up to meet up with SIL. We had plans to check out Eataly, the new Italian market at the mall. Super duper fancy.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | The North Face | Dallas, Texas | Emmy

We made reservations for one of the three restaurants they had. I went with SIL and Emmy to North Face and Disney to shop around before heading back to Eataly.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Eataly | Dallas, Texas | Emmy, Jenny, SIL, & Mellie Dee

Emmy got very hungry and started whining so we got her a yogurt drink. She was super cute drinking it and kept joking that me and SIL can have some but Jenny and Le could not.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Eataly | Dallas, Texas | Il Pastaio

When our table was ready, we chowed down on some bread and oil and ate our pasta. The bread came wrapped two in each bag. When I asked for more, they did not deliver. They were also horrible at ensuring we got water at our table.

The pasta itself was nothing to write home about. We ordered three different dishes and our conclusion was that with the price, you’d think that it’ll taste amazing or even have meat or seafood in it. But nope. The portion is super small as well.

We all agreed the top left pasta was the worst and it cost the most. I believe it’s the Mafaldine Carbonara. The best one out of the three different pastas was the Trenette Pesto Genovese.

In the end, we agreed Il Pastaio is essentially the food court of Eataly. To have a better pasta experience, the other two restaurants there might be better choices, but I doubt I’ll ever come back other than to buy things and even try making my own cannoli.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Emmy the Hat Tester | Raising Cane's

On Wednesday, Mum, June, Emmy, and I went to Walmart and Target, picking up Subway and Raising Cane’s for lunch. Emmy was our product tester. She tested out the new year hats and held a pinata taco for my own amusement.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Marugame Udon | Plano, Texas

Later that night, June, Mum and I went to Whole Foods to buy some greens since we were not eating enough vegetables, then headed to Marugame Udon to pick up dinner.

The Nikutama and Curry Nikutama Udon bowls were greatly flavoured. Between the two, I’d probably choose the non-curry so that I can use the broth for another meal since it was THAT good and flavourful.

My favourites overall had to be the Wagyu Cheeseburger and the BBQ Pork Belly Skewers. I would love to go back and try the other Katsu Sandos but I feel like the wagyu will win out regardless.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Boo Puzzle, Castle, & Spicy Noodle Lunch

On Thursday, parents and Brudda went to the store. June watched Emmy and Ethan while I watched Castle and did a puzzle in less than an hour. It’s been a while since I did one and I forgot how relaxing it was.

When they got home, we made lunch. Then it was time to put Emmy down for a nap.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Ethan's 1st Birthday

When we woke up, baths for the kids, then it was time to get ready for Ethan’s 1st birthday slash New Years Eve party.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Ethan's 1st Birthday & New Year's Eve | Food

It was only immediate family. Everyone else was on a Zoom call. SIL ordered way too much food for just us so we had a lot of leftovers. We hung up the call around ten or so hung out with Jenny and Le a bit more before they left, then when it hit midnight, with Emmy still awake, we toasted to the new year. It was our first doing so with SIL and Emmy and first in a long time since Brudda was in college. It was nice to make these memories.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Ethan's 1st Birthday | Mellie Dee Outfit

The theme for Ethan’s party was new years eve garb so I dressed the part. It was weird for me to wear such a loud dress but I did it mostly knowing that it was just us there.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Ethan's 1st Birthday | Mellie Dee, Emmy, SIL, Jenny

We were able to snap some photos which was nice. I like that we all wore different shades of sparkles and Emmy’s dress essentially pulled all of our colours together. I’m sad I didn’t get one with Mum though.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Dallas to Houston | Ethan & Mellie Dee, Bucees, Truffle Chips

Friday we packed and headed home with Ethan. I listened to some crime podcasts with June and we stopped at Bucees for a pee break. I opened my truffle chips from Eataly to snack on. Super strong truffle flavour but once you have it in your mouth, the pungent smell and taste kind of dissipates. The second half of the drive was filled with War of the Roses where some of the stories were ridiculous.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | 1st Cooked Meal of the Year

The first meal I cooked for the new year would obviously be one of my favourites: crab stuffed salmon and Brussel sprouts. It was so good I ate the same thing the next night.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Koffeteria | Houston, Texas | Starbucks | Los Balitos | Katy, Texas

Saturday morning, we went and picked up breakfast from Los Balitos and coffee from Starbucks. In exchange, Sissy and BIL came over with Koffeteria pastries. Beef Pho Kolache, Ham and Cheese Croissant with Everything Spice, Pickle Croissant, Cranberry Ginger Muffin Top, and a Sticky Coffee Roll with Hazelnuts. My favourite out of it all was surprisingly the pickle croissant.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Ethan & Rizzo | Bridgerton

Later that day, I was tasked to watch Ethan. I did what I did best. Surrounded him with random objects and continued watching Bridgerton. Binged the 8 episodes they had and must say that they are horrible to not have more!

Today has been a bummy day. I’ve been binging on The Queen’s Gambit and studying for my certification. I forgot to eat and made Sopa de Fideo for the week. Yum.

2021 | Week 42 of Quarantine | Rain Straw

I’ve also started using the rain straws I received for Christmas and I must report, they are prefect so far. I’m not sure how they will hold up though. Getchu some if you want easy access to clean the inside.

My goal is to finish The Queen’s Gambit and go to bed early since it’s back to work tomorrow morning!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: Bakery, Coffee and Tea, Dallas, Fast Food, Houston, Italian, Japanese, Katy, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Plano, Seafood, Texas, Thai

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

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