Back Alley

Yesterday I learned a new card game called Back Alley. My neighbors father-in-law taught me the game. It was like a combination of spade and hearts with a twist. It has been such a long time since I played cards, that it was a blast. I can be a little competitive sometimes, do I had to be good and not be too competitive.

BJ's Brewhouse

Yesterday hubby and I tried a new restaurant for lunch - BJ's Brewhouse.  We didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised.  For an appetizer we had crispy artichoke hearts with a garlic aioli.  I had never had artichoke hearts, but they were really good.  For my lunch, I had fish tacos and they were quite honestly the best I have ever had.  The fish was lightly breaded and the tacos were not overdressed.  They served the two tacos with some chips and salsa which made for a really filling and light lunch.  Hubby had a burger melt with shoestring fries.  He said it was very good.  You could actually taste each of the flavors and the angus beef they used was cooked perfectly.  We really wanted to try some of their beers, but since I was on my lunch break and hubby had to drive back home, we decided we would leave that for another time.  If you have a BJ's near your area, I really recommend you give them a try.

Belated Happy Holidays

I hope everyone had a very nice holiday.  I was on vacation from noon on Thursday through today and I go back to work tomorrow.  On Wednesday evening we celebrated the Winter Solstice at a geochace event and enjoyed a Buffalo Burger and Elk Burger (hubby and I shared so we could each taste both) along with meeting some of our fellow geocachers.  On Christmas Eve we exchanged gifts with our neighbors; and then on Christmas Day we went back to the neighbors and spent time with them.  We had a non-traditional holiday meal of pizza.  It was kind of nice that no one had to spend all day in the kitchen making dinner for everyone.  Today hubby and I spent the day geocaching and having fun.  Unfortunately, tomorrow is back to the work routine.

Hope you all had a very Happy Holidays.

TSO & Serrano's

The TranSiberian Orchestra concert was on Wednesday and was fantastic as usual.  Hubby went with me this year and it was great to share the concert with someone who enjoys their music as much as I do.  Unfortunately, our dinner before the concert was not as great.  We went to Serrano's and it was the worst Mexican food ever.  The food was greasy and bland.  I had grilled fish tacos and the corn tortilla as deep fried and was so full of grease it was nasty.  Besides, what is the point of grilling the fish if you are going to deep fry the tortilla?  Hubby has brisket guisada tacos and the dipping sauce was supposed to be the best ever.  Unfortunately, it had no flavor and was so hot that it killed your taste buds.  Needless to say, we won't be eating there before the concert next year.

iPhone

Hubby has had an iPhone for a while now through Verizon, but I never really bothered to upgrade my phone.  I just had a pay as you go plan through T-Mobile and it seemed like enough for me.  Well, recently, I decided to upgrade my phone and I also got an iPhone from Verizon as well.  I have to tell you, I am so glad I updated.  I am totally addicted and always seem to be on my phone.  Now I just need to figure out how to get my blog on there and I will be all set.

New Year's Rules, Rituals, and Beliefs

As a kid my parents always tried to get us to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.  I never really liked them, but we always had to eat at least one pea.  Since 2011 has been a challenging year, a friend and I decided to look up some of the rituals, rules, and beliefs for New Year's to see what we could do to make 2012 a better year.  Here are some of the items we found:

What to Eat
*Black-eyed peas or lentils eaten on New Year's Day bring riches and safety to the coming year.
*Eat 12 grapes, one grape for each month of the year, for prosperity.
*Eating pork on New Year's Day is lucky because pigs eat moving forward.  Therefore, those who eat pork will move forward in the coming year.

What to Wear
*Wear something new on January 1st.  It encourages more new clothing to follow.
*Wear red underwear on New Year's Eve to bring luck.
*Wear red clothing on New Year's Day.

What to Do
*Every door and window should be left open at midnight to let out the old year.
*Make lots of noise at the stroke of midnight.  Evil spirits attempt to come into the brand new year at this time - the noise chases them away.
*Dancing around a tree (especially outside) ensures luck, love, and prosperity.
*Have money in your pocket at the stroke of midnight.
*The pantry should be well stocked.
*Kissing your spouse or significant other at midnight ensures that you will remain intimate with that person.  Not to kiss mean a cold relationship for the year.
*Nothing goes out - not even the garbage.
*No money should be spent (that would be the same as something going out).
*No crying or you will be crying all year.
*No sweeping or dusting or the good luck will be swept out.

Other Superstitions
*Your first-footer (first guest of the year) cannot be a woman, have blonde or red hair, can't be cross-eyed or have a unibrow.  These are all very bad luck.
*Never eat poultry on New Year's Day.  Poultry scratches for their food, so if you eat poultry, you will "scratch" for your food all year long.

Are there any beliefs in your family that you always follow on New Year's Day?

What a Tough Life

Hubby and I had to go to Petco the other day to pick up some items.  As we were heading to the check out, we spotted this guy.  Life seems really tough in his world.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all had such a carefree life?

Birthday

Thursday is my neighbors birthday - she is going to be turning 15.  As our gift to her, hubby and I told her we would take her out this weekend to do whatever she wants - dinner, movie, shopping - her choice.  She can also bring a friend along if she wants.  I am not sure who is more excited, her or her mother.  I think it will be a fun day and I am looking forward to spending the day with her.

Kids and Coffee

This weekend hubby and I did some shopping, as did most people it seems.  There was something I saw that I really don't understand.  We saw this parent who had several kids with her and she was scolding them trying to get them to calm down.  A few minutes later, we saw her at the Starbucks counter, buying coffee drinks for the kids.  If your kids are hyper and you are trying to get them to calm down, why in the world would you give them caffeine?  I don't have kids so I can't speak to what it is like to be a parent, but as a bystander, it seems very strange to give his something that will make them hyper when you are trying to get them to calm down.