R.I.P. Dating Anniversary

February 23rd is the Anniversary of when we started going out. We celebrated (our 6th year of dating) yesterday for probably the last time, because from now on we'll be celebrating our Wedding Anniversary instead! We kept it kind of low key, just went to watch the sunset after work and then got some gelato. But it was a good farewell to the Dating Anniversary.

When our friends Anne-Elisa and Jared got married, A-E noted how funny it was that once you get married it no longer matters how many years you were together before that. People won't ask how long you've been together, just how long you've been married and it's like "1 year" but you feel like adding "But we've been together for 7 years!"

But it's ok, we'll just have to start the counter over again come September. Goodbye Dating Anniversary, we'll miss you!

Things To Do: The Philadelphia Zoo

We actually toured the Philadelphia Zoo as a possible reception location. And it would have been awesome, but none of the possible reception spaces were right for us. But we definitely recommend that you check out the zoo!

Evidently it's America's First Zoo. It actually opened in 1874 (after a 15 year delay due to the Civil War).

Matt went to the zoo often as a child. His most enduring memory is that it would always be the time of year when the Giant Tortoises were mating. His parents told him they were wrestling.

When we toured, they mentioned having a cocktail hour at Big Cat Falls, but you can only eat in parts where the Big Cats can't see you. Because, y'know, they like eating. This sounded a little potentially dangerous for our guests.

You could also have your event at the Primate Reserve -- which we were interested in, since we love monkeys. But being monkeys and all, they seemed to enjoy peeing and playing with themselves, at least when we visited.

This is turning into a very dirty blog post all of a sudden.

My favorite when we went, were actually the elephants. They blended into their home so well I had walked almost all the way by them without noticing, despite the fact that they are really really really huge.

They have lots and lots of peacocks that roam freely throughout the zoo. Sometimes they'll take you by surprise when they're up in the trees.

In September, both the Swan Boats and the Zoo Balloon are open. The Balloon gives you a bird's eye view of the zoo.

My parents and I only saw half the zoo when we went, because we had other reception locations to look at and it was a really hot day, but what we saw was very impressive. They had a really wide array of animals. Definitely recommended!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Matt & I had a snow picnic for Valentine's Day. We went up to the San Gabriel Mountains where we often hike and it was very busy. Clearly we were not the only ones looking for snow. But knowing the area better than most, we found a quiet place on the road to Devil's Peak.

Matt had to run back to the car to put the parking pass up (or we'll get a $6 ticket! Ack!) so I set up and was waiting for him when he came back.

He threw a snowball at me then took a picture, creating this kind of weird effect. Fear not though, it didn't hit me, but landed short. Also, I'm rocking the yellow cat hat, which has eyes and ears.

Here's our romantic Sparkling Cider set up.

Matt relaxing and knocking some back.

This is me dusting off after I unceremoniously fell in the snow.

But see, I'm totally over it.

Matt obviously had a little more control over the camera than I did, but I'll get him back next time.

Also, get used to the red coat, Matt got it for me for my birthday, to wear in Iceland.

But we had a nice outing! I hope everyone else had a great Valentine's Day!

Brandywine Valley

The Brandywine Valley is an area along the Brandywine River in Northern Delaware and Southern Pennsylvania. It's about an hour from Center City Philadelphia and 45 minutes from the airport. It's a great day trip or would be a great place to stay if you have the extra time.

You can check out thebrandywine.com for great information on the adorable bed and breakfasts, quaint restaurants and neat attractions in the Brandywine Valley.

But we'd also like to recommend a few:

~ Longwood Gardens ~

I've never been here! But Matt has. And so have my parents. And everyone says it's absolute must.

Longwood, like a lot of the attractions in Brandywine Valley, is a former property of the Du Pont family. You can also visit their former residences at Winterthur & Nemours Mansion.

~ The Brandywine Museum ~

The other famous family of the Brandywine Valley is the Wyeth family of artists. And this museum showcases their work.

I went here several years ago with my family. And anyone who ever visited our Weymouth house and used our downstairs bathroom will almost certainly never forget that print of the fat hairy pig with all the utters. Well, you can see where Mom bought that! The Brandywine Museum!

~ Faunbrook B&B ~

There are many very cute B&B's in the area, and you can read about them on thebrandywine.com, but Matt & I stayed at Faunbrook and it was super lovely. Lori and Steve are super nice and accommodating. Steve makes breakfast in the morning and I still remember the cheese and onion quiche we had, it was really good.

~ Simon Pearce ~

I had never even heard of Simon Pearce before last year, but Mom and Dad had been to their flagship store and restaurant in Vermont and so we stopped off here when we were in town. The minute we walked in I was in love. They have all handmade glass and pottery. But they also have a restaurant that is super super yummy. I can still remember the polenta fries that came with my chicken. And warm apple cider. Yum. It's a pretty swanky restaurant but they recently instituted a new less expensive bistro menu. They also occasionally have glassblowing demonstrations.