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Spoiling a Week

I just don’t get it. No, I do not understand why someone with a spouse or a significant other would hate Valentine’s Day. Yet, those haters are as plentiful in February as conversation hearts with “QT” inked on them. Yes, we recently experienced “that holiday”, which means it’s time for me to give my yearly lecture on the absurdity of snubbing Valentine’s Day. Get ready to roll your eyes and shake your head at my unrelenting opinions.

I do not dislike Valentine’s Day for I actually savor opportunities to bombard my husband with well-deserved affection, good-natured embarrassment, thoughtful gifts, togetherness-laden activities, etc. because I love him, duh. This year, it was my turn to plan our V Day festivities and I decided that there was no need to settle for just a celebratory evening when I could scheme a week. I wanted each day to include something unexpected, which means Jason knew nothing of my plotting. Here’s how everything played out.

Saturday: Regency Romance Ball

Look at last week’s post if you somehow missed my too-detailed account of this affair.

Over the river and through the woods to a Mongolian yurt we go.
Over the river and through the woods to a Mongolian yurt we go.

Sunday: Yurt so Good

Dining in the Mongolian-style yurt at Solitude Resort was something Jason and I had never tried before, and we’ve tried a lot of things. So I was pretty excited about this surprise.

How does dining in a yurt work? Basically, you hike or snowshoe, depending on how recently it’s snowed, up a little trail through lofty evergreens for about half a mile until you reach a small clearing. In that dell you find a round building practically buried in the drifts. That is the yurt. It does not have electricity or plumbing, only a giant gas range for cooking a gourmet meal in front of a captive and hungry audience. It’s cozy, with a max capacity of 24, so if you ever get a hankering to do some fine dining off the grid, make reservations early.

The yurt seemed bigger on the inside.
The yurt seemed bigger on the inside.

The yurt’s interior was a little chilly without a heating system. I didn’t wear my coat during supper but I didn’t feel inclined to take my scarf off either. Our feast consisted of five courses: tomato bisque soup with falafel and a dab of goat cheese, steak tartar, quail on a bed of polenta, venison, and brownies topped with strawberries and cream. The food was exquisite and we had a lovely conversation with the strangers across the table while we ate.

Monday: Donuts and Inflatables

If your love is invisible to everyone, it’s kind of like it doesn’t exist. Hence, on occasion, I like to make my adoration of Jason as awkwardly public as possible. So I brought a sappy bouquet of balloons and a couple dozen donuts from Daylight Donuts into Jason’s work. Have I mentioned that I am very popular at Jason’s office for obvious reasons?

Classics are classics for a reason; I will never complain about receiving beautiful flowers.
Classics are classics for a reason; I will never complain about receiving beautiful flowers.

Tuesday: Cupcakes for Coworkers

I took a couple dozen cupcakes to Jason’s work. Have I mentioned that I am very popular at Jason’s office for obvious reasons?

Jason learned how to do some origami just so he could make darling shapes like this out of the gift certificates he gave me.
Jason learned how to do some origami just so he could make darling shapes like this out of the gift certificates he gave me.

Wednesday: A Clever Recess (AKA Nothing)

A day without surprises during a week of surprises is a surprise. Hey, I needed to throw Jason off my scent.

Thursday: Lunch and High-School-Style Car Detailing

I had Jason’s coworkers schedule a fake 11:30 meeting with him so I could take him out to lunch at India Palace. Jason and I used to eat lunch together once a week before I was a student with an odd schedule so it was nice to do that again.

I am no artist so don't judge these misshapen hearts too harshly.
I am no artist so don’t judge these misshapen hearts too harshly.

I also decided that I should embarrass Jason using a method commonly employed by high school students. Yes, that’s right, I blew up 20 balloons and stuffed them in his car and covered the windows with poorly-drawn hearts all while he was at work.

Improbably enough, Jason did the same thing to my car the next day. He’d planned this before my vehicular enhancements. I guess immature minds think alike.

Jason's version of high-school decor involved less paint and more doilies than mine.
Jason’s version of high-school decor involved less paint and more doilies than mine.

Friday: Strawberries and Broadway

I had an arrangement of chocolate strawberries delivered to Jason’s place of employment. Admittedly, this wasn’t an entirely altruistic gesture; I like chocolate strawberries and I’m pretty sure Jason likes sharing. We also went to a fabulous Utah Symphony concert, Bravo Broadway, in Salt Lake City that night.

