house of nanking

Our buddy DJ was in town for some business this week so Ben and I jumped at the chance for dinner in the city with him! We chose House of Nanking, one of our favorites in ChinaTown. We first discovered House of Nanking in our Frommer's Guide to San Francisco. Ben likes to call this guide "the bible." For this restaurant, Mr. Frommer gives a few recommendations - one of which is for dumplings with peanut sauce - we have tried those and they are delicious! After Mr. Frommer's recommendations, he then says that if the waiter or waitress offers you a special then you should order that because they know their food!

Well, we walked into the restaurant and Ben immediately started speaking Chinese to the employees. This caught the attention of the restaurant owner who then came over to our table personally. He asked if we were Mormon - lots of Mormons go to Hong Kong and know how to speak Chinese . . . and John Huntsman is a popular customer at House of Nanking. Who knew? We said that we were Mormon and he then verified that we had no allergies and he took our menus away, saying that he was going to "take care" of us for the night!

Our five course meal arrived immediately after that! We were all so delighted and humored by such personal service!

This is what we got -

Wonton Soup

Fried Pork Dumplings with Peanut Sauce (their peanut sauce is amazing!)

Sesame Chicken . . how did he know that Sesame Chicken is a Ben Myers' family favorite?!

Something beefy - it was too spicy for me!

Garlic Fish . . mmm hmmm!

The food was delicious and I think we all enjoyed it more than we usually would have because the restaurant owner was sending out all of his favorite dishes!

Then the bill came . . . haha! We did not begin the evening expecting to pay for a five course meal, but when it was the owner, how could we resist?? Ben went up to bargain with him over the price . . (he later told me that he just likes to bargain for the experience . . uh-huh . . . and the lower price, I am sure). He did get the price down to half of what it was, but he felt badly about bargaining his way to such a good deal, so he came back having paid the full price but with some free restaurant t-shirts!

It was awesome. :)

happy heart day

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet, sweet husband whom I love so much!

And Happy Valentine's to me - a beautiful rose and a multi-gift certificate to a spa! Ben totally broke the "no gift" rule!

One more thing . . just another reason I think the East Bay is beautiful. Flower blossoms in February in the Safeway parking lot. So pretty!

friday favorites

1. After Provo's Baskin Robbins stopped offering "Tuesday Dollar Night" we lost a lot of interest in B&R. It was an especially sad moment for Anne Marie and me. Well, Ben and I stopped by our local Baskin Robbins this week . . it happened to be on Tuesday . . and it was dollar night! What blessings. :)

2. When Ben leaves every morning, I think to myself "Man, he looks handsome in his business work clothes!!"

3. We could not have moved into a kinder and more welcoming ward!!

4. This area is beautiful. I love driving around on different errands - it is just so great to look around and be in this beautiful place.

getting settled

Although Ben & I hauled all of our stuff into our apartment a few weeks ago, due to a long training in NYC for him and some time at home for me, we are just now finally starting to feel settled. Ben has had a great first 4 days at work! I am so proud of him. I have been playing housewife all week and am hoping to find a job soon! I told Ben that if I can't find a job then I need a dog or a baby.

Here are a few apartment highlites.

I love my cute piggy bank - Ben got it for my last birthday.

Something from Pinterest I've actually made.. paintchip art.

We've finally got all the dress pillows for our bed and the twinkles add a fun touch!

It is so nice to be in an apartment that feels like a real home instead of an apartment built of cinder block!

belated

Everybody loves things that are belated, i.e. belated birthdays, belated Christmas presents, belated Thanksgiving dinners, etc. And we're all in luck because this post is a belated Christmas Break Adventures post!

Christmas Cookie decorating at the Myers'

Christmas Eve dinner - PIZZA - a new tradition for me. Yummy!

Christmas Eve PJs. Adorbs.

On our last night in Indy, the fam threw us a graduation celebration complete with a tunnel, a dip kiss, and a delicious meal!

New Years Eve back in California. I think I have been up for almost 24 hours at this point.

Mom & Dad took Ben & me to a Kings game to see Jimmer. Ben caught these Harlem Globetrotter sweat bands; sweet.

And bowling.

it's official!

a picc line

A few months ago Dad had to undergo an unexpected back surgery. Unfortunately, it ended up being more than he bargained for as the incision site became infected, he had to undergo surgery once more, and then have a line of antibiotics running from his upper arm to his heart for six weeks. . . . Oh yeah, and he was called as bishop at the same time!

Yesterday was a day of celebration as he had the antibiotic delivering tube - a "picc line" - removed. The tube was way long and Mom captured a video . . . enjoy!

To read a little bit more from Mom's blog, click here.