Meet Ginger!

PJ's parents got a new puppy. Her name is Ginger, and she is part lab and part german shepherd.

First Anniversary!

So July 20th was our very first anniversary, and to celebrate we spent the night of the 18th at a local resort; La Paloma. PJ's mother actually works there, so we were very fortunate to get it for a discounted price. As an even bigger surprise his parents not only paid for our room, but they also paid for our high class dinner at Janos (pronounced yah-nos). It was a new experience for PJ and I, and was a palette of exciting new flavors...more about it below. Then, a little while after we had gotten back from dinner with our bellies bursting, we had some complimentary champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Also courtesy of PJ's mother and father. We were also able to enjoy a lovely sunset from our balcony. Below are just a few pictures from the night.






OK! More about the amazing meal! I paired mine with prosecco, which is an Italian champagne that is slightly sweeter than regular champagne. PJ had his with a specialty beer. Here was our menu from the night. My favorites have a little star by them!

Janos 10 Terrific Tastes Menu

Tucson to Tuscany Connection

$50.00 per person | $75.00 per person with beverage pairings
(no choices... you get everything!)

Bocaditos / Antipasti

-Chipotle Brioche Crostino with Heirloom Tomatoes, Forever Yong Basil and Queso Oaxaca*

-Forever Yong Garlic Flan with Pickled Garlic

-Chilled Melon Soup, Crispy Prosciutto, Balsamic Creme Fraiche

Mud House, Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand, 2007)

Antojitos / Primi Piatti

-Braised Beef Ravioli with Chimichurri

-Sonoran Lasagnette with Chorizo, House-Made Ricotta and Queso Fresco*

-Roasted Corn and Piquillo Stuffed Rigatoni with Corn and Huitlacoche Vinaigrette

Bieler Rosé, Syrah/Grenache, (France, 2007)

Platillos / Secondi Piatti

-Coriander Encrusted Ahi with Grilled Leek Salad and Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil*

-Quail Wrapped in Bacon with Green Chile Polenta and Romesco Sauce

-Florentine Marinated Flank Steak with Spinaci alla Romana

Paraiso, Pinot Noir (California, 2006)

Postres / Dolci

-Membrillo Torta Sbrisolona with Mascarpone Cream and Honey-Balsamico*

-Chocolate dipped Pistacio Fennel Biscotti with Amaretto Cherry Gelato

-Limoncello and Pomegranate Gelee

Trevisiol, Prosecco, (Italy)

Yes, everything on this menu we received...and more! The portions were actually very small for each item, BUT there were twelve in total...plus we received four extra. Our extras were a puff-like pastry made with some kind of peppery, tomatoey dough, with a shredded meat filling. Very delicious. Then we received a curry crab salad atop a slice of mango and a slice of avocado. This was actually my favorite item of the entire night! It was slightly smoky, and sweet, and buttery...so fantastic!!! Then, at the end of the night we received a marzipan cookie on top of a bed of heavy whipped cream, with a tart berry drizzle and chocolate drizzle. It was garnished with fresh berries. On top of this cookie, which was banner shaped, was piped 'Happy Anniversary' in chocolate. It was awesome! And finally we got a special made chocolate in a gold foil box to take on the road. All in all it was a really great, new experience, and probably makes it on my list of memorable moments!

Flowers From My Husband

Lovely gerbera daisies and lilies.

Trip to Wisconsin

So a few weeks ago PJ and I took a trip to my hometown in Wisconsin to visit family and friends. It was a wonderful time...and went SO very quickly. We celebrated my older sister's nuptials, had a family picnic, hung out with some high school friends, and went to Noah's Ark (the world's largest water park). I miss my family a lot, so it was good to see them again after six months. Here are a few photos from our trip:


This is my sister Victoria, and my one year old niece Savannah.


This is my mom (Grandma!) with Savannah!


Me with Savannah.


PJ (my husband) having a water fight with some of the cousins.


My dad and mom.


My sister Mary and her boyfriend Mark.


My two nieces (they're sisters) Chelsea and Savannah.


My hubby!


My dad and his new son-in-law Rick.


My little brother John. Doesn't he look so enthusiastic.

I Miss My Buddy!

Ok, so there are a couple of blogs that I read fairly religiously (my mother in-laws, a friend from school; Kelly, and The Pioneer Woman)...and thanks to my Google reader on my iGoogle it is even easier to keep up on them. Today on The Pioneer Woman (Ree is the name of the writer of this blog), wrote a post about a conversation she has with her retarded brother Mike (I'm not sure of what his exact disability is). Check out her blog sometime at: http://thepioneerwoman.com/, it's awesome! Anyways, anytime I see someone who is metally disabled or read a story about someone who is mentally disabled (especially those with down syndrome) it always brings a tear to my eye and makes me miss someone special. You see, I have a younger brother who has down syndrome named John. We were fairly close growing up together. He is in Wisconsin...I am in Arizona. John watches home videos of us and cries cause he misses 'his Ruth', I see kids with downs and read stories about them and I cry cause I miss 'my John'! I miss my buddy!