Zak's New Threads

So for the period between Black Friday and Christmas, Zak's work, Harry Ritchie's had this competition/contest, called 'Cranberries to Chirstmas", going amongst all the stores. Each store had a goal, and if they made 100% of their goal, everyone would get a nice scarf. If the store got to 105% of goal, they got sweatshirts. At 110%, and for the final gift, jackets were the reward. Out of the 3o or so stores in the company, only a handful of the stores reached at least 110% of the store goal. The Moscow store was one of them! (Kind of a rare occasion, since their store goals are always so high and/or the corporate office isn't too fond of the Moscow branch; there have been lots of drama within the last few years.)

After the contest ended, Zak and his co-workers filled out size and color orders and a few weeks ago, the merchandise arrived. And everything is surprisingly really nice and comfortable. Here are some pictures of Zak modeling his new gear:

what a snazzy hoodie (the logo is small and on the left (of Zak))
what a nice (cashmere, even!) scarf and jacket (notice how the logo isn't that obvious, so that's nice)

My grandparents got Zak a gift card to use at Amazon for Christmas. He didn't really know what he wanted to use it for; there weren't any games or movies he just had to have. So he let it sit for awhile (something I'm bad at doing, I always seem to spend my gift cards like, the next. day.) until he came across some watches he liked. Mind you, he got a nice watch for our anniversary, but it's more of an every-day, casual watch (and we'll disregard the fact that I pointed this out before we got the watch; I asked him if he might want a nicer watch, what with his fancy job of selling jewelry, etc., but no, he assured me he wanted that one), and not a dressier watch. So he debated between a few types, but settled on a nice one from Stuhrling that he ordered last week. He was pretty excited about it. So excited, in fact, that he opted for the express shipping (yes, I rolled my eyes at that, but I let it go, he was too cute about it).

He loves this watch. The face is bigger than his other one, but it still looks very nice on his wrist. I'm just happy he is in love with it. I guess I'm the next one due for a fancy watch, but I'm in no hurry. Here's a rough picture of the watch:

Date Night!

We have just had the crummiest week, weather-wise. Snow and snow and snow and ice and freezing cold and snow. Oh, and snow is in the forecast for the next week or two. Apparently, the end of February is typically like this: stupid and deceiving. Here we were, getting excited for spring, what with the weather being sunny, clear and in the 50s almost every day. But no.

So yesterday we decided to have a Date Night, since we rarely do that, especially with our crazy schedules. We needed a break from being inside and ventured out into the cold Idaho weather. We are definitely thankful to not be walking around in such awful cold, like the 'good old days' in Rexburg.

We picked the place we went to for our anniversary/Valentine's Day dinner a few weeks back: Sangria Grille. This time we didn't have to worry about being back for work, so we were able to enjoy ourselves. And, randomly, we were seated at the table we had previously dined at. Next time, I guess we have to demand 'our' table. I noticed there were sweet corn tamale cakes on the menu for an appetizer, and asked Zak if it'd be alright to get them. I have something of an obsession with the Cheesecake Factory's sweet corn tamale cakes. All other appetizers fail in comparison, in my opinion. So we got them and boy, were they a good choice. The cakes were a little bigger and denser than I expected, but every bit delicious. [Side note: I found a recipe for them that I guess is a copy-cat version of the C.F.'s dish, and I am excited to try it. Will write a review with the recipe when I try it.]

Last time we ate there, Zak got this amazing skirt steak with fried bananas, that was just incredible. I could not resist and opted to get it this time. It did not disappoint. I normally don't order steak, I think the last time I got it at a restaurant was over a year ago, but I made the right decision this time. I couldn't eat it all (darn!), so I plan on having it for leftovers later today. Zak debated between a few options and finally chose to order the half-rack of ribs. He hasn't really had experience with such an order, so I walked him through it. My brother Kenny is like a ribs
connoisseur, so I have plenty of knowledge about them. The ribs were very tender and had just the right amount of sauce. We were both too full to try for dessert, but that was just fine with us.

