I'll Be There for You

Yup, that's right. Julie and I are in "Central Perk" for all of you Friends fans out there. I was in HEAVEN! I could have stayed there all day but unfortunately we weren't allowed to. Julie and I had some time to kill on Monday morning when we were waiting to get into the Ellen Show and so we decided to take a tour of the Warner Brothers back lot. It was a great tour and we saw a ton of sets and props from old and current TV shows and movies. During the 2 1/2 hour tour one of the stops we stopped at was the only set left of the Friends TV show. I loved walking around and looking at everything and being able to sit in the seats and take pictures. One thing that i didn't realize was how small the set is. It is tiny but looks so big on TV due to the different camera angles. The whole tim eI was in there, I kept singing the theme song "I'll be there for you"...

Another highlight of the tour for me was the second floor of the museum. We weren't able to bring in our cameras but I really wanted to. The whole second floor was dedicated to Harry Potter. There were costumes, props and designs for all the films represented. I loved looking at he detail in the costumes and in the props not to mention that the sorting hat was there and I wanted to see what house I would be put in. After putting the hat on, I was put into Hufflepuff.








The whole reason we were in Burbank was because I received tickets to the Ellen Degeneres Show. Julie and I were so excited to go so we got there early to get out number to be called into the studio. The guest on the show were Gordon Ramsey, Ewan McGregor and an American Idol contestant. It was fun watching her do her thing and dancing in the audience. They had us dancing for about 20 minutes before the show starts which Ellen and her guest that are on show can watch plus during her 'dance' segment and during all the commercial breaks. It was so loud but full of energy. Since we can only go o one taping a season, come August, I am going to try to get tickets again. It was a TON of fun. Try to find us in the audince. It is sort of a Where's Waldo feel. The pictures are from her site on Facebook.

Poop and Giggles

One of the duties of being a parent is doing something that you really don't want to do like cleaning up poop. Isaac was our blow-out child. He pooped on EVERYTHING! Elizabeth has had only one minor blow out until the other day. She had to poop and she pooped a TON! (If you don't want to read about poop, the skip down to the next paragraph.) Not only did it come out of the sides of her diaper but it also went up her back and front. to make matter worse, when i was trying to clean her off before I took off her clothes, she was sticking her feet in the poop and then when I tried to take her clothes off, I underestimated how much poop was on them. She ended up having poop not only on her bum, back, tummy, legs and feet but now she had it on her shoulders head and face. So I decided even though it wasn't her bath day, she needed one anyways. You know, sometimes baby wipes just don't cut it

On another note, one great thing about being a parent is listening and watching your kids play together...nicely. I love watching Isaac and Elizabeth play with one another. Each one always tries to get the other one to laugh which in the end, makes both of them laugh. I couldn't help myself this morning and took a video of the both of them playing and laughing together. Perhaps I took it subconsciously so I can remember that at one time they did like each other and did get along.

Date Night

Since Jim's sister Julie is in town, we decided to use her babysitting services last Saturday night and went on a date. I have been looking forward to this date since December when we found out she was coming. I told Jim that it was his turn to plan the date since I am always the one planning our dates and/or outings. As the day was getting closer I was worried because I knew that Jim hadn't planned anything due to a busy school schedule. Nonetheless, I kept my fingers crossed. Well on that Saturday morning all 5 of us went for a family run together on Pepperdine's track which was fun. Isaac enjoys getting out of his jogging stroller to run beside us and believe it or not, he can run for a while. The bonus of the run was that when he was done running, he had Julie to play with until Jim and I were done.

After the run we showered and ate some lunch then were off to our date. We went to Disneyland (where else would go?) but this time WITHOUT KIDS!!!! We never even stepped a foot into Fantasyland! It was great being able to ride "big kid rides" and not have to maneuver a double stroller around. For dinner Jim took me to the Grand Californian to eat at the Napa Rose. We have been wanting to eat there for some time but have always opted to eat somewhere else because it is a bit fancy.

The restaurant was wonderful with big loungy seats, thick, pressed napkins, beautiful lounge with fireplace and very delicious food. The menu changes seasonally to accommodate the food that is in season. This was the first time that Jim and I had ever had a "fine dining" experience. Below is a sample menu but is not the current menu that was being offered when we were there last week.

