Anniversary Part 1

  To ring in our 5th year as a married couple, Matt and I set out on a culinary adventure together. But, you have to understand why this is an adventure...Matt doesn't really do the cooking thing around here. You could say we have, for the most part, settled into pretty traditional roles. I am the chef extraordinaire, and Matt is the bread-winner. Normally, Matt is rolling in the door right around dinner time and, in the morning, is busy getting ready for his day while I prepare breakfast. Weekends we take slow, and eat leftovers or go out to eat. So, as you can see, not a lot of mutual cooking happening. But on the 20th, we put a menu together from a cookbook we received as a wedding present (thanks, Susan!). It's where I keep the cider recipe safely tucked away, and keep a copy of our vows. I love the recipes in this book; every one is a winner! We'd been saving a wine from our rehearsal dinner all this time and wanted a special meal to go with it.

 

So we decided on rack of lamb. Kind of ambitious, huh?!? So we skedaddled over to Trader Joe's the night before our anniversary and picked up the lamb, some fennel, rosemary, and thyme. We were in business! We threw the marinade together, popped the rack in the fridge, and let it "marry" overnight. Ooh la la! Then, the big night arrived. I picked Matt up from work and we returned home to get down to the business of cooking. Together. 

 

Turned out superbly!!!

 Seriously one of the best meals of my life. (Especially homemade ones.)

 

The wine was smooth and tasty (aren't I a little wine expert! Not.), the sauteed fennel bulbs were soft and buttery, and the green beans added the perfect little crunch. Almost perfection....

...once we followed it with this goodie! Lemon and Triple Ginger Snap Ice Cream. I swear, TJ's doesn't offer a bad product. Have you ever bought something you didn't like there? I haven't. Amazing.

We rounded off the night cuddled up under the Christmas Tree lights watching a movie (The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Feel good, family goodness) and then called it a night. Our part 2 post will come after we get back from Willow's Lodge. We'll be there celebrating on Boxing Day. So excited for that time of relaxation!! And can't wait to share the beauty of it with you all! More to come....

Xx,

m

Remembering Costa

I thought it only fitting that after reminiscing about our wedding day, I share some honeymoon photos of our trip to Costa Rica, as well. In our web albums, Matt has this part of our lives listed as "Honeymoon Woo Hoo".  But, I promise, nothing risque is on the menu today. ;) Just some good, ol' fashioned trip photos...

I, of course, could not resist these luggage tags as an excited newlywed! Quite miffed when mine got lost along the way.

We started out in the central region above San Jose for some exploration in the cloud forest/mountains.

 Next we went to Arenal, home of the volcanoes and hot springs. And delicious fruit!

Colones and inflation.

 Beetle on sugar cane, anyone? I should mention he was about the size of your hand. I then vowed I would not be hiking on this trip.

 We visited a banana processing plant on our way to the Caribbean...

 Water Buffalo!

 Yummy and fruity welcome drinks.

 Bats on a banana leaf outside our lodge, y'all!

 So dreamy. Literally.

 The beach got a bit gloomy, and I got a bit (or a lot) sick. Lived off of the following for about 3 days: water, Pringles, tissues, and Mebucaine. No fun that it happened at our most rustic hotel. Or that I missed out on all the fun adventures that Matt went on in the jungle. Hey, but what was I saying about no hiking on this trip?

 

 We then boarded a little plane to head to the opposite coast...

  Oh, and p.s., we were staying on that little strip of land near the sea. It took 4 hours by bus and boat to get to!

 We touched down near Manuel Antonio Park and proceeded to surf, sight-see, and eat our way through the Pacific side.

 Look at the teeny hands! These guys loved our hotel, almost as much as we did.

 It's was probably because of the view...or maybe the bathrooms?...

 ...'cause who doesn't LOVE a French Bidet? Let's just say maybe one of us tried it (and I don't think it was me).

 Now here was something more my style, zip-lining!

 More exploring and beach combing...

 

And here we are on our last day in Costa! So thankful I get to do life with this man.

I'm shooting for a big European adventure on a future anniversary...perhaps our tenth?

To many more,

m