My Birthday Trip to LA!

As part of my birthday present, Riyoko and Cory gave me a weekend to LA to be with Riyoko, all expenses paid (Cory is in Philly)!  This was a short trip but full of fun and food and more food!

I arrived in LA about 7:30pm Friday evening with Riyoko picking me up and going off to dinner at this great burger place and we had deep-fried pickles (yummy), burgers and Riyoko ordered Duck-Fat fries which I had never heard of but they were delicious - it's potatoes deep-fried in duck fat - it's a heart attack waiting to happen but I only ate a couple!

Got to the house about 10:00 and I had a cocktail and Riyoko showed me the baby's room with all of the stuff that they got from her friends who have already had their children so the kids don't need to buy any of the large items which is super - we are going to buy them silver bars and will continue to on each birthday along with the little things.  Their house isn't that large so they have to be careful as to how much "stuff" they collect!  I also had a chance to play with Crash & Burn since I did miss my puppies!

The next morning we went to brunch and baby shopping and baby shopping looking and I couldn't believe how many new items that are out 'course it was 42 years ago that I was pregnant!

Our last stop was a doggie store called Barks & Bitches which has everything one could ever desire for their dogs.  The girl who owns it, a friend of Riyoko's, also fosters puppies and I had so much fun playing with them all - there was a puppy who looked exactly like Charlie and I would've loved to bring him home but I have enough!  Needless to say, I smelled very doggy when we got back to the house!

Riyoko had a chance to get rested up for dinner with her parents, Osako and Hiroshi!  I also got a tour of her garden and she has planted everything and a veggie called Soral which is a large lettuce-looking leaf with a lemony taste.  I brought some home to put in my salad this evening.

The Tanaka's arrived about 5:00 and we left to look in one more baby store and then off to a true Italian Restaurant for dinner!  Instead of everyone ordering one meal, Riyoko ordered several items which we shared - two pizzas (they were small), a baked fish, deep-fried calamari which is the best I have ever had, Rigatoni with a bolognese sauce, and another pasta dish which I can't remember!  Everything was so delicious and I definitely did not leave hungry.

A wonderful evening had by all and early to bed!  

The next morning we got up and off to brunch, more food, and had our meal outside because it was so nice and then we walked Larchmont Street which has so many quaint stores (including more baby stores) and a fantastic Farmer's Market - wish we had those beautiful veggies here.

Then off to the airport at 1:30 and home by 4:30!

The weather was really damp or humid in the morning and evening and that was so cold for me and my hair felt like cotton candy so I did wear a hat the entire time!

Yes, it was short but so much fun and I was glad to be away from Las Vegas!  Now it's time to diet - I'm not used to eating that much food!