Shan's Blog
August 28, 2008
August 28, 2008
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Shan's Yelps Bridget's Weekly Meal - I make her "real food"! just like I do for my husband she is part of the family after all! Downtown LA Bridget's First Lunch "Out" |
| Look at these 2 sleeping so nicely together! 3-30. BFF's. You'd think we bought the pillow for Bandit! : ) |
all pictures copyright 2008
shannonvasquez.com shannon
vasquez. please respect my
property. I don't have much.
Thank you.
shannonvasquez.com shannon
vasquez. please respect my
property. I don't have much.
Thank you.
In memory.
Welcome Angelenic Readers!
Thanks to my cyber bud weezermonkey
Thanks to my cyber bud weezermonkey
August 28 - 2008 What an August….. a FIDM event, 2 funerals, a lost doggie, a b-day and an anniversary.
I have been busy and experiencing a lot of emotions. I strive to keep sadness and negativity from my blog, so I thought it best to
take a break. Thank goodness for my birthday and anniversary to cheer me up! I am feeling the LOVE now! Thank you! And with
one more celebration party to go this Sunday at my new favorite place, The San Antonio Winery, it is certainly a great way to finish
a memorable August 08. Thank you for all the happy email and card wishes! I had a good celebration despite the circumstances.
All the details are below.... My man is the BEST and spoiled me for 4 whole days. Check out my 18 year anniversary roses, YES, I
said 18! The time has flown by though. G snuck out early Monday Morning and brought these back for me along with breakfast in
bed!
August 25 – Happy Anniversary to us! 18 super fun, fast and filled years. Can’t wait to see what the next 18 have in store for us.
No doubt we will share it all together.
We celebrated with an early dinner at Wokano followed by a shopping trip to Macy’s. Wokano - WOW! I started with a Lychee
Martini which was to die for. G was in heaven with Stella on draft. Our server Maggie was a doll and treated us to a glass of
bubbly to toast our 18 years! We can’t wait to go back, the atmosphere is so my style. Very subdued and even kind of dark with
windows that you can see out but the outside can’t see in. The window seat made for great people watching. I went for Baked
Green Mussels, Sashimi Salad and the Eel and Avocado Roll. Phenomenal flavors, but the salad was my absolute favorite. It had
seaweed mixed in and yummy little sprouts and the dressing was perfect. We can’t wait to go back for Happy Hour which from
what I remember starts at 3 with great drink and sushi specials. I heart sushi!
Window seat, Lychee Martini, Stella on draft and an orchid on the table!
Mixed Sashimi Salad with gingery garlicy dressing
Eel Avocado Roll - Perfect!
Macy’s was fun! G helped me pick out 2 little omelet pans, a nylon spatula, a slotted metal spatula, a lemon ZESTER!! WOO HOO!
And a shower curtain, very exciting! A great birthday anniversary weekend! Thank you for all the love!!!!
AUGUST 23 – Happy B-day to me.
Although the day was somber,we managed to squeeze a few smiles out! I feel good, positive and full of life! My Aunt's services
were very special, a family reunion “of sorts”, and I got the pleasure of being wished Happy Birthday in person by more members
of my family than I normally would have. Then we all go to visit Grandpa's grave since she was buried near him. It was a
gorgeous Sunny Summer day with a perfectly calming breeze soothing us all. Afterward, it was a first to have lunch with my dad,
L, my sissy and her 2 “babies” and my cousin and gf. We had a street taco fiesta feast at Chuy's and toasted my birthday and our
lost Aunt. Here are a few fun pics of my sissy and the little ones. We made the most of the day and the circumstances and were
glad to be together and alive!
little giggles BIG giggles Little Giggles took these....I thought they were cool....
Blue Moon cruised without incident and as we cruised home we couldn't help but think that Aunt Val probably rode in that car! A
nice feeling. I also found out that morning that they put my Grandma's dog down early that morning. Buck was a fun loving white
lab who has been with our family since he was a puppy, I'd guess he was about 15 or older! He went blind and lived like that for
many years, his health just deteriorated too much and it was his time. My Uncle and Cousin took very good care of Buck Boy.
We'll miss you Bucky! When we finally got home, G and I had a nice quiet delivered meal including Tiramisu!! Even after that
“pick me up”, I slept well. A long day....... The celebration will continue tomorrow and beyond.
August 22 - - - TGIF!!
