Entries Tagged as 'bob'

Dave’s Surprise Birthday Dinner

November 15th, 2011 · No Comments


Dave & Brian


Bob, Cat, Dave


Brian, Dave, James

For Dave’s 40th birthday his wife, Cat, and his friends planned a surprise birthday dinner for him at Francesca’s Forno. Cat took the kids and went out to her sister’s house in the suburbs, making Dave think he had a free night to go out with the guys. Dallas and Andy and Brian hung out with him and played bags in the backyard – it was unseasonably warm for November. Then they convinced him to go to Flat Iron to play pool at about 7:00. Flat Iron is right across the street from Francesca’s, which maybe wasn’t the best idea, since everyone else had planned to meet at the restaurant at 7:00. Francesca’s is right across the street from the Damen Blue Line and as I crossed, I just about ran right into Dave and Dallas and the group. I swore that Dave looked right into my eyes, but I quick dashed out of the way and turned a corner. Whew!

So, the rest of us met inside Francesca’s. The guys left Flat Iron to go to get some wings at Northside. As they were passing by Francesca’s they said “oh, Brian texted me and is here for a drink, let’s stop in” and so they came into the restaurant.* The funny thing is that Brain was there… sitting at our table, a table with Dave’s wife and friends… and Dave saw him and the first thing he said was “wow, Brian is here with a big group!” And then it hit him. He was so surprised!

For dinner we had a ton of appetizers for the table – pizzas, charcuterie, cheese, meatball sliders. I was almost too full to order an entree. I got a grouper in browned butter with capers and crispy potatoes and really liked it. I love capers. And the potatoes were great. Dallas got the seasonal risotto and did not like it. He said it wasn’t cooked right and it was way under seasoned.


Other than the risotto, we liked of the food we had. I’d only been to Francesca’s Forno one time before and it was years ago. Since then they’ve done a whole remodel and overhaul of the restaurant. I liked it.

After dinner we went to the Northside, but most people only stayed for one or two drinks. It was packed in the bar and Dallas and the guys had been drinking beers since 3 p.m. We called it an early night and went home at about 11.

* I think this is what happened but I’m not 100% clear! The important part is that they got him over there and it was a surprise. Also, Dave does not remember looking right at me.

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Family Dinner in Alewa Heights

March 11th, 2011 · 1 Comment


Never can resist taking a photo of the view of Honolulu from up in the mountains.

Sunday nights are family dinner so we stopped at Safeway for some poke and beer and headed up to Uncle Bob and Aunty Helen’s house in Alewa Heights.

Dallas’s Aunty Wendie is half Chinese and surprised us with a whole Chinese spread of food and things that are symbolic of longevity and good luck, like mochi, good luck money in red envelopes, a pyramid of red bean bao, evergreen and pomelo, which is like a giant grapefruit. Along with an array of Chinese take-out favorites, Aunty Wendie also made beef stew with vegetables. So delicious.


Aunty Wendie, Rachelle


Dallas, Rachelle


Dried fruit, pomelo, lucky money, mochi

Dallas’s Uncle Bob and Aunty Helen finished up their round of golf and came home, so we got to visit with them. Cousin Kala is in her first year of college now. Hard to believe! Cousin Quincy doesn’t live at home any more but came over later. And we got to visit with grandma a bit, although she is getting pretty old and isn’t always “there.” Hopefully she still knows we came for a visit. In any case, it was nice to see everyone.


Quincy, Grandma (Photo by Aunty Wendie)


Kala, Dallas (Photo by Aunty Wendie)


Quincy, Uncle Mel (Photo by Aunty Wendie)


Kala, Dallas, Uncle Bob (Photo by Aunty Wendie)


Rachelle, Dallas, Grandma, Kala, Quincy

That night we had to pack everything up in our hotel room because we had an early flight to Kauai in the morning!

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Christina & Geoff’s Wedding Shower

May 18th, 2010 · No Comments

Last week was Christina & Geoff’s wedding shower. Christina’s Aunt Chris and Uncle Bob hosted the party up in Northfield, a suburb of Chicago. The plan was for about 15 of us to meet at Union Station at 5:30 p.m. and take the train up to Northfield. Unfortunately, someone decided to commit suicide by getting hit by a train on our train line so it delayed everything. What should have been a 36-minute train ride ended up taking a couple hours.

