Lazy and happy weekend...

After the constant holiday spending-time-with-others, Lee and I decided to spend Friday night alone and have date night. What is funny about married date nights is, you don't need all the sparkle and grandeur that you may have wanted when you were just dating.
So we cooked dinner at home. Steaks and Broccolini with pecans.
The seasoning on the pan with the steaks is Chicago Steak Seasoning from Penzey's Spices here in Houston. I LOVE that place. Everything is actually reasonably priced and sooo fresh and fragrant. You can shop from home here.
I have a new favorite thing that I keep in my freezer at all times. I find that when a shortcut introduces itself that in no way impacts the flavor or integrity of my meal, stick with it. So while at Spec's on Washington, I found these:I love that i can pull them out of the freezer, shake them into the pan, and DONE. They still taste wonderful. This and the pre-diced garlic are my favorite go-to's, especially on the weeknights when messing with garlic just isn't on your list.
After all that, we went on to Blockbuster and rented 2 movies, hit Kroger for popcorn and frozen yogurt, and then snuggled up and just enjoyed being alone.
Our dogs love bedtime. All you have to do is say it and Lola runs and jumps in the bed and Teddy goes and waits to be put into bed (he has not figured out the steps). I walked in the room after getting ready for bed and saw this....I swear she is a person.
Yesterday we bit the bullet and went to see Marley and Me at the movies. Great movie, but the ending nearly killed me. It took me a good hour to get over it. Worse is going to the grocery store afterwards and everyone looking at me because it looked like i had been socked in the eyes and my nose all red. I recommend the movie, but I say watch it at home where no one has to see you cry like a baby.
When we got home I went out back and stood at Luther's spot and thought about him. His collar is in my nightstand and his picture is on the fridge. He was a great boy and next month will be 3 years since I lost him.
And now I have 2 little furbabies that run around and keep me going. They are wonderful pups and I hope they are with me 15 years or more (can I ask for forever?).
We had dinner with my boss, Alyse, and her husband last night which was fun. Teddy was a little freaked out by Alyse because she is pregnant, but they calmed down and we had a nice time visiting. I had the worst headache because of the crying and skipping lunch (had a late breakfast). When they left I curled up on the couch and finished a book and then slept really well all night.
Now it's Sunday, "Kitchen Day." I have pesto bread going in the breadmaker and Jen and Dave are coming over for dinner tonight. I found a great recipe in Martha's Food magazine this month. Each month she does a "Cookie jar." This time it is "Chocolate Sweet Hearts" and are only 47 calories a piece! I will probably start on those soon so they are fresh for dessert with a small scoop of coffee ice cream.
This weekend was exactly what Lee and I needed!