Showing posts with label Cheesecake Factory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cheesecake Factory. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2012
My Chicago
Today, *MAYBE*, will be my last day talking about Chicago. This was my third trip to Chicago and my full purpose was to submerse my child into the Second City experience. I think we saw seven shows while we were there. And while he was in class I roamed the streets of Chicago, sent e-mail updates to my family, read a book and a half, SKYPED Dad in Italy and shopped some. Hey, I was ½ block from Michigan Avenue, can you blame me? When asked what I recommended another tourist to see, I was embarrassed almost to admit I wasn’t doing the ‘touristy’ things. But here are the things I did see and do.
The route to and from Second City from our hotel had me passing this sculpture at least twice a day. The detail is amazing. There are 5 fingers and toes on each hand and foot. Then upon closer look, the hair is made from silverware handles! I’m not sure what his official title is, but my unofficial title was banana man. One afternoon I was killing time waiting on Christian, so I walked over get a chocolate covered frozen banana. Looking for a cool place to sit and eat it, I thought, well, I’ll just head over to the park area…. The humor of me eating a frozen banana while ‘appreciating’ the sculpture took me a few hours to grasp. Lol! Hopefully no one got a picture of that.
Each morning we had breakfast at the McDonald’s across the street from Second City. One morning the manager was in the corner ordering his food and it makes me think of my Grandpa Gil and what all he went through working for them at that time in his life, long hours, countless employees... And then to know they didn't have shredded lettuce at that time, so the employees probably had more 'WORK' in preparation... Revelation knowledge, I know... Just my thought.. Plus the mgr is on his cell phone; Lord knows Grandpa Gil never had one of those, much less a 'cordless' phone... Wow, just think about how much life has changed since 1975!
Marijuana was the topic of the time we were there, I got a snapshot of the newspapers while sitting at McDonald's one day, Geez!
On the way back from breakfast and dropping Christian off I had a different path I took and had a few favorite houses of note. One day I was on the phone with my sister and talking about this magical place with castles all around, not realizing that there was someone behind me. When I stopped to take a picture to message her, the rather manly looking woman looked at me scared… lol! Like I cared. It was interesting that in such a modern city that there were ‘castle-looking’ houses. I laughed thinking about their ‘kingdoms’ in such a modern place.
Swoon, the church from the Julia Roberts Movie - My Best Friend's Wedding
Directly behind the chuch is the White Hall Hotel... See, you are never too far from home... Coincidentally, the Cheesecake Factory was right there as well, so you know, Chicago Michigan Avenue is my FAV Cheesecake Factory. This time I only went there 3 times.... And in 14 days, that is a new record, normally it is every day! lol! Oh, Chicago, I will miss you... Until next time... ;)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Cheesin over my Cheesecake Factory Memories!!!!
While on my recent trip I had the opportunity to visit 3 Cheesecake Factory Restaurants!! WOW! 5 days 3 restaurants, I LOVE those odds! lol!
I can't say THANK YOU enough to the Cheesecake Factory for the gift of gift certificates!! What a blessing! I am appreciative that you support my endeavor. I'm one of your biggest fans!
Birmingham - the best dining experience. Our waiter was very nice and the staff was friendly. The food, SUPERB! They win the store of the trip award which sorry to say will get you nothing more than a mention here, sorry, I don't have a budget for trophies!
Raleigh, NC - WHEW! I didn't think about it being Valentine's weekend. We arrived at this restaurant at mall closing time, wait time 1 hour 40 minutes, WHAT? I had to just get cheesecake to go. On a positive note I bought the Reece's Peanut Butter Cheesecake - Oh, my word! DELISH! My DH is alleregic to peanuts so I'm not able to eat it if he is around.. Finally I could eat it, Reece's Peanut Butter did not disappoint. Totally worth the wait!
Durham, NC - Very pretty building at a shopping center. Loved the atmosphere and they had the most friendly hostess, seating and wait staff of the trip. I had the opportunity to speak to the manager Robert, who had just been to California for a visit to Cheesecake Corporate - JEALOUS! One of the employees, sorry I didn't get your name - but I did get your picture - told me after I mentioned that it was nice to notice how happy he was, he said, "how can you not be happy with all this cheesecake around?" AMEN friend!!!!
On our ride home, we attempted to make it to the Nashville restaurant, but due to the snow over the Smokies, we missed it by 1 hour... That's okay Nashville, I will see you!
Why Cheesecake Factory?
Growing up in South Arkansas as the oldest of three kids, we didn't have a lot of money to eat out. I remember eating out at a 'nice restaurant' only a handful of times growing up - Jr. Prom, we went to the Olive Garden. And for our Sr. Dinner we went to a local steakhouse Colonial Steakhouse. During the holidays we would get to experience all kinds of fun desserts. One of my favs was always cheesecake b/c I didn't get it very often. When on my first work trip to Denver, CO, my manager suggested we eat at the Cheesecake Factory. WHAT?!??! A restaurant with over 100 cheesecakes available for dessert? Wo-hoo! If ever I felt like Ellie Mae, it was then. LOVE at first bite! And the look of the restaurant is so decadent. The other food is good too, which just escalates the cheesecake to cherry on top of the whole experience. That was in 2003 or 4. Since then, I have been on a mission, any travel adventure, work or personal I look to find a Cheesecake Factory nearby. It is my happy place.
