This past President's Day weekend turned out to be one of the most pleasant weekends that we have spend in Phoenix thus far.  It was all in all a very nice weekend from the entertainment, to the food, to the simply amazing weather.

It was Veteran's night at the Coyotes' hockey game Saturday night, and the husband was able to score us two free tickets.  (That's a really good thing because the price on EACH of the tickets was $112...there is no way that we could afford them at the price!).  They were playing the Stars, and it was a hard fought game.  The Coyotes won in over time.  I loved every minute of the exciting game and am hoping that we will be able to get tickets to another game before the end of the season. 

John has been missing Moe's Southwest Grill, and we didn't know that there was one in Glendale.  We thought that it was an Eastern Coast thing.  We were pleasantly surprised when we saw it while we were walking to the rink to watch the game.  It shouldn't come to a shock to anyone that we made dinner plans to eat there at the end of the hockey game.  John always (and I do mean always...it was what he wanted me to bring when he got back from Afghanistan) orders a Joey bag o' doughnuts.  I got their nachos and there was too much food for two people to eat in my one order of nachos, so if you are going to order them (and I suggest you do - they really were delicious) bring a friend.

Monday we decided to go to the Renaissance Festival.  It should be no surprise to anyone who has read any of my posts that pretty much we ate our way from one side of the fair to the other.  It costs and arm and half a leg to get into the fair, but once you are inside they have decided to be nice with their food prices.  That made me very happy.  I am used to fairs that seem to think that once they have you, you'll pay anything...so they charge anything for their food.  Don't leave without eating a roasted ear of corn, a bread bowl (the marinara meatball was delicious, or a royal spud.  I would pass on the Scotch egg - they are better at most Highland Games (and my mommy makes better). 

Burgers...Lots of Burgers

If you have read more than one of my posts, then you know that I pretty much plan our outings based on the food nearby.  So, you can image how excited I was when I noticed that there were several "mom and pop" type restaurants near my new job.  (I teach 7th grade at PACS on 16th Street.) 

The first thing I noticed was a restaurant called "Fat Ass Burgers" ironically across the street from Weight Watchers.  (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-ASS-Burgers/171915529522170).  This place was so good that I did something that I seldom do...eat there twice. This was the best, juice dripping down my chin, burger I have had since coming to Phoenix. Their fries are really good as well.  Basically, this place is going to be my go to lunch joint when I am at work.

Last night, we decided to try out Burgers and Bottles (http://www.grubhub.com/phoenix/burgers--bottles/).  I was happy with my n'awlins burger.  They were out of the bun that typically comes with it, so it was served on a pretzel bun.  OMG - I will be substituting this bun from now on.  I had fried pickles, and they were good - but I can think of three places that make better.  I didn't drink any beer, but my mother-in-law did and she said that it was really good. 

Unique date experience

I get groupons.  I'll admit it.  I'm mildly addicted to them.  I love to open my email in the morning to see what cool deal I can find.  Usually, the deals are for things that I don't need, don't want, or can't use.  Sometimes, however, I get a groupon for something that makes my breathless anticipation worth while. 

I used a Groupon last week to buy how-to pottery classes, because I thought that it would be a fun and unique date activity for my husband and me. (www.allthehands.com) I didn't know how much fun it actually going to be until I got there and started playing with the clay.  We arrived at the class a little late - warning! the studio is off the beaten track and 17th Ave doesn't look like a road since it isn't paved and doesn't have a sign - but we decided to take the class anyways even if we missed the start.  I'm so glad that we did.  After showing us basic techniques, the instructor let us go to play.  I made three pieces and the last two were pretty good.  The first one looks like a child's attempt at an ashtray - so I'll be sending it to my mom for Christmas.  Every parent needs a badly designed, hand-made ashtray from their child...even if the child is 30.

Since I don't consider it a date unless he gets me ice cream.  We left the class - laughing about how dirty we were (How did I get clay, there?! ) and had a pumpkin pie Blizzard from Dairy Queen.  I am going to be really sad when they stop selling those blizzards after Thanksgiving. 

Disappointing Fight...Great Sandwich

My husband and I have a standing "date" to go out and watch UFC fights.  We both enjoy MMA, and it gives us a chance to sample one of my favorite cuisines...the oft overlooked bar food. 

We decided to catch the fight and head out to American Junkie (http://americanjunkieaz.com/).  We were a little worried once we got there since the bar was full of Ohio fans, there to see the Ohio v. Wisconsin football game.  We were afraid that even though there were advertisements for UFC 137 that it wouldn't be on the TV.  However, the manager assured us that they would play the fight when it came on, and even though they didn't start it until about 30 minutes in...they did show the fight, and on a TV close to us. 

The bar isn't responsible for the lack luster fight.  What they were responsible for was done very well.  I had a Southwestern burger with peppers and jalapeno cheese.  This burger was the size of my head!  It was amazing, and the price at 8 dollars (including fries) was easy on the wallet.  We will definitely be back.