Calphalon wok from Williams Sonoma - 49.99
Groceries from Publix - 32.26
Cooking implements from Alberstons - 20.21

Homemade Tulip dumplings and Pad Thai with peach cobbler for dessert - priceless

I've been wanting to do something special for my boyfriend for a while. He's been wining and dining me for weeks and I just wanted to do something he'd enjoy and that would help warm his new house. So last night I got all up in his kitchen, cleared the counters (which he has a lot considering his kitchen isn't all that big) and whipped out the brand new wok and cleaver and got to work. As much time as it took to chop everything, stuffing the dumplings, steaming the dumplings, stir frying the veggies and shrimp, and then putting them aside to stir fry the rice noodles, baking the cobbler for an hour and letting it stay warm in the oven, was all worth while.

Sure, we could have gone out to a Thai restaurant for less than 50 bucks. But it was nice to spend the evening together, he working on cleaning and unpacking, while I filled the kitchen with the scents of cinnamon, ginger, lime and garlic. We listened to U2, sang along, loudly, laughed, made our own naughty lyrics and just had a good time at home. That in itself made the whole evening worth while.

Nothing says you have to go out for a good time, a good time is sometimes right in your own back yard, or kitchen!