Benihana

Mommy and Daddy went out to dinner at Benihana's tonight. Although I know they love it - and I love it when they are together - they weren't with me. I really don't like it when they leave me alone to fend for myself. And you know what? I have Grandma and Grandpa to thank for this treatment. They gave Mommy and Daddy a gift certificate for their wedding anniversary. I must admit it is a great gift, but I am wondering if there is a way for them to cater. That way Mommy and Daddy wouldn't have to leave the house.

I Got A Card!

I got a card from Aunt Vicki! It is a really cool card...see. I bet you I would look like this if Mommy and Daddy would ever let me get under the tree.

Cookies!

Mommy and Daddy spent the better part of the day yesterday making cookies (when they weren't out fighting the crowds at the mall for a few remaining Xmas gifts). I love it when Mommy and Daddy bake.



I find myself following Mommy all around the kitchen in hopes that something will fall from the counters that I love to eat. But, Mommy is very careful (most of the time) not to let anything fall. She does let me sniff everything, but most of it I don't like.

By the way, if you look closely you will see that Mommy is not as perfect as you think she is. The counter is just a mess from an accident she had with the candy cane pieces.







Daddy also helps Mommy make the cookies. He helped scoop the peanut butter cookies into a perfectly formed ball. He said he wanted to put the skills he gained from Hot Chocolate to good use.





I must say that all of the cookies turned out great (even though Mommy is not as thrilled with her fudge).









Thank goodness I didn't have to clean it all up. Neither did Daddy. He enjoyed a nice glass of wine - and I enjoyed laying down next to him!

Just Jack

I am so excited; Mommy and Daddy got to meet Baby Jack this week. Jackson Brooks is Karla and Tim's new son. You remember Karla and Tim don't you?

Well, you can see cute photos - video - of Jack (Karla and Tim) on their blog.

http://www.karlaandtim.blogspot.com/

Chicago - Need I Say More?

It was a big weekend at our house. Mommy and Daddy went to Chicago this weekend. For those of you who don't know, Mommy and Daddy went to Chicago to spend the day at Hot Chocolate. Mommy and Daddy donated money to a charity called "Share Our Strength." The charity's mission is to end childhood hunger in America. As a result of their donation, they had the honor of spending the day with Mindy Segal - an award winning pastry chef and the owner of Mindy's Hot Chocolate restaurant in Chicago.

Needless to say, I was happy to learn about this because I got to go and stay with my friends! Do I look excited to you?



So, let me tell you what Mommy and Daddy did over the weekend.

1. They took a flight from Minneapolis to Chicago. Here they are on the flight.





2. They arrived at their hotel and immediately headed to Michigan Avenue to do a little shopping. Yes, they visited all of Mommy's favorites including Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci and Tiffany's.





3. Mommy thought it was important that I share with you the picture of the tree at the John Hancock building. She thinks it looks like a Charlie Brown tree and I would have to agree.



4. Daddy used his new Flip (a gift from Mommy for his birthday) to make a small video of Michigan Avenue for Grandma. She (and Grandpa) love Chicago, especially during the holidays. Mommy is still trying to figure out how to upload this for me. She will keep working on it.

5. Mommy and Daddy turned in for the night - to prepare for their day at Hot Chocolate.

6. Mommy and Daddy arrived at Hot Chocolate for a day filled with activities.

7. Mommy and Daddy made "apple pie" tarts to be sold in the case.

8. Mommy rolled out dough for the mini biscuits (this will be important later).

9. Mommy made croissants. She cut the dough, put in apple butter and pork belly and rolled them up. They were fantastic.

10. Daddy cut up fruit for ice cream and frozen yogurt toppings.

11. Daddy chopped onion and garlic for the steak.

12. Mommy helped make Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies.

13. Daddy made cookies.

14. Mommy chopped peanut brittle (fine).

15. Mommy and Daddy headed out to get ready for dinner (and to do a bit more shopping on Michigan Avenue).

16. Mommy and Daddy met-up with Aunt Kristin and Uncle Eugene at Hot Chocolate for dinner. Mommy wasn't sure how Aunt Kristin was going to do; she is an extremely picky eater and menu was filled with items that Aunt Kristin would not view as good. Aunt Kristin was having a hot chocolate when they arrived and she said it was by far the best she had ever had.

17. The Hot Chocolate team - and Mindy - took care of Mommy and Daddy (and Kristin and Eugene). They had a variety of appetizers including the soup, pork belly salad, shrimp and grits and the mini biscuits (the ones Mommy helped make).

18. For dinner, Aunt Kristin had the hamburger (no surprise there), Daddy had the steak, Mommy had the Mac & Cheese (and it was in a category all its' own) and Uncle Eugene had the duck.

19. Chef Eric came out to see if Daddy decided on the steak (they had talked about it earlier in the day) and he was happy that everyone was enjoying themselves.

20. Then came desert. Mommy opted to have a medium hot chocolate. Daddy had the cold chocolate martini and the apple dessert. Uncle Eugene had "The Pear" and Aunt Kristin had the Peppermint Stick - and the cookie assortment. Mommy and Daddy said that is was phenomenal. But, it didn't stop there. Mindy and her team brought out the Peanut Butter Cup (served with a Jelly sauce - so it tasted just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich), mini donuts and carmel popcorn. They also brought out "dark chocolate" hot chocolate. Mommy and Daddy report that this was liquid chocolate. See all of the pictured and descriptions below.

Peanut Butter Cup


Peanut Butter Cup, Mini Donut, Dark Chocolate and Carmel Popcorn


Medium Chocolate


Pretzel


Mini Biscuit


21. Mommy, Daddy, Kristin and Eugene took pictures to remember the time.











22. Kristin and Eugene dropped Mommy and Daddy off at the hotel, only to be surprised by the mass of Santa's standing outside. Apparently there was a Santa convention at the hotel Mommy and Daddy were staying at. Daddy snapped a few photos from his phone.



Mommy and Daddy came to pick me up at my favotire place to bring me home. And, I am pooped. I had way too much fun (and it sounds like Mommy and Daddy did too).

Mommy and Daddy would recommend that if you are in the Chicago area to check out Mindy's Hot Chocolate. They want to thank everyone for their hospitality - and their support of the Share Your Strenght organization.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today's is Daddy's birthday. And wouldn't you know it, the biggest snow storm of the season (now I am sounding like a Macy's advertisement) is happening as we speak. Daddy and Mommy went to dinner tonight at one of their favorite restaurants (it is named Cosmos). It took them a while to ge home because of the snow and the wind. I am just happy they made it home.

My Friend, Santa

I got my picture taken with Santa this afternoon. Santa said I was a very good dog and that he wished that all of the other dogs were as calm as I was. Oh, and they got my picture with Santa on the very first try.



Santa was cool! Thanks, Santa.