Showing posts with label eat and drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eat and drink. Show all posts
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Mustard Seed Cafe - Sunday morning breakfast
We tried Mustard Seed Cafe in Los Feliz for breakfast this morning.Mustard Seed Cafe
1948 Hillhurst Ave
Los Feliz, CA 90027
Highlight
The highlight was the kid friendly restaurant with white butcher paper on the tables for kids to use their crayons to draw and color, and the kid pancake entree. For something like $2.25 kids get a big pancake (takes up the whole plate) with fresh strawberries and bananas on top (just plain with no unnecessary sweet sauces added). Perfect for Astrid.
(Another LA restaurant charged me $3.50 for Astrid's jello. So $2.25 for a healthy kid breakfast is a good deal in Los Angeles.)
Organic & Healthy
There were many organic ingredients and healthy selections on the menu. In fact I even think they spell out "all egg white" omelets (unlike diners that always give us the puzzled look when we ask for it, or charge us more which we always agree to do for the sake of our arteries and waist lines).
You can say that again
Oh and then U. and I were called "kids" by the waiter. "And what would you kids likes like to order?" The waiter deserved a big tip just for that comment, since recently my ego took a bruising when I was called "Mom" by a random sales lady. (Of course I was with Astrid...but still! Made me think of elastic high water jeans with white tennis shoes. I'm NOT that mom.)
Low Point
U. said the coffee was gawd awful and did not enjoy his food. He said his food was just all around terrible. Weird since my omelet was fine. Not great, but fine. I enjoyed Astrid's pancake more than my entree.
Will we go back?
Not sure. Maybe if it's just Astrid and I. But it wouldn't be our first choice. On Hillhurst we usually go to Home or Alcove, but we're always trying out different places. (That Vegan restaurant on Hillhurst is also good for lunch or dinner.) We're always on the quest for a good breakfast place - good coffee, good food, organic preferred and easy going with the kid. So the weekend quest for a good breakfast cafe continues.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Chef Ramsey's Restaurant (New York)
Being in NY was the perfect opportunity to try Chef Ramsey's restaurant.
Astrid looking at our table arrangement - a floating rose. (The only flower Astrid know is rose, and she also knows it's mama's name.) It was funny to see her sniff the rose.
Decor is rather cold (which I wouldn't have expected from Chef Ramsey) with lots of mirrors and glass on the far side wall. It's not a place you want to hang out in for hours. It's an obviously sophisticated restaurant where you go just for the food and wine despite the cold decor.
The revolving panels however are a nice touch. Lunch has one side of the panel with a soft green, and the other side of the panel has a dark design for dinner service.
The food was excellent. All courses had small but delicious dishes. The food makes me want to come back for dinner.
The service was good, they clear plates away quickly and the food was prompt, but we had to ask them to refill our water glasses.
Be forewarned about the champagne. They bring out a rolling champagne cart in case you're interested in trying the champagne. The vintage champagne I had was $46...a glass...gulp (literally).
Gourmet cheese cart.
While eating, I couldn't help replaying Hell's Kitchen episodes in my head.
Here Astrid and I are standing outside the restaurant.
(I later read that the restaurant picked up another Michelin star for 2 stars.)
Astrid looking at our table arrangement - a floating rose. (The only flower Astrid know is rose, and she also knows it's mama's name.) It was funny to see her sniff the rose.Decor is rather cold (which I wouldn't have expected from Chef Ramsey) with lots of mirrors and glass on the far side wall. It's not a place you want to hang out in for hours. It's an obviously sophisticated restaurant where you go just for the food and wine despite the cold decor.The revolving panels however are a nice touch. Lunch has one side of the panel with a soft green, and the other side of the panel has a dark design for dinner service.
The food was excellent. All courses had small but delicious dishes. The food makes me want to come back for dinner.
The service was good, they clear plates away quickly and the food was prompt, but we had to ask them to refill our water glasses.
