Happy Friday!!!
How’s it going? I hope all your Easters were egg-cellent!
Hospital orientation ended yesterday (WHERE DID THE MONTH GO?!). All we have now is one more entrance exam next week. This coming weekend is going to be the busiest yet- I work Friday- Sunday with one eight and two twelves. Right now I am taking a quick break from the studies to whip out a post!
Before I jump into the recap I have something tragic to share………..
The legendary red salad bowl is no longer with us.
I realized that the “post 12-hour shift” time frame is very dangerous. Not only did I manage to break perhaps one of my most treasured belongings, but I also set a paper towel roll on fire, went to the store and realized I forgot my purse when about to check-out, and I used the word “one” instead of “won” incorrectly in my Friyay faves post. #Gotocollege.
Does anyone else go into a hot panic when they find errors in their published posts?!? It happens to me every time!
BUT, in other news! I made the last Blue Apron meal in the delivery Friday, and it was out-of-this-world YUM! (PS. if you want a $30 discount off go to the bottom of my About page!).
Also, that same day DJ and I were egged!!!…………….
Tell me this just isn’t the most clever Easter gift of all time!
Has anyone had Cheryl’s cookies?! They are my favorite sugar/buttercream frosted cookies out there. It was the perfect treat after a long day. I also needed to carb up for a big run in the morning!
Saturday
I mentioned in my post last week how I was going to attempt 22 miles to see if I can physically finish the Big Sur marathon on the 30th. I hadn’t been training too seriously considering I didn’t know if my work schedule would allow me to run it. But the race happens to fall on a weekend when I don’t work!
The training run actually went surprisingly okay! I am getting giddy about the actual race! DJ isn’t able to make it with work, so I was planning on driving there solo. Howeverrrrr, my mom called me yesterday to say that she is actually able to fly in! EEEK! This made me happy to near tears. I haven’t seen her since Christmas and to have that support for the marathon means the world.
And naturally, after those 22 miles, I have an abundance of blossoming flowers to share!!
Saturday evening I had the second portion of the Blue Apron meal. Since the baseball season started, DJ has been getting home later- more about midnight now. I spent the evening cleaning the house, doing laundry, and getting organized for the crazy week that was about to ensue. But I had Sunday to look forward to because………..
EASTER EASTER EASTER! What a glorious day. HE IS RISEN!
This Easter was quite unusual for DJ and I. We usually celebrate in Ohio, but for the first time we were here on our own with no family- just the two of us. I actually was pretty dang emotional (lol, what’s new). It all made me super nostalgic for Easters past- thinking of the Sunday services with my family, the far too competitive Easter-egg hunts I had with my sister over the years, having leisurely afternoon spring runs on those Ohio trails, and visiting DJ’s family in the afternoon (oh, and of course, devouring Mom L’s strawberry pretzel salad). I just missed everyone horribly- to a new level since I’ve moved out here. But I was thankful we had our Church family to spend some time with in the morning. That helped a ton. Our church had a fun photo booth, Boba tea, and the best people you could imagine worshipping our Lord and Savior <3
DJ went to Church to help set up at 5:00 am and I slept in a bit (Lord knows I needed it). After service DJ napped and I studied. It was raining outside, so it was the perfect day for naps and studies.
DJ has been fighting off allergies something horrible and wasn’t feeling pictures- but I still had to somehow document the Easter Sunday outfit, right?!
I was itching to cook, but I simply didn’t have time with how much work I had to do for the week to come. We decided to go out instead and make it a date night. We haven’t seen each other much at all lately and our date nights just happen when we can snatch them now.
We settled on Alexander’s Steakhouse. We had been holding out for a special occasion, and I’d say there is no more perfectly special occasion than celebrating our Lord’s triumphant victory. We needed this romantic, quiet dinner to catch up on the last weeks happenings and to just be together. It was lovely, and I’ve reflected on that dinner every time I start to miss him throughout the week.
Alexander’s is known for having some of the highest quality steak in the world called “Wagyu”. DJ didn’t try it this time, but it’s such delicate meat that they actually wrap it in linen. I found this hilarious.
