Eating Out

Jon and I have made it somewhat of a tradition to go out and eat on Friday nights. There's just something about knowing the weekend is ahead, and starting that off with someone else cooking just feels right. Lately, however, we have been trying some new places that sounded good but we hadn't been in a looonggg time or ever.

Two weeks ago we went to Native New Yorker. Neither of us had been before, but the menu online seemed decent enough and a had a selection that both of us could live with. We were unfortunately disappointed and just didn't think the food really stood out or made an impression. We agreed we probably won't go back on our own again.

We tried Outback. Now I know a lot of people like this place, and Jon didn't mind his meal, but I was unimpressed with mine. I ordered the pecan salad, and the menu said it had both iceburg and romaine lettuce. When it arrived, however, it was about 95% iceburg lettuce...and I'm being generous with that figure. It was another disappointment. It's really too bad because we ordered their spinach and artichoke dip (something we both love and try at any restaurant that offers it) and thought it was very good. In fact, it was some of the best we have had out (Jon's homemade version is hard to beat). But it's not good enough to send us back there.

Tonight we went to Rumbi. I hadn't been there before, but Jon had. It was different than normal, but again nothing that made me want to "put it on the list" to return to.

It got me thinking. Jon and I only have a few restaurants we routintely go to and can count on for great food (Canton Dragon and Grimaldi's top the list). Maybe we are the picky eaters. Maybe we expect too much. After all, as we were driving from Rumbi to Harkins Theatres, we passed by a ton of restaurants, all of which we tried (some many times) and decided that we didn't like enough to go back and officially have "crossed it off our list."

But maybe, just maybe, it's not such a bad thing since both Grimaldi's and Canton Dragon rock.

Time to jump on the wagon

If you are an ASU fan and haven't started getting excited about their sports season, now is the time to start. Today, for the first time since 1995, ASU beat that school down south TWICE during the regular season.

TWICE.

That other team is considered a basketball dynasty. This is the only time of year they can brag about being great because this is the only time they can come close to beating ASU at anything.

And they lost.

Again.

Sweet victory, sweet day!

Of course, ASU won during the football season against "Nogales Tech" and baseball season is around the corner.

Life is looking good. So if you are finally ready to wise up and want to join the faithful in cheering for a good team, we'll welcome you and teach you everything you need to know.

As long as your name isn't Wilbur.

Birthday news

Since I am around kids all the time I know how big of a deal birthdays are to them. When you get older the mystique and wonder seems to wear off. For one, birthdays seems to come around much more often. Two, it means you are getting old. Three, they aren't made as big of a deal as when you are younger so it typically just doesn't feel like when you had your sweet sixteen or big 21st.

But I have an amazing husband who made sure my birthday was so awesome this year!

Jon, aka the "best husband ever," started my day out by cooking me breakfast after I slept in. Then we lounged around the house and hung out until we had lunch at Paradise Bakery (one of my favorite spots). Then, Jon had planned a surprise afternoon/evening. I don't know if other ladies agree with this, but I pretty much LOVE date surprises when I don't know what we are doing or going. It's fun to guess what will happen and very romantic to see what the "best husband ever" (or BHE) has in store for me.


Jon had planned for us to go to the AZ Science Center and see the Titanic exhibit. I had mentioned to him that I wanted to get down there to see this, and it was awesome he remembered and planned it into my special day.

Then, the best husband EVER had made reservations for the revolving restaurant at the Hyatt in downtown Phoenix. I had never been there before, and it ended up getting us great views right before sunset of the entire valley. Because it was Superbowl weekend, security down at the hotel was tight since NFL people were all staying there. We ended up having to be escorted up to the restaurant by an employee, but it actually made it feel kind of special instead of being annoyance.

My wonderful husband definitely outdid himself for his wife this year. I had such a blast.