Valentine's Day

Happy President's Day everyone!  I know a lot of people have the day off today so I hope you're enjoying it!

We had a very low key Valentine's Day this year.  Allan had taken off work to work on our new house, but neither one of us felt good so we just laid around the house most of the day.  He DID surprise me with a beautiful bouquet of roses and a package of one of my favorite candies-Ghirardelli chocolates! 

We usually go out to eat for Valentine's Day but by supper time we were not feeling like going out anywhere so we had our personal chef, George, as in Foreman, grill steaks for us. I also made a corn casserole and we ended up having a very nice meal.

Earlier in the afternoon, I made a peanut butter chocolate chip pie.  It was delish and ohhhhh so pretty!

Since it was so good, I'll share the recipe with y'all!

Chunky Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pie

1 pie crust-you can make your own or do as I did and buy a prepared one at the store.

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

2 TBSP chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup cocktail peanuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup peanut butter chips

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Prepare your pie crust by either making your own or taking the wrapping off of the store bought one.    Set aside.  In medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, peanut butter and butter, mixing well.  Add eggs, vanilla, peanuts, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.  Transfer filling to the pie crust.  Bake until firm in the middle, approximately 45 minutes.  Enjoy!

He's a 3rd Degree Black Belt!

Last Saturday, Allan tested for his 3rd degree black belt in TaeKwon Do. He's worked really hard to accomplish this and I'm so proud of him.
He was the only one testing this time so he was prepared for a really hard test.  It began with patterns.  As you progress in TKD, the patterns become longer and more difficult, plus you have to remember all of the previous ones you've learned over the years.

Then there were different kicks that he had to demonstrate.  I don't know how he does it!!

The test was pretty fast paced with NO breaks for him to get any kind of rest.  It was wearing me out to watch him and I held my breath through so much of it.  It was very intense!
Sparring was next.  He had to spar three different people.

These guys showed him no mercy!  They came at him full steam ahead and he held his own with all of them.  He got in some pretty good jabs and kicks on them too!
Breaking was next and even though it is the most impressive part of the test, it scares me to death to watch!  I can just imagine all kinds of broken bones happening.   First he had to break four cement tiles with his hand.

ANNNNDDDD....he did it!   Here is a video of it!

Then he had to break four boards with a kick.

And....once again he did it!  Here is a video of this break.

 He did a couple of other breaks and then the test was over. 

His instructor, Master Floyd Griffin, an 8th degree black belt, gives him his new belt! 

Allan with Master Griffin, the test board and one of his students.

We were all so happy for him!  I was so glad that our kids were able to come for the weekend to support their Daddy.  It meant a lot to him!

Congratulations, Allan!