Because of my knees, I cannot really jump. I mean I guess if my life depended on it, I could do a few jumping jacks, but not well or pain-free. However, I could not resist laundry day’s unmade bed. My inner child forced me to climb up and start “jumping.” The hubs documented (because he wouldn’t join in) and I “ran” and “jumped” around until I just had to “fall” down. It was pretty fun and totally recommended for adults. Kids should probably ask permission first.
As I mentioned in a previous post, the hubs has been trying to challenge me to a game of chess. Here is my knowledge of chess: I know how the pieces move. I have maybe played twice. The hubs, however, has had this amazing chess set, that he brought back from a trip to India in his teens (it is made from the same marble as the Taj Mahal), on display ever since I’ve known him. Leading me to believe that he could be some kind of chess shark.
We sat on pillows on the floor–it only seemed appropriate–and proceeded to play a “pretty good” game of chess. I held my own defensively against his almost unending attacks. He probably had three times as many “checks” as I did before he beat me. It was definitely fun though. And required more brain power than the other games I usually play. Thanks, hubs, for insisting we do this!
I woke up this morning to a card next to my phone with my name on it. It was lovely and all about being married, partners. The hubs left right before I got up and I was in a daze, so I did not even notice him leaving the card. Thus the sweet start to our first married Valentine’s Day.
The plan was always that he would cook a surprise and I would take care of dessert. To me, this meant “buy something cuz I’ll be in the kitchen.” On the way home today, I picked up a 6″ flowerless chocolate cake (from Whole Foods). My responsibilities done, I proceeded to read the valentines we had received in the mail–one from my parents and one from my grandmother–and watch Kourtney and Kim Take Miami until I was summoned to the table.
Placed in front of me was this:
That’s a chicken pot pie and a kale salad with almonds and a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. DELICIOUS. He even bought new dishes to make and serve this dish that he knows is a favorite of mine.
We also enjoyed some lovely champagne, Laurent Perrier, a brand we’ve never tried but it is also DELICIOUS.
After a much needed food rest, we then tackled this:
Our first married Valentine’s Day was quiet and lovely. It was all fun, but I would say making the decision to have a quiet evening in (vs. the two more extravagant Valentine’s Days we’ve had in the past) was the most fun. And DELICIOUS.
As you may know by now, I like to be very organized. Making lists and planning bring me great joy. So it should come as no surprise that I spent a long time today putting together an itinerary for the hubs’ and my anniversary trip (that begins at the end of next month!).
The itinerary is broken down by day. Each travel day has the departure and arrival cities, times, flight/train and confirmation numbers, directions from train stations to hotels, etc. I also made a separate document that has lists of potential activities in each city. The top choices will ultimately make their way on to the itinerary as “suggested activities,” giving us room to change things up last minute if we want to.
In Chicago (or anywhere in the U.S.), if I had to go anywhere I wasn’t familiar with, I would just plug it in to my iPhone and be on my way. And I’ve grown very accustomed to that. Realizing that we would not have this luxury on our trip (because we are not paying to use our phones internationally) prompted me to worry a little bit about getting from place to place. Hence the detailed itinerary with what I consider a very fun name, Me Hubs European Anniversary Getaway Adventure Itinerary.
The hubs and I love Chalkboard, a restaurant in Lincoln Square. No menus. Just a chalkboard with the day’s selections in an elegant atmosphere.
Tonight they had a special. Choose the tasting menu and get the Chalkboard Salad, an appetizer and an entree in smaller, tasting portions at a reduced rate. We took advantage.
I had the Crab Croquettes and the vegetable (mushroom, cherry tomato, kale and brie) risotto. The hubs had the scallops and their famous fried chicken. Equal parts crunchy and spicy, the fried chicken is the hubs’ favorite item on their menu.
It’s our go to place for impromptu date-nights (like tonight) and impressing out-of-towners. The food is part French inspired, part southern comfort and totally delicious.
year of fun 
