Archive for the year 2012
Birthday Festivities Continued
Posted on November 7, 2012 by Ching under Family, Food and Drink, Games.
Brian and I hosted his parents for dinner on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday. We celebrated multiple times this year (Chapada, Bite Me, Carrabba’s). Not so much by choice, but just how things worked out because that’s when people were available.
It was fitting that the Food Network had their The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs marathon that day because Brian was playing chef at home. He prepared apricot pork roast and German fries.
I won’t explain the foods. Brian can do that for you guys in the comments. However, I will share some photos with you all…
The German fries turned out really well. Brian did a great job.
Here’s the pork roast…
Brian’s mom brought over chocolate mousse cheesecake that she made for dessert. It was super yummy.
For my birthday, they got me the Words With Friends board game
I had uninstalled the game from my phone a while ago, but I had to reinstall it because it’s got a scoring tool and word checker for the board game. So I’m back to playing WWF again. Challenge me!
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Sixth Annual Brew Ha-Ha
Posted on November 4, 2012 by Ching under Events.
This has been the most amazing birthday week ever. Besides my epic massage with Michael at Sveta’s this morning, I also got to attend Brew Ha-Ha last Friday. Thank you to Dr. Sherman for the tickets!
Ever since I got to experience Brew Ha-Ha, it has become my most anticipated event each year — even more so than Zoobilee. Zoobilee is awesome but it has gotten so huge. You can’t walk without running into someone. Brew Ha-Ha has a Zoobilee feel, without the hordes of people. And, the drunk guests aren’t quite as obnoxious. LOL.
Since Brian and I now live closer to Andover, we arrived at the event pretty early. It was only twenty after six when we got to the clubhouse, but the parking lot was already filling up. Evidently, we weren’t the only ones who thought of coming early.
When we drove up, I was happy to see that Flint Hills National had not yet taken down their awesome Halloween decorations. I took advantage of the opportunity to take photos with a couple of them. The really good ones were by the entrance, though.
Lila had an extra ticket so I convinced Darcy to go. I figured it would be a nice change of pace from her usual Friday night activities. She didn’t find any eligible bachelors that piqued her interest, though. I was hoping that the Kansas firefighters would be there with the Carrabba’s group. No such luck this year.
I thought Kansas Star Casino’s Chef Adam Correa was as yummy as his food, though. Theirs (pictured below) was the best dish out of all of the dishes that we got to sample that night. I should have gone back for more.
Besides Kansas Star Casino’s Woodfire Grille, the other restaurants that participated this year were Carrabba’s (of course), Chapada, On the Border, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard. The funny thing is that when we were on our way to Wilcox Lodge, the people leaving were complaining that there was no queso this year. I just realized why there was no queso. Last year the Mexican food was provided by Abuelo’s, who were absent this year. P.F. Chang’s was also notably absent.
We got split up early in the evening because when Darcy couldn’t find her lighter, she stalked some guy down for a light. He actually thought he was in trouble when she first tapped on his shoulder and asked if he was smoking. Much to his relief, all she wanted was a light. LOL.
Anyway, Darcy was taking a while so Brian decided he would brave the crowds at Dower Lodge in order to get a chili dog. Darcy came back to where I was waiting and enjoyed her cigarette as we both waited for Brian. Minutes passed and he still wasn’t back. The busses were few and far between so we finally got on one. I told Darcy that I would just call Brian and ask him to meet us at the next lodge.
As soon as the bus started to pull away, I saw Brian’s silhouette walking towards us. I waved at him, but he didn’t realize it was me. I wasn’t sure it was him either until he caught up to us at 4D Lodge later in the evening. He was a little mad that we left him but, hey, he’s the one who really wanted a chili dog. I told him, “I hope it was worth it.” The sad thing is that he didn’t even get one. He said the crowd was so thick that he never made it to the front. He finally just gave up and came back out. Darcy and I both told him that he was gone a really long time. After a few more glasses of beer, he was fine. Thank God for alcohol; otherwise, he would have been pissed at me all night.
Darcy and I decided to skip the chili dogs in favor of the other delicious offerings. However, the three of us did make our way back to Dower Lodge at the end of the evening because Brian really, really wanted one. Also, we heard about their delicious beer-infused milk shakes. We got there just in time. They ran out of stuff to make milkshakes shortly after we got ours. I’m glad we humored Brian and went back to Dower Lodge because I actually quite liked the milkshake. It tasted way better than I expected. Anyway, Brian was happy that he finally got his chili dog.
BTW, I thought my blowout (courtesy of Holly at Beau Monde) held up pretty well. I continued to admire it even after we arrived back home that night. The pictures didn’t really do it justice. I’m so looking forward to having Holly cut my hair in January!
But I digress… Brew Ha-Ha is a super fun event that is not to be missed. Proceeds go toward Big Brothers Big Sisters, a really worthy cause. Ya’ll should consider attending (or donating, if you can’t attend) next year.
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Last Minute Birthday Dinner at Carrabba’s
Posted on November 4, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink.
Mom wanted to go out to dinner for my birthday. At first we were thinking that we would just get together after she and dad returned from their trip to Hawaii because we were all very busy. At the last minute I decided to ditch Tuesday night Zumba so that we could get together before they left. Dad didn’t come, which wasn’t a surprise because he doesn’t like to leave the house. You pretty much have to come to him. Jenni and mom both came, though.
Mom, Jenni, Brian and I had a wonderful dinner at Carrabba’s. We shared a pitcher of their delicious blackberry sangria.
Jenni had the steamed mussels and a side salad (not shown).
I think mom had the Tuscan strawberry salad with salmon. My crappy camera phone didn’t really do it justice. It looked scrumptious in person.
Brian and I shared the chicken Bryan. It’s just the right size of the two of us.
