Dining Delights | Peaches Prattlings

{May 27, 2017} Just another day…

Its Friday here in Hawaii and I’m home. Sigh.

The day started too early, as it does when I come home. Asleep at 1am, up at 4am, nope, back to sleep, up at 5am, snuggle and catch up, then reality.

I made a quick breakfast, then PSM left for work and I opened my laptop. I worked for a few hours and then had to reboot my pc, so that was a good excuse to sit in the hammock and take some pics. I posted on Facebook a few photos and that I came up with a title for a book “My Life Doesn’t Suck!”

Then it was back to work for a few hours, PSM came home, we chilled out, then mani/pedis for two and dinner at a new place, Eating House, the food was good. Grilled Brussel Sprouts and cauliflower with pine nuts, the raisins cut the bitterness of the brussel sprouts, PSM had tomato bisque.

Dinner was grilled tofu rice bowl with bok choy, onions and mushrooms for me and fried chicken on goat cheese polenta with asparagus. The asparagus and goat cheese polenta, wow!

We ended the meal with malasadas with caramel sauce and a bite of frozen yogurt for PSM.

Home for a movie… let’s see how long we last!

{May 21, 2017} A day of rest? I don’t think so!

This is my sister’s house, what’s that?

741am, the texts started, “how’s it going?” All good. Some kids were up at 645am, others about 730am. Auntie J was in the basement, there’s no sleeping in…

Good morning little people, so cute! All slept well, made it through the night, even a milestone was had! And what did their parents do while they had an empty house? Cleaned the cabinets, went to the mall, went for a walk. Whatever it is mommies and daddies do when their kids are out for the night!

Two kids went home, four went to Sunday school. GES had a brunch at the temple, the rest of us had breakfast and relaxed a little. I walked to CVS, um…i got a haircut yesterday, sparklers showing, had to fix that!
Kids home, play in the bouncy house, friends for a quick visit, bounce, snacks, I did my hair, 35/40 minute process [color, rinse, shower, dress], out the door. A cheering section for EJS’ lacrosse match, great match, they won, she scored! It was great to see her in action!

I don’t know if it’s like this everywhere, but the referees stop and teach the kids why they stopped and coach a little.

Back to the house, friends over, lunch, more bouncy house, crafts naps, myself included for a few.

Laundry, pack, play, detergent down! MGS, our tiny acrobat… crawl behind and grab what you find! dinner, play, bath, bed.

Goodnight kisses for all, I’m leaving very early in the morning.

What a weekend! I need to get back to work so I can get some rest!

{May 20, 2017} Soccer, cleaning, lacrosse, soccer, haircut, birthday party, birthday party, sleepover

Is that enough for one day?

Straighten the house for the party, wash the pollen off the porch, it is spring after all, everyone was in on the act. The bouncy house arrived and the girls, GES and I had a little fun.

Then it was soccer practice for EJS, MGS off to lacrosse practice, finish setting up. EJS and ACS back for lunch, EJS has a mini play date, MGS back, I headed out to get a haircut, EJS and ACS off to travel team try-outs, people arrive for MGS’ birthday party. I jump right in to the fray, love seeing friends and all my little loves.

Some one-on-one time here and there, catching up, playing with the kids, activities, crafting, pizza, pinata, cake, buh-bye! 3-5pm 530pm and they were all gone!

Then the cousins, S&S S and E&S R stayed for a sleepover. EJS went to a birthday party sleep-under, that’s where they stay until bed time and go home.

We watched Sing, had popcorn and sang. My favorite part, E said “come snuggle with me Auntie J” how could i say no?

Then it was sleeping bags, “wait, I can’t sleep until I see EJS”, love that! Then zzz. MGS had two in her room and EJS had another two, the siblings split up for the sleepover. Let’s see how much sleep happens!

Now, that’s the way to party, wouldn’t you say? Just another Saturday at my sister’s house…

{May 19, 2017} Fun, busy day at my sister’s

Friday started as any other day, and hires what…I did sleep!

Got some work done, then it was sister time! We had breakfast out, after straightening the house, then did some damage at Khol’s. We had Khol’s cash, a coupon and some returns. Savings… over $1000! Between stuff for us and the girls, mostly EJS, spent only $500, not too shabby!