Saturday: Hoof and Vine

We ate at Hoof and Vine. They have tasty steaks. I made sure I dressed properly for the outing with a polka-dotted dress.

Jason put serious effort into making my gifts look unique. They each had tags on them hinting to their mysterious contents.
Jason put serious effort into making my gifts look unique. They each had tags on them hinting to their mysterious contents.

Sunday: Pretty Sliders

Besides going to the 30th-anniversary screening of Pretty in Pink, I had hoped to just spend a nice relaxing day with Jason and without homework. Unfortunately, as much as I tried, my assignments still piled up and we didn’t get to have a school-free Valentine’s Day. But Jason kindly made the sliders that I had planned on preparing for our dinner and I successfully completed enough schoolwork to take the rest of the night off.

Our Valentine's Day breakfast was supposed to be from-scratch donuts but they ended up being an afternoon snack thanks to their many rising steps.
Our Valentine’s Day breakfast was supposed to be from-scratch donuts but they ended up being an afternoon snack thanks to their many rising steps.

And that’s all I did for Jason this Valentine’s Day… well, besides gifts and whatnot. A little much? Probably, but it wasn’t a chore. I enjoy spoiling Jason and, in my illustrious opinion, life is too short not to make special occasions really special. I don’t believe anyone thinks at the end of their days that they should have tried a little less, that they should have made the most important people in their life feel a bit less significant. While Valentine’s Day indulgences should never replace daily thoughtfulness, festive attentions are another way to add a few more layers of gooey icing to your sweet love cake.

These sliders were topped with Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions, and spicy fry sauce. Jason made them while I finished up my homework.
These sliders were topped with Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions, and spicy fry sauce. Jason made them while I finished up my homework.

Not a fan of high-school hijinks? Spoiling comes in many forms and some of them are a far cry from the purposeful cheesiness demonstrated here. Don’t let a dislike of chocolates and flowers keep you from making your spouse feel cherished on Valentine’s Day. Yearly lecture concluded.

Rachel March 12, 2016 No Comments

Regency Revelries

Jason and I have been attending the Regency Romance Ball for almost as many years as it’s been held in Salt Lake City. So, of course, this February we again proved that any savage can dance.

He's definitely handsome enough to tempt me.
He’s definitely handsome enough to tempt me.

This year, we Regency revelers convened at the Little America Hotel, a classy venue that added to the general splendor of the night with its stunning chandeliers and elegant furnishings.

No matter how many times I updo my hair Regency style, or have someone else updo it, it always looks different. I did not updo myself this year.
No matter how many times I updo my hair Regency style, or have someone else updo it, it always looks different. I did not updo myself this year.

After filling up on asparagus with mixed greens salad, Welsh chicken, parsley potatoes and vegetables, homemade rolls, marzipan squares, trifle, and parsnip and carrot tarts, we danced the night away. Well, more precisely, we ate a considerable amount of food, danced a bit, feasted again, pranced a little more, and then stuffed ourselves further even though our esophagi were brimming. After all that, we settled down our cavorting tummies with hot tea and cocoa before skipping out on the dancefloor once more.

I made this flower arrangement for the registration table.
I made this flower arrangement for the registration table.

Jason and I were again among the dance instructors this year so we helped all of the confused gentry sort out Meadow Goose, Gay Gordons, Lady Mary Ramsey, Duke of Kent’s Waltz, Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot, Oslo Waltz, Take a Dance, and Sir Roger DeCoverley Reel. Sometimes chaos abounded but, on several occasions, our lines learned so fast I felt a surge of motherly pride for my step children.

Our dance friends are of every age and background but we enjoy conversing with them immensely.
Our dance friends are of every age and background but we enjoy conversing with them immensely.

Speaking of pride, Jason won the Mr. Darcy award for his fine costume. Was it because he wore his haughty disdain about him like a gilded waistcoat? Not really, but he did put on an arrogant act for the contest’s sake. Obviously, that feigned conceit paid off.

I refrained from making a new dress this year so my outfit was a repeat.
I refrained from making a new dress this year so my outfit was a repeat.

I love the Regency Romance Ball and I’m not the only one. Everyone is in good spirits at this event. For the ladies have the acute sensation that they have fallen into one of their favorite novels and the men intensely appreciate that the brownie points piling up will serve them rather well when they want to spend a Sunday watching football with their chaps.

The desserts were my favorite part of our meal.
The desserts were my favorite part of our meal.

What a magnificent experience!

