What did YOU do for Valentine's Day?

Ok, so Magnum turned 50 last Friday.  I know I've posted more than once about how his birthday is the day before Valentine's Day, and how I always used to make it a big, combined celebration back in the day.  Well, I managed to tie the two together again this year.  I surprised him the night of his birthday with concert tickets.  For a concert that was the next night.  Valentine's Day.  And, man, did I do good....

We went to see........

Ok, they actually look more like this now.....

 We freakin' saw Fleetwood Mac!!!

Man, oh man, did they put on an incredible show!!  I don't know if you are aware of this, but they are no longer spring chickens. (Mick 67, John 69, Christine 71, Lindsey 65, Stevie 66)  We were seriously impressed with the show they put on that night.  They played for 2 1/2 hours, with no intermission.  There was a point, about half-way through, where everyone but Lindsey Buckingham went backstage for a few minutes, and he did a solo, but it was less than 10 minutes.  We were amazed at their stamina.

Speaking of stamina, let me just say, Lindsey Buckingham is a freakin' MACHINE!  That man was up and down, back and forth, all over that stage.  He can still play that guitar like a rock star.  It was incredible.

Stevie's pipes aren't quite what they used to be, but she still sounded great.  She can't quite hit the top of her range anymore, so she adjusted a few notes here and there.  But, it took nothing away from the show.  And, let me tell you, she can still dance and move, and play The Diva.  (She actually did two costume changes, which for some reason, amused the hell out of Magnum.)

It was really just an awesome night.  We were cracking up, though, at the crowd.  They were all geezers like us!  Most of the men were gray and/or bald, and we lost count of the number of canes/walkers/wheelchairs we saw.  For real!  We thought it was so funny.  Although, I didn't think it was funny when none of them stood up during the show.  I was dying to get up and dance, like I've done at every single other concert I've ever been to.  But, I didn't want to stand in front of the people behind me unless they were standing, so I just kept my behind in my seat.  Although, we DID get up during the encores, and I got my boogie on.  There was a group one section over, and a few rows back, from us, who were up and dancing the whole time.  I kept telling Magnum that I wanted to move over where they where, but I didn't want to make the people in my row stand up and let me out!

While we were waiting to get into the venue, we noticed a sign hanging on the wall above the doors.  It was one of those "we are not responsible....." type postings.  But, in the wording, the old name for the venue (The Rosemont Horizon) was used.  (It is now called the Allstate Arena.)  That made me think about the very first time I was there.  (Actually I feel like I shared this story before...)  It was the very first concert I ever went to, and Magnum took me.  We went to see ZZ Top.  As we were talking about that night, it suddenly occurred to me that that was ALSO for Magnum's birthday.  His 21st, to be exact.  It was almost 29 years to the day.  (I actually looked it up, and that concert was on Feb. 27)  The part I think I shared before is how, after the concert, on our way out, I fell down a whole flight of stairs.  Magnum jokingly asked if I was planning to do that again that night and I said, "Jeez, I hope not, cuz this time I'd probably break a damn hip!"  He then made some kind of crack about how he'd just borrow a walker from somebody there for me.  Ah....the joys of aging....

I hope you all did something great for your Valentine's Day, too. =)

My new obsession...

...lately has been this yummy little snack I threw together the other day.  I had a little bit of peanut butter left in a jar, and wanted to use it/get rid of it, to make room in the refrigerator.  So, on a whim, I grabbed some Greek yogurt (one of my other obsessions) out the fridge, too.  I put the PB in a bowl, and warmed it a few seconds in the microwave, just to soften it up.  (It was about 1/4-1/3 cup, maybe?)  Then I mixed it with about a cup of yogurt, and a drizzle of agave syrup.  (Only because I was using natural PB).  I mixed the hell out of it, then said, "Hey!  Why not add a little cinnamon?!"  You know, cuz it's supposed to help regulate blood sugar and stuff.

Man, let me tell you, that concoction smelled heavenly!  I sliced up a delicious, crisp, tart Granny Smith apple, and got to dippin'!  Mouth-gasm!!  It's very reminiscent of a taffy apple, but without all the "bad" stuff.  I think the next time I make it, I may either add some chopped nuts (to REALLY get that Taffy Apple effect) or some flax seed.  They would add some crunch, and I'm guessing, up the nutritional benefits.

I'm 100% certain some of you have already thought of this, and probably have enjoyed it many times.  But, I love it too much not to share.  I should have snapped a picture of it today when I made it (for the third time this week!) but I just couldn't resist shoving it in my pie hole.  Sue me...

The official number...

...is 19.2 inches.

We spent another 3+ hours clearing snow this morning.  (We had to wait until 7 am to start, so we didn't disturb the neighbors.)  Much easier this morning than yesterday, since there weren't the strong blowing winds we had to deal with yesterday.  It took much less time.   However, it's much colder today.  It was around 19° while we were shoveling.  But, without the gusting wind, it felt warmer than yesterday.  Go figure.

But, I hear we're supposed to get more snow on Tuesday.  I'm just going to embrace it as another chance to get a great workout.  On my favorite news show this morning, they did a demonstration to show just how heavy the snow is, and how much of a workout you get shoveling.  A cubic foot of snow (about the average shovelful) weighed in at 15 lbs.  They said that shoveling an average driveway here in Chicago, which is generally 10x20, means that you would move literally a ton of snow.  My driveway is double wide, and extra long, since my garage is all the way at the back of my lot.  Between my driveway, the neighbors, and my parents', I plan to shovel close to 5 tons of snow on Tuesday.  Go me!

This is me...

 

...thanks to the first real snow of the season.  When all is said and done, by the morning, we could have as much as 19 inches on the ground.

This snow, however, is really making me miss my Buster.  I can see him right now, running, jumping, just generally frolicking in the mounds of snow in the yard.  He was always happiest in this kind of weather, and would instantly become that playful puppy again.

~~sigh~~

Magnum and I spent quite a bit of time clearing snow today.  He actually plowed twice here at home.  He went out early, before church, and did our driveway and sidewalk, as well our neighbor's.  By the time we got home from church, it looked like he hadn't done a thing.  We went to my parents' and took care of their driveway and sidewalk, before coming home and doing ours again.  It was a tiring, chilly few hours, but it was a good workout.  Plus, it looks so darn pretty out there!  Ok, I'll stop now, before Jen reaches through her computer and smacks the crap out of me. :-/

Oh, one last thing.  Stud and I will both be enjoying a Snow Day tomorrow.  Love it!! =)