Nose shot

I'm tired. I worked this whole weekend waitressing. I'm a bad pet parent too, bribing my dog with treats and sneaking out to work the whole weekend. It had to be done though since I was given the opportunity to get these extra hours and I still have tons of bills to pay this month. In my whole 2 hours at home, I did manage to get my first nose shot of Meatball. Not too bad for a first attempt.

I love nose shots of dogs, especially Golden Retreivers. It makes them look so silly! Thank god dogs are so understanding when you ditch them for a weekend.

Sublime Stitching

I'm slightly pack-ratish.  I have no problem throwing out junk mail and clothes, but there are a couple of boxes of stuff I have that I just can't let go.  Love letters.  18 and 21st birthday and graduation cards. Ticket stubs from my trip to Europe in '96.  Old Diaries.  Of course when I try to "clean" all this stuff, I just end up re-reading everything and putting it back.  It was during this attempt at cleaning that I found an old stamped cross stitch embroidery kit of roses still in the package.  I decided that I wanted to start this project since I had such good memories of doing embroidery as a kid.  

I went to Michael's and bought 8 colors of embroidery thread, a hoop, and embroidery needles. Threading the needle took a little time to remember, but as I started making small X's in the rose petals, the familiarity of holding the needle and the technique came right back to me. After this project, which is just a small piece that you frame to hang on the wall, I want to order something from Sublime Stitching. Wouldn't it be cool to stitch this on an apron?

       

Or further express my love of sushi?  I would wear an embroidered shirt that said I heart sushi!

I'm very excited about my new hobby!  Maybe I'll just have to quit my job and sell my embroidered wares full time.  That is if I can complete them....

Vegas Part 4: Nobu

Well, how did the Nobu dinner go that I was so excited to make the reservation for a month in advance?  Things got off to a kind of rocky start between Danny and I, which was probably both of our faults.  I had researched Nobu extensively and I knew I wanted these two dishes: Rock Shrimp Tempura and Cod with Miso Sauce.  Our waiter gave off this very friendly vibe and I instantly liked him.  He also recommended the Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno and I trusted him and ordered that as well.  I told him we would probably order sushi after we ate these three things.  When he left, Danny looked at me like an evil crime just took place.  He said he didn't even get to order, and he hates jalapeno and cod.  I tried to assure him that these would be small plates and he could order all the sushi but Danny was still upset.  I guess it was a control/chef thing because I never ordered for him before.  The end result of the three dishes was fabulous (thank god!).

I didn't get a pic of the yellowtail because I was a little upset, but here is the Rock Shrimp Tempura.

The sushi -Tuna roll, California Roll, and Spider Roll.  The Spider Roll was wrapped in a Daikon radish, something Danny and I had never seen done before.

Mochi ice cream for dessert, AMAZING!  I can't remember all the flavors, but the greenish one was green tea and that was my favorite!  

Warning:  Once you eat here, you'll never want to eat sushi at a mediocre place again!  That's how fresh the fish was.  After the initial drama, we really had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed everything.

Vegas Part 3: In-N-Out Burger

This is why Danny and I go perfectly together. We were both dying to go to In-N-Out Burger, but for very different reasons. He wanted to go because his chef friend from California highly recommended it as one of the best burgers you'll ever eat. I wanted to go because Britney Spears loves it, and I actually watched a video online consisting of Britney ordering a number 2 from her car at the speaker at an In-N-Out Burger. Lame, I know.

They also have a secret menu, and we both wanted to try the burger, "Animal Style" where the burger is grilled with mustard and grilled onions. THEN, I find out on wikipedia (which has an extensive entry on In-N-Out burger) that there are hidden bible verses on the packaging! We took a cab there our second day.

Round One: Two double doubles, one animal style and fries.

Close up of "Animal Style".

Round Two: Two more burgers and the fries "Animal Style".

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And a Neopolitan shake (Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry mixed together) from the Secret Menu.

I found the Bible verses!!!! Since they are a family owned company and have not franchised, they can put anything they want on their wrappers.

Vegas Part 2: How I Formed My Blisters

I really have a serious foot problem whenever I go on vacation. I get massive blisters and end up limping by the end of the trip, no matter what shoes I wear. Danny actually forced me to get a pedicure at the Flamingo Spa midweek to try to help which was very sweet. The girl who did my feet, Carrie, was super cool too. When I asked her if she ever met any celebrities, she said she did a pedicure for Vanessa Williams and Pink! I tipped her $20 because I was getting a $95 pedicure, and she only charged me for the $55 one! I would go back to the Flamingo Spa just to have her give me a pedicure again.

Now here's what caused all the pain - sightseeing on the strip.

The Venetian

Tao (I am obsessed with celebrity hangouts)

Here's a closer look into these tubs.

This was inside the shops at the Venetian, fooled ya, huh?

Gelato at the Venetian.  It was lemon and vanilla creme, a great combo.

A shot of the gondolas.  It was truly a beautiful day, especially since there was a severe blizzard going on in Cleveland.

Hi!!!!

This next shot looked cooler in my head, but I think it came out OK.

Across the street to The Mirage.

I'll end with Danny in front of a bronze sculpture of Siegfried & Roy, which I think Danny was a little TOO excited to take his picture in front of.

Vegas Part 1: The Flamingo

Deciding to stay in the Flamingo was all Danny.  He had been to Vegas a year ago and liked the central location on the strip.  Also, the rates weren't that bad.  Upon walking into the hotel towards the check-in desk, you are hit with the smell of pina colada/suntan lotion.  They actually spray this scent into the air to create the ambiance of being in the tropics.  Can you imagine?  Only in Vegas will they go through the trouble to spray a scent into the air.  While at the front desk, I found out that Danny suprised me and upgraded us to the newly renovated Go Room, a vision in modern furniture, technology and pink.

Here's Danny in the migraine inducing hallways.  

Our bathroom had a TV in the mirror!  Which I only used about twice. In real life, I guess a TV embedded in your bathroom mirror could be good for watching the news and weather while you get ready in the morning.  (Notice my M.A.C. makeup!)

I loved the stripes and ultra modern vinyl white headboard.

Last but not least, a view from the comfy bed.

I'm still here!

Extremely tired, sick and jet-lagged, but I'm still here.  Expect multiple posts about Vegas in the near future.  I missed one of the most brutal snowstorms in Cleveland which cancelled our flight coming home on Saturday.  They were booked for Sunday so we flew in all day today.  Two extra days in Vegas away from the snow!  

In the words of Danny, "We doubled down on our vacation and won!"