Luckily Geoff had planned ahead and bought about a case of beer.

We’d been out the night before and Dallas was pretty tired so he spent the Metra delay and ride resting. And holding our gift.

Good thing Dallas had that nap, because then he perked right up when we got to the party and was good to go!

When we finally arrived at the station, Christina’s brother and Uncle Bob picked us up in cars and took us to the house.

It was a big surprise for Geoff & Christina that Christina’s mom and brother flew in from Florida and California for the party. It was nice to meet Christina’s family – aunt, uncle, cousin, mom, brother – after having known her for so many years. Dallas knows Christina from back when they both used to live in Boston and worked for the same company. Christina’s maid of honor is Caitlyn, another friend from Boston, and she and her sister Sarah flew in to Chicago from Boston so it was good to see them too.

Out on the back patio, Christina’s Uncle Bob and Aunt Chris had a bar set up. Some people might have done some shots of Patron tequila. Not us! Christina and Geoff are getting married in Mexico in June so the party had a Mexican theme. Bob’s bar had Mexican beer, sangria, tequila and margaritas. I stuck with the margaritas.

Others? More shots!

Christina’s Aunt Chris had a bunch of appetizers that she was walking around. We had beef skewers with a pesto (?) sauce, goat cheese quesadillas with a mango relish, and ceviche. So delicious.

For dinner we had a citrus cabbage salad, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and Mexican rice. Wow, the dinner was so good. The enchiladas were as good as in any restaurant. And the chiles rellenos were outstanding. Dallas always orders chiles rellenos when we go out and he thought they were fantastic.. he even got seconds on them.

After dinner we hung out around a bon fire. By then it was at least 10 p.m. and everyone had a lot of drinks in them.

Uncle Bob had a bunch of cigars and some people partook in smoking them.

I’d noticed earlier that there were sombreros hanging around the house and yard and I just thought they were decorations. Well, of course by now we were all wearing them.

I had to take a few breaks and drink water. I swear I only had 3 margaritas, but they must have been SO strong. They didn’t taste like tequila though.. just like delicoiusness. I don’t know what was in there, but it was good. Here’s a photo of me with my two best friends that night:

(sombrero and margarita)

Oh, and my third best friend, bon fire:

At about 11:30 or 12:00, I don’t even know any more, a bus came to the house and picked us up to go back to the city. There was more drinking on the bus, but Dallas and I were DONE. Some were still going strong, some were passing out on the bus. I think people may have gone out more when we got to Chicago, but I’m not sure because we got off the bus, said our goodbyes and grabbed a cab home.

What a fun party. Thanks to Christina and Geoff for inviting us and to Uncle Bob and Aunt Chris for hosting everyone. We’re disappointed because we’re not going to be able to go to Mexico for the wedding, but it was fun to at least spend the night with Christina and Geoff and their family and friends. If it weren’t for a conflicting family wedding here in Chicago we’d totally be in Mexico!

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Dinner at the Matsudas

July 28th, 2009 · 2 Comments

primo
Primo :: Waimea, Kauai

Dallas’s family’s best friends on Kauai are the Matsudas. They live just down the road from where Dallas and his family lived and we try to see them every time we go back to Kauai. This year Aunty Nancy and Uncle Bob invited us over for dinner. When we arrived they were the only ones home and were watching their grandson, Swede, who was just born this year. Isn’t he adorable!?

swede
Dallas, Swede :: Waimea, Kauai

We sat outside at picnic tables and drank some beer while eating edamame. Aunty Nancy was feeding Swede his dinner, poi with milk. No wonder he’s so big! Well, that and the fact that his dad is something like 6’5″.

dallas_george_mr_hee_bob
Dallas, Uncle George, Mr. Hee, Uncle Bob :: Waimea, Kauai

Not much later, Uncle George (Uncle Bob’s brother) and Aunty Linda arrived. And then Mr. Hee came by.