THE BREAD! Once again—-sprinkled with sea salt. Those little croissant things were our favorite.
I decided to try a Himachi shot after scouring YELP for the “must haves”. It was good! It’s basically like taking a shot of sushi (no alcohol or anything- just fish and other stuff that I’m not sure… haha). I make it sound terribly appetizing, huh? I’m not sure I would go out of my way to order it again, but it was definitely worth the experience.
And whenever octopus is on the menu……..
This octopus was fantastic. But STILL, nothing tops Marco Prime’s spanish octopus in Florida. NOTHING.
We also tried their bone marrow after having that fantastic bone marrow at Orchard City Kitchen. If you’ve never tried bone marrow, you must. It is one of the most savory, umami flavors of all time.
DJ ordered a Filet that he gobbled up real quick, so I’ll assume it was pretty great.
I tried their featured seafood dish for the halibut. MMMM mmm. So good.
And we cannot forget the sides….Lobster truffle Mac & Cheese and Creamed Spinach. That lobster truffle mac and cheese may be one of my top five favorite foods I have eaten in my WHOLE life.
Last, but certainly not least, we couldn’t walk away without dessert. We had their Matcha Cheesecake and, holy canoli, I must go back for more. DJ said he wasn’t going to have any because he was too full…. when he took his first bite he couldn’t stop. (JJ!!!!! We may need to stop in here for dessert when you visit!).
But wait, it doesn’t stop there….
They brought out complimentary chocolates because when you give people free chocolate you win their heart. That’s why Olive Garden is so successful- the Andes mints (ok, the breadsticks may have a touch to do with it too).
Oh, hello, complimentary cotton candy! I did not see this one coming. What is it with all the free cotton candy lately (reference to LA trip with my girls).
That concludes our Easter Sunday
OH..before I forget! My sister-in-law’s Corgi, Pool Noodle, is in a big contest and is in ninth place! (Maybe you remember Noodle from the Christmas post?!). Anyway- I thought to myself, “Who better to ask than my amazing blogging Fam?!” If you have a moment PLEASE help her win! This is a huge deal for her little fur baby!
https://wyng.com/campaign/824307/entry/7148320
How are you all? Anyone feeling taxed lately?
Counting down to the first free day when I can sit down and catch up on your blogs too
Blog Birthdays:
Happy birthday to the make-up queen Sarah from Sarah’s Cup of Beauty on April 21st!!!! I’m so thankful for you, lady! <3
xo <3
Those flowers!!! You look amazing in your dress. I’m glad you got to have a lovely evening out with DJ! I hope these special memories make all of the hard work seem a little easier. Have a lovely weekend! Xxx
Hi Kat!!!!! Thank you so much, dear ❤️❤️ it’s so true- these little highlights of the week definitely help during the low parts! I hope your weekend ahead is absolutely incredible !!! Any big plans?! XO
I’m so so glad!! I had a friend’s 21st to celebrate and a lot of revising to go down! I can’t wait to hear about your weekend! <3 xx
<3 I'm so late to responding to this- but I hope this coming weekend is absolutely fantastic for you. <3 Do you have a post about the 21st birthday up!??!
No worries at all! I hope you have the best weekend. I plan on grabbing a cup of tea asap to sit down and read your post. I actually will be posting something that talks a little about it today! 🙂 <3
Awww you are the absolute sweetest 💕 and yay! I cannot wait to check it out 😍 so much love to you, dear!
I’m so glad you had an amazing Easter, Mack! Those first holidays away from family can be hard, but they are also such a special time to establish new traditions with your spouse and simply spend some purposeful time together. Your date night looked like a wonderful chance to catch up on some rest and fellowship!
