Wordless Wednesday - Date Night!

Chinese with Friends

This morning, I made these Mini Chocolate Chip Pecan Pies with Salted Caramel Drizzle treats and took them to my friends at Dr. Kiholm's office. I first tasted these delectable delights at a Memorial Day Party at Villa Strayer. Whitney Lichty, author of "Haus Food" blog was the creator. Whitney, and her husband Ben, have since become the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy and I'm sure Whitney's busier than she's ever been in her life, but she so graciously agreed to give me the recipe before it was even posted on her blog. Thank you, Whitney, for taking the time to email this recipe to me! I have a new favorite dessert! To see the recipe, and check out Whitney's blog, visit her at Haus Food. You'll be glad you did!

After I was "crowned" queen for the day, we all went to lunch at Diamond Chinese Restaurant. It was just like old times. I'd forgotten how yummy this restaurant is! It was a special treat to have "Dr." Mike join us today. I love that guy. Nobody understands my "lack of color" like he does! ;-)

This is what came out of my fortune cookie today. I guess I'd better be thinking green. I'll need all the luck I can get next week.

Fun With Friends

Tonight I hung out with Lynne, Erin, Carrie and Carol. We had dinner at Mexquite Restaurant in Folsom. We talked for a couple of hours and then went to Big Spoon Yogurt for dessert. I have sure missed my P'ville friends!

Long Time...No See!!!

Today I spent the ENTIRE day with my long, lost friend Leslie. We haven't seen each other since Angie's wedding (almost 10 years ago). She and I go waaaay back. I served with her in Ward and Stake YW in Tracy/Manteca. We've camped together, shopped together, and tolerated our husbands together through their Hans and Frans phase. She's been my personal nurse, confidant, and all-round great example of the kind of person I want to be. I've missed her. She was visiting her dad in Antioch and set aside an ENTIRE day for me!!!
We met half-way in Elk Grove (after a small cell-phone issue :-), had breakfast at "Mimi's", where we talked for almost 4 hours. We moved down the street to "Five Guys" for lunch, where we talked for another 3 or 4 hours. We ended the day at "Pinkberry" for not one, but two frozen yogurts! We talked for almost 4 hours there too! I still don't think we've completely caught up, but it's definitely a start. I'm not sure I've laughed this hard in a LONG time! We vowed to NEVER let another 10 years go by without getting together. Maybe I can lure her out to DC!

A Day With Friends

This morning I had the honor of attending the temple with my son's new mother-in-law, who is also my friend, Claudia Smith. What a wonderful experience we had. We enjoyed the peace that can only be experienced in the Lord's House. We then walked to Lake Natomas and chatted the whole time. We ended our morning with lunch at Rubios. YUM! Thank you Claudia! Thank you for your friendship and for the gift of your sweet daughter in my life....and, by the way, this is the yummiest whole wheat bread and strawberry jam I have EVER eaten!!!

As if my morning were not perfect enough, I got to spend the evening with my dear friend Tara! Her sweet husband did Dad duty so she could visit me in Placerville. We had dinner at a new restaurant here in Placerville - Bricks Eats and Drinks. What a fun restaurant! We stopped for frozen yogurt at Whistle Stop, and came back to the house where she gave me iPad lessons and we looked at our DC pictures and talked until she turned into a pumpkin at midnight. I sure do love my friends. I am so blessed!

If The Shoe Fits.....

Today I went shopping with my friend Judy. We made our way through Kohl's, Ross, and Michaels. We had fun trying on crazy shoes. Judy bought 4 pair. I bought 1. No worries, we didn't buy any of the shoes pictured above! ;-) We had lunch at La Bou, great conversation, and LOTS of fun!

Casper Reunion

Mark, Sande and Kali arrived this afternoon. We are so happy to have our first Virginia visitors! Sande took this picture of the rest of us at 90 Degrees Restaurant. Can't wait to spend a few days exploring DC together!

Budget Date Night

I love a bargain! Tonight our date night consisted of dinner at TGI Friday's (buy one entree, get one entree free), and 2 tickets to see "Beastly," purchased through livingsocial.com (2 tickets for $9.00). Total savings = $22.50! Woot Woot!!!

Not Quite - But Almost!

Kurt and I have been on a quest for some decent Mexican food ever since we arrived here in Virginia. We've been so spoiled living in California to be able to enjoy yummy authentic Mexican food. Not so much here on the east coast. Tonight we went with Howard and Sharal to one of their favorite Mexican restaurants in Leesburg. It's definitely the best we've had since we moved here, but I'd give anything for some Tijuana Taqueria carnitas!

Double Date

Tonight we met one of Kurt's co-workers, Howard, and his wife Cheryl at Sweetwater Tavern for dinner. We had a fun time. They told us about their adventures in Amish country. We had all kinds of questions since we plan to visit Pennsylvania next weekend. Dinner was delicious, the conversation was interesting, and I think we've found friends who love dining out as much as we do! Can't wait for next time!

Pho 50

Today I met my cousin Roger's wife for lunch at Pho 50 in Falls Church. Denise and I have talked on the phone, and chatted online, but have never "officially" met until today. It was so much fun to meet her today. She is a wealth of information about the area and has a fun personality and great sense of humor. She suggested we have lunch at one of her favorite restaurants, Pho 50. Pho, (pronounced [fə᷉ː]), is a Vietnamese noodle soup usually served with beef or chicken. The soup includes noodles made from rice and is often served with Thai basil, lime, bean sprouts, and peppers as a garnishment. It was YUMMY! I'm excited that we have a Pho restaurant here in Manassas. Can't wait to take Kurt there. He'll love it!
Thanks for the fun Pho Phothursday Denise!!! ;-)

Out on the Town

Our date night has changed from Friday night to Wednesday night. Friday nights are just too crazy around here. There's at least a 1 hour wait at every restaurant we go to, and the movie theaters are packed. Since we usually go exploring on Saturdays, we decided, "Why not spread the fun out over the week?" This has worked out pretty well until last night. My plan was to go to Cici's Pizza for dinner and then to go bowling at Bowl America. Dinner went without a hitch, but bowling didn't happen. It's league night on Wednesday night. We'll have to change our date night to Thursday night if we ever want to bowl I guess. Plan B was to see "The Green Hornet." It's only playing in 3-D and it kills me to pay $15 per ticket to see a movie, but I had coupons and a free pass. It's a good thing, because the movie was pretty lame. Oh well, date night is still my favorite night of the week!

Indian Cuisine

Tonight Kurt and I met the LaLonde's at Hemalaya's restaurant in Cameron Park.
I've never eaten Indian food, so this was quite a treat.

The sampler platter. This was definitely outside my comfort zone. I tried most everything though.

Kurt and I shared the Feast Platter. I was up for anything....as long as lamb wasn't involved.
It was pretty good.

Close up of the sizzling Feast Platter.

Larry, Norma, Kurt and Tami.
Home Teaching has never been so fun!

DATE NIGHT w/ TYLER

LUNCH WITH THE GANG

HAPPY 21ST KATE!!!

Ed's 83rd

Tonight Kurt and I took our neighbor Ed out to dinner for his 83rd birthday (which is next week). We went to Cascada. We are so fortunate to have such good neighbors! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ed!!!

Happy Birthday Alax! (1 day early)

Frozen Yogurt in Placerville!

Kurt and I discovered a new frozen yogurt shop in Placerville today! We stopped by and gave it a try. There were 4 kinds of frozen yogurt and a good selection of toppings. It was nice not having to drive to Folsom for our fix!

If you get a chance, stop by Whistle Stop Yogurt across from KFC on main street. YUM!

- WARD TEMPLE ASSIGNMENT