Just a Little Liver Pate

This being my second to last day of vacation before heading back to work (insert a big BOO HOO here), I thought it might be nice to meet up with my parents for lunch. We decided to meet at one of my dad's favorite spots, DZ Akins. This deli has been around for over 20 years and boasts their 'oversized, abundant menu is filled with ethnic favorites: Cheese Blintzes, Lox, Borscht, Bread Pudding, Chopped Liver, Potato Knishes…as well as having over 134 sandwiches (including awesome Triple-Deckers) piled sky-high with fine Deli Meats as well as complete Dinner Entrees such as: Corned Beef and Cabbage, Roast Brisket of Beef, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls'. I'm guessing you can see why it is my dad's favorite as well as a fun spot for celebrities to drop by when in the neighborhood (keep your pants on, I'll tell you about my celebrity siting in a moment).

So you ask yourself...what kind of delectable treat did the Becker Trio enjoy for lunch. Well, see for yourself.

My mom had the steamed veggie platter (I know, she's eating so well these days)

I had the Chicken Breast with Avocado & Jack Cheese & Fruit

(sorry you are getting a partially dissected look at my lunch, I tend to pick apart my meals!)

And my dad had a liver pate sandwich (wish I had smell-o-vision because the stench, er, aroma is not to be missed with this sandwhich.) Oh, and what you see is only half of the sandwhich, that sucker was huge!

Oh and not to forget the homemade pickles they have on every table. These are actually quite good, crunchy and salty goodness. Can't have just one.

Onto the celebrity siting: During lunch, or rather almost as soon as I sat down, I looked over across the way and saw a guy who looked very familiar animatedly talking to an older guy taking notes. Dang, he looked familiar but I couldn't figure out where I knew him from before I realized he was an actor. Now, don't ask me right away his name as neither my mom nor I could figure it out with all our staring and what not we did over lunch (by the way, my dad was totally oblivious to my mom and my gawking...men are just like that I guess...hehehe). But have no fear, my shameless mother (who I secretly thank for being nosey) went up to the hostess on our way out to ask who the actor was. It was Mark Feuerstein! Oh of course, right? Well, the name may not sound familiar but after looking him up on IMDB, you might change your mind and go ah ha...that guy!

Anywhoo...after our brief but delicious lunch, we packed things up (basically rolled ourselves out to our cars) and headed on our blissful ways, with a full tummy and our celebrity siting quota for the year!

It's 2009?

Can you believe we are in 2009?! What happened to 2008? Oh wait, I remember, births and birthdays, workouts & triathlons, Iron Chefs & GNOs, games & nonsense and well frankly just great times spent with family and friends.

So as we officially mark our start into 2009, Grace (my cat's first appearance on the blog...holla) and I wish you a year filled with fun, friendship, love and adventure. And here's to more timely blogs in 2009. As you can see I am so not on top of it already! Oh, and I hope the rest of you bloggers out there continue to blog away because I love to read about everyone's lives...like I said in my first posting oh so long ago it's like being a one-sided pen pal. I have such creative, busy, funny people in my life and love reading about you. And for those of you who aren't part of the 'bloggin' world yet...come join us...so we can peek into your lives as well! It's so much fun (thanks Moira & Beth for getting me into this!)

I know...no words necessary...we make a cute pair!

New Years Day (A Brief Recounting)

Since I was so thorough during my recollection and retelling of Becker Christmas 2008, I will just provide you with the highlights of highlights of Beckers New Years Day Dinner 2008. I know...I'm a giver (of your time back, so you aren't spending it all reading about my life...ha!).

So in the sense of time....

The perfect table setting (notice the English Cracker mentioned in the Christmas blog pre-cracking)...pretty huh?

My English Cracker Prize - a mini measuring tape and joke (Reader Beware: The Jokes are always bad...not like bad shame on you but like bad lame)

A small lay of the dinner land

A close up of my mom's famous Steak & Kidney Pie or is that Shephard's Pie?...either way, good puff pastry, good meat & vegetables & love the blackbird (a tradition must)

Mark & my sister, Moira muggin for the camera. Pssst...if you really squint and concentrate you can see some of my parents' kitchen remodel...I'm so jealous but so happy for them...it's a great entertaining kitchen and they love it!

My brother, Ian, and dad both caught off guard (but still rockin the paper crowns)

Me and our close family friend, Lenore, muggin. Lenore also brought us a decorated OREO shaped cake for dessert...on of her signature cakes and mighty yummy. Lenore is also the family friend who lives in Russia part time and in San Diego the part of the year. Our family has benefited from her travels as all of the Becker kids have stayed at her house while she was gone (Ian is the current resident)

Jon, my sisters Sheona & Moira and my mom slinking in the background (guess Moira was sneaking into pictures again!)So here's to 2009! Cheers...and here's to me actually giving highlights next time I say highlights!

P.S. After dinner we played Wii (family favorite) for a few then Moira and I stayed and played some more (Carnival Wii) and then a couple games of Farkle (my new favorite) with our parents. See I just can't help give more detail!!!!