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2022 September | Mum’s Retirement, Game Night, Last Chemo, Spaying Artemis, Stargazing & A Whole Lot of Ethan

September 30, 2022 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

20220901 | Houston Restaurant Week | Mum | Astor Farm to Table | Katy, Texas

September 1, 2022

Due to such a busy month, I wasn’t able to take Mum on our usual mother daughter Houston Restaurant Week until this day. It was also to celebrate that she had retired! I chose Astor Farm to Table and it EXCEEDED my expectations. We use to love Peri Peri until it closed down near us and since then I’ve been trying to find a South African delight near us since. This is the winner.

From their bone marrow to their oxtail to their dessert. I don’t know what they put in it but I wanted it all again. Mum even asked for the hazelnut cake for her birthday because she loved it so much. She also loved the drink so much she was spewing random things which we had a great laugh about. I made a montage of some of those random things with video/pictures for our family to watch.

20220902 | Houston Restaurant Week | Alice Blue | Houston, Texas | Paola & Mellie Dee

September 2, 2022

I finally got to see Paola! We went to Alice Blue for Houston Restaurant Week lunch. The food was great. I loved how simple the mushroom dish was yet flavourful and filling.

It was nice to catch up with her and listen to her stories and I treasure the advice she gives me when I tell her my woes. She showed me around the area, letting me know which shops are some of her favourites which worked out as I needed a gift for Luke’s birthday.

20220902 | Mum's Retirement Party | Acadian Coast | Houston, Texas | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee

Later that night was retirement dinner at Acadian Coast for Mum. Frankenstein trekked his way over as well. Funny enough, the parents were going to go on a plane to Disneyworld to meet up with Brudda, SIL, Emmy and Ethan for a week of fun so they didn’t want to eat anything too crazy that could give them a stomachache. I on the other hand welcomed everything, especially the raw oysters. YUM!

There were many times Mum would tell me to stop grabbing things off his plate because he needs to eat. I translated that to him and he remarked that he didn’t mind. Also, hello, Mum, he’s welcome to grab off my plate as well!

20220903 | Luke's Birthday | Mellie Dee & Michelle

September 3, 2022

Luke’s birthday party finally arrived which also meant finally getting to see Michelle!! I loved watching how the kids interact with him. They were super caring and kept trying to feed Luke cake as he tried to flip it over.

20220903 | Game Night at Sissy & BIL | El Tiempo | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee

Later in the day I went over to Sissy & BIL’s for game night with Frankenstein. We played my favourite, Bananagrams, and though the name always escapes me, one my favourite games that BIL has. along with Tetris at the end. Frankenstein isn’t a fan of board games but he stayed through it all. I could see him getting tired toward the end. We did stop in between for El Tiempo but that probably just made him more sleepy.

20220904 | Stone Age | Belated 1:1 Birthday Dinner with June

September 4, 2022

I take June, every year, somewhere new for her birthday and although late, we landed on Stone Age. We had fun cooking on a hot rock and laughed a lot on our fails. This meal serves two but we felt it was too much food. I do like the place though and hoping we can come back again in the future.

20220905 | Twistee Treat | Mallory

September 5, 2022

I hung out with Mallory and she was nice enough to take me and the kids to Twistee’s for ice cream. I had been craving a dipped cone since forever. If you’re reading this, Mallory, when will you take us again?

20220907 | June Chemo

September 7, 2022

Last day of chemo. It gets harder at the end as your body gets weaker. In the beginning she would be able to have conversations but it quickly changed to her sleeping through most of it.

20220908 | Artemis Spaying Day

September 8, 2022

Artemis finally got spayed. These are the pictures Frankenstein sent me. She was so chill in the crate even though it was her first time out of the house since her capture. haha And after with her wearing her fancy neck pillow.

20220911 | Sissy Day | Manicure, Coffee, Macarons

September 11, 2022

Here is a small glimpse of my embroidery project. I had to finish it by October for someone’s wedding so I took it to places where I was able to work on it, i.e., the nail salon. Sissy didn’t want me to but I had to get it done! The ladies that worked there all loved it and came over to look. After our pedicures we went to Sweet intensity next door for some treats, macarons and iced coffees, since we didn’t do lunch.

20220912-20220913 | Workshop at Work

September 12 & 13, 2022

We had a two day workshop since many folks from out of town came in for the conferences and kickoff of a new thing. I was surprised with all the fidget toys the provided. Bet your ass they came home with me to fidget with while I was in meetings.