We got an early start on my b-day celebration at this cute Japanese place in the Japanese Village. It's called Joy Mart. The
lunch special here is a deal where you can choose 2 items for $7.95 or 3 for $9.95. The portions are huge and the presentation
was spot on. I know I took pictures, but they are not on my camera….. weird…. Now we DEFINITELY have to go back! All 3 of us
got the Sweet Chili Shrimp Bowl which actually came with little scallops as well and was super good, really light chili flavor. Two
of us got the Spicy Tuna Roll which was#! Fresh! And #2 LOADED! And I got the California Salad which had so much REAL crab I
couldn’t eat it all! Tons of fresh avo too! Yum yum to my tum-tum! G got the Chicken Teriyaki (he only had 2 items!). Everything
came with Miso Soup and Baby Spring Salad and they have Saporro on draft. Now that we know the set up we’ll have to all order
something different next time and share bowlies!
FRIDAY!! 08-08-08! Woo Hoo! The Olympics start tonight the pole at lunch was.... Raiders or Olympics, since I was with more men
than women, the Raiders won out. We lunched at Madelena at the San Antonio Winery, my first visit and my new favorite
downtown!
If you haven’t been to the San Antonio Winery restaurant and you live downtown, you are missing out. We had such a great lunch
and I can’t wait to take other people there for their first time. First off there was LIVE music at lunch! The atmosphere is calming
and the wait staff are super attentive. It is a family run and operated place and you feel it, it is a L.A. institution. They have a great
“gift/wine shop” where I got a nice bottle of Sake to commemorate the visit. I guess I should have gotten some of their wine, but
since I had the Japanese salad, I went for the sake which I forget how much I love! I l serve it chilled and enjoyed my little bottle
over the weekend. So, this salad… It was chilled Soba noodles with seaweed and carrots, gorgeously seared Ahi which was still
warm! I loved loved loved it! It had some sort of almost “creamy” dressing tossed with the noodles and was served with a side of
a soy/ponzu style dressing. Our group also ordered and enjoyed the Steak Sandwich, Spaghetti and HUGE Meatballs,Turkey
Sandwich with coleslaw (which I got to try since I‘m the coleslaw snob of the world - it was classic style), and one more hot dish I
can't remember..... G got the Chicken Caesar Salad and was happy happy.
My Seared Ahi Salad.... AMAZING!
The "GIFT Shop"!!
The restaurant is set up where you look at all the dishes available, see my pictures below, then you order and the cute little lady
gives you a tray with your item labeled in a little “frame” that way when they bring your food to the table, they know exactly where
it goes! Imagine a high end Carl’s Jr. style number system. It is a cozy restaurant as far as the atmosphere goes, but there is a
lot of energy buzzing at all the tables. There were hipsters, artists, business men, tourists, all enjoying a lazy Friday afternoon
together. I really enjoyed the vibe.
Previewing the dishes! You gotta love it!
Our drink selections Ordering, you can choose little tapas/salads here
The Gated Parking Entrance Can't wait to check out breakfast!
Another highlight of the afternoon, carpooling in our classics! His was just a bit older than mine!
This shot is going over the bridge on the way to the winery. It's in a funky location, but it is an oasis of it's own! Go check it out.
I have been busy and experiencing a lot of emotions. I strive to keep sadness and negativity from my blog, so I thought it best to
take a break. Thank goodness for my birthday and anniversary to cheer me up! I am feeling the LOVE now! Thank you! And with
one more celebration party to go this Sunday at my new favorite place, The San Antonio Winery, it is certainly a great way to finish
a memorable August 08. Thank you for all the happy email and card wishes! I had a good celebration despite the circumstances.
All the details are below.... My man is the BEST and spoiled me for 4 whole days. Check out my 18 year anniversary roses, YES, I
said 18! The time has flown by though. G snuck out early Monday Morning and brought these back for me along with breakfast in
bed!
August 25 – Happy Anniversary to us! 18 super fun, fast and filled years. Can’t wait to see what the next 18 have in store for us.
No doubt we will share it all together.
We celebrated with an early dinner at Wokano followed by a shopping trip to Macy’s. Wokano - WOW! I started with a Lychee
Martini which was to die for. G was in heaven with Stella on draft. Our server Maggie was a doll and treated us to a glass of
bubbly to toast our 18 years! We can’t wait to go back, the atmosphere is so my style. Very subdued and even kind of dark with
windows that you can see out but the outside can’t see in. The window seat made for great people watching. I went for Baked
Green Mussels, Sashimi Salad and the Eel and Avocado Roll. Phenomenal flavors, but the salad was my absolute favorite. It had
seaweed mixed in and yummy little sprouts and the dressing was perfect. We can’t wait to go back for Happy Hour which from
what I remember starts at 3 with great drink and sushi specials. I heart sushi!
Window seat, Lychee Martini, Stella on draft and an orchid on the table!
Mixed Sashimi Salad with gingery garlicy dressing
Eel Avocado Roll - Perfect!
Macy’s was fun! G helped me pick out 2 little omelet pans, a nylon spatula, a slotted metal spatula, a lemon ZESTER!! WOO HOO!