Then Costco and the liquor store, back to the house dad and LaLa showed up about the same time, dad and I went to pick up the girls. Oh boy! It’s only been a few weeks, but wow!

Home to hang out and then MGS asked me to help fill the piata for her party, that would be pinata for the rest of us. We filled it with candy all while having a food fight with the candy. Lots of giggling, of course.

Then Fuji for dinner, it’s hibachi but the girls call it the Firehouse because of the hibachi grill. They love it. Next door for cupcakes and cake pops, home for games, books and bed.

Whew, I’m beat! 7 year old birthday party tomorrow! Need some rest!

{May 15, 2017} Back to reality

Not a bad place to be, I must say.

My flights back from Hawaii uneventful, didn’t sleep from Honolulu to Minneapolis, par for the course. But I did sleep from Minneapolis to Chicago which was one of the best hours of my life!

Straight to the office I had a meeting at 10 a.m., great to see everyone and catch up and know that my goal was accomplished, I wanted to look like I’ve been somewhere!

Meetings, work, training session at the gym, they tried to kill me! it was a dumbbell routine which I am going to tell you all about my new workout program very soon!

Then I went and met DLP, we got our claws and paws done, mani/pedi for those of you not in the know, then went to the Little Beet Table for dinner, i had my first cauliflower steak! got caught up had a good time and then I’m going to collapse in a few minutes.

Tomorrow is a big day, someone is turning 7!!!

{May 13, 2017} How do I go back to reality?

These have been an amazing two weeks.

It’s not over, I still have a day and a half, but… it’s been great! This is the first time PSM and i have really “lived” together since we’ve been together. Even the two weeks I was here at the end of the year we were both off, so it was more of a vacation.

This time, he went to work every day and I worked from home, usually between 4am and 6am, which worked out perfectly because that meant I was done between 12 and 2pm. Somewhere in there, dog duties, domestic stuff, like meeting with the pest control or yard guys, then it was either hang out in the hammock for a bit or take Mollie to the beach.

By 3 or 5pm, whichever PSM was able to make work, we would meet at the gym or somewhere to go stand up paddle boarding. Then it was dinner at home, we cooked a few times, even used basil from our garden!

Or eat where we were. Tonight it was burritos from Killer Taco, made me think of Moe’s, and anyone who knows me, knows I love some Moe’s! Home to chill with Mollie and then crash or tonight, go to see Baby Groot again.

I get why people love it. Mornings at the beach for a surf or paddle, great exercise, work or school then to the beach. It starts filling up about 3 or 4pm, surfing, paddle boarding, swimming, playing, some people bring grills for dinner. Play until the sun starts going down, then go home.

Today, I worked until 1245pm, hung out in the hammock, ok, fell asleep in the hammock, met PSM in Haleiwa for some stand up paddle boarding, then dinner, then movies.

Tomorrow beach and paddle boarding with friends, then Sunday afternoon back to Chicago. I know I’ll have fun with my friends from work and I’m ready for summer in Chicago, beaches and sun, maybe even some paddle boarding! But… it’s not home…sigh…

Good thing I’m coming back in two weekends!

{May 6, 2017} A normal day in paradise

Well, who’s to say what’s normal?

Ok, a perfect day, a working day, in paradise. The way it should be, let’s just say that.

Got up way too early, only negative, which works out to be a positive, you’ll see why. Started working about 630am, what else is there to do? Method to the madness. Started working, Mollie will not leave my side when I’m home, very sweet. To the point she won’t get up, out of bed untiI do! So that means no walk, medication or breakfast, wow.

About 7am, PSM left, I took a break, took Mollie for a walk, give her her meds, then breakfast, for both of us. During our walk, she decided that spot was perfect to roll around in the grass, she looked so happy!

Back to the house, work until almost two, that’s a full 8 hour day, minus the 15 minutes total I took to make breakfast, lunch and potty breaks. It’s amazing how much more you work when you’re home!

Then I got dressed, dropped the top on the bug, well, let’s face it, the top hasn’t been up on the bug since she got here! Then I headed to meet PSM on the North Shore for some Stand Up Paddleboarding [SUP]!

