I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentine’s Day. We sure did! This was my first year celebrating Valentine’s Day with my Valentine at home with me the entire day. That is more than enough to ever ask for.
I took some time in the morning to put together my gift for Jennie. After my morning spin class, I picked up 12 Gus and some construction paper. Then the cutting, gluing and assembly began. In no time, 4 mint chocolate Gu, 4 tri-berry Gu, 4 chocolate Gu, and a couple sheets of construction paper became a dozen GuLips for her.
And what better way to present them than in a running shoe box?
It is awesome having such a wonderful wife who shares in some of the same passions that I do(although I think Jennie believes I am still a little crazy all the time at times). I also got her some “real” flowers in the form of a window sill herb garden. Basil, oregano, and chives will surely add some fresh flavor to our meals.
For lunch, I surprised Jennie by taking her to Marie Catribs, a restaurant we have been wanting to try. We almost went last month but one person in our group had been before and didn’t like it. Well, let’s just say that person must be crazy because it was A-MAZING! They specialize in locally grown and organic, farm to table meals. They have a plethora of Gluten Free and Vegan dishes, so for all of you out there will special diets, you are sure to find something. Oh, and Emz, they have HOMEMADE PICKLES! And did I mention the portion size? Sandwiches the size of your head!
I ended up with a Chicken Salad (chicken salad, tomato, and fresh greens) sandwich and Jennie went with a Chicken Cranberry (grilled chicken breast, provolone, cream cheese, spinach, and cranberry sauce). We also split an order of roasted seasoned potatoes and pita bread. We certainly made mess of ourselves trying to eat the enormous sandwiches. I gave up on the second half and ate part of it with a fork.
We plan on going back (and then back again and back again after that).
Jennie and I each had separate runs scheduled for the day. Jennie headed out on her run while I finished up some work and then I headed out. While I was out, Jennie surprised me by baking this giant cookie.
For some scale, the cooling rack the cookie is sitting on is roughly 10” x 16”. We plan on diving into it tonight. I’d save you all some, but I have a feeling it will be too good to save any leftovers.
I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day! Did you incorporate a running/triathlon theme into it at all?
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Shannon
February 15, 2012 at 3:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awwww… love the GU tulips. Those are incredibly creative and thoughtful. (Although, I would have been super excited about new shoes in the box!!)
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Jon
February 15, 2012 at 3:55 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You didn’t get Jennie a jar full of hammers and opted for homemade construction paper roses stuffed with packets of liquid/gel maltodextrine instead?
Totally lame.
I think that is a 2 x 3 inch mini grid rack. Nice try, Mr . Perspective skewer!!!
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Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
February 15, 2012 at 8:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
HAHAHAHA!! Love the XKCD reference! I panicked and stapled my hand to my face.
You are just jealous of the flowers and cookie.
James F
February 15, 2012 at 3:56 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
you made a very creative gift box, but that cookie looks awesome! Was it peanut butter? oatmeal raisin? Choc chip????
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Lauren
February 15, 2012 at 4:20 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
GuLips! I love it!
that cookie looks amazing. mmmm.
Morgan
February 15, 2012 at 4:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OMG I love the GuLips!!!!!!
Morgan recently posted..Where’s My Leather?
adena
February 15, 2012 at 4:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
At first I was thinking ‘Gus? who the hell is Gus?!’ but then remembered who I was reading and I got it. I’m slow. Best present ever!
Great Valentines Day for you guys! Those sandwiches look amazing!!
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Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
February 15, 2012 at 8:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You don’t know who Gus is? He is Todd’s friend (Hot Toddy).
Jeff Irvin
February 15, 2012 at 4:41 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Well done Kevin – creative AND affordable – saves $$$ for carbon wheels!
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Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
February 15, 2012 at 8:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
SSSHHhhhhh… don’t tell her I am being a cheap skate
Actually, a dozen Gu is probably about the same price as a dozen roses on a regular day when the prices aren’t jacked up for Valentine’s Day.
lindsay
February 15, 2012 at 4:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
the gulips!!! you are an excellent runner-husband. jennie’s cake looks delish too. i think we have a restaurant here similar to the one you went too. i haven’t been there yet but i plan on going soon.
