Gumbo Dinner

It's the end of another work week, but instead of the usual Friday night bites I prepared a pot of gumbo.

 

Yum!

 

 

Celebrating Birthday at the Four Seasons

 

Husband brought me to Culina at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills for my birthday,

 

On the table:

Crudo

 

- ahi tuna. pickled eggplant. calabrian chili oil. preserved lemon. chives
- hawaiian amberjack. persimmon jam. pomegranate seeds. lemon. pomegranate syrup

Antipasto

- prime filet. lemon oil. toma brusca. sautéed bone marrow. fresh horseradish. chives

 

Le Paste

- san marzano tomato sauce. peperoncino. basil- squid ink spaghetti. maine lobster. chorizo. calabrian chili. bottarga

Secondi

- mediterranean sea bass. tomatoes. capers. lemon
-  black cod. celery root puree. root vegetable. wild mushrooms. port wine reduction.

And my birthday cake.  Now it's my turn to blow the candle :-)

More Birthday Cake and Cupcakes

To celebrate the Little Guy's birthday at home, we have cake and cupcakes and more candles for him to blow. We love you baby and we wish nothing but the best for you! Happy 2nd Birthday!!!!

 

Birthday Cake at School

Two blue candles,  a sea-themed cake and thirty one classmates singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

 

 

First Day in Pre-School

 

Wow, I can't believe how time flies. I still remember the first time we checked out the school when I was five month's pregnant,  the Little Guy's first day at the Infant Center,  his first art project, his first Halloween party, first Christmas party, first gift exchange, first Valentine's potluck... lots of first.   Now he has moved to a "big school."  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toddler in the Office

Say hello to the newest Project Analyst on my team, the Little Guy, who joins us to pursue his passion for numbers, research and storytelling. A recent graduate at Montessori Infant Center, he is curious and independent. He loves to color, read books and go for walks. His favorite words are "outside" and "perfect." He is obsessed with trucks, trains and cars. :-)

Chicken in Harissa Sauce

 
Dinner time came with a hot roar today.  Chicken thighs braised in their own juice, a small can tomato sauce and a spoonful harissa sauce. Harissa sauce is a hot chili pepper paste used in North African cooking.

Pink Tulips

...spring is in the air!  Tulips have arrived.  They are one of my favorite flowers.

Grocery from Whole Foods

 ...the haul from +Whole Foods Market today...

Lobster & Noodles

A birthday dish for the Little Guy. Lobster for prosperity and noodles for long life.

Also on the table... fish naw soup, sautéed kang kong and deep fried fish

Pizza, Spring Rolls and Mac & Cheese Balls

Out and about with the hubby and the Little Guy at Westfield Topanga to have lunch at CPK. Our favorite spot at the lounge/bar area was taken so we sat inside.

On the table..

Mac & Cheese Balls
Tortilla Spring Rolls
Margherita Pizza

Almost Two

 Look who's turning two soon...

A Day at the Zoo

The plan was to bring the Little Guy to Disneyland the weekend before his second birthday.  He was ten months during his first visit.  But we heard of the measles outbreak on the news... on the headline news everyday.  A sort of countdown of how many at Disneyland or those who visited were infected with the highly contagious disease. The Little Guy has been vaccinated but we would rather play it safe.

Next on the list is Legoland, but after further research we found out that he won't be able to ride on most rides because of height restrictions. And that's how we ended up at the Los Angeles Zoo. 

 Here are some snapshots from our mini-adventure at the zoo...

 

 

 

 

 

Ice Cream

...a truly deserved sweet treat for the birthday boy!

But, he was screaming for more.