It was great! He had the boards strapped to the roof of the truck, got him some street cred, that did! We parked at Haleiwa Monument, unloaded, put the boards in the water and we were off. It was slightly choppy at first, ocean does that you know. We paddled to an inlet that was smooth, only fell in once before getting to the inlet, felt nice and cool, and salty…

The inlet was great practice because it’s smooth and calm. We saw turtles, manta rays and flying fish, it was awesome! Also meet two couples from Breckenridge, CO, very cool.

Only bad part was PSM taking one for the team when he found out the rocks would be too rocky and we turned around.

It was peaceful going back, got out of the inlet and it was a little choppy again, but that’s what we need to practice! I even found out there are inflatable stand up paddle boards, which would be perfect for me to take in my car! [I haven’t found a way to transport one of ours I the bug. It would look cool though, standing up in the car!

After we put the boards up, we spent a little time hanging out in the ocean, started talking to a woman with a beautiful weimeramer dog and it turns out she’s a realtor…hmmm wheels are turning…

Standing there talking someone comes up to say hello…DD and her two kids! These are friends we have here, her husband works with PSM. I haven’t seen them in a long time, it was so much fun, big screams and hugs. She took us over to where her visiting family was hanging out and we caught up.

PSM came over after he put the boards back on the roof, he’s so good! Then it was decided we would join them for dinner at one of the food trucks down the road. Lots of good food, fun, music, screaming and dancing kids.

Eventually it was time to take off and we went to this place that DD told us about, Snow Factory. It’s icecream, but in a whole new way, a bizarre looking way. It looks like this mound of ribbons of shaved snow and its like eating air. PSM took his first bite and looked around because he thought it had fallen off the fork, nope, it’s line eating air…

They have so many different flavor combinations, too many to list. He had green tea and taro, I had honeydew, one of the three dairy- free flavors. Bizarre experience, but tasty. https://www.snowfactorystl.com/

Then, back to the house to take care of Mollie and relax.

Not a bad day, huh? Just another work day in Hawaii…I could get used to this..

{May 4, 2017} I’m home!

In my house! My own bed! Well, I’m not alone here! I got my honey too!

My flights on Monday were uneventful, aside from really liking flying Delta to Hawaii, free entertainment, which United doesn’t always have and meals, which United definitely doesn’t offer. Not just meals, but snacks at intervals and decent snacks at that. More Delta please.

I rented a car because it would be cheaper than a taxi from the airport home. I got in the house and someone was very excited to see me. Her tail started going 90 to nothing and she circles me and loved on me and stuck by me like glue.

I had work to do, so I got down to it. I haven’t gotten home this early in a long time, I’m used to getting in nine or ten pm. I worked for a few hours then went to meet PSM at the gym, we sweat for a few hours, got some food, then home.

Oh, getting into my bed that night… there’s something to be said for sleeping in your own bed. Just me, PSM and Mollie, not crowded at all!

Tuesday was more of the same, but getting up at 6am and starting work is not bad, get done early. I found someone local to come and help us with the foliage out back. There’s not much there, but we still need to take care of it. I’ll give you a better tour of what we have after its cleaned up.

Then the gym, come home, cook dinner, hang out, crash, very domestic and normal.

Today, up too early, oh well, that just means starting work early again. I started ast 430am, I called it quits at 1pm, then it was time on the lanai, hanging out in the hammock, relaxing. Ahhh

Guess what the evening held… Yup, more domestic bliss!

Tomorrow… work, then beach!

{May 1, 2017} What a weekend!

That Miss A keeps me going! Oh brother! Would I change a thing? Not on your life!

I told you about Friday, a fun day. Saturday was a lovely day as well, up too early, of course!

We had breakfast, then the dressing and I got to pick the outfit! Anyone who knows Miss A and SDL knows this is a big deal! But I rocked it! She had a great time at therapy and I got to talk to the other moms there and we all bragged on our kids! I take every opportunity to brag on all my kids, I dont know if you’ve ever noticed…she did great in therapy, very focused.

After therapy it was breakfast number two, iHop this time. Rooty Jr, oh boy does she love that! Then she was gracious enough to help me shop a little, her opinion means a lot to me!