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DR
February 15, 2012 at 5:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm GIANT COOKIE
she didnt get faked out by the Sauc box? I woulda been expecting some new kicks! haha
Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
February 15, 2012 at 8:24 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
New shoes are totally an anniversary present, not a Valentine’s Day present! haha
Jason @ Cook Train Eat Race
February 15, 2012 at 6:00 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
GuLips….I can’t stop laughing at the term. It is perfect and hilarious at the same time.
And this sandwich shop must be put on the list of places to visit next August for MiTi…..NO DOUBT!
Dude, I am fired up for a few weeks too. That is going to be awesome to watch you and Jeff go for gold…..
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Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
February 15, 2012 at 8:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You would love this place. They actually almost got me to order a vegan sandwich. It is called the Larry David and my inner Seinfeld loving self almost got the best of me. (Lentils, wild rice, tomato, onion and spices make up this very special vegan burger patty. Served with spicy tomato jam, grilled onion, spinach, tomato and garlic veganaise on your choice of grilled bread.) Maybe next time.
Excited to meet you too! Did Jeff tell you the plan for Sunday? We are going to recover in this http://www.carryfreedom.com/images/P_Airstream.jpg by drinking beer and watching Sportscenter while you get your bike ride in. Consider it strength training.
Matthew Smith
February 15, 2012 at 8:24 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s my boy! Way to get creative! I’m sure she loved the Gulips. It looks like y’all had a blast at that yummy restaurant. Those sandwiches looked awesome. And, the cookie for desert was a perfect way to top it off. Very cool. Nice glasses, by the way. I don’t think I’d seen you with those on before.
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Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
February 15, 2012 at 8:27 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The party is in Berrien Springs next time otherwise we would take you to this place. It is packed all the time and the food was delicious. We are just kicking ourselves for waiting so long to try it now.
I actually wear the glasses almost all the time throughout the day. Sitting in front a computer all day dries out my contacts like nothing else. Plus the less I wear the contacts, the less I have to replace them and the more $$ I can save for bike gear
Bailey wishes his Valentine (Maglee) a Happy Valentine’s Day
Christina
February 15, 2012 at 8:57 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Absolutely the best Valentine’s gift I think I’ve ever seen. Creative and useful and not ridiculously expensive. Love it!
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BDD
February 16, 2012 at 7:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thats cool and creative
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Heather O
February 16, 2012 at 7:54 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Those GuLips are AWESOME! What a creative idea and an awesome gift! I always love the more creative gifts than the ones you can just purchase off the shelf….shows that you actually put some thought and love into it! You guys rock and are so absolutely perfect for each other! I’m loving the ginormous cookie as well! I hope it tastes as good as it looks!
Carolina John
February 16, 2012 at 9:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
How lovely. Well done!
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Mark in Ottawa
February 16, 2012 at 9:35 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sounds like you both had a fantastic day! I love the Gu roses – it shows thoughtfulness and creativity! Well done!
Mark (in Ottawa, Canada)
Beth
February 16, 2012 at 9:41 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Absolutely love the Gu Tulips!! – what an awesome idea…It is great being with someone that loves to do the same things you do. People with active lifestyles are so easy to buy for
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katie
February 16, 2012 at 10:08 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
thom told me he was going to make me a Gu bouquet and I told him, too late, the internet already has that! it’s adorable.
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Nitmos
February 16, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awwww….you are a little sweety cakes!
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elizabeth
February 16, 2012 at 10:48 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ugh! I think I just caught diabetes from this post.
j/k j/k i am only a little tiny bit sick from all the sweetness.
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marlene
February 16, 2012 at 12:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
GUlips – that is genius!!
Sounds like just about the perfect day!
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Sarah
February 16, 2012 at 12:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love the GU flowers. What a cute idea
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Beth
February 16, 2012 at 1:44 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Those GU-lips are basically the cutest. Happy valentine’s day!
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Colleen
February 18, 2012 at 7:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You guys are so cute and creative!
I love it! So glad that you are enjoying being home with each other!