Wait 'til you hear about our fun weekend! 🙂 I thought I'd share some pictures instead of yapping on and on about it…
First, check out the gorgeous sunrise Friday morning – this shot was from our deck:
Next, Kent & I had an awesome date night! Here's where we went to dinner in downtown Grand Rapids (I didn't notice until now, I think that's the moon in the picture, cool huh?):
First Course: the stresses of the week are melting away…….
We started off with a Sashimi (raw tuna) appetizer that was delicious and I loved the fresh ginger that was served with it, along with a tasty slaw mix:
Then Kent got a really good tomato parmesan soup, and this salad that came with some divine warm goat cheese on top (too bad it had walnuts, though, or I'd have ordered my own. I can't stand walnuts):
Kent ordered Escargot for his main course (weird huh?) – he said it was really good, and I took his word for it:
I got the ‘Surf & Turf' – lobster tail with a filet, oh myyyyyyyyyy:
It was terrible, as you can see from my plate:
Next we still had time to kill, which made everything so relaxing, to not be in our normal RUSH through life, so we went to Madcap coffee. (Bruce Willis was in some movie a while ago, it may not be out yet, I don't know, but they used Madcap for one of the scenes. Here you can watch a video of the windows getting blown out at Madcap Coffee.) They only serve pour-over coffee here and it was very smooth:
On the way to our next stop, we took in the gorgeous sights in downtown Grand Rapids – they'd just lit the Christmas tree and opened up for skaters at Rosa Park:
Next, we went to see Les Miserables! Parts of it I really liked, especially the fact that it had a very Christian-based theme – I'd had no idea. Other good stuff: the ending was especially moving, the sets were so neat, and a couple of the songs were really beautiful. Some not-so-good stuff: I couldn't understand some of the dialogue as they were singing, and a very large women sat in front of me. Kent had read the book, so he probably was able to follow the story more than I was. Still I'm glad we went, there's something just so grand about Broadway shows. Wicked is still my favorite, Kent & I saw this on our 20th anniversary trip to Chicago a few years ago. I loved it not so much for the music, but for the story. I love how it teaches you even more not to judge others, because you never know where life has taken them. Has anyone else seen that one?
The next day we planned to go to the Santa parade and then get our tree with Joe & Meg and the kids like we do every year. But the pouring rain caused us to re-think things. So instead, the guys took the kids to get the trees and Meg & I enjoyed a quiet house for while. 🙂 Here's a picture of our tree next to my favorite chair where I enjoy quiet time in the mornings:
Then I took a nap that I reeeeally needed, but don't worry, I don't have any pictures of that. Saturday night we went to the annual white elephant gift party at Doug & Susan's, our neighbor friends. We ended up with the gift that Joe & Meg brought:
By far the most hilariously hideous white elephant gift, though, was the one that Robin & Jerry brought – they'd found it in his Dad's house, hanging on the wall. Here is Tom, clearly thrilled with his gift:
Sunday morning at Mass, Deacon Jim gave a moving homily about being that voice in the desert for those who are hurting in some way this Christmas season, and it made me think of all of YOU, who have come through with your letters and Facebook comments and support for the Jacob Stieler family! More updates and new shocking details on the story are coming up this week…
Sunday afternoon my mom, two sisters, niece, two youngest kids and friend, Natalie, all came to see the show, Hark Up, with me.
Our friend, David Brady, is one of the main singers in the show and it is amazing. The music blew Les Mis away, and the tickets were $45 less each, I'm just sayin'. I have a little clip for you, it would've been a bit longer, but someone called my iPhone right as I was taping. David is the singer in the gray shirt, is his voice beautiful or what?!
Since you can't see David very well there, I scammed a picture of him off his Facebook page:
And now it's 10:56 p.m. Sunday night and I'm trying to wrap this up so I can go to bed. What did YOU do this weekend?! I'd love to hear about it! (Do you have snow yet where you are? We got a bit Friday morning but it's long gone, and the kids aren't happy about it… Doesn't hurt my feelings, though.)
More you might like:
- Every year about now I link to my oldie-but-goodie post with Christmas pictures around our home and a story about 7x underwear that gives you a glimpse of how Kent's twisted mind works.
Have a great week!
Tana says
Thank you for your website! It has been such a blessing to me! Enjoyed reading about your date. I loved Les Mis – maybe because it was the first Broadway play I had seen. Loved Wicked too and the whole “don’t judge others because you don’t know their story” theme. That really hits home when you have teens I think… I know I’m a lot less judgmental than I used to be now that I’m raising teens and young adults.