We quickly grabbed some groceries (and candy) from Winco and headed to the movie theater. There weren't a lot of options to choose from, but The King's Speech with Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush was playing, and I persuaded Zak to go see that with me. I had heard rave reviews about it, and I love Colin Firth (duh), so I knew it'd be good. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and thought it was just beautiful to watch. It was a bit too slow for Zak's taste, but he appreciated it as a good film and that I liked it. I was just happy that he came with me and had a good time being with me.

We came home and quickly ran inside to escape the clear, cold -9 degree air and snuggled up in blankets and turned on the t.v. It was so nice to go out and do something other than be at work or getting groceries! Of course, no pictures because I ran out of the house without the camera! Oh well, maybe next time!

Belated Valentine's Day Post

I know this is a week late, but I still wanted to write it.

Our Valentine's Day

I woke up early last Monday and starting work on breakfast. Since Zak didn't have to go in until 1, I thought we could have a nice, leisurely breakfast together. I started frying up bacon (splurge, yes), and cutting up strawberries (splurge number two, couldn't say no) and then got to the crepes. As I was about to get Zak up and start making them, I decided that I should make them pink. My family has a history of adding food dye to many holiday meals. Well, initially it started out as you know, green milk for St. Patrick's Day or pastel colored something for Easter. But then it got weirder and weirder and there have been reports of purple tuna sandwiches my father has made for Jenna. So I am just used to that and thought it would be fun. It was fun and breakfast was delicious. Especially considering the fact that strawberries, bananas and nutella make the ultimate crepe. Perfect.

Zak went into work at 1, at which point, I cleaned up a bit. For his gift, I got him some neat posters that I thought he'd like. And I had the cute idea of putting them up along the kitchen/dining room wall while he was at work, and taking down the previous pictures I had put up when we moved in. After that, I lazed around for a bit, got all pretty, and then started in on dinner. We decided on salmon, and the package for it had a recipe for honey-mustard sauce that I thought would be good. Except that the salmon was supposed to be broiled and the skin was still on half of it, so needless to say, I was a bit freaked out that it wouldn't work out right. The potatoes and broccoli were fine, but I was most worried about the fish, because I've only cooked fish like, one way before: on top of the stove, not in it.

Well, once Zak came home, we had a lovely candlelight dinner, on our traditional heart plates I've had for a few years. The fish was great, as was everything else. For dessert I tried a recipe that was like simplified bananas foster. It was essentially bananas caramelized in butter and brown sugar, drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with coconut flavored whipped cream. It was delicious but so, so rich. It was like, a once a year kind of dessert.

Zak got me a cute plush talking doll from Hallmark (Yoyo, of Hoops & Yoyo farme. They are brilliant). And this awesome print from the comic I love. It's called Extra Ordinary Comics, and it's just the cutest comic ever. I really love it. So I was thrilled, and put the print over the hamster cage so I can admire it all the day long. So we had a great Valentine's Day together, despite it being awful and snowy outside and Zak having to work. :)

all three posters

the print Zak got me, 'SPACE SHARK'

this is Yoyo :)

Four Years

Yesterday Zak and I celebrated being a couple for 4 years. It's strange to think how quickly the time has gone, we certainly don't feel four years older or different. But so much has changed and happened in those years. To celebrate, we both worked the closing shifts at work, hooray! But on our lunch break, we went to the restaurant that's in the mall parking lot, called Sangria. It was a cute little place with really neat wood and leaf decor. It was basically how I'd decorate my porch, with vines and lights. Anyways, it was nice. And affordable, and surprisingly very good. There was lots to choose from, and I thought I read that the cuisine was like Peruvian fusion? Well, Zak had a delicious steak with some fabulous sauce and...plantains? It was amazing. I had a breaded chicken cutlet over spinach basil pasta. I had my leftovers for dinner tonight. So that as a nice way to celebrate, and it kind of counts for Valentine's Day, since Zak has to work.

Last year for our anniversary, we went to that wonderful concert on campus with a genius pianist playing one of my favorite pieces by Rachmaninov. Then we had dinner in Idaho Falls. While it was a nice night, even though I forgot our leftovers, I have to say I really enjoyed this year's celebration. The weather was better and we didn't have to drive half an hour to get to dinner! But last year we had the top tier of our wedding cake, which was nice. It was nice to celebrate a little, even though our new anniversary is in August.