		Menu Date: January 2010 Winter Dinner Menu 2010 Starters Sauteed Hand-Harvested Diver Scallops - with a Sauce of Lemon, Lobster, and Tahitian Vanilla. $19 "Ahi Carpaccio" - Pounded Thinly, Tian of Blue Crab, Black Beluga Lentils, and Lemon Creme Fraiche $17 Pappardelle Pasta - tossed in Arugula Pesto, Roasted Veal Loin, Sauteed Coastal Mushrooms, and Dried Local Cherries. $17 Baked Winter Squash - Napa Valley Goat Cheese Tart, Roasted Duck Confit, and Cranberry Port Vinaigrette. $16 Oak Roasted Sonoma Quail - Filled with Portobello Mushroom & Swiss Chard, Sweet Potato Polenta, and Dried Apricot Sauce $16. Fried Halibut Bradade - with Meyer Lemon Aioli, Warm Fingerling Potato Salad with Green Olives, Capers and Petite Arugula. $15 Our Signature Pizzetta - Smoked American Prosciutto, Red Flame Grapes, Caramelized Onions, & Cambozola Cheese $15. Salads & Soups Tempura Fried Lobster and Spicy Asian Beef Salad - Mizuna Salad with Daikon Radish, and Coconut-Lime vinaigrette. $18 Winter Endive and Watercress Salad - Candied Walnuts, Poached Pears, Rogue River Blue Cheese, and Pear Vinaigrette. $15 Select Organically Grown Field Greens and Baby Lettuce - with Shaved Marinated Cucumbers and Napa Rose Fresh Herb Vinaigrette. $12 Portobello Mushroom Bisque "Cappuccino" - with Brandied Thyme "Froth". $15 Market Inspired Seasonal Soup - $15 Starters to Share (Please allow 15 min preparation time for these starters as they are made to order!) Seven Sparkling Sins - An Array of Tantalizations Featuring Spicy Beef & Peanut Roll, Curried Crab Taco, Seared Ahi Nacho, Shrimp in Cucumber Wrap with Lemon Dill Creme, Citrus Cured Salmon with a Corn Cake, Tangierine Grilled Scallop, and Grape Leaves Stuffed with Pheasant. For two. $45 The Sizzling Beach Rock - A Combination Appetizer of Garlic Seared Shrimp, Soy Glazed Spare Ribs and Lemon Grass Chicken Skewers cooked on a Hot Beach Stone. For two. $36 Main Courses Thyme Grilled California Swordfish - on Braised Beef Oxtail and Lobster Bubbles. $38 Wine Country Cioppino - Wild Stripe Bass, Sea of Cortez White Shrimp, Snow Crab, in a Hearty Roasted Tomato Broth. $37 Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast - with Marinated Juniper Berries, Fire Roasted Chestnuts, Pancetta, Salsify and Blood Orange Jus. $38 Portobello Mushroom Ravioli - in Sauteed Truffled Sage Brown Butter, Winter Vegetables and Parmigiano-Reggiano. $32 Zinfandel Braised Angus Beef Short Rib - with Risotto of Wild Rice, Pine Nut and Dried Cranberries, with Butternut Squash Sauce. $40 Grilled Petit Filet of Angus Beef - with Crisp Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi, Smoked Bacon, Grilled Onions and a Merlot Jus. $40 Walnut Crusted Mountain Meadows Lamb Rack - with Boneless Braised Lamb Shank, Roasted Parsnips, and Sonoma Mushrooms. $40 Napa Sides Sauteed Market Eggplant - with Yellow Bell Peppers, Toasted Garlic, Pine Nuts and Olive Oil. $10 Truffled "Mac & Cheese" Orecchiette Pasta - with Parmigiano-Reggiano. $12 Roasted Organic Broccoli - with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Tangerine Hollandaise. $10 "The Vintner's Table" A Chef's Tasting Menu inspired by the Bright, Fresh Flavors of Summertime's peak. Four Course Prix Fixe Menu: $85 - Add Flight of Four Wines: $45 (The Vintner's Menu changes every Friday) Manila Clams - Roasted in Our Wood Burning Oven, a Citrus Watercress Salsa and Soria Chorizo - Leek Broth Nora, Albarino, Rias Baixas DO, Galicia, Spain 2007 Sauteed Veal Sweetbreads - with Winter Trumpet Mushrooms, Reggiano-Parmigiano Flan and Port Essence Camille Giroud, Pinot Noir, Gevry-Chambertin Bourgogne 2005 Braised Angus "Beef Pot Roast" - Oven Roasted Local Rainbow Carrots, Scarlet Turnips, in a Rich Zinfandel Essence Robert Biale Vineyards, Zinfandel, Black Chicken, Napa Valley 2007 Baked Crepes filled with Milk Chocolate - topped with Pecan Brittle Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream and Candied Orange Peel Magicale, Brachetto, (Sweet Sparkling Rose) Piemonte DOC, Italy 2006 Napa Rose Desserts S'Mores Pop-over - with toasted marshmallows, peanut butter ice cream, and chocolate sauce $11.00 Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brulee Tart - with marinated raspberries $10.00 Scharffen Berger Chocolate "Truffle Cake" - with Cinnamon Ice Cream. $12.00 Summer Sweet Peach "Sandwich" - Layered with Homemade Fresh Sebastopol Blueberry Sorbet and Honey Biscuit. $10 Sugar Free Citrus Vanilla Italian Custard - Orange Mango Broth and Blueberries. $9 Fresh Homemade Ice Cream or Sorbet -- Single Scoop $3 -- Double Scoop $6 -- Triple Scoop $9

