A roaring hit

First off, Happy Lunar New Year!!! I love this time o' year. Familial celebrations commenced the evening past, and shall roll into this weekend. 'Tis a befitting and blessed time for such, with famaree trials paling in opacity in honor of such a joyous, fresh time...thank you Lord. Chinese New Year merrymaking post to come!

So I was in a state of exorbitant excitement for the pre-Broadway world premiere of Minsky's at the Ahmanson Theatre, and yesternight was the night of nights to catch it in its staged upbeat opulence in the fine company of fellow theater enthusiast JaniceJann! 'Twas irresistibly uproarious and fun circa early 1930s New York, and featured SNLegend Rachel Dratch, who, with the rest of the cast, did not disappoint in the least. Big show numbers, volumes of chorus girls, a love-conquers-all theme, and bushels of burlesque-era gags: a fluffy old-Broadway reminiscent piece that just makes you laugh and laugh and feel fuzzy inside. Whilst I'd been itching to catch Hairspray on Broadway, it fled to party it up on London's West End at the year's inauguration, so 'twas surprisingly marvelous to witness a handful of Hairspray's original Broadway cast (OBC) prolonging their legacy in Minsky's! I cannot wait to snag the soundtrack, though it shan't be released till it goes into primetime via Broadway. A fabulous show, even upon intermission, when we nabbed a snapshot, thanks to Janice's gutsiness, with fellow patron Monique Coleman de HSM spectaculars!I really really LOVE musical theater!!!!! Next to follow: The Phantom of the Opera!

A Westside eclectic spin

on the gritty WeHo classic that served as the final pit stop for westbounders on Route 66 in the good ol' days, Barney's Beanery on the kitschy Tourist Ground Zero called the Prom', was the site of a roommate rendezvous for Katlyn's final huzzah before departing for Aussie Land, an ideal low-maintenance joint for such, where a buzzing raucous crowd, an outdoor patio ambience susceptible to the eccentric hijinks of colorful street characters (!), synchronized blaring television sets that negate the indoor voice tenet, an exhaustive newspaper's worth of all-American bar savories, literally, tempt any palate, and friendly folks convene for a fabulous bon voyage.Katren, hooroo, dear mate, and have a bonzer time!

A sparkling Tehrangeles gem

Thanks to ethic enclave Little Persia that is Westwood and our cuisine connoisseur proclivities, we called on posh Shahrzad, a candlelit-ambienced venue that catered to our 3-hour 6-month catch-up gabfest accompanied by bona fide Iranian tasties:tanoor-baked lavash, a fresh and absolutely addicting flatbread staple whose recipe credits the ancient Babylonians, irresistible when doused in lemon-zesty salad-shirazi; chicken and filet mignon kebobs embellished with gowjeh and saffron rice mounds; and ultra creamy pistachio-rosewater-saffron bastani decadence to captivate the sweet tooth. Alas, such herb-surging savory foodie goodies compares not to chitter chatters that matter. Thanks, JaniceJann...I'm so glad you're on globe-gallivanting hiatus for now!!!

Weekend pictorials

O, to this quaint and much-ado old town dotted with rows of brick-adorned establishments we ventured for their much-kneaded therapy, my babycakes predilection,and our hankering for bistro-bred French fare whilst pedestrian-watching in the razzle-dazzling sunbeams.Famareeballoos are all the rage.Daybreak-rising flea market roamers frisking the antique-diffused grounds for the perfect time-honored goodie ('Tis absolutely hunky-dory that age correlates with price, which makes for a steal of a deal aplenty for me more often than not!)and subsequent church family carousal.Froyo chitter-chatter,dim sum to happify my roots,and wine-cellar burrowingmade for highlights of these 3 days past. Thanks God for treating me to so many treats this weekend!

His knack for speaking to mine heart

"Without God, life has no purpose.
Without purpose, life has no meaning.
Without meaning, life has no significance." -Pastor Ed

SOSOSOSO TRUE. Familial trials are a seethin' and a hissin' akin to a kettle about to erupt, and I thank God in light of them that He in His grace revealed to me the truth of the gospel and His purpose and perfect will for us that grants everlasting hope in Christ. If only those closest to my heart could grasp just that by God's grace. Helplessness engulfs me amid familial circumstances for many a reason, which reminds me that I am a mere vessel, and 'tis God who does the work. Please, Lord, please.

3-day weekends are so splendid, and this one, nonetheless, is no different.

A night of birthday delight

Yesterday heralded the legitimate inauguration of Irene's 23rd year of life,so we hollered asynchronous "CHEERS!!!" at the gratifying clink of glasses via The Twisted Vinefor gourmet exquisiteness in the jazz-filtering, edgy yet sophisticated intimacy-ensuring lounge.Happiest of birthdays to you, Irene! I LOVE YOU mucho grande nachoes. You are a friend of the most remarkable and terrific variety. Here's to more good times, God times, and tea parties when we're saggy crinkly old ladies.Oh, and thanks be to Annieand Shaina for chitter-chattery splendidness. I love near-daily LA dates.

A most punctual reminder

Time and time again whence I am gasping for air in the craggy fishnet of workday busyness, I entertain a cursory glance out the westward window to be slapped with the sheer wonder-triggering sight of the incandescent sun submerging drunkenly into the boundless horizon o'er the glistening Pacific Ocean, and I breathe a thankful prayer that God shows me His infinite majesty and sovereignty that deserves all glory and honor and praise in all that I am. And lo, 'tis peril for a sumptuous cupcake boutique to be a mere 10 minutes away from the nine-to-six, thereby enabling Sprinkles luncheon breaks' prevalence!

Patches of progress

in project Renovation Bedroom, one that has been underway since summertide's waning. 'Tis still a ways from approaching completion, but here is a snippet or two of both handcraftedand vintage novelties.I have tucked away in my noggin how I envision my budding boudoir, but first, a bevy of sewing to churn out and flea market frequenting to be tackled. SO FUN!

The surprise Saturday-long smash

We could not have been graced with a grander balmy yet brilliant sun-toasty January day for Irene's surprise weekend-before-her-birthday rambunctiousness. First on the checklist: a picnic with nature's greenery for the picnic aficionadowith a 60s picnic basket - one of my most exuberant flea market discoveries!Teeny touches of nostalgic charm to make it cute to the maximum.Fizzy tickly Orangina and French berry lemonade liquid quenchers, the tastiest baby spinach/candied pecan/crumbled goat cheese tossed in cranberry/gorgonzola/walnut dressing EVER,cheesily aged sharp cheddar and baby swiss slivers to consume by their lonesome, and for smoked maple turkey/pesto/spinach/swiss sandwiches on whole grain bread,sheer addiction in crisp sea-salted pita chips generously dunked in hummus, all thanks to a fine chap named Joe,homebaked oatmeal-walnut-raisin chewy cookies,and a batch of gal palsequals one excited and delighted birthday celebrant!Splendid are meals al fresco against the background of titillating landscaping, no?Next on the agenda: horseback riding, to which Irene's jaw dropped in eye-rubbing terror.Unbeknownst to us, the equestrian center closed shop amid our picnicking, which thence ushered in a detour tothe valley of slick lanes, striped pins, and portly balls. I nab the trophy for the sorriest bowlerwhilst all concur thatIrene is the most fun bowler, ever.Nightfall enveloped the land as we dolled up in spiffy threadsfor a British cottage restaurant supperwith a most breath-stealing viewand supersavorydelicious foodie goodies.Happiest of early birthdays to you, Irene! LOVE YOU!