Be forewarned about the champagne. They bring out a rolling champagne cart in case you're interested in trying the champagne. The vintage champagne I had was $46...a glass...gulp (literally).
Gourmet cheese cart.While eating, I couldn't help replaying Hell's Kitchen episodes in my head.
Here Astrid and I are standing outside the restaurant.(I later read that the restaurant picked up another Michelin star for 2 stars.)
Monday, September 24, 2007
Cafe Gitane (lunch in Soho)
This restaurant is a block away from our apartment in Soho and was highly recommended. We had tried to go there yesterday, but it was completely full and there were people waiting outside for a table. So this morning we went back for a late breakfast/lunch and although it was still busy, we were able to get a table right away. 
Astrid sipping her milk.
Food was okay and it seems to be a popular place where the locals go. The service was a bit spotty. The waitresses and hostesses look like they'd rather be working in a nightclub.
When we entered the restaurant I asked if they had a highchair and they said yes. But when no chair appeared, I asked again and was told they didn't have any highchairs. Weird. Luckily Astrid was okay with sitting on her knees on a chair through breakfast.
When we left, a man (the owner or restaurant manager perhaps) gave Astrid a miniature toy camera in a small cloth bag embossed with "Cafe Gitane" on it. It looks like a camera, but it's really a viewfinder with animals that you can see when you look into it and the picture changes when you click the button. Really cool toy! He said he was giving it to her because she was such a good baby.
I'm not sure if I'd go back. It was okay, but nothing special and the waitresses were too cool to wait on tables so the service suffered. But I did like the toy! It's Astrid's favorite toy at the moment.
Astrid sipping her milk.Food was okay and it seems to be a popular place where the locals go. The service was a bit spotty. The waitresses and hostesses look like they'd rather be working in a nightclub.
When we entered the restaurant I asked if they had a highchair and they said yes. But when no chair appeared, I asked again and was told they didn't have any highchairs. Weird. Luckily Astrid was okay with sitting on her knees on a chair through breakfast.
When we left, a man (the owner or restaurant manager perhaps) gave Astrid a miniature toy camera in a small cloth bag embossed with "Cafe Gitane" on it. It looks like a camera, but it's really a viewfinder with animals that you can see when you look into it and the picture changes when you click the button. Really cool toy! He said he was giving it to her because she was such a good baby.
I'm not sure if I'd go back. It was okay, but nothing special and the waitresses were too cool to wait on tables so the service suffered. But I did like the toy! It's Astrid's favorite toy at the moment.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Le Jardin Bistro (Brunch in Soho)
Le Jardin Bistro won awards for best outdoor & most romantic restaurant in Soho, got rave reviews, and was within walking distance from where we were. Decision made. 
It's a quaint little French bistro with an outdoor garden/patio dining area. The outdoor area is tucked away in the back and not visible from the street.
The restaurant doesn't look like much from the street. If we weren't looking for it, we might have walked right past it.
The grape vine canopy overhead provides shade so it's comfortable (and fun to look up and see grapes hanging above you). It felt like eating in someone's backyard garden - cozy!
We ordered:
Endive Salad
With Apples, Walnuts & Roquefort Cheese
Profiterolles
It's a quaint little French bistro with an outdoor garden/patio dining area. The outdoor area is tucked away in the back and not visible from the street.The restaurant doesn't look like much from the street. If we weren't looking for it, we might have walked right past it.
The grape vine canopy overhead provides shade so it's comfortable (and fun to look up and see grapes hanging above you). It felt like eating in someone's backyard garden - cozy!
There are ceramic frogs everywhere. In the garden and on display. I guess it's a play on the "French" being called frogs.
The food was quite good and we all loved sitting in the garden having brunch.
We ordered:
Endive Salad
With Apples, Walnuts & Roquefort Cheese
Smoked Herring
Marinated Fillets Served Over Warm Potatoes
Croque Monsieur Pommes Frites et Salade
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
(Only complaint I have is I asked if this sandwich was a true French style Croque Monsieur - which I love - and was told yes it was. When it came it was an American style ham and cheese sandwich. Definitely not what I ate in Paris. But still tasty.)
Profiterolles
Vanilla Ice Cream in Puff Pastry Smothered in Chocolate Sauce
(We asked for the chocolate sauce on the side.)
Mimosas
Port (with dessert)
Summary
(We asked for the chocolate sauce on the side.)
Mimosas
Port (with dessert)
Summary
Good food, champagne and port.
If we're ever back in Soho we will make a return visit for sure.
If we're ever back in Soho we will make a return visit for sure.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wine Tasting at Sweet Pea's Winery
Along the side of the road on the way to our cottage, we spotted a winery which had a big sign posted out front about a free wine tasting which caught our eye. So we said today was the day to head over there and check it out before our afternoon nap.
The winery is called Sweet Pea's Winery (located 10 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor on Route 3).
They have a selection of red wines, white wines, and fruit wines. I enjoyed a number of them but sadly we were limited on what we could bring back with us, so we settled for a bottle of apple wine and blueberry ale.
I asked if we could have wines shipped to us and was told by the owner that this was something they are working on and hope to have it in place by next year (possibly). I don't know what's so difficult about contacting Fed Ex and setting up a page on their website, but c'est la vie it's Maine and they move at a different pace here.
Above are some photos of their "cozy farmhouse gift shop" from their website. The fresh flowers were grown on the farm.
Astrid and I sitting on a rock next to the vineyard.
Astrid's ready to check out the grapes (which she eats daily when we're back at home).
It was fun showing her where grapes come from and how they grow. This is the first time she's walked through a vineyard.
Studying Trauben (grapes).
A whole new appreciation of grapes.
Astrid wants to eat a grape. She's saying, "Grape!"
As you can see from U's expression - they were not edible.
Father and daughter surrounded by vines and grapes. 
"Sour grapes!"
All done exploring the vineyard, and ready for her nap back at the cottage.
The winery is called Sweet Pea's Winery (located 10 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor on Route 3).They have a selection of red wines, white wines, and fruit wines. I enjoyed a number of them but sadly we were limited on what we could bring back with us, so we settled for a bottle of apple wine and blueberry ale.
I asked if we could have wines shipped to us and was told by the owner that this was something they are working on and hope to have it in place by next year (possibly). I don't know what's so difficult about contacting Fed Ex and setting up a page on their website, but c'est la vie it's Maine and they move at a different pace here.
Above are some photos of their "cozy farmhouse gift shop" from their website. The fresh flowers were grown on the farm.
Astrid and I sitting on a rock next to the vineyard.
Astrid's ready to check out the grapes (which she eats daily when we're back at home).
It was fun showing her where grapes come from and how they grow. This is the first time she's walked through a vineyard.
Studying Trauben (grapes).
A whole new appreciation of grapes. Astrid wants to eat a grape. She's saying, "Grape!" As you can see from U's expression - they were not edible.Father and daughter surrounded by vines and grapes. "Sour grapes!"Happy to be running around in the vineyard.
I love this photo with Astrid in the distance running. It's very metaphoric for our life as parents, constantly keeping an eye on, and chasing after our toddler.
My vineyard fairy.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Cocktails at Inn by the Harbor & Dinner at Galyn's
After we turned in our bikes, we headed over to the Inn by the Harbor for some cocktails before dinner. It's an inn and restaurant perched on a hill with a magnificent ocean view. The obvious lure is the outside seating at the edge of the hill (which closes as soon as it gets dark - which we found out last night).
Astrid munched on some crackers and then wanted to feed the pigeons. Unfortunately the pigeons kept flying away, so we walked up by the inn and found some seagulls. One in particular was squawking like crazy. Astrid tried to feed it some of her crackers but either it wasn't hungry, or it didn't understand what she was tossing on the floor was food.
Now Astrid knows the word for "seagull" and she can do a pretty good impersonation of a seagull squawk too. Then she says, "somebody", because she remembers the seagull was probably looking for "somebody" (i.e., another seagull).
Astrid munched on some crackers and then wanted to feed the pigeons. Unfortunately the pigeons kept flying away, so we walked up by the inn and found some seagulls. One in particular was squawking like crazy. Astrid tried to feed it some of her crackers but either it wasn't hungry, or it didn't understand what she was tossing on the floor was food.Now Astrid knows the word for "seagull" and she can do a pretty good impersonation of a seagull squawk too. Then she says, "somebody", because she remembers the seagull was probably looking for "somebody" (i.e., another seagull).
Galyn's
17 Main Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-9706
Since we were there early with the baby, U. was able to take advantage of the early bird special for their lobster dinner. Fresh delicious lobster dinner for around $16. Can't beat that! It's best to make reservations because they get pretty busy at dinner time.
Maine - Day 4 - Jeannie's Breakfast
Astrid slept in until 10:00 this morning. She must have needed the sleep and/or she loved sleeping in the full sized adult bed all by herself.
When we got to the cabin we saw that the pack n' play was an infant sized one and way too small for Astrid, but they didn't have anything bigger. So as an alternative solution the owner brought over a child's bed rail that we put on the side of the double bed, and then we created a barrier around the bed with a folded table and the pack n' play. Were were worried that Astrid would not want to sleep there by herself and would get out, but she slept soundly all night long. (U. and I discussed starting to shop for a big girl bed for Astrid soon.)
We found a great little breakfast place in downtown Bar Harbor called Jeannie's Breakfast. They only serve breakfast and if it's just coffee you want, they'll send you on your way to a coffee shop down the street.
Jeannie's Breakfast
15 Cottage Street (at Bayside Landing)
Bar Harbor, Maine
I read some reviewers saying the restaurant is open until 1 PM, however they were getting ready to close up shop when we got there at noon. When our waitress got the a-okay from the kitchen that the grill was still on, we were able to order and were the last diners that morning. So it pays to get there early as the restaurant closes around noonish depending on the breakfast traffic.
Astrid getting a morning kiss from Papa.
If you go to their website, under "about us" you can read all the short stories about Maine that they have on the tables (like the one above about the bears - The Story of Amos and Andrea).
This was the best breakfast we've had in awhile. They serve homemade oatmeal bread and strawberry rhubarb jam (which was so delicious we bought a jar to take home with us). They also have healthy menu items, including vegetarian and vegan selections, and will make your omelets with egg whites only for a small charge.
Our omelets were excellent! U. got the Greek omelet and I got the garden omelet.
Garden Omelet
3 Egg Omelet filled with Sauteed Onions, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and choice of Cheese. Served with Home Fries and Homemade Toast. $8.49
We also shared an order of blueberry pancakes with homemade whipped cream. Oh so yummy.
There was no wait either. We were seated promptly, the service was down home and friendly (we saw the owner Jeannie working there), and our food arrived fairly quickly. They're also a kid friendly restaurant (see the kid cup they gave Astrid above).
She doesn't want to drink out of her sippy cup anymore. She'll still drink out of it when she has to, but she'd much rather drink out of a regular cup now (she knows the drill - "both hands"), or out of these kid cups. The kid cups keep her entertained (she loves the straw), and I don't have to keep a hawk eye on her to make sure she doesn't spill her drink.
After breakfast we're going to rent bikes with a child seat to go riding with Astrid.
When we got to the cabin we saw that the pack n' play was an infant sized one and way too small for Astrid, but they didn't have anything bigger. So as an alternative solution the owner brought over a child's bed rail that we put on the side of the double bed, and then we created a barrier around the bed with a folded table and the pack n' play. Were were worried that Astrid would not want to sleep there by herself and would get out, but she slept soundly all night long. (U. and I discussed starting to shop for a big girl bed for Astrid soon.)
We found a great little breakfast place in downtown Bar Harbor called Jeannie's Breakfast. They only serve breakfast and if it's just coffee you want, they'll send you on your way to a coffee shop down the street.Jeannie's Breakfast
15 Cottage Street (at Bayside Landing)
Bar Harbor, Maine
I read some reviewers saying the restaurant is open until 1 PM, however they were getting ready to close up shop when we got there at noon. When our waitress got the a-okay from the kitchen that the grill was still on, we were able to order and were the last diners that morning. So it pays to get there early as the restaurant closes around noonish depending on the breakfast traffic.
Astrid getting a morning kiss from Papa.If you go to their website, under "about us" you can read all the short stories about Maine that they have on the tables (like the one above about the bears - The Story of Amos and Andrea).
This was the best breakfast we've had in awhile. They serve homemade oatmeal bread and strawberry rhubarb jam (which was so delicious we bought a jar to take home with us). They also have healthy menu items, including vegetarian and vegan selections, and will make your omelets with egg whites only for a small charge.
Our omelets were excellent! U. got the Greek omelet and I got the garden omelet.
Garden Omelet
3 Egg Omelet filled with Sauteed Onions, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and choice of Cheese. Served with Home Fries and Homemade Toast. $8.49
We also shared an order of blueberry pancakes with homemade whipped cream. Oh so yummy.
There was no wait either. We were seated promptly, the service was down home and friendly (we saw the owner Jeannie working there), and our food arrived fairly quickly. They're also a kid friendly restaurant (see the kid cup they gave Astrid above).She doesn't want to drink out of her sippy cup anymore. She'll still drink out of it when she has to, but she'd much rather drink out of a regular cup now (she knows the drill - "both hands"), or out of these kid cups. The kid cups keep her entertained (she loves the straw), and I don't have to keep a hawk eye on her to make sure she doesn't spill her drink.After breakfast we're going to rent bikes with a child seat to go riding with Astrid.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The best coffee in LA - Intelligentsia
U. came home one weekend morning and announced he'd had the best coffee EVER. It was so tasty he actually wondered whether they switched his nonfat milk, for heavy cream. He's been taking Astrid there every weekend and this was the first time I went with them. 
Intelligentsia is located on Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake.
U. says the crowds start later in the day with a line out the door, so it's best to go early in the morning (like we did).
Astrid asks every weekend if her papa is going to take her to get "bread, coffee, and water". It's so cute. Very German if you ask me.
Astrid holding up her water glass for "Cheers!".
My chai latte was delicious and I liked the foam art on top. We also had a croissant and zucchini bread with our coffee.
This place is great for Astrid because we can sit outside and there are lots of dogs to pet, including this nice old dog who belongs to the owner of the florist shop next door. 
A view of the front of Intelligentsia (and U. watching Astrid).
Intelligentsia is located on Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake.U. says the crowds start later in the day with a line out the door, so it's best to go early in the morning (like we did).
Astrid asks every weekend if her papa is going to take her to get "bread, coffee, and water". It's so cute. Very German if you ask me.Astrid holding up her water glass for "Cheers!".My chai latte was delicious and I liked the foam art on top. We also had a croissant and zucchini bread with our coffee.
This place is great for Astrid because we can sit outside and there are lots of dogs to pet, including this nice old dog who belongs to the owner of the florist shop next door. A view of the front of Intelligentsia (and U. watching Astrid). Our weekend routine now includes making a stop here for coffee and breakfast.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Captain Kidd's
I've been coming to Captain Kidd's since I was a kid, and now I'm taking my kid.
Captain Kidd's
209 N Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
It's located in the Redondo Beach harbor. You get the freshest seafood straight from the fish market, with no frills dining (long wood benches with butcher paper) and wine & beer with an ocean front view.
I was happy to see a Yelp sticker on the restaurant today saying, "People on Yelp love us!"
I posted about Captain Kidd's on Mother's Day 2006 here, and below are some new photos from today.
Captain Kidd's
209 N Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
It's located in the Redondo Beach harbor. You get the freshest seafood straight from the fish market, with no frills dining (long wood benches with butcher paper) and wine & beer with an ocean front view.
I was happy to see a Yelp sticker on the restaurant today saying, "People on Yelp love us!"
I posted about Captain Kidd's on Mother's Day 2006 here, and below are some new photos from today.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Korean food for lunch
After gymnastics class today, Astrid and I went to a Korean restaurant down the street for lunch.
Astrid tried everything, even the dishes that were spicy. The waitress gave her a plastic fork and spoon which was nice. A small jello square comes with the lunch as a dessert - which Astrid loved!
You can read my review about the lunch on my other blog here.
Astrid tried everything, even the dishes that were spicy. The waitress gave her a plastic fork and spoon which was nice. A small jello square comes with the lunch as a dessert - which Astrid loved!You can read my review about the lunch on my other blog here.
Friday, July 20, 2007
7th & Fig
Today Astrid and I went to 7th & Fig (an outdoor mall in Downtown LA located on the corner of 7th and Figueroa) to visit my Optometrist's office and get my glasses fixed.
A few days ago the screw on my frames came loose and my lens fell out. When it happened I felt like the Burgess Meredith character from the Twilight Zone episode, "Time Enough At Last". My first thought was, "Oh no! I can't see! How am I going to get home?" I ended up driving with just one eye open (out of the one remaining lens) and got home safely. But it's been a major hassle not to have glasses. I mostly wear contacts during the day, but glasses are more convenient and comfortable for nights and mornings.
After we got my glasses fixed, we went to the food court and got lunch from the Korean restaurant. You can get bibimbap there and dukbulgogi (marinated bbq chicken) with rice and kimchee, and even soontofu.
Astrid will eat almost anything but lettuce. She loved veggies, but with lettuce maybe it's just the consistency that she doesn't like.
Walking through the food court. 
Off next to the farmer's market.
7th & Fig has a small farmer's market every Friday. When I used to work downtown they had more merchants participating. Today it was pretty empty with just the florist, popcorn stand, and the dried fruits/nuts guy there. With summer in full swing, it wouldn't surprise me if lots of people are on vacation.
Admiring the pretty flowers.
Smelling the roses.
I've tried explaining to Astrid that Mommy's name is Rose like the flower, but I don't think she gets it yet. To her I'm just Mommy.
It's funny because she hears me call U. by his name and she'll repeat his name out loud and then look at me in a puzzled way and say "Papa?" It's like she's asking, "Why are you calling Papa something else? His name is Papa."
Next we went to the toy store upstairs.
Astrid fascinated by the stuffed dog in the cage.
Another toy store with a train set. I guess it's the thing now with Thomas the Engine. And not a bad thing in my opinion. There's something very charming about trains and their long history.
Whenever we pass by a train Astrid will point to it and shout, "Choo choo train!"
She had fun playing with this musical footprint pad.
Playing with the electronic keyboard.
Astrid seems to always be drawn to keyboards. Whenever she sees one she'll run over to it and want to play on it. I'd like to get her a piano to play with. It's a shame that my piano sits in my parents' front room, completely out of tune, collecting dust and no one plays it. It's just another decorative piece of furniture now. 
On the 3rd floor, at street level there's a nice outdoor patio area with trees and grass that we played on before heading home. 
Astrid finds it so funny when I catch her picking her nose.
Probably because whenever I see her doing it I say, "Astrid don't pick your nose. If you've got something in there, let's get a tissue and get it out. But please don't pick your nose." I guess she does it to get a rise out of me, and if I ignored it she'd stop doing it.
A mother/daughter feet in the grass pic.
Between the parking structure and the mall is this big empty lot filled with trash and debris. Someone needs to clean this place up. It's an eyesore.
A few days ago the screw on my frames came loose and my lens fell out. When it happened I felt like the Burgess Meredith character from the Twilight Zone episode, "Time Enough At Last". My first thought was, "Oh no! I can't see! How am I going to get home?" I ended up driving with just one eye open (out of the one remaining lens) and got home safely. But it's been a major hassle not to have glasses. I mostly wear contacts during the day, but glasses are more convenient and comfortable for nights and mornings.
After we got my glasses fixed, we went to the food court and got lunch from the Korean restaurant. You can get bibimbap there and dukbulgogi (marinated bbq chicken) with rice and kimchee, and even soontofu.Astrid will eat almost anything but lettuce. She loved veggies, but with lettuce maybe it's just the consistency that she doesn't like.Walking through the food court. Off next to the farmer's market.7th & Fig has a small farmer's market every Friday. When I used to work downtown they had more merchants participating. Today it was pretty empty with just the florist, popcorn stand, and the dried fruits/nuts guy there. With summer in full swing, it wouldn't surprise me if lots of people are on vacation.Admiring the pretty flowers.Smelling the roses.I've tried explaining to Astrid that Mommy's name is Rose like the flower, but I don't think she gets it yet. To her I'm just Mommy.
It's funny because she hears me call U. by his name and she'll repeat his name out loud and then look at me in a puzzled way and say "Papa?" It's like she's asking, "Why are you calling Papa something else? His name is Papa."
Next we went to the toy store upstairs.Astrid fascinated by the stuffed dog in the cage.Another toy store with a train set. I guess it's the thing now with Thomas the Engine. And not a bad thing in my opinion. There's something very charming about trains and their long history.Whenever we pass by a train Astrid will point to it and shout, "Choo choo train!"
She had fun playing with this musical footprint pad.Playing with the electronic keyboard.Astrid seems to always be drawn to keyboards. Whenever she sees one she'll run over to it and want to play on it. I'd like to get her a piano to play with. It's a shame that my piano sits in my parents' front room, completely out of tune, collecting dust and no one plays it. It's just another decorative piece of furniture now. On the 3rd floor, at street level there's a nice outdoor patio area with trees and grass that we played on before heading home. Astrid finds it so funny when I catch her picking her nose.Probably because whenever I see her doing it I say, "Astrid don't pick your nose. If you've got something in there, let's get a tissue and get it out. But please don't pick your nose." I guess she does it to get a rise out of me, and if I ignored it she'd stop doing it.A mother/daughter feet in the grass pic.Between the parking structure and the mall is this big empty lot filled with trash and debris. Someone needs to clean this place up. It's an eyesore.As I was taking this photo, a security officer approached me and said I wasn't allowed to take photos of the property. Huh? Then he gave me the whole 911 excuse and that's it's to protect us from terrorism. How does prohibiting me from taking a photo of the filth in Downtown LA protect us from terrorists? Okay whatever - I put my camera away.
Back at the parking structure.
Pressing the elevator button.
Be forewarned - if you go to this mall - make sure you get your parking validated (Macy's validates without requiring purchases). Otherwise it's such a hassle and the fees are outrageous. To pay you have to go to an automated machine (there are only 2 in the entire parking structure and one was broken so I had to do a lot of unnecessary driving and parking with the baby in tow). Then when I did finally find the machine that worked, it said I owed $27.50 (for just 2 hours)! At first I thought it was a mistake, but found out there's a hefty charge every 15 minutes. So that settled it, Astrid and I went back to the mall and got our ticket validated. 
Just because I don't like to follow rules that make no sense, I took this photo from the parking structure. (A little bit of civil disobedience on my part.) So lemme get this straight. I can't take a photo of the property in clear view, but I can go to the parking structure and secretly take all the photos I want?
It's another beautiful day in LA.
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