November December Randoms

These past few months have been difficult in our family. But family gets through things together. 2015 has gone by and a brand new year is upon us. Here are a few last moments of 2015.

Chamoyada 

Tights and tweet

Pure new garden

Inspired by Mad Men 

Packed lunch

Stop by the food truck for some morning energy

Pumpkin croissants

Pumpkin bread

Beautiful pastries from Mirabelle's

Tomato, basil, goat cheese salad with balsamic dressing

Yellow cauliflower

Newf babies

Chicken thigh, green beans and Swiss chard

Date night at Wedge. 10 tacos for two

Butternut squash soup

Office time

Winter outfit

Goodbye Charlemagne

For the past couple of days we've had heavy hearts and an empty house. One week ago our love pup went to heaven. Charlemagne was my very first dog, and no other animal could ever replace him.

He was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma and could not handle the treatment from the Purdue University veterinary team. 

He was the best dog anyone could ever ask for. No excessive barking, always happy to see you and gets pets. He never chewed on any shoes or barked at the mailman. He always ate his food and medicine and was happy to lay down all day and cuddle. 

Even his little quirks were adorable to us. From the loud snoring, to gobs of drool. The heavy breathing in our faces first thing in the morning and his large body taking up the whole hallway. He was our best friend and we were happy to have him in our lives for as long as we did. 

Six years ago, my (now) husband brought home the most amazing Christmas gift: an eight-week old Newfie that was as bigger than some fully grown toy breeds. He was just a big pile of fluff.

I have so many wonderful memories of him, like when he was losing his teeth, or when he swam for the first time. He'd let us put hats and glasses and t-shirts on him and every Christmas we would lay in front of the tree. He'd "sneak" up on the couch or bed, but always loved the tile floor during the Summer. 

Everyone in the neighborhood knew his name and he made friends everywhere. Everyone wanted to pet the Newfie at Petsmart and even though we changed his food about 5 times, I was always happy to lug those 40lb bags of food home. 

He loved to "gopher" walks and had a little bounce in his step while lumbering down the street. When we would "gopher" rides in the car, his head could stick out on window and his the out the other, all while his jowls flapped in the wind. 

I'll always remember the thud we heard while he fumbled to the floor. And how he had a deathly fear of stairs. But he loved his milk jugs, ice cubes and cereal milk. 

Goodbye my baby. You'll forever hold a place in my heart.

September and October Randoms

Sooo, new developments. I've gone Full Time at FedEx to help out with the holiday season, so things are moving along quite nicely. Less free time, but hard work and experience is worth it. Still lots of eating, so at least I got that going for me. :-)

El Oasis our favorite. Cantaloupe, cucumber, mango and corn flavored Mexican ice creams

Pool time in September?!

Chicken thighs with Brussels Sprout salad and sweet potato fries

Zucchini noodles in garlic and olive oil

Exploring Meadowbrook park

My dogs

First time with spaghetti squash, not bad

Still loving El Oasis. Popsicles, ice cream and fried stuff

Breakfast by Pandamonium Doughnuts 

Brown sugar and apple french toast casserole

Roast chicken with kale and sweet potatoes

Still liking the short hair, think I'll keep it

Wavy clouds

#alldaybreakfat from McDonalds, YESSSS

Adult root beer floats

Flat dog

All the tofu, quarter for scale

Brunch at V Picasso. Grapefruit mimosa, green eggs and ham, and "big breakfast"

Genie tsum approves

Suit up!

Crock pot coconut chicken curry

Still eat nori on my popcorn

Kimchi, egg and veggie saimin

Again with the El Oasis, we get it...

The weather is getting colder and my poor little heart can't take it. Fall is going by so fast and Winter is right around the corner. My favorite season is passing us by.

Luckily, I don't work outside anymore, so the harsh conditions will not hurt me anymore. That is until I slip on the pavement wearing high-heeled boots. One thing at a time, one thing at a time. 

For now I'll focus on less travel and more eating, that is until the holidays come around. Then it'll be more travel, more eat ing:-)

-Akemi-chan