In the words of Ice Cube, “Today was a good day.”

Before we headed out for the afternoon, we had some smoothies.  I served mine in a bowl for easier toppin’.

  • 1/2 scoop vanilla soy protein powder
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 c. spinach
  • 1 c. frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 c. frozen mango
  • 1/4 c. frozen pineapple
  • cinnamon
  • ~2T. Kashi Go Lean
  • ~2 T. granola

Then we dropped the kiddos off with my parents so we could finish up our Christmas shopping.  Gigi headed straight for Mimi and Poppy’s tree and the wrapped gifts.

She took a quick inventory of what was hers,

and made corresponding piles.

She was quite pleased with the haul.

I told her the rule was no opening until Christmas, but that there was no rule against educated guessing.

Meanwhile, Lulu whipped up a little dinner.

Where is the oven mitt?  Those things aren’t just for games of Pincher Pincher.  I was a little concerned about her preparation of chicken legs, until I realized they were fake, flavorless and plastic, and thus were obviously faux soy meat products.

With the girls in good hands, Daddy and I hit some really great stores.  My favorite purchase of the night were these lockets that we bought for the girls to give to each other.

We are going to have Lulu give Gigi the “G” locket with a picture of her inside and vice versa.

I know. It’s so adorable you can’t stand it.

As a reward for our shopping successes, we went to a nearby brew pub, The Lucky Labrador.

As you may know, Daddy doesn’t do beer, but he does do root beer, and this place is known for it’s home brewed root brewskies on tap.  Problem was, they were out, so they gave us a free beer.  Okay, twist my arm.

This was a Scottish Holiday ale.  The last “Scottish Holiday” I had involved my Scottish great grandmother getting stuck underneath the Christmas tree after one too many ales.  I drank a second one in her honor.

Along with the beer, and my Professor who kept me company (…the Professor of LOVE…),

I felt like I was back at the frat house I frequented in college, minus the toilet you have to hover over and red plastic cups.

The decor, much like many of my blog posts, stuck with a theme to a fault:

Ceramic Labrador plates,

Bulletin boards of photographs and sketches of the dogs in patrons’ lives,

and those no longer in patrons’ lives.

Rest in peace, Elti.

Of course there was the ultimate masterpiece, rivaling the Mona Lisa and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel,

Dogs Playing Poker, which is even classier in tapestry form.

Just when you thought the atmosphere was at the ultimate height of class, I noticed the chipped paint and crumbling walls.

Somebody was pretty ticked about the root beer shortage.

Despite the questionable decor,the pizza selection was fantastic.  We got a half Veggie Deluxe (Artichoke Heart, Mushroom, Green Pepper, Black Olive, Tomato and Mozzarella) and half Village Vegan (Fresh Spinach, Artichoke Heart, Green Pepper, Broccoli, Roasted Garlic, and Mushroom) both on a barley crust.

Vegan pizza?  Free beer?  Can it get any better?

My pizza slice, and the other half I went back for was stellar.

There were huge cloves of roasted garlic, which I offered to avoid to spare my dear husband of my garlic dragon breath, to which he responded, “It doesn’t matter.  I. WILL. NOT. BE. DETERRED.”

He held true to his word.

Lucky dog.