20220914 | Team Away Day | Escape Game | Masraff's | Houston, Texas

September 14, 2022

Our team did a half day away where we worked in the morning and went to The Escape Game’s Gold Rush experience. We escaped!! Then it was dinner at Masraff’s. This has quickly become one of my top restaurants work has taken us.

20220919 | WEN Mentoring | La Madeline

September 19, 2022

We had WEN mentoring session at La Madeline’s. It’s a different set up than my usual mentorship meetings but felt like this could be a good group. More than half did not show up though so I’m not sure.

20220924 | Mellie Dee & Ethan | Katherine & Karen's School Sale

September 24, 2022

Rose’s daughter’s, Karen and Katherine, had a school event where they have their own businesses and people go around and actually shop. I took Ethan and he had fun eating and drinking everything. I bought him some things and he picked some things out for Emmy as well.

20220924 | Stargazing with Frankenstein | Mellie Dee

Later that night Frankenstein picked me up. We stopped by Buccee’s, picking up dinner and headed to a remote location for star gazing. He set up his telescope and then we had dinner by car brake light. hehe You can’t tell what we were eating but there was a sausage, sandwiches and chips. We didn’t get to do much star gazing as the clouds decided not to cooperate. After a while, we packed up and went home.

20220930 | Elyson Cafe | Playdate | Mellie Dee, Ethan, Mallory, Jacob, Beth, Caden

September 30, 2022

Last playdate with JJ & Connor before he left back to Dallas and it had been a while since I’ve seen Mallory & Beth. There was another Mum with her kid there as well. This was also the first time I met Caden! He was itty bitty and kept mean mugging me whenever he woke up from his beauty sleep. We had lunch afterward before we all went our separate ways.

202209 | Ethan in Katy

Adventures with Ethan are always a whirlwind of fun. He loves to learn and help. Two top favourite memories from these pictures:

  1. He was afraid of the giant skeleton and warewolf on our walk. He didn’t want to walk on that side of the street but I made him. After staring at it and watching me take pictures of Rizzo with them, he turned around and said “Goojei, no scare, picture.” It was the cutest and we snapped a lot of pictures and he asked to go back a few times afterwards.
  2. He wanted to help me cook so he dragged his little stand chair over, helped me wash and clean the mushrooms and dropped them into the pan. He was so excited afterward and anyone that came to the kitchen after, he would tell them that he helped me cook it and they should eat it.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American, Cajun, Coffee and Tea, Dessert, Houston, Houston Restaurant Week, Ice Cream, Katy, Korean, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Sandwiches and Burgers, Seafood, South African, South American

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Andretti Indoor Karting & Games | Katy, Texas

August 8, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | The Oak Kitchen & Bar | Katy, Texas | Mallory & Beth

I had a lovely dinner with Mallory & Beth on Tuesday. We went to The Oaks and got their margaritas and tacos since they were on sale. We through in ceviche and a cheeseboard into the mix. Everything tasted pretty great. I think my birria tacos were the worst out of all of them. As Beth described them, it looked like potstickers and the shell cut my mouth. I’ll opt for the fish tacos next time for sure.

After dinner we went to Bucee’s and got some Halloween pjs. I was never a pj type girl. I always wore shorts and an oversized tshirt but ever since I got my first Bucee’s pj I never looked back. I like them now for when I travel, especially the tshirt dress pjs.

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Houston Restaurant Week | Jonathan's The Rub | Houston, Texas | Mum

On Friday, at lunch time, I went and picked Mum up for work and we went to Jonathan’s the Rub for Houston Restaurant week. Three courses for $20/person.

They gave us free biscuits and cornbread. If I had known, I wouldn’t have gotten the Bruschetta Caprese because it was dang too much carbs for one sitting. The biscuits are worth it. The cornbread was WAY too dry. I loved the jam the best out of the butter and cinnamon butter.

I did order an alcoholic drink, Ginger Whiskey Smash [Buffalo Trace bourbon, ginger, lemon, mint, simple syrup] | $12. It was pretty good and refreshing.

We also added a Brussel Sprouts with Bacon | $7. We were fighting on who gets to eat more of it because it was THAT good. But we’re also probably biased because we love them and always get them at restaurants.

First Course:

  • Sweet Chili Shrimp [two panko encrusted & Served in sweet chili sauce]
  • Bruschetta Caprese [1/2 order – Italian cheeses, tomato & basil slivers on a crispy baguette]

We both liked the Sweet Chili Shrimp more but overall, the apps weren’t much to write about. The Bruschetta Caprese was very fresh though.

