The Piano Men

Abe and I bought tickets to go see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert at the ESA almost a year ago. Originally we were supposed to see them in November but due to the fact that Elton and then Billy were sick they postponed the show. Now come February 19th the piano men were live in concert in the S.L.C! The pair put on one of the best shows i've ever been to! They started the night off with Elton's masterpiece "Your Song" and finished up the night with Billy's "Piano Man." They sang about five songs together at the beginning.. then Elton went for an hour.. then Billy an hour and then they came back on together for 5 more songs. Abe and I loved the show and loved spending that time together singing along with some of the greatest musicians ever!! The night was so much fun. We even met up before the show for dinner at Red Iguana, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.
Dueling pianos...

Ever since nannying in Long Island, where Billy lives, and saw the musical "Movin Out" I have been in love with his music. He's so talented and wrote many of his hit songs before I was even born. Lullaby, Just the Way You Are, Piano Man, Movin Out, Italian Restaurant, Vienna, Keeping the Faith, She's Got Away, Captain Jack, The Entertainer, And So it Goes... i love them all and could go on and on.
As for Abe, he was more into Elton John's music growing up because of a road trip to CA where that was the only cassette tape they had in the vehicle, Elton's greatest hits. But I am a big fan of Elton too. I am mean come on it's Sir Elton! He's such a classic: Tiny Dancer, Crocodile Rock, Rocket Man, Benny and the Jets, Daniel, Goodbye yellow brick road ... the guy is a LEGEND!!

Next show we're looking forward to... U2 in JUNE @ the U of U!

In honor of...

In honor of Valentine's Day Abe and I celebrated it on Saturday, like most of you I suppose. We started off the day by eating dutch babies and finding a place to store our V-Day present until the weather gets better. We got ourselves a patio set and are excited to put it to use! I hope there will be many a game played on the table while watching the golfers play through hole 9. As for that evening, Abe and I spent it with some happy Chinese families. See I am reading this book called "Garlic and Sapphires" which is amazing.
It's about a food critic from the New York Times. The critics sense for food is one of a kind. The way she describes the food she eats is something that I can only dream about. I mean she can get down to every last spice a dish contains. So anyway, in one chapter she talks about eating dim sum at a NYC Chinese restaurant and ever since then I have been craving dim sum. So, Abe was nice enough to indulge me and we went to Cafe Anh Han for dim sum. We were the only Caucasians in the place. And by the end of our meal we were SO satisfied. (man what I would give to be a food critic, the one in the Deseret News, in my opinion of course, needs to be replaced)

Anyway, back to the dim sum, if you don't know what it is then take a gander at the pics below or go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dim_sum
If you plan on trying dim sum let me recommend the steamed buns with bbq pork

After our Chinese outing we hit up the dollar theater, since we're still trying to save a buck or two or three or four. It was a great Valentine's Day which was followed by a yummy dinner at the Young's on Sunday for a true homemade V-Day meal - steak and tatoes!

Me and my Valentine (aka Abraham William Johnson)

One other in honor of...

In honor of Mardi Gras, homemade Beignetwere made and devoured last week! I think that this will become a tradition because they were just so tasty and not too hard to make. I just love southern food and New Orleans has some of the best food around. mMMmm doesn't all that oil look tasty.
Beignets:

1 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
1 well-beaten egg

Combine egg and milk, gradually add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat well. Drop by teaspoons into 2 inches of hot oil, fry brown. Drain on paper toweling. Makes approximately 2 dozen. Serve with jam, jelly, or syrup.

A visitor or two

During the Legislative Session it's quite common for a U.S. Congressman, Senator or local philanthropist to stop on by and talk to the Representatives during floor time. But today, Real Salt Lake stopped by! They even brought a soccer ball. They ALL passed by me TWICE in the hall. I must say I was a bit star struck! Watching them in the shoot out, that they won, making them the MLS Cup 2009 winners, will go down in my book as one of the best sporting events EVER watched! And how about the entire team getting a standing ovation from both the Senate and House Chambers for their accomplishment. That's got to feel good.So on that note, GO REAL... way to bring Utah the first major professional sports title in nearly four decades.

One fish, Two fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Last week, since I am a Legislature House staff member (for the Leg Session that is) Abe and I were able to go to the Living Planet Aquarium for free. Part of Legislative Family night! It was fun to see all the creatures that live in Utah and come from a far. They had some cool creatures considering we live in a desert state.