Jim and I opted for the Vinter's Table and had a lovely 4 course meal. We ended up taking home our rabbit since we were so full. Everything was unique that we ate from the anise bread to the lemon meringue napoleon with mango and strawberry confetti to the beet tartare in a cone. 2 1/2 hours later and a full belly, our dinner was over and we headed back to the park for another hour or two. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a fanatastic meal in an intimate setting. It was nice to have some time to ourselves since Jim is always busy with school and the kids are always around. So thanks Julie for watching the kids so we can have some time to ourselves!

Valentine's Day + More

Jim couldn't believe that my last post was about a month ago. He was giving me a hard about it. The truth of the matter is that we didn't really do anything post worthy. It was just our normal day to day life of school, cleaning, and playing. So anyways, I thought I should take the pictures off my camera since Jim's sister, Julie, is coming today to stay for almost two weeks and Jim's dad is coming next week for a week.

Jim and I can't believe how big Elizabeth is getting. She will be 7 months in a couple of days!!! We thought she just looked to "old" in her Valentine's Day dress. She is sweeter than any candy received.

Valentine's Day isn't that big in our house but I always try to do a little something. This year the kids and I made homemade Valentines for Jim they also received candy. Well, Elizabeth didn't. We also always eat fried shrimp for dinner and whatever else I choose to cook with them. This year it was a couscous pilaf and grilled asparagus. As for me, a couple days before V-day, I came home from ballet class and Isaac shouted "Happy Valentine's Day!" He was holding a HUGE heart balloon, some candy and a couple dozen roses. It was so sweet. I don't get too much from Jim and the kids so this meant a TON to me! I could have cared less that V-day was still a few days away.



Isaac is making biscuits. He LOVES to help Jim make them.

After eating at Philippe's for lunch, Isaac responded with this. Anyone from our generation will get it.

Rain, Rain Go Away

After being pounded with weather that flooded homes, caused mudslides tornado damage and high surf, we finally got a breath of fresh air this past weekend. We were so happy to see the sun shining; a sight that wasn't seen for a week and half. It was a welcomed sight since being stuck inside with all the family can cause some tension between everyone. We are spoiled living here and in that week and a half cabin fever was on the rise.

Jim and I decided to enjoy the warm day that was given to us and went on an adventure. First stop was the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. It is an amazing piece of architecture but reminds us if a tin can that has been bent and torn open. Isaac was confused. He thought Mickey and Minnie would be there since it was Disney.

