Hyde Park....A Great Little Funky/Crunchy Part of Boise

I drove all over the place today in search of fun places and things to do when my sweetheart joins me in only two weeks.

I got my haircut today and I asked the girl who cut it to tell me about some fun places to see/visit. She told me about a few but the one that peaked my interest was Hyde Park...an old funky cool area just a few blocks form downtown Boise. It is about two blocks long but is filled with some great shops and restaurants. I ate lunch at this great little brew pub kind of place. Hyde Park is loaded with antiques stores, second hand stores, and a fair trade boutique where they sell all kinds of wares from impoverished artisans in third world countries and some in the united States as well. My honey will love this place. The owner (non-profit) was a very friendly lady named Lynn. I picked up a couple of things and know that htis will be a favorite store for my entire family when they come and visit. They ahve all kinds of restaurants and a a homemade ice cream shop (not that I had any)

I am back on the HCG diet for the next few weeks in my quest to get down to about 170 lbs. I have lost 9 lbs in the last 3 days and am feeling great.

I also went to an Idaho Steelheads hockey game tonight. I had a great time since I didn't have to sit at home by myself on new Years eve. The game was good even though they lost. They have a na awesome stadium right in the middle of downtown.

Check out these cool photos....I miss everyone but since Christmas is over it's much easier this time. I think its also because I know Sue will be with me in just 2 weeks. I have i told everyone how much I love this little lady.

Again, Happy New year Everyone :)   

Cool little antique shop

Homemade ice cream shop

Awesome spinach salad with delicious sliced steak

This is the 13th St. pub and grill where I had the salad

Great re-sell shop

This is the fair trade boutique...I loved this place

Another cool antique shop

A Quick Hike with the Family in Zion National Park

Stanley, Minnie, and Sugar had a blast with everyone...they love to hike too

Tina, Penelope, and Nana Sue

The kids taking a quick dip in the frigid waters of the Virgin River. They are now official members of the Polar Bear Club.

Brett and Evie

We decided to take a quick hike in Zion with some of the kids, grand kids, and all three dogs. It was a fun 3 mile hike on a beautiful early winter day.

Family Contest....New Blog Name

Ok family...the Zion Paradise blog theme/name has got to go. Let's have a friendly contest to see who comes up with the best new name for our blog. No hard and fast rules but I'm thinking some type of Idaho or Boise theme...but let the creativity flow and don't limit yourselves.

I'll come up with some sort of fun prize for the winner. A new layout and photos are sure to come as well.

Let's have some fun with this....multiple ideas/entries are encouraged!

Hello Boise, it's Nice to Meet You!

Well, I have been up here for two full weeks now and while I am still having a very hard time being away from my family, friends, and ward members, I am beginning to feel a little more comfortable up here. Last week I explored the "Bo-D" district of downtown Boise that is right near the Capitol, I did more of the same this week...why...because it is an awesome are that is filled with really cool shops, restaurants, etc.

I ventured onto many more streets this week and loved what I found. Tons of boutique stores and restaurants. It was also the last Saturday of the year for the farmers market that literally stretches blocks and blocks. Independent vendors selling fruits, veggies, wines, every sort of heritage type meat imaginable, arts, crafts of every type, and of course all kinds of sweets, candy, pastries, and ethnic food (African sausages) I can't tell you how much I love this little place and the great vibe it puts off. This is a place where we will hang out in the spring, summer, and fall.

I ate at a great little Greek restaurant yesterday...Opa...I think.I had a great Horiatiki salad and some Lamb Shwarma...chased down by osme of the best baklava i have ever had. It sounds like a ton of food, but it really was just about right (I only ate half of the pita to keep the carbs down so I could indulge the baklava) Saturday has been my weekly indulgence for eating lunch out...ootherwise I cook all my meals and brown bag to work each day. Keeps costs down and since i am eating very healthily, I control what I eat. I have been able to keep my weight down to 190. I am going back on the HCG after Christmas so I can drop the last 25 lbs. or so.

I was invited to attend the empty nesters Christmas dinner last night. Normally I don't like these things, but because of the lack of human interaction, I succumbed to the prodding s of Carma, this sweet little old lady...she was unrelenting. I actually had a great time. great dinner, wonderful people, white elephant gift game. It lifted my spirits.

