And the Winner Is.......

Carrie and I are huge fans of the Food Network. We love all the stars (Rachel, Emeril, Giada, Paula, etc) and all the shows (Unwrapped, Iron Chef, etc)

In case you missed it, the Food Network had it's first ever Food Network Award Show. They named the best "Artisan Confectioners", "Inroads in Ice Cream", and "Fast Food with Character" among many other categories.

Well we have decided to give out our own awards. They are:

Best Local Indulgence: Sprinkles Cupcakes, Newport Beach, CA

Best Cheap Eat in Irvine: SuperMex

Favorite Mexican Salsa: El Pinto Salsa (New Mexico's Finest)

Best Promotional/Seasonal Treat: McDonald's Shamrock Shakes

Favorite from the Frozen Food Aisle: Marie Calendar's Mac & Cheese

Favorite Cereal: Kirkland Cranberry Macadamia Nut Crunch

Favorite International Food Destination: Italy

Favorite Domestic Food Destination: Atlanta

Best Nachos: Rubios Baja Grill

Favorite Healthy Snack: Trader Joe's Hummus & Pita Bread

Beverage of Choice: Diet Coke & Crystal Light

Favorite Sushi Roll: Spider Soft Shell Crab Roll

Favorite Pizzeria: Pizzetta- Kauai, HI

Favorite Sonic Drink: Diet Cherry Limeaid Slush

Best Fast Food Item: Taco Bell's Enchirito (back after 10+ year absence)

Favorite Airplane Travel Snack: Peanut M&M's

Best Bottled Water: Fiji

Best Room Service: Surf & Sand- Laguna Beach, CA

Would This Pay the Bills?

Both times I have come to Hawaii, I can not help but think......how can I live here? It's absolutely beautiful and leaving is painful.

Because I do not think there is much of a demand for Sales & Marketing Managers for Consumer Products on these islands, it would probably require a career change. But that's ok....aren't we suppose to change carrers 4 to 5 times during our life? So maybe it's time for my first change?

Home Sweet Home

One big item left on our to-do list before leaving for Hawaii is to sign the closing documents for our new home! Escrow will close while we're gone, and when we return home we'll be handed the keys to our condo.

We must have looked at 50+ condos in Woodbridge before finally deciding on this one. It's exactly what we were looking for! It is less than a mile from where we are currently living and in a great location - right next to a park and close to the lake. It is one-level, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with a huge backyard (for a condo that is). It will be fun to make this place all our own. First on our list is to paint the kitchen cabinets and also get the nursery all painted and ready for Baby Wood. We can't wait to get started!

Dream Job: Restaurant Reviewer

I have a question on my mind that I have been thinking about all week. I'm usually rather decisive when it comes to making these kinds of decisions, but this time it's an exception. So here it is......what should I order for dinner on Friday night?

Carrie and I are going to my favorite restaurant this weekend in San Diego. A few months ago, she was rewarded at work for a project she completed with a $150 gift card to my favorite restaurant- The Oceanaire. I know....it doesn't sound right. Her great work....my favorite restaurant....and to top it off....it's her birthday this weekend! I have a great wife!

But you know it has to be a good restaurant when we plan a weekend around it! I discovered it in Minneapolis a few years ago. We celebrated after a tough business meeting. I have since eaten at the San Diego location a few times and their Atlanta location. I think they have 11 locations nationwide- which is alarming because it means they could be in danger of losing their excellence. I've seen it many times when a nice restaurant expands too aggressively across the country and loses its originality and character and becomes the next Olive Garden. (bland food for the masses)

The restaurant is expensive, the portions are large, and the service is excellent. And the food is fresh and very tasty. And we have $150 to spend! (that's a lot of good food) I think Carrie and I should become restaurant reviewers. In our local newspaper, the Irvine World News, the past few weeks, the restaurant reviewer has written about IHOP and Daphne's (Greek fast-food chain). What is wrong the reviewer? Who doesn't know that IHOP's pancakes and Daphne's falafels and humus are great? We would do a much better job! We could discover new restaurants like the Oceanaire and let all of Irvine in on the secrets. It probably doesn't pay well, but at least we could eat for free.

Baby Wood (He's a Boy)

In case you have not heard, we are having a baby boy! The due date is August 17th.

Here are some of the names we are considering. (which one do you like best?)'

Clifford

Isaac

Evan

Clark

Grant

Warren

Aloha! (Goodbye) We're off to Maui!

Yesterday we wrote a check for rent for hopefully the last time in our life.

Life will change forever in a few weeks. We close on our condo in two weeks. We are facing a big mortgage, HOA fees, and home repairs. We will say goodbye to disposable income for at least a few years.

But before all that comes......we are taking our last big vacation to Hawaii next week. It's actually nice timing. We booked the flight months ago using American Airlines miles. (living in an airport has some benefits) With the thought of all our future expenses coming, we contemplated canceling our trip, but decided against it. It will be a relatively inexpensive trip as all we have to worry about is the Hotel (thank you Hotwire) and Food (we can eat cheap).

So we will spend April 11th through April 17th in Maui. We spent our honeymoon in Kaui and absolutely loved the island. I think Maui will be equally as fun. We'll have to tell you all about it when we get back.