She's back...

No, I'm not referring to Brenda on the new 90210.  The woman who is "back" is the one and only Queen of Disco...Donna Summer!  

I have to admit that Donna Summer is one my (jamie) first childhood memories.  My mom used to be an aerobics instructor in the early 80s, and she would blast Donna Summer throughout the house while making up new routines for her classes.  And still, in the year 2008, my mom can be found shaking her butt while working in the yard with Hot Stuff playing on her shuffle.  The neighbors laugh.  My dad rolls his eyes.  But the thought of her disco dancing in the front yard to music that no one else can hear, will always make me smile.  

So when jen and I saw that Donna Summer was making her comeback at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, we knew we had to surprise my mom with tickets.  We didn't tell her where we were going...just that she needed to be in LA the weekend of August 22nd.  I couldn't wait to see her face as we approached the marquee.  She couldn't believe it.  Donna Summer!  She hasn't released an album in 17 years.  Wait, she's still alive?  OMG!  Donna Summer!  

We brought Helen along for the ride, even though when I asked her if she wanted to go, her response was "what does she sing?"  ;) 

The concert was amazing!  Donna Summer is quite the diva. Her first song was entitled The Queen is Back, and after her performance, it was obvious that she was never really gone. She played most of her new songs, and all of her old hits. Everyone was standing and dancing ...especially mom. Donna was funny, engaging, and a blast to watch. Her numerous costume changes were incredible! So many sequins. And to make the night even more indulgent, we brought along Yummy Cupcakes to munch on during the intermission. 

I heard my mom later on the phone telling her friend that she had converted three 30-somethings to be Donna Summer fans...and she was right.  We bought her new CD the next morning, and have been working out to the tunes ever since. If only I could go back in time and take one my mom's aerobics classes... 

Mom, if you're reading this, we were thrilled to share this moment with you.  

3,000 calories to go please...

My mom came to visit jen and me a few weekends ago, and one of our stops was Pink's in Hollywood.  After hearing about Pink's via the Food Network, mom couldn't wait to sink her teeth into the highly caloric goodness that is a Pink's hot dog.  

I think everyone in L.A. has been to this hotspot at least once. And at 3,000 calories a pop, once may be enough!  But I digress...

Let's pretend (for the sake of this blog) that we live in a world where 1. eating healthy doesn't matter...  2. hot dogs are made with extremely high-grade meat...  and 3. small portions are a thing of the past.  

Okay...keep that thought going...  

Pink's hot dogs are AMAZING!  Move over ketchup and mustard...Pink's menu has it all.  You can get everything from guacamole to sauerkraut to fruit on your dogs.  You can even get celebrity dogs like the Martha Stewart or Rosie O'Donnell dog.  With so many choices, you're probably wondering how on earth we chose what to order?  Well, the 30-minute wait gave us plenty of time to decide.  

For those of you who don't live in lala land, one thing to know about Pink's is that there is ALWAYS a line.  I've driven by the hot dog stand at 2am...line.  9am...line.  12noon...long, long line.  But like the Food Network reveals, it's ALWAYS worth the wait.  

I think both jen and I got the Mullholland Drive Dog.  (It's kind of hard to tell from the pictures.)  The 10" stretch dog comes smothered in grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, nacho cheese & bacon.  Mom went simple with a chili dog and sauerkraut. These messy delights were so delicious.  And adding an order of their super-seasoned fries (in our pretend world) equaled heaven on earth.

I know going to Pink's isn't something us LA folk would do on a daily basis...but next time you have a visitor in town, go ahead and splurge.  After all, we do need calories to survive...right?