Since it was my birthday, our server brought out a slice of dessert rosa. It is my favorite dessert at Carrabba’s. We were all supposed to share, but I ate most of it. It was my birthday after all. LOL. Brian didn’t really mind because he doesn’t like anything that doesn’t have chocolate.
If you’ve never tried Carrabba’s, I highly recommend it. We always have great service and the food never disappoints. All of the dishes I’ve tried there have been very good. Also, they offer gluten free dishes, which is really helpful if you know someone with a gluten allergy. And, they have great blackberry sangria. It’s my favorite sangria besides mine. (Click here for the sangria recipe that I use.)
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When It Rains, It Pours
Posted on November 4, 2012 by Ching under Life.
I have been so pampered this week! We started off with a haircut last Sunday. I usually only get my hair cut two or three times a year because it’s so expensive! I can get by because my hair is long and when it has lost its shape, I just start wearing it in a pony tail. LOL.
Since Maria left Planet Hair ten years ago, I’ve had such a hard time finding a permanent hair dresser. I don’t really change my hairstyle much so it’s so much nicer to have someone that you can rely on to give you the same consistent cut… But I go so infrequently that it hasn’t really mattered.
Anyway, for the past year I’d been going to Melissa at Charisma East because the salon was down the street from our townhouse. I had a thing about having my dentist, eye doctor, massage therapist, grocery store, etc. all within a five mile radius. Seriously. If we could have afforded to buy a house in the NE quadrant of Wichita, specifically North of 13th Street and East of Webb Road, I would have been completely ecstatic. I also liked Charisma because they sell and use Aveda products, which I love, love, love. Their Smooth Infusion
The main problem I had with Charisma is that they’re not open on Sundays. I would go on a Saturday but, between teaching Zumba, waxing and dental appointments, and errands, and life in general, I never have enough time.
I singed my hair on the fireplace a couple of weeks ago and finally couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to go get my hair cut. Lucky for me, Eric Fisher Salon is open on Sundays. They don’t use Aveda products, but I’d gone there a few times in the past and they’d always done a good job.
The name of the stylist they set me up with is also Melissa. She goes by Mel, though. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when someone is going to do my hair, I always check out their hair and their overall style. If they have great hair and look stylish, I know I’m in good hands.
Brian and I got there early and so we were sitting on the bench upstairs, just waiting for my turn. I’d never met Mel before so I didn’t know what she looked like. As I observed all the hair dressers working that day do their work, I secretly wished that I would get this one girl with the short hair because I liked her fashion sense. Few people can make brown and black work. Fewer still dare to do it. Oh, and I absolutely loved her boots! I should have taken a picture of them.
Have I told you guys how effective The Secret
I joke but she actually did a really good job. She’s truly earned that master stylist title. She listened to what I wanted and cut my hair accordingly. I think this was the best haircut I’d ever gotten in a really long time. It’s been a tough few years looking for a permanent hair dresser, but I told Brian that day that I think I found the one. I liked her so much that I booked another appointment right then. I scheduled it for January 6, the Sunday before I leave for Phoenix.
Fast forward to Friday night. I got a coupon for a free shampoo and blowout at Beau Monde and decided to use it right before Brew Ha-Ha. I didn’t expect much, but Holly did such an amazing job. Brian and I only had $4 in cash between the two of us. I felt so bad. I almost wanted to pay for my free blowout (usually $28 or $35 depending on the length of your hair) just so I could tip more. She was that good!
I’m thinking that if she can do that to my hair, I bet she is an amazing hair dresser also. Oh, get this. She only charges $42 for haircuts and she gave me a 15% OFF coupon that expires on January 15. So I did what any sane crazy person would do. I canceled my appointment with Mel that I scheduled for January 6, and scheduled one with Holly for January 5 (Beau Monde isn’t open on Sundays). I figured that is far enough out that I can make sure I’m free that afternoon. LOL.
For a decade I’d been searching for “the one” and when it finally happens, I find two of them. Wild. Anyway, if Holly does as well as Mel when she actually cuts my hair in January I’m going with her for sure as my permanent hair dresser moving forward. First, I’m at Beau Monde every two to three weeks to see Patricia anyway. I practically live there. It will be so convenient to get my waxing and haircut on the same day at the same place. Second, $42 is a bargain compared to how much Mel charges and that will make my total cost $50 each time, which is a nice round number. I know, I’m weird. But round numbers are easier to work with when Brian and I do our budget.
Speaking of budget, massages were something that we had to cut out of the budget now that our housing and utility costs have doubled. Brian got me an epic massage at Sveta’s for my birthday this year, though. Gotta love birthdays. They only happen once a year so you must take full advantage whenever they come around. Just kidding. I actually told him that he didn’t have to get me anything. Although, I think he felt like he had to because I took him to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry for his birthday this year.
All jokes aside, Brian didn’t really have to get me anything because he’s already given me the best gift of all — his love. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of me everyday of the year. You are the best husband ever. I love you, baby!
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Birthday BBQ Meal at Bite Me
Posted on November 3, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink, Reviews.
Brian let me pick where we ate lunch on my birthday. I chose Bite Me BBQ just down the street from work. It was a nice change of pace from our usual brown bag lunches.
The nice thing about Bite Me is that they give you enough food that two people can share, which is exactly what Brian and I did. Neither of us wanted to over-eat (something that I tend to do) and it also saved us money. We’d been eating out a lot lately so it was nice to be able to eat lunch inexpensively.
Anyway, I’m enjoying eating out now because Brian has already said that he is putting me on diet post-surgery. He sent me a couple of links to post-thyroidectomy weightless tips and such. It’s comforting to know that Brian won’t let me get fat after my thyroid surgery. LOL.
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