A few blocks away we delved into the old world and went to the Grand Central Market. It was wonderful seeing all the booths set up with fresh produce ready to buy, butchers displaying every type of fresh cut meat you could imagine including pig head and cow intestines. There were also booths with fresh caught fish and many food vendors that included everything from baked goods to fresh made ceviche' to brains to Chinese. I delighted my taste buds with some carnitas that were to die for! The pork was so succulant! Jim and Isaac bought some yummy cookies and pastries. Before we left, we stopped by a produce stand and bought some ripe mangoes, a bundle of asparagus and a bunch of bananas that were the size of my fingers. Jim and I told Isaac they were "Isaac size" bananas.

From the market we drove a few miles for lunch at Phillipe's. They have been on a few food shows and is a classic in downtown L.A. They are the ones who created the very first french dip sandwich and are still serving them. Jim had a beef french dip and I had a pork one. They were both very good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Another thing that they are known for are their purple eggs. They are hard boiled eggs pickled in vinegar and beet juice. I was interested, so I tried one. Not bad if you like beets and things pickles. Nonetheless, I don't think I could eat that everyday or a lot of them in one sitting.

With our bellies full and the mid-afternoon sun shining, there was only one more logical place to go next. you guessed it, Disneyland. Isaac was asking all day if we could go but we never said yes. He fell asleep in the car on the way there and when he woke up, you would think that the kids has NEVER been there before. He was SO excited!!!! After riding a few rides, watching the parade and the fireworks, it was time to call it a day or should I say night. It was a great day to get out and enjoy the weather plus we all had a great time hanging out together.

What's New for Disney

Disney: What's New for 2010

Also click here to see the new Disney Resort in Hawaii

Coconut Milk and Banana Bread?

I had some bananas that I needed to make into bread otherwise they would need to go in the trash. Since I hate wasting food I decided to make banana muffins but I added a twist to the normal recipe: I added coconut and coconut milk. The result? Moist, chewy muffins with toasted coconut on top! Here is the recipe.


Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins with Coconut
2 1/2 C all purpose flour
2 1/2 C whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamon (you can use ground ginger as a substitute)
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
2 C sugar
6 large, smashed bananas over ripe
1 can coconut milk ( I like "Taste of Thai")
4 tbs butter, room temp
4 tbs unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp vanilla (I always add more)
1 bag (7 oz) sweetened, grated coconut
1-2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips (depends on your liking)
1 bag (7 oz) sweetened, shredded coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine both flours, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamon (or ginger) and salt. In another bowl, wisk together sugar and eggs until they are combined and smooth and then whisk in the bananas, coconut milk, butter, applesauce, vanilla. Once that is all mixed well, add the grated coconut and the chocolate chips and combine. Now add the wet mixture to the dry mixture mixing with a spoon making sure that all the dry ingredients are incorporated into the wet mixture. Using a 1/3 cup, fill the cup with the mixture and add to the baking cups in the cupcake pan. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded coconut on top of each muffin. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until top if firm, coconut is toasted and testing stick comes out clean or with just chocolate on it. Yields: 44 muffins.

Cheese Balls

I seriously LOVE cheese balls! Well, good cheese balls anyway. I am talking about the kind that used to come in the blue tin with "Cheez Balls" written on it. Well, I haven't seen that tin in probably 10 years and when I was pregnant with Elizabeth, this is one of the things I craved yet couldn't find. Well, a couple of weeks ago Jim was grocery shopping at Ralph's when he came across huge containers (look hard on the bed by the blue pillow) of Herr's Cheese Balls so knowing how much I love them, he bought me a container and surprised me with it. Being the skeptic, I almost didn't even want to try them since all of the cheese ball wannabes that I have tried failed miserably compared to the precious ones in the little blue tin. However I did try them and low an behold they tasted EXACTLY like the blue tin ones!!!! Wooo Hooo!! I naturally went and bought another container.

Well, about a week ago and no cheese balls in the house, Jim buys one more and we hied it Isaac's room on a high shelf in the back of his closet. Out of sight, out of mind, you know? Well, today I had my friend Serene over and she brought her daughter Sydney to play with Isaac. As Serene and I were talking in the living room, we can hear the kids playing nicely in the bedroom. An hour later when it is time for them to go home, this is what we find. We now have to children with oompa loompa hands and 1/3 of the cheese balls unaccounted for, which means they are in their bellies. They other 2/3s are all over them, the bed and the floor. They were in heaven and thought it was the greatest thing. So naturally I had to take a couple of pictures and a video before I cleaned them up, stripped the bed of the bedding so I can wash it and vacuum the floor. What sneaky children I tell you and I still don't know how Isaac found them to begin with.

