Simple Pleasures Series Innaugural Post

I've noticed several of my blogging pals either categorize their posts, or sometimes will post under a running "series" or theme...here's my attempt at the same idea. Whether it continues or not, we'll have to see, but since I have a hunch that simple pleasures are a subconscious passion of mine, this will stay strong. Keep me accountable, if you are a subscriber, will ya?

Here goes number 1:

The Ikea Hot Dog Combo = chicken soup for your marriage soul
It's true folks, when it comes to hot dog value and quality time with your significant other, it is hard to beat heading over to Ikea on a Saturday night for the 2.50 (not joking) combo meal. Perhaps only outdone by dollar dog nights at the Metrodome in Minneapolis (pause. Pedro wipes a single tear from his left eye. sigh), this Swedish/American institution warms my heart for a few reasons, and thus qualifies as a simple pleasure:

1) Delicious hot dogs for an affordable price. I love hot dogs (easily the subject of another simple pleasures post all on its own), and Ikea's are consistently decent. Not to mention they throw in a little sack of chips and a drink (try the Lingenberry juice mixed with about 1/3 sprite- its awesome).

2) You get to eat at Ikea, perhaps one of the happiest places on earth. Half the time we're there, we don't even buy anything, but there's just a very pleasant vibe about the place. It's always fun to stroll the showrooms to see what clever ways the Swedes have whipped up to maximize a living space for folks who call 10 square feet 'home.' And, the eating area is right by the "last chance room," you know, the room with all the beat-up stuff. You'd be amazed at what my wife has found there...

3) Speaking of the wife...It's a chance to hang with the one you love. You can't put a price on changing up the scenery from movie night in the living room to large warehouse-like place with product names that make you wonder if some Swedish is really just English words, just spelled out phonetically and with more consonants...or the other way around (don't want to be America-centric in my worldview :-)
Seriously though, the two of us love chatting at the little cafe spot there, and since it's right by the exit, the people watching is unbeatable...have you ever noticed the diverse crowd that place draws? Pretty cool. It is in every sense of the term [for us] quality time.

Cheers!

NB: While the combo is a value in itself (again, 2.50 = 2 dogs, chips, drink), it is a bit light in quantity for two adults...never fear for another hot dog is a laughably low .50. Same with the chips, I think.