Small Paul Extravaganza

So you all know that I went to Small Fries' christening on Saturday, but what did I bring for the little guy? Traditional christening gifts were foreign to me. As a non-Christian, I didn't feel comfortable giving anything with a cross on it.

I decided to stick to something very familiar and near and dear to my heart.

Ta-da!

Closer up.



I also picked up gifts for Mr. Monkey's cousin's daughter to make up for our embarrassing empty-handedness at the barbecue.

Closer up.

It is fun to spread my Monkey love to others.

I bought a little something for myself, too.

It was half off (i.e., $11), and I debuted it on Sunday at Open Sesame.

It's a Girl!

We welcomed a new addition to our family today. I'd mentioned in passing to Mr. Monkey awhile ago that I really wanted a little boy, but there were no more boys, so he brought home this little girl instead.

"Pink Melody" isn't my coveted "Rhythm & Blue," but I do prefer it over "Bohemian Brown," which was the other option available, so Mr. Monkey did very well.

Buh-bye, old bulky point-and-shoot! I have a new pink baby for my purse now!

If you'd like to add to your family, go to Fry's. My little girl cost only $199 and came with a free 2GB secure digital memory card. Score!

Baba Ghanoush! Baba Ghanoush!

I had brunch at Open Sesame today with 10Years, CBB, Y_L, KP, Nessdogg, starlily313, and JD2B. The decor was rich and colorful with a dash of kitsch.

I love watching huge chunks of meat spin.

Open Sesame adds mint to a number of its drinks, even to my Arnold Palmer. Nice touch. Refreshing. And I don't even dig mint that much.

We started with some hummus and baba ghanoush for the table. Yummers.


CBB had the chicken shawarma plate, which included tender thinly sliced marinated chicken, served with hummus, garlic sauce, wild cucumber pickles, pita, and a choice of salad.

I had a bite of CBB's chicken and garlic sauce. Pretty awesome.

I opted for the kafta pita, which was a charbroiled skewer of ground beef and lamb mixed with parsley, onion, and Lebanese spices rolled in a pita with hummus, parsley, onion, and sumac.


It was like happiness in my hand. Delicious. Please pay no attention to the fact that it looks like I'm holding poo in a pita. Best damn poo in a pita I've ever eaten.

More deliciousness -- CBB's Marc Jacobs' wallet.

I think everybody was quite pleased with their meals.

After brunch, we strolled down the block to get something refreshing for dessert. On our way, we ran into 10Years' secret side business -- a bikini store.

And then we reached our destination. Mmm.

Yogurt in hand, we walked along 2nd Street, chatting and enjoying the sun. We saw some kittens for adoption.

We went into this store, among others, briefly.

Then I got a call from my dad. It was about his sister-in-law. It was sort of urgent but not super-duper-right-this-moment-urgent. I told him I'd call him back in an hour. After walking around for a bit more, I decided I should go home to call my dad, so I bid my buddies adieu.

I had such a wonderful time. It was especially nice to meet starlily313 and JD2B. Thank you all for coming!

Baptize Small Fries

Today I went to the christening of Small Fries at Saint Monica's Church, where Curly Fries and Mr. Fries were married in 2003.

It was an educational experience for me. I had never been to a christening.

I wasn't the only shutterbug. There were a lot of snap-happy folks.


After the christening, we headed to Mariasol.

Food!

Cupcakes!


Shoes!


Motherly love times two!






Random bonus pic: this is where Mr. Monkey and I had our very first "group date."

I thought he was such a weirdo for ordering a gigantic blue drink. I'm pretty glad I got over that.