For dinner we had Portuguese Meat. Maybe there is a more descriptive name for this dish, but Portuguese meat is what we call it. It’s kind of like pot roast, but way more vinegar-y. Aunty Nancy is Portuguese and knows that Dallas loves this dish so she makes it every time he visits. We had some other dinner, too, but the parts I remember are the desserts. This was the first time I ever had haupia cake, manju or homemade guri guri (I’d only ever had guri guri for the first time two days before).

rachelle_linda_swede_nancy
Rachelle, Aunty Linda, Swede, Aunty Nancy :: Waimea, Kauai

And then finally, later on, Marissa and Eric, Swede’s parents, arrived with Swede’s sister, Safina. By that time it was dark and everyone was off in different directions. I wanted to take a photo of Safina because she has grown so much since the last time we saw her, but she was off on her scooter and taking a bath and had her own agenda going on. It was nice to be able to visit with everyone. On of these days we need to visit Tandy, Uncle Bob & Aunty Nancy’s other daughter, who now lives in the DC area. She and her husband Chris just had their first baby a few weeks ago. His name is Kai. We haven’t seen Tandy and Chris since their wedding, which seems like forever ago.

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Waikiki & Alewa Heights, Oahu

July 21st, 2005 · 5 Comments


Sheraton Moana Surfrider


Statue of the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku


Statue of the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku


Statue of the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku


Statue of the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku


Banyan Tree


Rachelle & Banyan Tree


Kuhio Beach/Waikiki


Kuhio Beach/Waikiki


Makua & Kila statue


Kuhio Beach/Waikiki


Kuhio Beach/Waikiki


Kuhio Beach/Waikiki


Diamond Head


Kuhio Beach/Waikiki


ABC Store


Jack in the Box


Jack in the Box


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


Honolulu Zoo


View from Alewa Heights


Dinner in Alewa Heights


Kala


Dallas & Grandma


Rachelle, Caroline, Kathy, Dallas, Grandma


Dallas, Kala, Caroline, Grandma


View from Alewa Heights

One day Dallas and I spent an entire day just hanging around Waikiki.. at the beach, walking around, shopping.

The beach that was across from our hotel was Kuhio Beach, named after Prince Jonah Kuhio, who was prince of the reigning House of Kalakaua when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893. There were a ton of tourists, for sure, but on the pier there were a lot of local kids hanging out and boarding and jumping off the pier.

For lunch, even though we both prefer In-N-Out Burger as our favorite West Coast burger joint, we had Jack in the Box Sourdough Jacks and it hit the spot. Reminded me a lot of when I lived in San Diego. The first account I worked on when I moved was Jack in the Box. Coming from Wisconsin, I didn’t even know what it was.

Later we walked up and down Kalakaua Ave. and did some shopping. I got some shirts at the Quicksilver store in the International Marketplace and a few other things at Lush.

In the afternoon we walked through the Honolulu Zoo. It’s an alright zoo, not great, but only like $6 (only $4 Kama’aina rate) to get into and worth a stroll around to see the animals and flowers. There was a lot of construction going on at the zoo which might have distracted from the overall ambiance, but probably guarantees that it will be getting better soon!

The thing about Waikiki.. it’s gorgeous and so well manicured and all that but it’s totally created for tourists. And is swarming with tourists. Which sort of drives me a little crazy. There is an ABC souvineer store on EVERY BLOCK. For a relaxing vacation I much prefer Kaua’i. Kaua’i has all of the touristy things that Waikiki and Oahu has, but it’s not so “in your face”. You can hike, you can go on tours, you can rent a bike.. but it’s not there every where you turn. And the beaches and countryside are much more natural, the towns are much smaller, there are way fewer people. Nice and relaxing .. although I think if I had to live there I’d go batty.

For dinner we went to Alewa Heights, where Dallas’ Uncle Bob and Auntie Helen live. Their daughter Kala, Grandma, Uncle Mel and Aunt Wendie were also there. We had local food – lau lau, kalua pig, rice, lomi lomi, poke, purple sweet potatoes, haupia, and lemon cake. It was nice to meet everyone, they’re all really nice, and Grandma said she remembered me from last year.

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