Pete’s Top 10 Eat-out Meals-

So I randomly heard a song titled “I hate your Blog” by MC Frontalot while listening to pandora.com.  The artist rambles on-and-on about how he hates this dudes blog… As the song finishes you are left with the realization that the guy actually LOVES that very blog!  One of the things he “hated” was the dudes Top Ten list that he would blog about!  Well…I thought that was a sweet idea and will now periotically shoot out “Top Ten” Blog Posts about Bree and I!  You’ll LOVE it!
Pete’s All Time Top 10 Eat-out Meals-
10. Parchment (my church’s café) – Orange Cranberry Scones
Dude… You don’t understand…  Best scone on the planet!  The perfect blend flavor to partner with the perfect crunchy-on-the-outside-and-chewy-on-the-inside snack! (Scones may technically only be a “snack”… but I make it a meal!
9. Olive Garden – Salad and Breadsticks
Olive Garden gift cards have always been my wife my favorite gift certificate because of we can share a small meal and enjoy their amazing all-you-can-eat salad and Breadsticks!  We would just go there for the breadsticks!  No other place comes close!
8. Outback Steakhouse – Awesome Blossom Onion
Combine the atmosphere of the outback and that AMAZING sauce… It’s truly “Awesome!”
7. Giordanos – Chicago Style Pizza Pie
Had a chance to check that amazing place out via Ryan Bicker who spent some college years in Chicago.  He swore by it… and he was right!  Forever changed!
6. Canton Village – General’s Beef
This meal may have gone from good-to-great due to its value and service… but it’s pretty top of the line on its own!  This quaint little Chinese sit-down joint offers a massive meal for $5 (before 2pm) and has some of the best service around.  Reminds you of the ol’ diners from NY, NY on from TV!
5. In’n’Out – Double-Double Animal style burger, no lettuce and tomato
This has to be the worst nutritious meals I can eat… even while they boast that they are one of the best fast food restaurants around.  However, I destroy ANY nutrition with this to-die-for burger and perfect fries!  Animal Style burger adds extra special sauce, grilled onions, mustard, and pickles!  Now add a chocolate milkshake and you’re set!
4. Pizzeria – New York Style
Can’t really beat this thin-crust beauty!  What makes it better is that most pizzerias nail it too!  For the most part, you really aren’t limited to just one to two places; makes for a solid meal wherever you happen to be around the country!
                                                                                                    
3. Taquaria (MUST be a whole-in-the-wall place) – Carna Asada Burrito
Sometimes I almost feel like this might be my number one!  Like the New York style pizza, you are not limited too much on where to get it!  You can strike out on occasion on a so-so or bad burrito… but most the time you walk away rejoicing!  Carne Asada with some salsa, refried beans, guac, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce is just an amazing combo.  Now if you score and find a taquaria that has that “Salsa” that is just pickled jalapeños and carrots… Ohhhh baby!!! You just hit the jackpot!
2. Popeye’s – Spicy Chicken Strips
This has become a quick favorite as I have discovered a drive-thru Popeye’s within 30 seconds of my apartment!  Perfection of spice vs. chicken PLUS convenience is a deadly combination!  They put the spice coating on before they bread the chicken instead of the traditional methods of just adding spice to the breading.  It makes a massive difference that I can’t help but love!
1. Chili’s – Boneless Buffalo Wings
I discovered this meal one time I went to Chili’s after an event in which I had already eaten quite a bit.  Normally, I need a good meal, so I don’t even glace at the appetizers.  However this day, I couldn’t handle more then a few bites of something.  I have always love Buffalo flavor AND I didn’t want to get my fingers dirty… so it was a no brainer.  Well, from that day on… It’s the only thing I get at Chili’s!  I have even been known to get two orders of them.  I have had cooks come from the kitchen to see who ordered that many Buffalo wings!  I was even applauded, but I wouldn’t know as I was too immersed in eating my meal sent to me from God Himself!

The Holiday Season is near!

As we get closer to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season, I can’t help but get excited! However, I have a feeling that this year is going to be different… I have felt that way for many years now. I mean isn’t this season supposed to be more then just presents under a tree… mounds of food on the table? The obvious answer is yes! Yet, can I say I have lived that out… Not so much. I, like so many, have been enslaved to our materialistic culture. It’s time to change.

I am also very encouraged in that I feel this very concern is brewing in my church congregation as well! We will be launching the series call ReNew that will challenge all of us to “ReNew” our very lives to be in tune with the Heart of God! It is meant to start this Holiday Season but serve as a turning point in our lives to change us from the inside. I am excited yet uncomfortable to deal head-on with some of the issues and habits that have defined me over the past! It’s time to take a hold of my walk and allow the Lord to transform my family and I!

Check out these awesome video’s that will serve as some source of inspiration for you!

This is also a great Podcast Series on this! http://bit.ly/AJHpq

Few new family members to the fam!

We added a few new family members to the fam!

About two months ago we brought home Nooma who is a beautiful baby blue Parakeet. It’s been so neat having the little guy around singing his songs on my shoulder. (no pun intended!)

Then this week, we eagerly awaited the arrival of our little Shih Tzu named Neko! He is the cutest thing in the whole world and just wants to play ALL DAY LONG! Our apartment complex has a restriction that every dog in the complex MUST be at least 1 year old. That was a difficult search – To find a little guy who was older then a puppy… but not too old… and a Shih Tzu that was in our small little budget… We had almost lost hope a few times. But, after many days with hours of searching… the Lord truly lead us to Neko in Okalahoma. After talking to the owner/breeder for a good hour and even finding out Neko was born on our Wedding Day. We realized that he was the right little guy for us! So, on June 30th, I drove to San Francisco International Airport and headed for the baggage services office in the baggage claim area and there he was, Mr. Neko, all ready to go home!

Fresh out of the plane! Welcome to Sunny California!!!

After a little bath and hair cut!

Coming out after his bath and haircut

Getting aquainted with his new home!

Found a new friend in my families Shih Tzu, Razzy!

Any Day Now!

We are almost out of the woods of the life-without-internet-at-home. At&t has shipped us the Wireless router and the service will be ready to go! Soon we will be back to the wonderful world of Facebook, our Blogs, skype, our Budget interface, of course… Hulu.com!!! I might even put together an Animoto.com video of all the happenings of the entire Spring ’09 season that never had a chance to be blogged or facebook’ed about! Like, FYI… We now have a pet! Or like, we have a new car (well used car… Just “new” to us!)

So, you better believe we’re putting on our red shoes and saying, “There is no place like home (the internet), there’s not place like home.”