Fam Love

These pics are a little old- my fault.  But, I couldn't help posting them cause them make me smile.  We had a little family b-day celebration for myself and my Uncle Howard back in March.

Birthday buddies

Uncle Howard receives a classic Dad gift.

Molly definitely enjoyed the party.

So did Henry.

And, of course, my Mom had to cause trouble by introducing this bizarre game into the mix.

Purchased at the dollar store, naturally.

You push the guys down and when they pop back up, you try to catch them in the air with the handled baskets.  

So basically, these pointy, plastic projectiles exploding in your face as you try frantically to catch them.

My mom was never one to worry too much about things like "putting your eye out."  Usually, she is encouraging someone to do something wildly inappropriate- like "hey, if you put Grandma's wig on and let me take a picture of it, I'll pay you a dollar" type things.  OR, she is trying to light something on fire- seriously!  The lady is a pyro.

Needless to say, I love her.

Henry and I didn't do to bad, but Hen was definitely better at it than I.

XOXO

April Lately: Mostly Carbs

My sister Kara wore this outfit to breakfast at my Mom's house the other day.  I really love this particular "ensemble", though is it is pretty tame compared with some of the other things I've seen her wear in the morning.  Kara is not truly awake until about an hour after she gets up, so it's always fun to see what she'll thrown on in a half conscious state...

We also ate this @ the same breakfast- a pull apart cinnamon roll from Pinwheel Bakery.  If you haven't yet visited Pinwheel Bakery in Ferndale, check it out!  They actually operate out of the Red Hook Coffee Shop now, so stop by if you like coffee & amazing bake goods- I recommend their key lime bars and raspberry brownies.  And their Mexican chocolate cupcakes.  AND, I guess pretty much everything they sell.

When we got home, Pruitt allowed me to pet him, which was exciting.

I actually think he looks kind of creepy in the photo above, so I am posting this one too.

Just to reinforce his handsomeness.

We just kind of kept eating the rest of the day...apparently that's all we do.

For those of you who know what Pinkberry is, this place, Bloomberry on Woodward, comes pretty close.

We did do one non-related food thing: shopping in Birmingham.

And we scored these!

The next day, in order to continue carb loading, we went to Polish Village in Hamtramck for dinner.  

I really love this place.

CJ got a hungarian pancake.

I got perogies and cabbage rolls (which I ate too fast to get a picture of).

Bonus Photo: Poetic Justice.  This is a photo of President Obama sitting in the Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum on when he visited on Wednesday.  Whatever your politics, I think this photo embodies something that everyone in this country can be proud of.

XOXO

Lovely Day in B'ham

CJ and I had an appointment in Birmingham late in the afternoon, so we decided to grab an early dinner/late lunch at Toast.

We don't go to Toast often, but the few times we have, it's always mobbed.  It was really nice to be there in the late afternoon- we practically had the whole place to ourselves.

Next stop was the Paper Source!  I am pretty obsessed with this place- it's a great spot to find fun, quirky gifts- even for dudes!

Like for example, these!  

I want to buy these for work- not for the people I work with at my office- I love them.  BUT, rather for certain people that I come into contact with as a result of my work.*

*This will make sense to those of you who know what I do.

Our final stop was dessert!

These are called party time! I got one for my sister, because if my sister was a cupcake, this would be it!

Sorry to post so many photos of cupcakes- I couldn't really help myself!

xoxo

Uncle Howard's 7-Eleven Hazelnut Hot Mess Near Death Experience

My wonderful Uncle Howard stopped by 7-Eleven for some coffee on Saturday.

Then this happened.

A newly permitted 15 year old was driving with her mom when she confused the brake for the gas.

This was the unfortunate result!

These photos were not in fact taken by Uncle Howard because he actually got hit by the van!  

BUT, he is totally fine.  He was hit in the leg and knocked down, but was okay and did not have to go to the hospital, thank goodness.  He was however, a little shaken up, but apparently didn't cry, which is definitely what I would have done if this had happened to me!

Shot of the pants of Uncle Howard's pants from the incident.  

Covered in hazelnut creamer.  

He was by the coffee when the van came through the window.

Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?

Truer words were never spoken, and by Homer Simpson no less!

I make no secret of the fact that I am totally, completely obsessed with donuts (or "cop vitamins", as a special Detective friend of mine calls them).

I'll take them however I can get them- I don't discriminate.  Plain, chocolate, cider mill style, paczki, glazed, peanut covered- whatever!

One of my fondest memories of my wedding is eating day old donuts leftover from our "donut cake" out of a garbage bag* the morning after our reception with my husband.  Ah, happiness.  May you all know such true bliss in your own marriages!

*For the record, it was a CLEAN garbage bag.  It was just the only receptacle available to store them in!

ANYWAY, given my obsession, this post is very serious, because it involves what I believe are the best donut holes in the Detroit metro area.  And notice I said donut HOLES people- we're not talking regular donuts.  If we were, we would be discussing Dutch Girl Donuts, but that is a subject for another post...

How much do you really love donuts holes?  Enough to go here?!

That's right people.  Detroit Donut.  Warren, Michigan.  Right off I-696, at the Hoover/Schoenherr exit.  You can get some donut holes AND gas up your car.  Yes, its also a gas station.

You have to order the cinnamon sugar!

Eating them on the back of a Chevy is optional, but strongly encouraged.


PS- Shout out to my Mom, who first introduced me to these awesome treats!

Long Weekend in the D: Food, Art, More Food

I had a three day weekend, thanks to George Washington!  I think all weekends should be three days long, don't you!?

FRIDAY: Started off the weekend by going to happy hour with some friends after work...

It was actually really fun, despite how skeptical some people look in this photo (Smith, I'm talking to you)!  The Irish lady in me really appreciated how bedazzeled the bar already was for St. Patty's, even though it's only February...

SATURDAY: CJ and I went to our friend Mark Heggie's art opening at the 323 East Gallery in Royal Oak.

Flyer for the show

Me and Kyle in the crowd.

A giraffe...in a boat...with heart shaped spots...sailing thru the sky.  LOVE!



                          

Kyle, Mark and CJ




SUNDAY: We met up with our friend's Lauren and Ryan at Astro Coffee in Corktown.  Astro is one of my favorite places ever!  I plan on doing full post about them in the future, but I couldn't resist throwing in a few photos.  CJ and I absolutely love the place and have gotten in the habit of going there every Sunday for coffee and breakfast- they have delicious breakfast sandwiches, crossiants and homemade cake.  You'll die.

Lauren and Ryan deciding what to get.

Coffee- check.  Payday loan- check.

Later on, I went shopping with my Mom, and proceeded to have more coffee and more treats.

I have a problem, I know.  BUT, seriously!  If you've ever had a lemon cookie from Nordstrom's, you will understand that I was powerless to resist.

Later, we had dinner at our friend Dennis' house cause it was his b-day.

MONDAY: Visit to Mexican town.

Los Galanes

CJ makes a selection at La Gloria bakery.

Hanging out with my churro friends...

We ended the weekend with taking Pruitt for a walk, which was really necessary given the amount of food I consumed over the past three days.

AND, Pruitt made a friend!  I think it's meant to be, because they both have the same goofy different colors eyes.