8 years ago

18 Friday Feb 2011

Posted by in Adoption, Coco, Family, friends, Husband, New Orleans, Quinn

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I met a guy wearing a pork pie hat reading the sports section of the LA Times at Starbucks.  Who knew it where it would lead to but here are some highlights:

 

My first of seven trips to New Orleans. My first and last Brennan's Hurricane

My first crawfish boil and meeting with a Quinn

The first of many amazing vacations with that guy wearing the hat

A ring. And the incident when the diamond fell out - but was found in the bath tub by Al.

Our intimate wedding

A trip of a lifetime to Paris and Al's homeland, Italy

Brought the best dog in the world, Coco, into our family

My first trip to Brooklyn and Sheephead Bay, Al's hometown

took niece, Jessica, to the Kid Choice awards.

said goodbye to my dad

torn down a few walls in my house

transformed our living space

Celebrated my in-laws 50th anniversary

reminded ourselves how beautiful our national parks can be.

Loved my husband even more for embracing my mother and bringing her into our home

Missed my brother-in-law's wedding

But sent nine dozen mini-cupcakes

Welcomed two Sperrazzo kids (James was in his mommy's tummy when we got married)

welcomed twins, Kayde and Kayle into the family

said goodbye to Coco

Traveled to China for a trip of a lifetime to welcome, Quinn, our daughter into our family.

Celebrated all the wonders of my life with this great guy

Additionally celebrated many birthdays, friend’s weddings and births.  Met so many new friends through Al.  Had lots of amazing meals and laughter.   I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us!  Learn more about some of the cupcakes I’ve baked and my daughter Quinn by click on the links.

How different life can be

13 Sunday Feb 2011

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Two months ago, we met our daughter Quinn for the first time. I can honestly say that our lives are very different – but in a positive way.  There really is nothing like a giggle or grin from your child.  It’s like a drug, you just want more.

Two weeks seems much longer

28 Tuesday Dec 2010

Posted by in Adoption, Family, Quinn

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Two weeks ago we officially adopted our daughter Quinn in China.

Signing the paperwork in Nanjiing, China

A week ago, we went to the American Consulate for an oath ceremony

We took the oath on Quinn's behalf. And she became a U.S.citizen on Dec. 24, 2010 when our plane touch down in the U.S.

It’s mind boggling that only two weeks have past.  We’ve actually been a family for 15 days; we met on Dec. 13.

Here is Quinn today, during our daily dancing session.

We love this kid so much.  I guess until you are a parent, you cannot comprehend how quickly and deeply you can fall in love with a little being.

remembering my dad

14 Tuesday Dec 2010

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Me at approximately 18 mos with my dad

My dad was hard on me when I was growing up and even to some extend as an adult – until he had Alzheimer’s.  Then as Al says, we saw the softer side of my dad. My mom always assures me that although he was tough on me  and wasn’t the most encouraging dad, he loved me.  I am always reassured of this when I look back at early photos of him with me.  Today marks the fifth year since his death.

I wonder if I will be able to relate to my dad better, now that I’m a parent?  I’m sure he’s looking down and smiling at this granddaughter.

untethered to technology

01 Wednesday Dec 2010

Posted by in Musings

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Yesterday I had a difficult day.  There were several points in the day where multiple companies let me down when I was counting on them.  But when I saw a grey screen wipe my MacbookPro and the words “restart your computer” in multiple languages appear, I knew it was going to get worse.  Yes, the video card died.  Unfortunately that piece is connected to the motherboard.  So we’re getting that replaced.

I ended my day with a dentist appointment followed by dinner with some friends.  The dentist appointment went without a hitch.  The dinner was amazing.  Four desserts sent to my table (we know the matre’ d).

BUT my day ended with losing my iPhone.  It either fell out of my pocket or I left it at the table.  I think it was the later.  Why?  Because it made it in one piece and was transported to the corner of Washington Blvd and the 10 Freeway.  How do I know?  I have mobile me from Apple.  The best feature is find my phone.  I found it via the GPS and I wiped it clean.  No one can use it.

So today I worked from home on my home computer, unlinked to the server.  And without a cell phone!  And to think I almost got rid of my home phone.  I used the phone nonstop all day long.  I don’t even talk that much on my cell.

It felt so strange without the phone.  That’s really wrong.

Bits of my weekend: Vol. 27

22 Monday Nov 2010

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Most of my weekend was filled with organizing stuff for our upcoming trip to China.  But I managed to carve out 2 hours to trim cut down our overgrown lavender bushes.  I wouldn’t call them bushes anymore.  Maybe more like stubs?

Note the one in the foreground was even more straggly than the ones in the middle. And it has recovered nicely.

Bits of my weekend: vol 26

14 Sunday Nov 2010

Posted by in food, Husband, New Orleans

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This weekend’s summary also includes some of the highlights from our trip to New Orleans.

Looking for the Café du Monde beignet under the powdered sugar

If you don't know what a Beignet is - it's a donut with sugar. Lots of sugar. It seems every culture has their version. This is the French/New Orleans version.

We saw this store that offered Voodoo Dolls and Children's Books. Only in New Orleans.

We were lucky enough to see two wedding processions going down the street. Both were accompanied by a band. The Bride and Groom were pumping their umbrellas to the music.

While the band played "When the Saints Go Marching In" and the rest of the wedding guests waving white hankies.

I love the tuba in the band.

We love just walking through the streets catching fun shots.

Elvis in his pink lamp phase.

I couldn't find the men's entrance. The shop is now a croissant shop.

Saturday ended up being a very long day because our 6:50 p.m. departure was changed to 8:30 p.m., 12:00 a.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:05 p.m.  In the end, it all worked out because it gave us time to do a little shopping and we found Zebra.  We’re taking Zebra to China with us to meet our daughter, Quinn.  To follow our journey to Quinn, click here. Zebra is up for the task.

Zebra waits patiently to board the plane.

An awesome meal in New Orleans

13 Saturday Nov 2010

Posted by in food, New Orleans

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I love how the emergence of social media has pointed us to some great restaurants.  Sylvain in New Orleans on Chartres Street was no exception – and it was EXCEPTIONAL.

What was cool about it, besides the food was the friendly staff and the details (some historic) throughout the restaurant.  The courtyard was bordered by the second oldest wall in New Orleans.  The lamps were from Morocco.  I believe the table we were sitting at was from Buenos Aires.  They had a US flag with only 40 stars hanging in the bar.  Everyone on Yelp was raving about the restaurant.  Once we were there, we found out it had only been open for a month.

Fried zucchini with lemon aioli and shaved parmesan

Porchetta Po' Boy: shredded seasoned pork with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone

Brussel sprout salad: shaved raw brussel sprouts, with gala apples, roasted hazelnuts and shaved pecorino cheese

Pot de creme a la chocolat

If I could have stuck my tongue in the ramekin - I would have licked it.

The FINAL WORD was an amazing cocktail with whiskey and green chartreuse.  Who knew that a color was named for a liquor made by Carthusian monks.  This stuff was amazing (both the cocktail and the liquor).  The liquor is distilled with 130 herbal extracts.  Made since the 1740s – these monks had it dialed in.

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