Frolicking birthday fun

Warning! Excessive but cute picture post to follow! :)

Yesterday was my baby girl's birthday. Yep, Hazel turned 3 years old. I can't believe how time flies! I still remember the day we got her, all two-and-a-half pounds. She was just a pocket-sized pooch back then. She's not much bigger now and she still acts like a puppy at times-- with her baby face, easily excitable temperament and similarities to the Energizer Bunny-- but as my friends joked, now she can drink!

Since her birthday fell on a Monday, I didn't have much time to spoil her. (Not that she is deprived by any means!) But luckily, she had a super fun weekend. On Saturday, she had a playdate with Abbey, the furry child of my married friends Ryan and Steph.

Though Abbey tends to be a bit skittish and is even known to bark at unknown dogs, the two pups hit it off right away. And Hazel looks like Abbey's little sister, don't you think? So adorable.

At first they hung around Steph and Ryan's apartment, mostly sniffing each other out. After they were thoroughly acquainted, we leashed up and went for a walk to the park. Now, Steph told me that Abbey has this funny habit that she always does on walks, especially to the park. She sniffs around and once she finds the perfect spot, she paws at the ground. Before you know it, she is rolled over on her back, shimmying and shaking around. It is so odd but so hilarious but Hazel never does this.

Well, when Abbey first began to take part in her favorite park pastime, Hazel just looked on in confused amazement. But next thing I know, she's joining in! Now, I know that Abbey may engage in this behavior for more sinister reasons (such as she smells another dog's scent and wants it on her) but since Hazel had never done it before and was clearly just following Abbey's influence, I let her roll in the grass to her heart's content. (Luckily, Hazel doesn't get grass stains!)

And I, being the proud mama that I am, took far too many pictures of the strange cuteness that ensued...

I think she looks like she's giggling in the last one...

Having so much fun, she didn't realize she was on a little hill!

Eventually, she decided to take a break and let the wind blow through her hair...

After a long walk around the park, we humans and our canine companions made our way back home. Despite the exercise, Hazel and Abbey kept playing together for another hour and a half, chasing each other around the living room and pretend fighting. Hazel also stole Abbey's stash of toys, bringing them out one by one. The little thief! Before we said goodbye, we made sure to put them all back. But Hazel still left with a new best friend.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek at Hazel and Abbey's playdate! Hazel may be another year older, but I think she'll always be young at heart-- and keep me feeling that way, too!

26

Oh, life. Crazy, beautiful, stressful, sometimes-wonderful, but always-makes-my-head-spin life.

I swear, things have been so hectic lately I often feel like I barely have time to catch my breath.

All I've wanted to do all day is e-x-h-a-l-e... and yet, I can't. Not quite yet. Still more work to do.

BUT. It is my birthday, so even though I haven't posted in ages (since the beginning of the month, more accurately) I felt the need to stop in and say something.

Today, I am 26. I don't feel different. Better or worse. But I am older, that's one thing that is for sure.

Now, I am on the side closer to 30 and farther away from 20. Still, I think I have more than a few good years left in me :)

While I am chained to my computer tonight, I am hoping this weekend I can let loose and relax. And put on my dancing shoes! My friends will tell you, I always want to go dancing. And there's nothing else I really want to do to ring in 26. But we'll see. I'm hoping my friends have recovered from the quick weekend getaway to Vegas we took two weeks ago.

As for right now, I just got back from dinner. The fam asked what I wanted and, despite the fact that I have two more stories to write, I turned down the idea for takeout and we instead went to Macaroni Grill. Yum. This Dane could eat Italian every day. (I joke I must have been Italian in a past life. Pasta is in my DNA.)

Oh, and my parents (really, my mom) got me this beautiful embroidered dress from Ruche that I wanted as well as a pair of feather-like earrings that I hadn't seen online but love. So even though this hasn't been the best day or the best week work-wise, I have things to be thankful for. 

And I am thankful. To be another year older. And, hopefully, another year wiser.

Cheers to that!

Hope you are doing well. Chat soon. (I won't promise, but I mean it.)

xo,

Adorable newsie cupcake that seems to be made for a journalist like me via we heart it

Dinner and a show

Saturday was the boy's birthday. Though he won't like me to tell you, he turned the big 3-7. (I know this might come as a shock to some readers who don't know, but yes, he is 12 years older than me. But we all know what they say about a man's age and their maturity level, right ladies? Tee hee.)

Anyway, there was no big celebration this year. No piles of presents. We kept it low key and affordable. But still full of fun and love.

The boy was returning from a trip to visit his grandma in Temecula Saturday morning, so I didn't meet up with him until later that afternoon. His sister Kelly, brother-in-law Mike and niece Miranda wanted to treat him to dinner, so that's what we did. We decided to go to Yamato Japanese Restaurant in Valencia, where you can get dinner and a show.

While waiting for our teppan table, the boy and his niece went outside to feed the koi swimming below the restaurant's front deck. Yamato's has candy machines that dispense fish food pellets for 25 cents. Miranda was quite pleased when I was able to find two quarters in my wallet and so were the fish, who caused a feeding frenzy the moment the pellets plunked into the water.

