Tryin' new foods and tryin' to stay warm....

New Jersey...a diverse, multi-cultural city with lots of new experiences to offer a person from Utah..

Like visiting City Hall where my son-in-law works as an engineer. He's on the 4th floor as as Ella, Brandi and I were going up after visiting the woman in the mail room that has watched Ella grow since she was a baby, a beautiful round faced African-American woman in a headdress made out of a pretty scarf-like material, I asked Brandi what floor the Mayor was on - she said the 2nd. floor then looked at me and said "Whyyyyy?"

Told her I wanted to meet the mayor...she said, "You can't just walk in and ask to the the Mayor Mother, people need appointments and then they are probably, like, what do you want to see him about."

I said, "Well, he needs to meet me. I am from Utah and the mother-in-law of one of his employees.."

She sighed, rolled her eyes and said .."the second floor..but you're not going to see anyone..besides, it's 4:30 on a three-day week-end."

She was right - the guard outside of his door was gone, but a young, official-looking mane came out and asked if he could help us..

I told him I was from Utah and I wanted to see the Mayor.."

Brandi kind of cringed and I think she mouthed "I'm sooory" to him, but he was pleasantly saying "Oh sorry - he's left for the day - he's going to the inauguration on Tuesday, but if he were here I would most certainly let you see him and I'm quite certain he would have liked to meet you as well. The next time you're in town, just let us know."

Ha Ha Brandi! Nothing ventured, nothing gained..

OK, so now for the "new food"...this is a Brazilian fast-food place (!) that is known for this one sandwich..ginormous bun, freshly made, thin steak slices, cheese, bacon, lettuce, corn (!) Shoe string potatoes (you know, from the can) and......an egg (?!)

And yes, it was really really good! Brandi & I split one and Ella had their famous bean soup, which she loves..

They had this sauce that was similar to fry sauce ( Utah original) but it had a slightly different, more exotic flavor..(fry sauce, being mostly mayo and thousand island dressing is NOT very exotic..)





OK, so a birthday cake is not that unusual, but it is when you're on Weight Watchers...AND when it comes from a neighborhood bakers that's been there for over 40 years and has the reputation for some of the most awesome baked goods..Calendrias Bakery...



But, after all, you only turn 5 once...and goodness knows, cupCAKES are definitely not a Calendrias Bakery cake!


Here's hoping you have a good Sunday and that we don't forget who's the Mayor's boss...the PEOPLE...OK..maybe not the UTAH people...but the "people" none the less...

-me