Two years ago, we got engaged. It was a Thursday, because I had to go to my stupid art seminar, and I dragged Zak along with me. Beforehand, I surprised him with his mom's recipe of chicken pot pie, his favorite. After we ditched out of the seminar early, he surprised me by proposing in "our" building on campus, by the famous poster of the elephant periodic table. That was a wonderful night, and even though I suspected the proposal, it still caught me by surprise. I think we hardly slept that night.

Three years ago, Zak was working in Connecticut and I was at school. It was a crappy winter and although I had great roommates, being all by myself for our first anniversary and Valentine's was hard. But Zak found a way to make it better. I remember coming home from a particularly grueling drawing class, feeling hopelessly depressed and frustrated at my lack of artistic talent. It was freezing and there was just so much snow and I was tired and hungry...but I remember coming home and my roommates were all excited and giggling as I saw the beautiful bouquet of red roses Zak had ordered online for me. I pretty much lost it and we spent the evening on the phone. I had sent him a box with homemade candies and chocolates and all kinds of cute things, and he sent me a cute little box as well. So that made our separation less difficult.

Four years ago we became a couple. I had to ask him, since he wasn't sure that I liked him in that way. Well, he was wrong. And yeah, two days later it was Valentine's, but it really wasn't that awkward. I do remember my roommates being mad at me for getting a boyfriend right before Valentine's, and they wouldn't let me come to some Singles Only party or whatever, but I didn't care. Zak wrote me a sweet song and played it on his guitar, in the freezing cold. It was a great night.

I'm so glad to have such a fun, smart, wonderful guy in my life who plays with me and pampers me with pretty things. He is a great husband and friend and I am happy to be his other half. :)

Things that are Happening Currently.

So far, so good. Our life has been going well the last few weeks, despite some scheduling frustration. However, the weather has been splendid; it is like California in winter, but a little bit colder. Lots of rain, then sun, and the snow that comes every two weeks is gone in a day or so. It's probably a fluke that it's so nice right now, but we'll take it!

Zak has had some great success at work. Not only did the store make its period goal, but so did every employee, so that's two bonuses for Zak on his next check! The store had a good 'remount' show (kind of like a custom design show, lots of loose stones and settings, etc.), and is on its way to making its next goal. Zak is about halfway to his next goal, and it's only been a week. So that is great news, and we're sure he'll make it, what with Valentine's Day coming up and all.

Work has been about the same for me. Our fiscal year is over, so now we are onto new scorecards, etc. Every day is different, sometimes it's crazy busy (like on Saturday) vs. the super slow days where only old ladies come in the morning (Tuesdays, usually). I'm currently looking for other jobs that won't involve retail, so hopefully I'll have some good news to report soon...

Today we had a bit of a cleaning spree and went through our dresser and closet and sorted clothes. Our bedroom is beautiful now, whereas the second bedroom...well, we'll just say that we love having it as a 'storage room', because that's what it is for now. I don't think we'll ever more somewhere without it being a two-bedroom from now on, because it is wonderful to have that second bedroom.

I have been doing yoga for the past few weeks. I downloaded this really neat app on my iPad and just love it. I can custom-make my own routines or use the pre-made ones. I can definitely feel my muscles getting stronger and when I'm doing a certain pose or whatever, I can now identify which muscle I'm using and how to stretch it, etc. It's been pretty good so far. I did about an hour of it one morning and woke up sore for the next two days. My biggest hangup is my wrists. They are so small and weak, so some of the poses are very difficult for me. I'm taking it easy, but would like to find someway to make them stronger, or to alter some of the poses so as to take some of the pressure off my wrists.

Oh, and I decorated a little for Valentine's Day. Zak brought home my early Valentine's Day flowers: a potted hyacinth plant in a cute tin. It smells wonderful and I love the purple color! He is sweet and I'm glad to have him as my valentine. We don't really have plans yet for V-Day, since we don't know when/if Zak has to work. I don't, so the chances of me making some romantic dinner or something...are probably high. We'll see. You'll get an update.

Here are a few pictures :)

look how cute the pot is!