Have a great week! I’ll be praying for your last exam to go well!
xo,
Lauren
Hi Lauren!!!! I love love love how you said it’s a good time to establish new traditions! How was your Easter?!? Thank you tons for your prayers- I’m pretty nervous for this one coming up. Thank you for stopping by ❤️
It was wonderful! Since we’d gone to the Saturday night service (it’s the one we typically go to) and church didn’t have Sunday school on Easter, we spent the morning and early afternoon in our backyard — Alexander was working on the outdoor projects he loves and I was reading. It was sooo nice; Alexander later told me that being able to hang out together in the backyard, while still enjoying our separate hobbies, was kind of a dream fulfilled for him. <3
In the evening we went had dinner and games a friend's house, so it was an all-around wonderful day!
Awww that sounds like such a PERFECT Easter!!!! What are you currently reading?!? And that’s amazing about all the work he has put in for you two to soak up that time together- I’m the same way with DJ- even if we aren’t doing the same thing, it’s just nice to be relaxing in the same vicinity! And it sounds like Alexander gave you the ultimate relaxation set up! Woohoo! Thanks for sharing 🙂 ❤️
Oh my goodness this post made me so hungry!
Hehe !!!! It was one tasty weekend 😋
I just love all of your flower photos! You looked very pretty on Easter, and the food looks and sounds phenomenal. I hope this has been a great week for you and that things calm down soon!
Aww thanks, Kori!!! It was a good way to preoccupy myself during the long run (keeping my eyes peeled for the pretty flowers). How was your Easter?! Do you have a post up about it?! And I cannot even explain how excited I am for those days off to be real days off! Woohooo! Have such a good weekend 🙂
Yes, I wrote an Easter post! 🐰 I had a fabulous weekend, & I hope you did too despite your long hours at work!
Yayyyyy! I cannot wait to check it out! Happy weekend, Kori 🙂 !
Matcha cheesecake you certainly know the way to my heart <3 <3 We're going to have to get that. Way back in the day when I used to work at Olive Garden I swear I would sneak about 100 of those Andes mints and just eat them all day long. Needless to say I haven't had any since I stopped working there way back in my college days haha And I 100% feel you unnecessary anxiety through the roof when I have a grammar error in my posts. I usually proof read immediately after posting but then sometimes I'll go back later in the day or a day or two after and find something I missed. Nothing is worse though when it's in a comment to someone and you can't even go back to fix it! BTW You looked soooo darn beautiful on Easter! And WOW way to go 3.5 hours on 22 miles!!! Gosh you're good! Is the Big Sur Marathon 22 miles as well? You're golden, you're gonna do great! And I'm so happy your mom will be there to watch and support! The support system is a HUGE part for the runners!!! Can't wait to hear about it when it comes around!!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!!
xo, JJ
Hey girl! LOL about the Andes Mints 😂😂😂 yaaassss. So perfect. I knew you would relate with me on those errors too. It’s nearly inevitable- but still I get so embarrassed when I see one (especially a few days later!!). And the marathon is 26.2, but you aren’t technically supposed to run the full distance pre- race, so I usually max out at 22! Adrenaline easily takes ya the rest of the way! And I can’t wait to share!!! I hope your weekend is absolutely perfect too, love 💕💕
Hi Mackensie, good to hear from you as always. We had an eggcellent Easter alright, the kids got too much candy though! Its good that you are down to one entrance exam. I am so sorry you lost your red salad bowl:( We have all been there where we lose a piece Dear to us. You have a lot of stuff happening, it will settle down Dear. I hate when I misspell , sometimes I don’t proof read and look back after and edit it!. Such a cute Easter gift you got in you’ve been egged! You have such great energy Dear to do 22 miles! I can only imagine. I’m so happy your Mom is going to be there with you, It will be a fun trip for you with her and a good chance to catch up one to one. As always your pics of the flowers are so awesome!! I am sure it was good to get the house cleaned and laundry done before Sunday, What a glorious Day Easter Sunday! The biggest day in the year where Christ is resurrected , and gives us such hope for ourselves and loved ones going forward. I feel bad you were not home for Easter (big hugs) But it was good your church family eased the hurt a little. I LOVE your selfies ! The dress is so pretty on you ( and that Purse) and the close up is equally cute. Alexanders seems like a go to place whenever I get to your neck of the woods(some day!) I will check out your sister’s link , hope she wins! It was fun catching up Mackensie, I love keeping track of your life, Big Huggs Dear, Terri xoxo
Hi Terri! If I haven’t said it before your comments really do make my day. I just ended a long shift and am taking a break from studying EKGs to finally respond !!! Sorry it’s taken so long! But I laughed about the kids getting too much candy-sign of doing Easter right, right?! 😉 🐰 and thank you for sharing in my salad bowl sorrows!!! The good thing is now I have an excuse to go and find the perfect new one to get attached to- hehe. I’m glad you understand that! And the grammar guilt is constant! Especially when I do a rushed post- they are everywhere! But no one has given me too hard of a time (yet!) 🙈.