After shopping it was back to the house for a snack, cuddling, tickling and cleaning, I know, not exciting, but important. Dinner was low key, she wanted to stay in. I didn’t even make it to midnight when SDL got home, I had to wait until this morning to find out how the day went!

This morning came way earlier than I had hoped for, oh well. Breakfast at 7am, then playtime, get dressed, outfit number two chosen by yours truly! A lot more stressful than you realize, SDL has serious standards! Then it was snack time and the out the door.

We decided to go to the Indian Temple in Lilburn, it’s an amazing structure and I’ve always wanted to go. On the drive over, not a peep from the back seat, nothing on the way in to the temple.

The minute we took our shoes off, the volume went up! She was happy as can be! Apparently, such expressions of joy are frowned upon. Shoes on, out the door.

We then headed downtown to a co-op I like that I used to get my homeopathic allergy medication and I picked up some vegan treats and sandwiches for my flight home tomorrow.

Then we drove a bit and found the Inman Park Festival. It’s been a while since I’d been to the festival, I was excited we found it. We hit the ground and checked everything out.

We loved looking at the sights and sounds, touching, smelling experiencing. Then the shopping…ooh… Chanukah, Christmas, a few things for PSM, some home made dog treats for Mollie and Miss A found a graduation present for mommy, she was so excited to give it to her! She even picked out a card “Well done you!” With a graduation cap.

After a few hours, which included dining al fresco, we headed home. SDL was done! 19 months and on May 9, she walks and gets her EMBA diploma! I’m so thrilled and proud of her! And now, Miss A gets her mommy back! I’m not sure who is more excited!!

Well, a job well done means a good meal out. This was after a snack of cherry yogurt and a banana. One after the other of course! We went to Texas Roadhouse, love those rolls! Great dinner, great company, lots of laughing.

Back to the house, bath, hair brushing, there’s a lot! outfits for school tomorrow, lunches, clean up, packing for me and bed. Well, she got into bed, then the sugar from the sweet potato made an appearance! “Ok, back to bed”…”ok, back to bed”… third time’s the charm.

Eventually it was lights out for me, hopefully after I talk to you I’ll fall asleep, it’s almost midnight and 415am comes quickly.

Flying home for two weeks in the morning, think I’m excited!? You bet your sweet bippie!

A great weekend, ready for the next one!

{April 28, 2017} Never a dull moment!

Thursday travel was uneventful, thankfully!

Delta has my heart again, not that they actually lost it, they spoil me, you know. But after the kerfufel the last time I flew to Atlanta, they gave me 20,000 sky miles, sounds about right. I was only inconvenienced by my flights getting bumped around, other people never got where they were going or very delayed and lost luggage.

I arrived in Atlanta, got the rental car, did you know some Avis locations have a concierge? This one got my car and brought it to me, nice. He noticed the gas was not full, so we loaded the car and went to fill ‘er up.

Then I was on the road, very uneventful. Made it to SDL’s, CKM was there as well, SDL has just gotten home. We all caught up, talked about passports and our upcoming trip.

CKM headed home then it was me and SDL, kisses for Miss A, more chatting and then work and zzzzzz.

This morning Miss A went off to school and so did her mom. I worked until 2pm, then went to pick up Miss A from school. I was on one side, she was on the other, oops. Home for a snack and a tickle fest, then dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, where they love her, of course!

Veronica is her favorite waitress, who just adores Miss A, well, who doesn’t? After a bit a little bit came in with his parents and was dancing and flirting and I thought he looked familiar, but I wasn’t sure. A bit later, his dad came over with him to say hello, turns out they’re in the same school. That’s where I recognized him! Later Miss A went to dance at his table to say hello.

If you know Miss A, you know when she’s happy, the screaming, squealing and laughter. And it can get loud! We were in the restroom and she was doing her thing and people started knocking on the door, was everything alright? We heard noises. Yup.

Back to the house for bath, snuggles and bed. SDL came home, catching up, work and zzzzzz.

She did give me this fabulous picture. It is from 2011, the year she came home and into our lives. Its her first menorah, for her Auntie George!

Never a dull moment!

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