And a shower curtain, very exciting! A great birthday anniversary weekend! Thank you for all the love!!!!
AUGUST 23 – Happy B-day to me.
Although the day was somber,we managed to squeeze a few smiles out! I feel good, positive and full of life! My Aunt's services
were very special, a family reunion “of sorts”, and I got the pleasure of being wished Happy Birthday in person by more members
of my family than I normally would have. Then we all go to visit Grandpa's grave since she was buried near him. It was a
gorgeous Sunny Summer day with a perfectly calming breeze soothing us all. Afterward, it was a first to have lunch with my dad,
L, my sissy and her 2 “babies” and my cousin and gf. We had a street taco fiesta feast at Chuy's and toasted my birthday and our
lost Aunt. Here are a few fun pics of my sissy and the little ones. We made the most of the day and the circumstances and were
glad to be together and alive!
little giggles BIG giggles Little Giggles took these....I thought they were cool....
Blue Moon cruised without incident and as we cruised home we couldn't help but think that Aunt Val probably rode in that car! A
nice feeling. I also found out that morning that they put my Grandma's dog down early that morning. Buck was a fun loving white
lab who has been with our family since he was a puppy, I'd guess he was about 15 or older! He went blind and lived like that for
many years, his health just deteriorated too much and it was his time. My Uncle and Cousin took very good care of Buck Boy.
We'll miss you Bucky! When we finally got home, G and I had a nice quiet delivered meal including Tiramisu!! Even after that
“pick me up”, I slept well. A long day....... The celebration will continue tomorrow and beyond.
August 22 - - - TGIF!!
We got an early start on my b-day celebration at this cute Japanese place in the Japanese Village. It's called Joy Mart. The
lunch special here is a deal where you can choose 2 items for $7.95 or 3 for $9.95. The portions are huge and the presentation
was spot on. I know I took pictures, but they are not on my camera….. weird…. Now we DEFINITELY have to go back! All 3 of us
got the Sweet Chili Shrimp Bowl which actually came with little scallops as well and was super good, really light chili flavor. Two
of us got the Spicy Tuna Roll which was#! Fresh! And #2 LOADED! And I got the California Salad which had so much REAL crab I
couldn’t eat it all! Tons of fresh avo too! Yum yum to my tum-tum! G got the Chicken Teriyaki (he only had 2 items!). Everything
came with Miso Soup and Baby Spring Salad and they have Saporro on draft. Now that we know the set up we’ll have to all order
something different next time and share bowlies!
FRIDAY!! 08-08-08! Woo Hoo! The Olympics start tonight the pole at lunch was.... Raiders or Olympics, since I was with more men
than women, the Raiders won out. We lunched at Madelena at the San Antonio Winery, my first visit and my new favorite
downtown!
If you haven’t been to the San Antonio Winery restaurant and you live downtown, you are missing out. We had such a great lunch
and I can’t wait to take other people there for their first time. First off there was LIVE music at lunch! The atmosphere is calming
and the wait staff are super attentive. It is a family run and operated place and you feel it, it is a L.A. institution. They have a great
“gift/wine shop” where I got a nice bottle of Sake to commemorate the visit. I guess I should have gotten some of their wine, but
since I had the Japanese salad, I went for the sake which I forget how much I love! I l serve it chilled and enjoyed my little bottle
over the weekend. So, this salad… It was chilled Soba noodles with seaweed and carrots, gorgeously seared Ahi which was still
warm! I loved loved loved it! It had some sort of almost “creamy” dressing tossed with the noodles and was served with a side of
a soy/ponzu style dressing. Our group also ordered and enjoyed the Steak Sandwich, Spaghetti and HUGE Meatballs,Turkey
Sandwich with coleslaw (which I got to try since I‘m the coleslaw snob of the world - it was classic style), and one more hot dish I
can't remember..... G got the Chicken Caesar Salad and was happy happy.
My Seared Ahi Salad.... AMAZING!
The "GIFT Shop"!!
The restaurant is set up where you look at all the dishes available, see my pictures below, then you order and the cute little lady
gives you a tray with your item labeled in a little “frame” that way when they bring your food to the table, they know exactly where
it goes! Imagine a high end Carl’s Jr. style number system. It is a cozy restaurant as far as the atmosphere goes, but there is a
lot of energy buzzing at all the tables. There were hipsters, artists, business men, tourists, all enjoying a lazy Friday afternoon
together. I really enjoyed the vibe.
Previewing the dishes! You gotta love it!
Our drink selections Ordering, you can choose little tapas/salads here
The Gated Parking Entrance Can't wait to check out breakfast!
Another highlight of the afternoon, carpooling in our classics! His was just a bit older than mine!
This shot is going over the bridge on the way to the winery. It's in a funky location, but it is an oasis of it's own! Go check it out.