There were also little turtles swimming in the pond. Most stayed out of the way of the koi but at one point a little guy got swept up into the crazed, circling fish. But don't worry. He held his own.

While I'm a bit wary of sushi, I love teppanyaki. It's fresh and flavorful, and seeing the food cooked right before your very eyes just adds to the culinary experience. And the cooks! They put on a true tableside show, twirling their utensils and chopping ingredients with such dexterity. Spinning an egg into the air and splitting it with a spatula. Then using that same spatula to flip a bowl filled with fried rice. It's pretty amazing!

Of course everyone's favorite part is the flaming onion volcano. I'm not even a big onion fan-- save for the fried variety and those little minced ones on McDonald's hamburgers-- but I gobble these charred rings up, no problem!

While we complimented our chef on his grilling skills, Kelly asked if he cooks for himself at home. The answer? A resounding no! He said after cooking for people like us all day, the last thing he wants to do is go in a kitchen. I can't say I blame him!

As the grill cooled, we filled our bellies with far-too-much food and Sapporo, a light Japanese beer. Even though the boy and I shared-- we had the filet mignon and shrimp entree, which of course came with bowls of miso soup, salad and rice and tons of yummy veggies-- we still had a hard time finishing our plates.

Dinner was capped off-- literally-- with the boy wearing a silly hat and being serenaded with two birthday songs... the traditional American tune plus one in Japanese. He told me later he was a bit embarrassed by the whole thing since everyone in the restaurant turned to look, but he took it in stride, clapping along.

He also got a dessert out of the deal. A scrumptious... fruit plate! Ha! All the credit for that one goes to his older sister, Kelly. The alternative, and the most oft chosen one at that, was a chocolate fudge cake, but she decided to go the healthier route. He is 37, after all.

(I would have splurged on the cake.)




P.S. The night ended with the boy and I seeing "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." It was a bit long and at some points all the money stuff went over my head, but overall I enjoyed it. I especially loved watching the adorable Carrie Mulligan because she and her haircut are just too cute. Same goes for Shia LaBeouf. And I've gotta hand it to Michael Douglas, aka Gordon Gekko. He is one witty sonofabitch. I feel like I want to watch it again just to catch all those snarky quips one more time. Better yet, I need to rent the first one!

P.P.S. How was your weekend? :)

A pup grows up

Today is Hazel's 2nd birthday. My little pup is all grown up! I guess I can't call her my "puppy" anymore, but she'll always be a little girl to me-- my baby-- so I think I'll still call her that anyway.

To celebrate the big day, we took the love muffin out for an adventure. We drove toward the beach and ended up in Marina del Rey. After much circling to find a parking spot, we only stayed briefly, watching the ships come and go. Hazel was happy to stretch her legs after an hour in the car and she loved feeling the sand between her paws.

Next we headed to Santa Monica. We walked along Ocean Avenue and strolled down the Santa Monica Pier-- weaving in and out of the hundreds of people who were also out to take in the beach air and So Cal sun. Hazel made many friends along the way-- both humans and canines alike. We ended the day with a late afternoon lunch at one of my favorite Italian restaurants: Trastevere on Third Street (yep, we went again). Hazel was a bit frenetic while we ate; she was tied up to the gate surrounding the patio and kept pawing at me for attention and more bread! But she survived the somewhat stressful experience and soon we were off walking again...

And against our better judgment, we stopped into Crepe Cafe to pick up a Nutella and banana crepe to-go. I'm sad to say I didn't finish it; I was too full from my deliciously creamy linguine pasta (with chicken, broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes) but I just can't resist! I have a weakness for Nutella. And a weakness for my tiny, spoiled, adorable pup who thinks she is bigger and tougher than she really is.

(Funny story: While the boy got the crepe, Hazel and I waited outside by a fountain. Two big dogs-- pit bulls, I think-- were playing around, roughhousing. Hazel was watching curiously and to my surprise she suddenly let out a bark. And a growl. Everyone around us laughed, looking at this fluffy pipsqueak trying to get in on the action! But she kept at it, louder and louder, and I finally had to walk away for fear the big dogs would take Hazel up on her offer to play. I said to Hazel, "Who do you think you are, anyway?" She's such a crazy girl sometimes. Well, make that, all the time!)

Now we are home and she is passed out next to me, snuggled in the blanket and sleeping soundly. The excitement of the day has left her exhausted. I'd say that's the sign of a pretty good birthday.

Let's go on a magic carpet ride*

Thanks everyone for all your lovely birthday wishes yesterday! Each one made me smile and brightened my day. You guys are the best!

And aside from work, my "ho-hum" birthday wasn’t all that bad. Around noon, my dad and brother picked me up for lunch. We went to the one place we can all agree on, a local Mexican restaurant, Don Cuco’s. I got my usual: a tamale, a la carte, with a cup of Albondigas soup and a side of sour cream. No strawberry margarita this time (I thought it was a little too early to be a lush) but we did end on a sweet and oh-so-naughty note with a dish of fried ice cream (seriously, who comes up with these things?). So no cake after all, but definitely some dessert. And calories don’t count on your birthday, right? Right.