Second Course:

  • Blackened Shrimp & Grits [aromatic vegetable stock]
  • Country Fried Chicken [bacon white gravy, fries]

We both liked the shrimp & grits more but the vegetable stock made everything a little too salty for our taste.

Third Course:

  • White Chocolate Bread Pudding
  • Nutella Cheesecake

I don’t know why I keep order bread pudding. It’s always been a miss but I always hope for the best. Not to self, never get bread pudding again. The Nutella Cheesecake was so plain looking that at first Mum thought the cheesecake was upside down. hahaha

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Mallory | Over the Top | Katy, Texas | Snoop Dogg Wine

After I dropped Mum back to work, I went over to Mallory’s. We hung out a bit before going to Over the Top for some milkshakes for the boys, and bubble cone with ice cream for us. It was the very best but I guess, if you don’t want to go far for some sweets, this would do.

After we chowed on our sweets, we opened up the Snoop Dogg wine I found at CVS. The funniest thing ever and the wine wasn’t bad!

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Rizzo | Walk

Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early and went on a 2.5 mile walk with Rizzo. He hasn’t done much so we couldn’t make our usual 3.5 miles when we walk. Note to self, walk more.

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Andretti | Katy, Texas | Mallory, John, Frankenstein, Mellie Dee | Go Kart Racing

A little before noon, Frankenstein came and we went and met up with Mallory & John at Andretti’s. This race car lover had SO much fun on the track even if it only went up to 35 mph.

2nd: Frankenstein
4th: John
5th: Me
6th: Mallory

I kept having heart palpitations that I was going to tip over and die. Luckily prior to the race, Frankenstein taught me what not to do so it helped but I still couldn’t beat the thoughts in my head and ended up kept asking myself, how much longer until the race is over? I told Mallory this and she said she had the same thoughts.

Now Frankenstein is talking about going to Angleton to do the 50 mph races. That boy is crazy! haha I told him the thoughts of tipping I had in my head and he started looking up go karts he can buy so I can get use to them. They’re like thousands of dollars so he’s not going to get one but still funny that he thinks that would help me.

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Andretti | Katy, Texas | Mallory, John, Frankenstein, Mellie Dee | Arcade, Laser Tag, Virtual Reality

We continued with laser tag. There were a family of four in there with us and for a split second I thought it would be 4 v 4 but everyone wanted to fight each other. Sigh. My anxiety!

2nd: Black Panther = John
3rd: Cpt America = Me
4th: Poison Ivy = Frankenstein (won award for most accurate)
7th: Cyclops = Mallory

Then we went our own way for the arcade games. After we were all out of credits, the boys did their virtual racing. It was actually pretty cool to see and Mallory and I laughed when Frankenstein finished his race and took his seat belt off and John was still racing. haha

We forgot to check how many tickets we have so we’ll have to go back!

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Soju 101 | Katy, Texas | Mallory, John, Frankenstein, Mellie Dee

Mallory wanted drinks and John wanted food so we went to Soju 101. Frankenstein, Mallory, and I each got 4 cups of different sojus. I think I got Mallory hooked on them. and we ordered food and ate and talked.

After we ate, we bid farewell to Mallory and John and Frankenstein and I went and shopped in H-Mart before heading home.

It was a great day with great memories.

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Astor Farm to Table | Katy, Texas | Mum

This morning, after dropping off Rocky and Rizzo at the vet, Mum and I had brunch at Astor Farm to Table. This has always been on my list of places to try and I was a happy camper to have made it! My favourite from the top was the chicken curry empanadas. I can eat so much of those! Mum loved the cheesestick type things. On the chicken wing plate, everything was good. The server messed up our side. The potatoes were suppose to be on the side side so we were missing what actually should have came with the wings but we were in a good mood and let it slide. All good all delicious and very much so want to come back again!

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Hot Pot, Wing Stop, Sushihana, Jollibee, Homemades

Other mentionable eats from the week. Hot pot on Saturday after a day of fun racing. Wing Stop, Jollibee, and Sushihana. Then a lot of homecooked meals. YUM! Need to workout.

2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Emmy Ethan Mellie Dee Video Chat; Social Media Puzzle

During my dinner Tuesday, Emmy and Ethan called and it was so great to see their faces. Ethan was supposed to come down for a month but he ended up getting sick. Poor boy is still not well but fingers crossed nothing serious!

