Everything's better with Kendra Scott and El Real

We had a few bonus visits recently with Greg's daughters. We just don't get to visit enough, so even a few hours together count. So do shopping at Kendra Scott, and eating at Brasserie 19 and El Real.

Capri and her Dad

First up was Capri, who was on short break from UNT in Denton. We did brunch at Brasserie 19, which has one of the best menus in Houston, and Executive Chef Amanda McGraw is tops. Amanda also happens to be an authority on cheese, which in my book earns many extra points. Plied with plenty of food and an accompanying drink, we made easy targets in Rice Village where we did a bit of shopping, with Greg's credit card having an out-of-wallet experience at the new Kendra Scott location for a Christmas gift for Capri, and a couple of gifts for me.  

This visit was cool because there's something different about Capri. She's more grown-up, enthusiastic, earnest, goal-driven. What happened to the all-night, all-out gamer? Well, for one, she has a boyfriend. And he's a musician, not a gamer. 'Nuff said.  

Constantly goofing off and photojacking

Next up, Tahni. Tahni's burgeoning photography business has her zig-zagging the country and the globe and every now and then, she lands in Texas. We had an awesome day with her, including Daddy-Daughter time in the morning (late lunch at Harry's), and time for me in the afternoon. Happily, it was Neighborhood Monday at El Real Tex-Mex, located dangerously close to our home and featuring downright perilous specials. 

Visits with Tahni are always fun because she always has great stories, and we always share something artsy. Oh, and I get to live vicariously a little because she's going to the annual tree-lighting tonight at Rockefeller Center. Lucky!

Food tends to play a leading role in our visits. But how can it not? Houstonians love their restaurants, after all. According to a new study, Harris County hotels and restaurants had a total economic impact of $13.2 billion in 2011. That includes $7.9 billion in sales and $5.3 billion in indirect and induced economic activity. Really? That's serious cash. 

Capri and Tahni, it was great to see y'all. Can't wait for the next visit!

El Real - yummy

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IM okay, IM okay!

Before you think that this is all about me, know that the IM to which I refer to in the title is the now pervasive and addictive, spelling and grammar destroying, multi-task challenging phenomenon known as "Instant Messaging".

And IM is not just taking over your relationships with our friends and colleagues, it is now in firm control of our love lives!!  A related side note, I would have virtually no communication with my daughters if not for the magic of text messaging (I miss you girls).  Oops, excuse me while I respond back to my lovely bride who is currently located downstairs about 30 feet from me (10 feet as the indoor crow flies).

Brooke: yt?

Me: y

Brooke: U busy?

Me: y

Brooke: lmk whut up with U?

Me: writin' blog post

Brooke: question?

Me: y?

Brooke: R U hungry?

Me: y

Brooke: k, cool!

Me: That's it?

Brooke: y

Me: k, cool!  

          

I suppose she will ping me again shortly to ask if I am thirsty, but until then I will continue with this blog post.

Brooke: yt?

Me: y, what now?

Brooke: R U thirsty?

Me: y

Brooke: k, cool!

As I was trying to say, IM is taking over the world like a bad untreatable plague that does not kill anyone, yet renders one confused about the proper means to communicate with anyone at a level above the language that we have with our pets. Check that, we use complete words and cute phrases for that..."You are such a good boy, would you like a treat?"  Cowboy Jack: y

Brooke: yt? 

Me: y

Brooke: mind if I go 2 gym?

Me: n

Brooke: k, cool!

The truth is that I now use IM personally and professionally because I am saving my voice and word articulation for my debut as a guest tenor with The Houston Grand Opera.  And why use the spoken word and expend all that energy? And proper grammar and sentence structure is so 1970!

Brooke: yt? 

Me: y

Brooke: off 2 gym!

Me: k

Brooke: ily

Me: ily2

Brooke: k, cool!

The trouble with "fads" like IM is that they are not just fads, but rather, they become ingrained into the very pop culture in which we live. I suppose the old adage applies here, "If you cannot beat them, you might as well join them!"  Alas, this is true.

Oh wait, just got a cell phone text from Brooke, "at gym".  Pardon me while I text her back, "k, cool!"

TTYL my BFF's!

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The "WE" Code

Every relationship (spouse, family, friends, pets, etc.) has a "WE" code even if you are not aware that one exists.  It is very important to understand the nuances of the "WE" code in order to remain calm and happy whenever the code is invoked. Everyone you will encounter has their own "WE" code and their own unique interpretation of exactly what is expected once it is dropped on you.

For clarification, I thought I would provide a list of the most common "WE" codes along with a few examples of Brooke's definition when speaking them specifically to me:

WE = WE (Both of Us)

"WE need to go to Sam's Club and pick up a few things."

  

WE = ME (Brooke)

"WE need to make dinner."

"WE need to go to Marshall's & TJ Maxx."

"WE need to go to the gym." 

WE = YOU (Greg)

"WE need to grill tonight." 

"WE need to go to Home Depot."

"WE need to do laundry."

"WE need to iron the clothing."

"WE need to make the bed."

"WE need to power-wash the deck."

"WE need to drive to upstate NY for Christmas."

"WE need to exercise/walk more."

"WE need to eat less wings."

"WE need to fill-up/wash the car."

"WE need to quit playing Fantasy Football."

"WE need to pay the bills."

WE = HIM or HER or THEM (Others including animals)

"WE need to get the oven repaired."

"WE need to clean the house."

"WE need to go pee-pee." (Cowboy Jack)

Valuable "WE" code Tips:

• These codes should not be taken lightly nor for granted.   
• Misinterpreting "WE" codes has been proven to cause moderate to extreme pain in the lower extremities, just above the hamstrings.  
• When in doubt, always assume the comment was directed at you exclusively.  
• When returning a code always assume the comment you are making is in reference to you exclusively.  
• If you are having trouble identifying any WE=WE codes, assume that all those possibilities apply to you exclusively.  
• If a third-party in a WE = HIM or HER or THEM is hard to discern, assume that it applies to you exclusively.

Any questions?  

  

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Welcome to Living on Love and Leftovers...

Greetings and welcome to our new blog. Brooke and I have discussed doing a blog for about 2 years now, but we have always seemed too busy to take the time to share some of our experiences about food, including our personal restaurant reviews and Brooke's tips for creating healthy, delicious, and affordable meals at home (look for recipes, too). We also hope to provide useful information on travel, even for the budget minded.  Lastly, we will offer suggestions on how to take advantage of local events (not just for Houston, TX), with little or no cost to you while simultaneously enhancing your social and business networking opportunities. 

Along this journey we hope that you will see and understand the value that true love plays in making everything we discuss both healthier and happier. This is not meant to include only husbands and wives or boyfriends and girlfriends, but anyone who shares life moments with someone that they truly love.  There is no greater satisfaction in life than enjoying quality experiences with loved ones.

So this is the beginning of an experience that we both see as an adventure and as a personal catharsis from the demands of our every day lives. We hope to approach this as a sort of modern day Burns & Allen with both levity and whimsy (Note: if you are under 40, you may not have heard of George Burns and Gracie Allen - Google it!). We look forward to your ideas and suggestions on specific topics and we will be inviting guest bloggers to contribute their ideas, of mutual interest, in the very near future.

Stay tuned for more...

We now ask you to sit back, relax and enjoy the blog. "Say goodnight Brooke..."

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