Abe was like a kid in the candy store with all the fishies around.
See what I mean! He would stop and stare at them for hours on end if it was possible.
They even had a gator... creaptastic!!
And you could "Feel the EEL" It was fun to get the legislators kids to touch it. When you touched the sensor it would feel like your arm went to sleep for a bit.
Now that Abe and I have more room living in our townhouse we have decided we want to get his fish tank that is currently residing as his parentals home empty and feel it with fishies. I'm thinking we get ourselves some angel fish.

Now to Vancouver...

First off, I have to say that I love that Utah still has connections with the Winter Olympics.
I mean common on, just a few months ago (okay maybe more like six) I saw Apolo Anton Ohno at Albertson's. Maybe someday we'll even get them again. So, I say that I love the connection that we have because, just a few weeks ago Abe and I and some of our friends headed up to Park City (in the snow) to see the final Grand Prix halfpipe contest in snowboarding.

It was fun to see the Flying Tomato in action and nearly a foot away!
Those headed to Vancouver were named the night we were there, they are: Shaun White of course, Louie Vito (who is from Sandy, UT and danced in the last season of "Dancing With the Stars") and Scotty Lago for the men's team ... as for the ladies it's Kelly Clark, Gretchen Bleiler and Hannah Teter.

Going to the finals in PC made me all that more excited for next week to see the kickoff of the Winter Olympic Games! GO USA!!

New calling, new calling, new calling

Just as the headline reads, Abe and I got a new calling in our new ward.
We are the activity chair people for the Riverbend Ward. Neither of us have ever had this calling before so it shall be interesting. But hey we're excited. My last calling was in Young Women's and they sure know how to have fun so i'll just have to carry that attitude over. In the meantime, if anyone out there has some ideas that worked in their wards for parties and such let me know. Tips are greatly appreciated! Now that we have callings I really, really (fingers crossed) hope they don't ask us to speak in sacrament meeting. Or at least too hold out until the Leg Session is over.

Bad at updating...

It seems that I have been neglecting the blog. Ya, I guess those things happen. Especially around the holiday's. But here's what we've been up to for well over a month now...

Celebrating Thanksgiving at the Young's and then pie with the Johnson Fam followed by a game of touch football - team Edward v. team Jacob with team Edward prevailing ... thanks to my hubby who made a touchdown on a picnic table!
Next up... December a packed month

Freelancing at Fox 13 for Good Day Utah = many overnight hours and seeing this little raccoon at the station
Celebrating Christmas with some of the Alumni XI babes at Chili's
Hosting a Christmas Party with the High Schools gals

Opening presents Christmas morning in our new house!
Followed by breakfast and games at the Young's and then off to the Johnson's for Christmas dinner, games and watching "Julie & Julia."
Dec. 26... Johnson family talent show. Grandma J tapped dance, which was amazing! As for me, I was kicked out of the band due to the fact that my flute overpowered the singer. And Melissa is a fantastic singer.. she seriously is!!

Now onto ringing in 2010!!
New Year's Eve is also Father Johnson's birthday which was celebrated at Asian Star. Then we met up with friends at Mimi's Cafe and went over to Matt and Faroe's place for some talking and some bubbly.. Martinelli's of course.

As for January...
Abe and I road tripped it with his fam to Phoenix for some much needed relaxation.
But on our way down to the AZ we stopped off at Bryce Canyon
Here are some of the highlights in Phoenix...
Negotiating with scalpers for fiesta bowl tickets at the Cardinal's stadium... we paid $20 a piece in the lower bowl. Those same tickets were originally $250 a piece. I would say we did well!
Swimming, hot tubing it and playing tennis at JW Marriott
Going to a Suns v. Rocket game. I must admit i didn't know exactly who to cheer for since i'm not a Steve Nash fan, but I am a Grant Hill fan. So i cheered for the Suns. And they won!
Taking in Arizona sunsets!
Making a stop at the Mesa temple for a session, followed by a visit to the Waffle House.
Taking a tour of Thunderbird in honor of Abe's brother Thomas (who is going there) and his cousin Clay (who went there). In the pic you see Johnny showing his mad skills at jumping over water!

Also highlights from the trip.. a visit with Melissa and Mae and an intense game of Apples to Apples... and lunch with Grandma Young (all of which had no captured moments)
On our way home... stopping at Hoover Dam to see the new bridge

Now this is what we did just this last weekend.
Abe and I went to the Auto Show. We love looking at all the new cars. Even though it was a disappointment that BMW, Mercedes Benz and Nissan decided not to show up this year!

Now this is where i'll be for the next six weeks.
Starting Monday, i'm going to be the Majority Media person for the UT House of Representatives. The liaison between the media and the representatives during the 2010 Legislative Session. I'm a bit nervous, but excited to be employed for at least six weeks, and for this new experience!