KitchenKop says
Thanks for your sweet comment Tana!
Yes, teenagers teach us a lot, that’s for sure, sometimes they teach us things about patience we wish we didn’t have to learn, LOL! 🙂
Kel
Robin says
Wow, sounds like an AWESOME weekend, especially seeing Les Miserables, my all-time favorite musical. I first saw it in high school, as the tickets were a graduation gift from a friend of mine. I did listen to the music beforehand, so I was familiar, and I think that helps a TON, if you know the words and can just sit back and enjoy the show rather than trying so hard to understand everything. It is a rather complicated story. I’ve actually seen it three times now (although not in several years at this point). It was actually playing in Denver this fall, and I wanted to go so badly, but budget would not allow. I finally read the book as well, and even though it is huge and can be hard to finish (I read the unabridged version), it really is one of the best books I’ve ever read, as the story is just so beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. And yes, very strong Christian elements and themes in the story. Jean Valjean is one of the most moving and beautiful characters I’ve ever come across in literature, and after reading the book, I loved the musical even more. All that to say that I’m very jealous you got to go :-).
I got to see Wicked in New York last year and really loved that one as well. Right now, The Lion King is on my wish list, and they have actually been playing in Denver the last month or so, but unfortunately, budget just won’t allow right now…sadness :-(.
KitchenKop says
I didn’t know there was an abridged version of the Les Mis book, I might just have to look into that! 🙂
An idea if you can’t afford theater tickets: our local high school puts on AMAZING shows each year and they’re much more affordable – something to keep in mind.
Kel
Robin says
Yes, there is an abridged version, and from what I can tell, it takes out a lot of the chapters that are really hard to read, as he tends to write quite a lot about war and the revolution, etc. However, in the little bit that I skimmed, it did also seem to leave out some of the storyline involving Fantine which I found kind of sad, as that was part of what I loved about the book, all the amazing character development, and the story of Fantine was particularly sad and heartwrenching, and I would have hated to miss that (can you tell how much I love this story??? :-)). I do remember seeing a newer translation not that long ago though that may do a better job with it but don’t remember the publisher.
And thanks for the idea of checking out high schools, etc. We actually live within walking distance of a local arts center and may try that as well, as I do love theater, but we are currenlty saving up for a big trip to Italy next May, so that would be why I wouldn’t let myself splurge on The Lion King :-).
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Italy?! I’m SO jealous!!!!!
Melissa @ Dyno-mom says
First, it sounds like a great weekend! Thanks for sharing the pics. Also, I think I’ll have to pass along the link to the miscarriage post. I have a friend who has suffered through so, so many. Then lastly, I hope my post on buying pasteurized is interesting for folks. Thanks for giving me a shout out.
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom says
So nice to see our great town in photos. Every year we go to The Griffins Great Skate at Rose Parks. You should come too! The players skate around the clock and there is a warming tent, free skating and winter animals too!
KitchenKop says
Adrienne, when is that?! My kids would love it! 🙂
Stanley Fishman says
What a lovely weekend! You and Kent look so happy together in that photo. A great marriage is maybe the most wonderful blessing of all.
But I would not try the Escargot either.
KitchenKop says
Good morning Stan!
Yes, we are very thankful, especially since we’ve had some tough times in the past. 🙂
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
You don’t like walnuts? You’re crazy! lol. I’m obsessed with them right now — I put them in homemade ice cream every night. Or just eat them for a snack. I always have them. Too bad they are so expensive!
KitchenKop says
It’s good you love them since they’re so good for us. My fav is pecans. 🙂
holly b. holland says
Do you have a recipe newsletter?
KitchenKop says
Do you mean like a menu subscription service? No I don’t have my own, but I recommend a few and this week I’ll be telling you about a new one, too. 🙂
KathieW says
Thanks for the heads up on the Toadally Primal Smoothies sale. I am anticipating a VITAMIX for Christmas. Will need lots and lots of smoothie recipes.
Primal Toad says
That’s me! Only $7 through the end of 2011 as a Christmas special! It’s available on the kindle too for $7.
The kindle version does not have free updates unless you bug me about them. If you buy through my site then you get FREE updates. I have 14 more smoothie recipes, ALL are whey protein powder free that will be available for all buyers this month!
Soli @ I Believe In Butter says
Yep, that’s definitely the moon, and sounds like it was a good weekend! 🙂