I finally finished my Social Media puzzle. 1000 pieces. This one has been one of the most satisfying puzzles I’ve ever done.

I’ve had so many Fridays off in a row that this week, working all 5 days is going to be TOUGH. But I’m looking forward to an Astros game and another Houston Restaurant Week this coming week. Yippiee!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: African, American, Barbecue, Dessert, Houston, Houston Restaurant Week, Katy, Korean, Sightseeing, South African, Texas

Soul Food and Makeup

December 26, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Yo Mama's Soul Food | Houston, Texas

Priscilla and I finally had our catch up today! I went to pick her up from her work and we went to Yo Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant. I haven’t seen her in months so it was nice to catch up with everything. And I mean everything. It’s crazy how much can change in just a few months.

Yo Mama's Soul Food | Houston, Texas | Meat Loaf, Pork Chop, Oxtail, Green Beans, Cabbage, Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato, Cornbread

The food wasn’t what we expected. We thought it’d be better but it just didn’t meet our expectations. I felt the sides tasted better overall and she didn’t feel the sides were great. Luckily we went next door to the Mexican mart and got some chicharrones to make up for it.

After dropping her off, I braved the malls all by myself to do returns. It’s crazy how many people go to the malls the day after Christmas! I was even able to buy a pair of heels for work which I am super excited about!

Full Face of Makeup

I was cleaning out my makeup and started playing with it. This is a full face of makeup and I’m surprised how lightweight my foundation is. It’s also probably the reddest lips I’ve ever had and I don’t think I’m a fan so that’s definitely going in the trash. I need help putting on lips because you can see the unevenness and the lip gloss on the edge of my lips. HAHA And my brows, don’t get me started on my brows.

Time to wash it all off and take a shower and relax.

P.S. I need more of these pajamas. They are SO freaking comfy.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: Houston, South African, Texas

Date Night with Scruffy

July 11, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Peli Deli | Houston, Texas

Work has been AMAZING since I now hang out with nineteen year olds. I’m not even kidding. I went to lunch with the three of them to Peli Deli today.

Peli Deli | Houston, Texas | Curry Chicken Plate and Wings

Natalia and I’s meals of their wings and curry chicken with Mac and cheese and mushrooms. Everything was delicious. I wished a Peli Peli was close by since they have better options but this satisfied me enough.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant | Houston, Texas

After work Scruffy and I met up for dinner at Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant | Houston, Texas | A La Carte Style

It’s basically Korean Barbecue but with different cuts of meat and flavour. We ordered two different types of meat then a lunch menu with three different other types of meat that came with a salad and miso soup. We upgraded to the garlic rice and added zucchini and mushrooms and beef tounge.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant | Houston, Texas | This Grill Is On Fire

Burn, baby, burn. The only complaint was that their fire burned on one side and left the other flameless so things cooked unevenly. Scruffy was a trooper and I didn’t have to cook much this time. Instead, he served me which made me feel like a queen.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant | Houston, Texas | Beef Tounge

My favourite was the beef tounge. My goodness. I can’t even describe just how amazing it was. It’s really rare for me to find beef tounge, not that I’m always in search of it, but when I see it, usually when it’s grill your own, I’m always down.

2018 | 192/365 | Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant | Houston, Texas | Lady M's Green Tea Millie Crepe with Ice Cream

Lady M’s Green Tea Millie Crepe with Ice Cream | $10

[2018] 192/365: Lady M’s

This has been a very popular dessert as long as I can remember. So popular that Brudda got it shipped from New York for SIL’s 30th birthday celebration in Dallas so I just had to try it when I saw it on the menu. Scruffy’s not that big of a fan with matcha but he actually tried it and ate two bites before he called it quits. I on the other hand, though delicious, did not think it was worth the $10 price tag but glad I finally got to cross that off the list.

Astros vs Athletics | World Series Championship Replica Ring

The Astros vs Athletics tickets I won from work a few weeks ago was finally used tonight. Club seats, which made me feel very fancy. To top it off we received replicas of the World Series Championship rings. It was very heavy and sparkly.

Astros vs Athletics | Free Pluckers

Although the game wasn’t that great, upon exiting we received free Pluckers. Ain’t no complaining here. Now we just have to find a time to go.

It’s been a fabulous day of eating and just spending time with Scruffy outside of our houses where we eat somewhere new and do an activity.

Now it’s time to get ready for bed. Night, y’all!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries Tagged With: American, Houston, Japanese, Project 365, South African, Texas

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