Ohhhh my goodness I cannot wait for my Mom to get here! It’s been such an emotional month- definitely looking forward to the mother- daughter time in just a couple days !!!
Thank you for your sweet words!! I just love that even though it was hard to be away from everyone it just reminded me all the more whyyy Easter is so important!
And yes yes yes – Alexanders is DIVINE! If you do make it here- let me know and I will treat!!! You are so kind to take the time to encourage me like this. Sending back big hugs your way, have a marvelous weekend, Terri! XOXOO
Aww I love commenting on your posts, yo always have a really lovely and interesting update on your life . Good for you taking a break! You deserve it Girl. The kids still have a lot of candy left, some of the adults are helping them out too, I wont say which one 😉 hehe. It is hard to lose a good bowl like that but go get another fabulous one you can make memories with. I wont ever give you a hard time about grammar. It will be nice to bond again with your Mom , so happy for you. I am due a trip to CA (I think!) Just don’t know when it wil happen, thank you for the offer of treating Me , but it would be my treat to meet you! Have a great day Mackensie, hugs, Terri xoxo.
Hehe- adults need a little candy too from time to time! I am a firm believer in that! And I can’t wait to share the new bowl when it gets delivered! Hehe. AND YES! You are absolutely due for a trip to Cali, I say! I hear it calling your name right now, matter of fact! My mom will be here in a couple hours and I’m so giddy! Have such a wonderful weekend 💕💕💕
Have a great time with your Mom Mackensie, hugs Terri xoxo
Thank you so much, Terri. Have such a beautiful weekend yourself! <3
RIP red salad bowl. I can be a klutz and have knocked off many a favorite dish. (somehow I worked in a restaurant for six years without ever breaking a single plate, yet my own kitchen has not been so lucky)
Also yes! I hate finding errors. Also as a writer I feel like such a fraud when I have said errors. But then as an author friend explained to me..It is why we have editors. It is very true. We are all human and writing mistakes are allowed even in blog posts and books 🙂 <3
Oh my gosh flower pictures! Seriously drooling at all the beautiful blossoms! I am so excited for you with the marathon and ecstatic that your mom will be there!
I can certainly relate to the homesickness. It is hard being away from family on a holiday, but it sounds like you guys certainly made some amazing memories and were able to have a beautiful Easter! That matcha cheesecake sounds amazing! Good luck this week beauty! You are almost there yay! <3
The salad bowl sorrow is REAL! Thank you for sharing in that with me!!! Good to know I’m not alone in being a bit of a klutz- although I hit an all time low after my last 12 hour and broke our iPad … 😳. But that is NUTS that you worked that long without breaking a dish- like UNCANNY! I worked in the restaurant biz in high school and broke an entire case of wine glasses one time- bad bad bad. I still have a scar as proof.
But ohhhhhh my word- I love what your friend shared with you! I needed that reminder- because like you said- I feel like a fraud when I make errors but it’s all a reminder that we are just human! Plus we are all way more hypercritical of ourselves in that arena !
The flowers seem to be popping up extra pretty right now- I’ve never been in a Cali spring but I’m loving it! And girl- I cannot wait for my mom to come. It’s been such an emotional month- I’m in need of some momma daughter time BIG TIME!
But I am soooo thankful for that date night with DJ. So needed – and it turned a somewhat nostalgic Easter into one with new, great memories as I reflect on it!