Last Chance for Fun

Last weekend we decided to do one more fun thing as a family before Jim gets his head stuck in books and then off to an internship. Since Disney was still continuing the extended discount to season pass holders, we decided it would be fun to have a "vacation" at the Disneyland Hotel. We originally were looking at the hotels across the street from the park but when we found out that we had a 40% discount and with that discount it was only a few dollars more, we decided to stay there. It was a FANTASTIC choice! We were able to check in at 10:30am so we had all day to play around the hotel and hang out in the room since we weren't in any hurry to get to the park. Isaac said he liked his "new Disney house." Since the weather was fabulous, in the high 70''s, low 80's, we decided to take the kids swimming in the Neverland Pool. Isaac thought it was the greatest thing to go sliding down the slide and jump in from the side of the pool. He was quite disappointed when it was time to go back up and change. Elizabeth could care less about the pool. She took a quick dip and then fell asleep in the warm sun.

After a swim and a change we headed off to the park for a couple of hours and then went to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. This was so much fun. Both kids thought it was great to have all the characters come and visit you personally at your table while you were eating. Also, every half and hour Isaac was able to go to the buffet section and cook and dance with Goofy. Besides seeing a TON of characters, Isaac loved eating the worms in the dirt for dessert.

Elizabeth fell asleep after dinner so I stayed back in the hotel with her while Jim and Isaac hit the park one last time before bedtime. It was great because I was able to watch the firework show from my balcony and the tv had a station that played the firework music as well. I was excited for this fireworks show in particular because it is my favorite. They did it about 4 or 5 years ago and are bringing it back for the park's 55 anniversary this year. FYI: The actual birthday of Disneyland is July 17Th.

After checking out, we spent the next day in the park and had a great time. Isaac and I were lucky enough to be able to sit with the drivers of the steam train, something very few people know you can do. We were shown the fire in the train and I can say I have NEVER seen such Strong, bright flames in my life! The drivers were 2 cute old men who loved telling me Disney trivia and of course I didn't mind, but they also let Isaac ring the bell every time we were coming to a train station.

After looking at the pictures below, you might notice that something is missing. Well, that would be the water in the River of America. That is right, they drained all the water. I have never seen that done and I guess they do it every 5 years to do maintenance on the track and the boats. Both Jim and I thought it was pretty cool looking but it smelled like fermenting fish.

We had such a great time as a family and it actually felt like a vacation since we were able to rest at a hotel instead of driving home after a long day with the mouse. With 2 children passed out in the stroller while waiting for the parade to start, Jim and I started talking about our only regret. I wish we were able to stay for 2 nights instead of 1 however, this was a great, fun splurge and we created a bunch a family memories.

Celebrity Update

On Wednesday, The Biggest Loser came to Pepperdine to shoot a challenge in the pool. I was able to see Allison Sweeny, the host of BL and the contestants. It was a big production with all the film crew there. The challenge was that the contestants had to dive down and retrieve their colored balls at he bottom of the pool and put them aside. The first team to do that, won. There were 10 teams I believe that were there and I can tell you that they must have asked some teams back because some that aren't on the ranch now according to what is now airing were apart of the challenge on Wednesday. I am looking forward to watching it on tv.

Also, last night we went to dinner at Malibu Seafood on PCH and I had the most delicious Ahi burger but that is not why I am mentioning our dinner. While Jim and Isaac were waiting down in the market for our food to be ready, Elizabeth and I were in the covered patio up on the hill when I noticed an older lady with short brown curly hair that I recognized. She was talking to me out of concern for Elizabeth because she thought it might be too breezy for her, which it wasn't. But anyways, it is driving me mad because I can't remember what I have seen her in or what her name is. I have tried to google it, but I don't have much to google. I wish Jim would have seen her so he could help me.