Rachel March 3, 2016 No Comments

Your Sundance Excuses

The Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in Utah every January, draws around 45,000 attendees from dozens of countries. Jason and I have been joining the other 15,000 local goers for almost a decade now. It’s such a unique, and conveniently close, experience why would any Utah resident with a love for cinema not go? We’ve heard a number of reasons from acquaintances through the years and now you get to hear them too. (Lucky you!)

Weak Excuse for Skipping Sundance #1: It’s impossible to get tickets.

While going to Sundance isn’t as simple as heading over to the neighborhood movie theater, it’s easier than impossible. Plus, one ticket prerequisite was removed this year. In the past, residents had to register in the fall to be eligible to get tickets in December. This time, that step was eliminated. We only had to get online at a specific time and wait in an electronic queue for an hour and a half to purchase tickets and then go to Salt Lake City during a particular slot to pick them up. So, yes it requires some effort but it’s not climbing Everest. Besides, all the nonnatives have to acquire flights, pay for outrageously expensive hotels, etc. so stop whining.

Hint to our friends: Jason and I have performed all of the ticket acquiring tasks for our pals attending Sundance for many years now. Traditionally, the gratitude for such services has been dismally underwhelming and, consequently, we may not continue to be so kind. Still, you could probably convince us to get tickets for you because we are suckers.

Weak Excuse for Skipping Sundance #2: You have to arrive at screenings early.

You do have to arrive 45 minutes early to every show if you want to be guaranteed a seat. This time, we discovered that coming an hour early actually procures a much better spot but waiting at least 45 minutes is really nonnegotiable. What? You can’t handle sitting around for 45 minutes reading a book or chatting with friends? Come on, you’ve waited longer to get the latest iPhone and an iPhone doesn’t come with Viggo Mortensen. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Viggo and most of the rest of the Captain Fantastic cast came to our screening.
Viggo and most of the rest of the Captain Fantastic cast came to our screening.

Weak Excuse for Skipping Sundance #3: Tickets are way too expensive.

Folks, they only cost about $20. While that is double what you’d pay to see a regular movie, does a regular movie come with Viggo Mortensen? That’s what I thought.

Weak Excuse for Skipping Sundance #4: There are too many film options. Picking between them is too hard.

Yes, it’s true; the Sundance Film Festival is a little like a cinematic version of Russian roulette. Without the opinions of friends or critics to rely on, you don’t know if you are going to get banged up at a screening or not. The uncertainty sure is exciting though.

Sundance may sound like a hassle. It is. However, all the bother is definitely worth it, as was proven again by the incredible shows and Q&As we caught this year.

Love and Friendship, our first Sundance flick of 2016, is based on Jane Austen’s Lady Susan epistolary novel. It was quite clever and full of laughs. Plus, there was a Q&A with the director, music director, and producers at the end.

Directly following Love and Friendship, we got in line again and waited for our next movie, Captain Fantastic, a superb show featuring Viggo Mortensen, one of my favorite actors. Viggo showed up for the screening along with the majority of the cast and my heart nearly stopped.

It's hard to get good photos in dark theaters but a bad picture of Sonita is better than none at all.
It’s hard to get good photos in dark theaters but a bad picture of Sonita is better than none at all.

A few days later, we watched Sonita, a documentary about an Afghan girl who, after fleeing to Iran as a refugee, dreamt of becoming a rapper. It unexpectedly tumbles into the common Afghan practice of selling young girls as brides with or without their consent. This tradition, in which families treat their females with no more consideration than horses being auctioned to the highest bidder, was heartbreaking to witness. The film was terrific and won the festival’s Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the World Cinema Documentary category. It was followed by a Q&A with the director and Sonita herself.

Our next show made me cry a lot. I had a headache the rest of the night from my waterworks during Gleason, a documentary about Steve Gleason, a former NFL defensive back that was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 34. Since Jason and I have had some personal experience with ALS, a disease that steadily steals all voluntary muscle control, this film was difficult but rewarding to watch. It had a Q&A afterward in which we got to meet Steve’s courageous wife.

Our last show, Sophie and the Rising Sun, was also excellent. It takes place in the Deep South at the outbreak of World War II. The culture of the small town it portrays is full of interwoven layers of bigotry that are both intriguing and appalling. It was our only film not followed by a Q&A.

We definitely won Sundance’s cinematic roulette this time. That doesn’t always happen but if every Sundance show was breathtakingly amazing, discovering masterpieces wouldn’t be so exciting now would it? If you’re a local and you love movies, why the heck haven’t you been to Sundance?

Rachel February 14, 2016 No Comments
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