It's a love story/ Baby just say yes

Recap of the weekend: Friday night we went for Happy Hour to Charles Village Pub (CVP) where I proceeded to get hammered off of two measly Vodka Collins. pathetic. but they were delightful. Then Pancho and I went for our weekly dinner out to Holy Frijoles in Hampden (a cute artsy neighborhood on the other side of Hopkins campus). They had fantastic sounding margaritas and martinis, but given my already imbibed status they would have really done me in. So I had water. :( but with really good chips and salsa and enchiladas. The rice and beans were so-so, but I was craving Mexican food and it hit the spot. We think going there just for drinks and chips would be fantastic.

Saturday morning we walked over to the Waverly Farmer's Market that is literally at the end of our street, about a minute walk (you can see it if you stand in front of the house) with a friend I made over the summer at that history scholars week in NYC who also goes to JHU. Since its winter I wasn't totally impressed by the offerings, but did pick up some orange peppers and an amazing round loaf of fresh-baked bread. We've been cutting off slices since then for sandwiches, toast, bread with dinner. Tres yummy.

The usual round of weekend chores--grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning. We've become amazing at printing coupons online, checking sale fliers for deals. We went to two grocery stores to maximize savings this week. lol. I just love a good deal.

The weather was simply incredible, too. In the 50s!!! and sunny. I knew I couldn't ask for any better conditions to go running in so I sucked it up and put on the UnderArmour. Was actually quite pleasant going around the border of campus and through the quads. Lots more hills/inclines than I am used to and the wind picked up on Sunday, but I got two really great workouts in. Now, I'm paying for it with sore muscles, barely making it up and down the stairs. Might also be from the stadiums I so mistakenly thought I was in shape for. I do miss having a gym though because when the weather doesn't cooperate I'm pretty much stuck indoors even if I do want to workout.

Hung out with some of Pancho's friends on Saturday night, had Firefly which is as close as I'm getting here to sweet tea. I've also started preparing for learning how to make cocktails (1 of my 5 plans for my sabbatical. The others being to read, cook and bake, work on French and Spanish, and scrapbook.) Now that I have my bar set, I used the jigger and shaker to make Crantinis last week (vodka, cranberry juice, and the juice from a fresh lime) which were delightful. I need to buy Peach Schnapps and then I have a few more to try (Sex on the Beach, Fuzzy Navel).

I made Allison's Chili for dinner last night with some Trader Joe's cornbread mix. Absolutely, insanely good. And so much leftover! I'll be having it for lunch all week. Pancho loved it, Roommate S had it, and we invited a friend of Pancho's for dinner. She was having a rough day and I spontaneously offered chili and cornbread because I know nothing cures a bad day like good food. (Says my inner fatty)

I'm so excited for Valentine's Day. I mailed both of my parents little packages of Berger cookies, cards, and graduation pictures I had printed out. Already got a box from my mom. She knows me too well--Big heart and kissy lip cookie cutters, Girl Scout cookies, sugared fruit slices, and a Hallmark mailer. Pancho and I aren't going out on Saturday, I didn't want to deal with making reservations and the cost, and we're not exchanging gifts, but we are going out tonight for our 4.5 year anniversary / sorta Valentine's Day meal (I dont think its silly we mark it. He thinks its a little embarassing to tell other people. pssh) and then giving cards on VDay itself and making a nice dinner and maybe out for coffee. I just think its important to make it a nice day, spend some quality time.