The highlight of my day each day is when I get to talk or Skype with Sue. She truly is the light of my life and uplifts me in every way possible. I miss her dearly and can't wait to see her this week. I am also getting very excited to see all of the family this week...what a great but hectic Christmas it will be.

Here's wishing all of the peace, joy, and happiness that they deserve during the very special Christmas season...

p.s. I'm new to the video uploading thing so you'll have to cut me a break :)

Boise Mall

Opa Greek restaurant in the Bo-Do district

Inside Opa

Horiatiki Salad....yumbo!

Lamb Shwarma with roasted veggies...oh my gosh was this good

Baklava....a truly guilty pleasure :)

 

 

Boise Here we Come!

I began a new chapter in my life this past week that is exciting, frustrating, and lonely...at least for now.

I moved to Meridian Idaho last Sunday to begin a new career as the General Manager for Circle J Trailers that is located in Caldwell, Idaho, a suburb of Boise. Circle J is owned by Big Tex, a huge manufacturer of heavy duty utility trailers.

Sue and I chose a very nice home to rent in Meridian where we will put down some new roots at least for awhile. At 54 years old I am way too young to retire and way too old to be unemployed...not a good position to be in. While neither so or I are happy to move away form our family, friends and beautiful home, we do feel very blessed to begin a new chapter in our life.

We are both giving up a lot as we begin our new adventure...family friends, Sue's great job, my calling a a Bishop was only 3/5 complete, and so many great friends, neighbors, and ward members.

I am thankful for being well connected in the industry that I have been in for the last 15 years and for the opportunities that present itself.

I would be less than honest if I didn't say that this week has been one of the roughest I have ever had on me outside of my divorce to my first wife, Rosann, and the cancer ordeal and ultimate death of my second wife Debbie. While this week pales in comparison to those two events, it has been nonetheless very hard on me emotionally. Thos who know me well know that I am one tough bird and never a victim in any way shape or form. Maybe it is becasue I am getting older and really need personal interaction. Even though Sue and I talk each night for over an hour it just isn't the same.

I know that this week has been a little tough on my new employees too. They are naturally apprehensive about what will happen to each of them and that is very understandable. I think about them each day.

I actually got out today and ventured into the downtown area of Boise. They have this really cool district called Bo-Do. It is made up of block so really cool stores, shops and restaurants. We have already staked a claim on a really good pizza place...Proto's. This area is very Annie-Like" They have a weekly market,art, etc street fair each Saturday from mid April to Christmas...lots of neat goodies. I even bought a couple of awesome pottery mugs today form a guy who was just closing up shop.They had really nice Christmas display there too. get this, they even have a minor league hockey team in town (Dallas Stars...Crap) to go and see and root for in a really nice new arena.Bois ehas tons of shopping, restaurants and just about whatever else you would need.

I had to try and get into the Christmas spirit today before the Holiday Blues set in, and I splurged on a 2' fake Christmas tree that I lit up and decorated and is sitting on my kitchen counter. it isn't much, but it is mine and is all that I have to help me get in the mood.

Here's a few photos of my trek into Boise today...enjoy.

Tis the Season

Inside Proto's Pizza

Atomica Pie, Garlic, Tomatoes, Olives, Italian Sausage, and Crushed Red Peppers

Everything Taters at this Shop

Downtown Town Square

Funky Little Shops

Proto's and Five guys

My Little Christmas Beacon

Mama Sue and Buster the Bronco on the Blue Grass at the Airport

Halloween at Jimmy and Hollie's Place

Every year Jimmy and Hollie put on a huge Halloween party at their house. They decorate the outside of their home in an awesome Pirate theme. People from all over the place come and stop by and take photos with their kids. They always do a great job and the food and family make it extra special.

Thaks Jimmy and Hollie for another wonderful Halloween bash....Arrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhh....till next year.

Preston & Gracie

The two cutest vampires... ever!

This guy is like 12 feet tall....seriously

Grandma getting in on the action

Cap'N Sal

No....my son is not a cross-dressing Pirate!!!!

Marcus the carcass

The lovely Wench...Miss Hollie...no wonder the Cap'N is so happy!

Cap'N Sal getting a wee bit frisky!

Payton "Crazy Legs" Plumb

This is one tired little super-hero!

This was only part of "The Spread"

Jimmy & Hollie wiht Hollie's parents

The Cap'n and his Mateys