Happy Anniversary to us!

We had a very fun 11th. It started on Friday night by getting delicious Thai take out from President Thai and eating it while watching a mystery Dateline. Grandma Ginny came over for the whole weekend to help us out with the kids.

Saturday morning we went to Heirloom Bakery and Cafe in South Pasadena and had a totally delicious breakfast--tomato basil quiche, a bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich and orange juice. It was sooooooooo good and we had the best table! We also shared a yummy cream-filled chocolate cupcake. (We ate very naughty--chocolate is very much a part of Valentines day for us!)










We then wandered around South Pasadena. There are so many cute stores on and near Mission Street. Family Fair, the Chocolate Box, Marz, the Dinosaur Farm, the Fair Oaks Pharmacy, Koi. I just enjoy the cuteness of the store fronts more than anything else--so different from a mall. We got some truffles at the Chocolate Box. We discovered a new store called Zinnia that we absolutely loved. It was a crafty yet very artsy store. There was even an exhibition going on called Heartbreak which was really nice. Some of the pieces were wonderful.










We then went over to the Folk Tree. This is one of our very favorite stores and we wanted to see their "Hearts and Flowers" show going on. We try to see this show every year. It was nice--so inspiring! I wish I would've snapped more pics! I really enjoyed this embroidered piece.

Going to the Folk Tree inspired us to go to another favorite place--Olvera Street!! We LOVE hanging out there and looking at the wonderful art and crafts. After some browsing, I found a beautiful new red blouse from Ecuador. I love Ecuadorian embroidery ever since my sister Brenda went there on her mission and brought us back some Ecuadorian clothing. Craig also got a new guayabera. It was just so fun to be in the Olvera Street atmosphere.




























We then went home to check on the girls and change our clothes. We had a dinner reservation to get ready for! On the way there we stopped at Zinnia because they were having the opening reception for the show and we wanted to check it out. We only stayed for a bit, but it was really nice to meet some of the artists. I got to meet the artists of my three favorite pieces. Here are a couple of them.








So we had a dinner reservation at Frere Taix which is a fabulous French Restaurant in Echo Park. We go there almost every anniversary because we love it and also because it's where we had our wedding luncheon. So it's a very special place for us. And, oh man!!! Did we have the BEST dinner there!
They had a special Valentines day menu and they were offering prime rib. There was no doubt that that was what both Craig and I would order. We started with the most wonderful potato leek soup. We then had a yummy bleu cheese iceberg lettuce wedge. Then came the prime rib which was PERFECT.
I personally love an end cut. I like to call prime rib "velvet butter meat" because that's what it reminds me of. It came with mashed potatoes, carrots, and asparagus. YUM!! For dessert we ordered a creme brulee AND a chocolate mousse! (I know, pigs!!) But we couldn't help it, we couldn't choose between the two! We were so surprised when four of the waiters came out with our mousse with two candles in it and sang "Happy Anniversary" to us. Craig had mentioned it when he made the reservation, but we didn't know that they would remember!! :) Everything was so perfect! And can you believe they brought us chocolate dipped strawberries with our bill? :)