We will get that matcha cheesecake when you visit SJ area next time 😍😋. And thank you tons for the good luck- I feel like I am just a couple days away from freedom and those real days off!!!!! XOXO
I adore roses!! I have some of those long orange tube flowers too.
I was digging everything, until….. the octopus. Not.a.fan. Nuff said.
Free chocolate??? Oh yeah!!
I’m so sorry this is so late! Life has been crayyyyyy to the ZZZZZ!!!!! I hope you have been having some a lovely week though 🙂 And aren’t roses the best?! I have no idea what the orange flowers are, but I absolutely love them too! LOL about the octopus- I hated octopus the very first time I tried it but now I love it after having spanish octopus in Florida! And HECK to the YES- free chocolate is the BEST. *heart eyes on heart eyes*
No problem! lol I only consider something late when it’s been a year or two!! lol
I’m in Fl, and I still hate octopus!!
Oh phew!!!! I hope I never get thatttt bad 😉 and that’s so funny- I guess Octopus are one of those you like or you don’t!!! 🐙 but they do lend an excuse to use that emoji ^^^ lol!!!!
You probably won’t, you ‘re still really young!! lol
I’ve never even seen that emoji! How funny!
Hehe! Have such a great weekend 🙂
Thanks, I did!
I can’t imagine how tough it is to work 12 hour shifts. I know a lot of people do it but it must be extra hard and demanding at hospitals.
I was just telling my husband this week how I would love to participate in a marathon but I can’t run much lol.
Idk how you guys do it. I can’t be away from hubby for very long. It’s just too not fun lol. But i think it’s nice that you guys do your best to see each other and do date night 🙂 that’s really sweet 🙂
And I would love to try wagyu beef! I’ve heard about it through Manga believe it or not lmao. Anyway, all that food looks delicious. As does dessert 🙂
Aw I’m so bummed I missed out on voting for that fur baby!! Super cute!!
Have a great week doll! xo
Hey girlfriend! Oh man you are so sweet to take the time to read. I will say it has been incredibly demanding- but I know it’s also expected. And you could TOTALLY do a marathon- it’s alllll about the training. If you ever need a schedule I have a plethora of them!
It’s definitely hard to be away from each other- but it certainly is true what they say- distance makes the heart grow stronger! We snuck in a date night on Monday- (I have a post coming out tomorrow about it!)
And GIRL- if you try Wagyu let me know!!! DJ and I are holding out for another celebration to pull a trigger on that (I’m pescatarian, but I would definitely try it-
it’s SO expensive though so we won’t for a while). You’re sweet to even mention voting for lil’ noodle! I hope you are having a beautiful start to your weekend, dear! XO
Sounds like a lovely date night and much needed too! I love when people bring me chocolate 😀
Awww Heather!!!!!! It means so much that you took the time to read!!! I know you are super busy ! Life is crayyyyzyyyyyy but I can’t wait until I have just ONE free day to read your blog!XOXO Oh and yesss free chocolate is best!
“You’ve be egged!” Hahahahaha that’s awesome. Those flowers are gorgeous, especially that last one. I’m so glad that you two were able to get away for a date night and it looked like you picked a great place for it. Matcha cheesecake AND free chocolate?!?! Sweeeeeeet.
Isn’t that SOOO good?! I’m definitely “egging” a few people next year.. watch out… you might be on the list 😜 And I was so thankful we were able to sneak away for that date night- it made my week. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder, so we treasure every little moment we have together right now. And YESSS the matcha cheesecake and chocolate were PHENOM! Any big plans for the weekend now that I’ve replied to this like five years later?! Lol
Bahahaha I’m in the same boat here with a slightly less than prompt reply. I am working and then VACAY! wahoooooooo
No way! Too fun! I am jealous but have a BLAST!!!!!
All that food! Yum! And so many pretty flowers in this post too! So glad you had a great Easter, girl!
Aww Rach!!!!!! You are SO sweet to take the time to read and comment. I know how busy you are. Seriously- so kind of you and made me smile big time!!! Hope you have the most marvelous weekend ❤️❤️