Happy Valentine's Day, I got you a.....

BANJO!!!

February starts out like EVERY February. I say to Mark, "Valentine's Day-no gifts- really no gifts, cards or anything". He says, " O.K. but I kinda already got you something, well... not just for you, it's more for US. I only hope that it's here by then!!"

Dread. Fear. Cautious anticipation.

I am running late for our after work dinner date, racing into the house, when I am stopped dead in my tracks by the lovely? twangy sounds of a banjo coming from the next room.

What do I do next? Do I flee? Obviously some one has broken into the house and is sitting in the living room playing the banjo, because (if you've been keeping up) we all know that it CANNOT be my husband.

But it is.

"I'm serenading you", he says proudly, looking like a kid at Christmas. "Happy Valentine's Day!"
I'm very proud to say that he has purchased himself a very nice banjo and is currently learning (Banjo's for Dummies) how to play. And, although the "song" that he played for me on that very first night wasn't anything I could recognize, I expect big, big things for this handsome musician.

Thank you Sweetheart, Happy Valentine's Day to you to.

Just your average rat-pack-turned-accordian-playing birthday party

It was Conrad's birthday recently and Mark an I were invited to a "rat-pack" party. Lately, Mark and Conrad have been revisiting and enjoying the hijinks and shenanigans of the late greats: Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and of course the legendary Dean Martin.

This is how it started-Mark goes to Value Village to put the finishing touches on the Tuxedo look he has going on, picks up some fake cigarettes (because ALL the cool cats somked back then), finds a big, round, short glass to drink his brown liquour from and were off to Penticton.

When we arrive, Joanne (looking as gorgeous as ever, and Mark looking EXACTLY like Deano after one-too-many) has everything set up so nice. Amazing appetizers, candles and Frank playing in the background as everyone arrives looking stunning in their cocktail attire.

NOTE: For those of you who are unaware of the musical talents of my husband, please refer back to the famous "recorder-off" in December.

Linda and Niko brought in the most bizarre aray of musical instruments I have ever seen
anyone carry around in a car including a mandolin and then, Well....

Yes. This is Mark. Banging the crap out of a pot with a wooden spoon. Joanne was nice enough to give him a wisk as well, so that he could make different sounds. That didn't last long.

Happy Birthday Conrad. We love you.