I have been blessed as an adult to afford eating out on a pretty regular basis and share the joy with my son (and whoever else is with me at the time). My DS is such a foodie! And will try anything once. And if he isn't with me I bring Cheesecake home. Probably the most memorable was a whole anniversary cheesecake that I had to pick up in Chicago and fly it back with me. 1 layover and 7 hours later we arrived home, cake still cool. He got home from school and had a whole cheesecake, I was the BEST MOM EVER! One of our favorite (Cheesecake Factory) memories of us together was in Kansas City. They had an appetizer sampler for like $27. I ordered it as my meal. He tried EVERYTHING and enjoyed it all, he was a happy fellow. we still talk about all the food that was on our table that day. Bucket List Living LIFE!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Great North Carolina or Bust Road Trip!
Today just after lunch myself and 2 other Pye girls will be making the journey to North Carolina. We are headed to complete a Bucket List item of 52. Finding my Grandfather’s headstone – but in the process we will be doing so much more!!! Grandpa Gil - I'm COMING!!!!
Other Bucket List Items that will make progress this weekend as well – I’ve never been to North Carolina – take that state off the list!
I hope to visit a few Cheesecake Factories 99. Visit every Cheesecake Factory!
J Although we won’t be in England, I FULLY expect to- 46. Do the scene from European Vacation – Look kid’s Big Ben, Parliament!
Maybe along the way I will- 120. Start something that goes viral. I would like to get a picture from Mississippi to document the progress on
11. Visit every state in the United States…
**Reminder – Visit Every Cheesecake Factory and visit all 50 states list itmes have their own page listed above to track the progress.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Let's get ready to.... ROAD TRIP!
Final preparations for the North Carolina or Bust road trip are under way. I am making a map so that I can update ya’ll on the progress as we go. We will be driving the Hyundai Santa Fe, my WannaBEE! I have some magnetic signs for the website that I will use to decorate it up… WE are jumping in Bucket List Living NOW!!!! Maybe I can increase my blog readership along the way! J
Just so you know - Cheesecake Factory, I was serious! Here is my Cheesecake Factory trip map! lol! (a HUGE THANK YOU TO MAPQUEST!)
No one has recommended any tunes yet, so I’ll just go with my CD collection. My new Adele… Also another album of the year – Lady Antebellum – We Own the Night… Of course I’ll have my Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney.. My WannaBEE doesn’t have any new MP3 or iPod connectivity, but we will make do.
Progress 86. Buy a Bumble Bee Car– DH’s truck will be paid off this spring. Once we have a few more bills taken care of, maybe later this year I can take the car payment plunge again! Lol!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Let them eat.... CHEESECAKE!!!
On
Thursday, I posted on the Cheesecake Factory facebook page about my quest… Today they replied!! This is sooo awesome!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A look back and a look ahead...
Well, Monday marked the 8th anniversary of my 30th birthday. Wow, how did that happen? What have I done in those years?
I graduated with my Bachelor's and Master's degree
Took a graduation girl's trip to the Bahamas
Got my braces off (I wore them 3 years, 9 months and 13 days)
Changed jobs
Visited Disney World and Universal Studios
Went to Key West
Went to a NASCAR race at Talledega
Went snow skiing at Gatlinburg, Boulder, Cheyenne and Tahoe
Visited Chicago - found the joy of American Girls Experienced Kansas City, MO Watched my baby go from elementary to jr. high and he is now a SENIOR!!
Had an unexpected hystericalectomy Visited MANY Cheesecake Factories
Became the wife of a Baptist Church preacher (he got his own church)
Found my FAV Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper only for them to discontinue it
Found the AWESOME Dublin Dr. Pepper only to have Dr Pepper shut it down for Dr Pepper bottling - Don't worry, I'm not going to start drinking water- I would hate to have something else that I love to drink become unavailable.
Started this site
I'm sure I'll think of other accomplishments as soon as I hit the "POST" button, lol! Okay, so I have 2 years before the big 4-0... I wonder how many list items I can mark off my list before then... CHALLENGE accepted!!! - Kelley Pye-Dancer Not dying, bucket list LIVING!!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!!
To ring in the new year, me and my two main fellows - my DS and DH were at the Cheesecake Factory in Frisco, TX.
Our waitress was Shannon F. She was a good match for our table. The manager offered champagne to all the adults at the table; she let him know there weren't any before we had a chance to say no thank you. We did gladly don our Happy New Years hats. So there we were in the Cheesecake Factory, just after eating Godiva cheesecake, the New Year rings in, we blow the horns, high five and kiss... And I look at my DH and say this is the best celebration ever. He agrees, DS was happy as happy can be.
I accomplished another task on my bucket list by going to yet another Cheesecake Factory, more importantly; I made an awesome memory with my family. Let me just say - 2012 is gonna be the best. Hold on to your hats! We are gonna have a list kicking year!!!
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