After that it was back to work. But around 8:30 I decided to call it quits, give the fingers a break from the keyboard, and the boy and I went to see a late night movie. We saw “She’s Out of My League” and it was hilarious! I absolutely loved it. If you’ve ever wondered, what makes Carissa laugh? (not that you would wonder that, but if you did) this is it. It is hard to make me LOL—I’m not as easily tickled by the stupid, crude humor some of my friends find funny—but this movie made me tee-hee and guffaw more than once. (And the rest of the audience, all 10 people, laughed along with us!)

I loved the banter between the four best buddies... the dysfunctional family dinner scene... the chubby friend with the Disney movie references... the array of belted dresses worn by the hot-but-still-likable, never bitchy, leading lady (played by newcomer Alice Eve, who I just read will be in SATC 2!)... and, of course, who can't love the skinny-yet-adorable Jay Baruchel? Plus, even the soundtrack was good! So if you’re looking for a movie to see, I’d definitely recommend “She’s Out of My League.” I might even come along with you for a second viewing!

So tell me, how is your week going? And have you seen any good movies lately? (This one was the first I've seen since "Avatar"-- I obviously haven't been making it to the theater often!)

xo,



*Those who saw the movie will (hopefully) get this post's title. Gosh, I loved that guy!

Images via "She's Out of My League" official website

Another day, another year

Today is my birthday. I'm now officially old. Twenty-five that is.

No big plans today. Just lots of work to do. Though my dad called me up yesterday to see if he could take me to lunch today. A very pleasant surprise so that's what I'll be doing in about an hour, and then it's back to work. Tuesdays are not good days to have birthdays, especially for me-- it's deadline day!

Since 25 is kind of a big deal, I had wished my birthday would be something more. I had hoped to take a vacation this week, but work to-dos piled up, a copy editor is out of town and I was simply told that I could not take this week off. Though, with any luck, I will get to take a belated and much-needed R&R time next month.

Till then, a ho-hum birthday will have to suffice. I guess it's true what they say: as you grow older, birthdays just become another day on the calendar. Another day, another year.

At least it gives me a good excuse to eat cake.

P.S. My birthday did come a bit early this year. Yesterday afternoon I opened my mail and to my delight there was a package from the lovely and super sweet Erin of Pughs' News. I recently won her first-ever giveaway-- a prize which contained all things daisy-related. Daisy stickers, daisy stationary, daisy chocolates and even daisy seeds to plant! So cute! Check out a photo below. Hazel liked it, too.

Thanks, Erin! Your package and kind note really brought a smile to my face.


Images via we heart it, here and here.

Spoiled in SB

So four days later and I am finally telling you how I spent my birthday! Such a slacker. Anyway, I ended up playing hooky from work and going to Santa Barbara for the afternoon. The boy always has Mondays off and he wanted to take me somewhere to celebrate. I always enjoy going to SB so we did, though we didn't make it out there until about 2 p.m.

Once we got there we were starving, so we made a beeline to our favorite by-the-beach restaurant: Brophy Bros. This clam bar and seafood restaurant is always busy, even on a late Monday afternoon! But we didn't have to wait too long to get a seat outside on the second-story deck overlooking the harbor. But even better than the views, I think, is the food. I literally dream about it sometimes and I had even mentioned it the week before my birthday, secretly hoping that's where we would go. I got my usual, the pan-blackened Mahi Mahi. Dusted with Cajun spices and served with drawn butter, it is melt-in-your-mouth fantastic. It is a bit pricey at $22, but it comes with a hunk of chewy sourdough bread, a garlicky starter salad and two sides-- I got rice pilaf and cole slaw, which I happen to think is the best slaw out there. Can you tell I like Brophy's? So good! The boy got fish 'n' chips, which is also delish so I stole a few bites off his plate. This is our routine: get the dishes we both love so we can share!

After our late lunch, we walked off our full stomachs on State Street. While I only planned to window shop, I did pick up a few things. First we stopped in at Sur La Table where I saw (for the second time) these adorable waffle cone ice cream bowls and I decided I just had to have them. It's my birthday after all, right?

Unfortunately-- or fortunately, however you want to look at it-- my shopping didn't end there. We later walked into a Coach store that must be a factory store because everything was on sale! It was crazy and much too tempting. I fell for the markdowns. RR bought me this adorable bright pink bag that was simply too good a deal to pass up at $40. While I was checking out another equally adorable, colorful and springy bag, the boy said, "Babe, I'll get you the pink one for your birthday and you should get that one for yourself." So I did. It was not as cheap, but it was still on sale. Oh, I got a flowery keychain, too.

Yep, definitely threw out the ol' budget that day. But it was nice to get out and do something and be spoiled a bit. Though, I did feel it the next day with tons of interviews to do and stories to write. But I pulled it off and hey, my birthday--which is not always my favorite day of the year--didn't turn out all the bad. And it ended on a sweet note once I got home: a scoop of vanilla-strawberry ice cream in my new "waffle" bowl. Yum.

Here's a look at my day by the beach, in pictures: