FATHER'S DAY IS ALWAYS BITTERSWEET......

 

….…..for so many people and there’s no exception at the Parkers!  However, Sir Charles gets treated royally and makes our hearts glad. The Bistro Gardens on Ventura Bulevard is a lovely place to celebrate!

But first there were presents….

I posted a favorite photograph of my father on Facebook….

Next day I met Lizzie Girl at mom’s and off we went to Pasadena in that 100 degree plus weather….

 A Birthday lunch at Settebello’s…...

Then thanks to Lizzie’s noticing it, one of the most awesome movies ever at the Laemmle!  A HBO Documentary ‘The Music of Strangers’ telling how Yo Yo Ma got musicians from all over the world to work together to create new and exciting music. They’re called ‘The Silk Road Ensemble’.  It was so heartfelt and I hope everyone sees it.  If you don’t catch it at the Laemmle I think you can order it on Netflicks. We needed a lot of Kleenex and a large popcorn!

Time to catch up with Rose and Joan at Prosecco Tratoria in Toluca Lake.  We all had Whitefish which was delicious as always...

But I could not pass up having this as well!I’m thoroughly disgusted with Viking products as I’ve had to replace the dishwasher, oven and now the stovetop.  Note to self:  Do due diligence and don’t be impressed by names.  Jean at Pirch always takes such extra special good care of me and there’s always a yummy treat waiting.

Off to meet Nikka and mom at Cheesecake where the first thing to order is a Mangoe Smoothie…..so good but needs Boba!

Something was definitely off as we had to send this hot mess of a Nacho dish back and Nikka’s shrimp went back because we found out a new chef had used brown sugar instead of bread crumbs.  The server kept saying brown sugar was in the recipe.  Ha!  What about the customer is ALWAYS right???

Measuring for the new stovetop….

I think I need a new fridge in the studio as well…What on earth is going on?  Is this an appliance meltdown???

 It’s always so wonderful when Olga comes over and we’re able to catch up over tea and cookies with this evening lasting ’till midnight!!  This amazing hand painted little bowl was brought back from Peru for me.  The detail on it is extraordinary & I can just picture the very, very tiny brush!

 Here’s one of my demo paintings from class on Saturday in the studio…..Chinese Magnolia in case you can’t tell!

 I was famished after class so Nikka and I headed straight for Habit Burgers and got the very best ever.  The fries were amazing!

 Too bad Baskin Robins is right next door!  Pralines and Cream….Oh soooooo good!

Wishing you a sweet week!

MORE CAKE......

 

…Laurie Pie planned an amazing day at the original Farmers Market on 3rd & Fairfax for a birthday celebration for me.  If you haven’t been there for a while it’s time for a real treat.  We had so much fun walking about looking at everything and finally settling on Monsieur Marcel for lunch….By the way, she’s Laurie Pie because she prefers PIE to birthday cake!

 They have the most incredible handmade Macaroons made by Les Macarons Duverger (also sold at Whole Foods).  Light as air meringue discs with a perfect ganache filling. Ahhhh Paris! This was way better than cake!

 Afterwards we stopped in at the  Monsieur Marcel French Gourmet Shop which is my new favorite place and anyone who wants to go visit….I’m sooooo ready!

Yes, this ‘Grande Vecchio' 100 year old Balsamic reduction is only $450.00 a bottle. Notice they keep it under wraps or should I say ‘glass’.  I’d put it on my perfume shelf! 

 I dragged poor Laurie about looking for a certain type of pot scrubbing brush and half way thru the new area of the Grove discovered I had left my American Express card back at Sur la Table.  Of course, after that hike back we needed See’s chocolates!

 This five month old Akita was already a handful for his owners so of course I gave them my card I told them to phone anytime…..They have nooooooo idea!

 Dan, Lauries Prince, gave me this cartoon knowing we were going to Farmer’s market.  So cute!

 Meanwhile, back on the hill, I spied Tulip going to work…….Sorry puppy, no treat in my pocket!

 Thought you’d like to see the last Peonies of the season courtesy of dear Amy!

 Love construction, love big trucks that move and do things and fortunately really loved this one as it completed the road the day before class at the Huntington!

 

Bye, bye and thank you!

 We painted the Chinese Orchid and Lavender in class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens and it was great fun!  I was so grateful to have Nikka able to help me for the day.

 After class Nikka and I went to Chang’s in El Monte to have Lizzie’s artwork framed.

After that it was off to the Reilly’s for an alfresco dinner and playtime with grand baby (growing up fast) Noah!  Nikka was so adorable with Noah…..he’s amazing!

 

O.K., more birthday stuff.  This time, with beautiful Tina Marie at Crustacean in Beverly Hills.  I really appreciated thoughtful Tina picking out such a perfect spot.  I love seeing the Koi/Carp under the glass walkway.

 

Awwwww……...

What’s really funny is that while I posted this event on Facebook a month after my birthday, I got a ton of Happy B-day wishes.  This one from our dear Lynne Tucker!

 Peter and Jim flew in from Dallas just for class.  Peter had been a student years ago before moving to Texas.  He asked to study Bamboo and boy, did we ever!

 
After class Nikka and I went to Home Depot for a new doorbell and got one ‘As Seen On TV’.

It’s sooooo cool!

The ‘Ring Video Doorbell’ allows you to see who’s at your front door from absolutely anywhere on your iPhone.  I’ve had more fun calling the house when I’m out and about with people and telling Vicki to go out and ring the doorbell and talk to us. 

 

 After that shopping expedition we stopped at Habit for yummy burgers and fries.  I always get a lettuce wrap as I like to kid myself about calories.

 See what I mean?

Wishing you lovely marshmallow skies each and every day!

 

 

 

MAJOR ROAD REPAIR

….is going on here and the month of June will be a messy time street wise!

Phase one was removing the old pavement and next the cracks got gooped!

When I phoned the contractor to find out what day/days we’d be unable to pull out of the driveway I was told they have no clue and don’t even have all their permits yet!  Wha??? Your city works for you!!!

Amy and Marian came over to see if they could use any of the Chinese children’s books.  Marian is a wonderful collage & assemblage artist and found several that she can use in her amazing work…check out  mariandevney.com  We still have quite a few books left so please do come over and pick out some.

Time to meet mom and Nikka at the cheesecake Factory.  This humongous plate of Nachos is for the table and may I say it’s soooo good we’re going back for more tonight!

I wasn’t stuffed enough so I ordered all this and those two got some shrimp dishes.  This is definitely out of control!

After stopping for ice cream cones (correct) mom & Nikka tried on hats at Nordstrom. So cute!

The birthday celebrating continued with a yummy Strawberry Whipped Cream cake from Tina Marie and more singing….

Fortunately on Saturdays there’s street parking so Calligraphy went on as scheduled. Adorable 91 years young Ada is sitting next to Tom and Johnny, her 93 years young BOYFRIEND is next to Miss Judith! Just too cute!!!

My Sweet Amy decided there was more B-day celebrating to do so off we went to the Langham in Pasadena.Getting a little better at selfies…..Note to self:  Remove glasses!

I always love going to that hotel and seeing the courtyard where Charles & I were married.  It was the Ritz Carlton then.

Just time for one last hurrah before starting my diet.  The perfect place was Bea Bea’s... a jam (no pun intended) packed 'breakfast all day' haven in Toluca Lake where their motto is ‘BREAKFAST IS EVERYTHING’. Sweet Lulu was game for going there but we actually had more of a lunch thingie and ate outside as inside you can’t even hear yourself trying to think!  Plan on a good half hour wait for a table if you’re lucky!I can’t think of a better way to close this blog entry so I’ll wish you lots of yummy treats where the calories don’t count!