Amy & Aron's

This year trying to find the right gift is a mission. I know what everyone likes and what everyone wants but, by starting a little bit earlier, I can make better, decision and get more personal with it.

Some of you may have read before that Aron is our chef. I do cook a lot but when we went more than just nutrients to stay alive, he does it. His food tastes like food and not char. Most importantly, it looks like food when it's on the plates. For me, not 100% of the time can I get those key factors in?

One quick story and I will get back on track. A few years ago I was working at the deli in town. I loved that job. I actually worked there until I started my current position, working with all of you.

Anyway, I was thinking all day- I am going to go home and make Aron the best dinner ever. He has had to deal with house stuff all day, I want to reward him with awesome food that he loves every time I make it for him.

He loves pork chops and dressing. So I decided for sure, called on my break and said, I'm making dinner, it's a surprise! I did alright.

I ran through the grocery store when I got off work grabbing everything I needed in record timing, I didn't want to count on what may or may not be in the cabinet at home, just in case, I bought the whole meal so it would be as perfect as I intended.


I got home  about 4pm and started in on what was going to be the best dinner ever. So while I'm prepping everything and getting it ready to go in the oven, I think well, I'm just going to make a whole production out of this. I got dinner in the oven and started  through the house like a mad woman.

Did the laundry, even matched the socks, cleaned up the house, put away the laundry and showered. I did everything except vacuum because that would have blown my cover for sure. I scooted the table in the kitchen to the center so there would be plenty of room, no side stepping to this meal.

I'm showered and dressed and get everyone to the table and pull the masterpiece out of the oven. I make plates and talking a mile a minute as happy as any proud wife could possibly be.

Instantly upon plating, I see that my chops are a little smaller than I had hoped but that's ok, I made enough for everyone to have 2. Well, The dressing was a little softer than I planned but that's probably because it was just out of the oven, it's will firm up. The box said let stand for 5 minutes before serving anyway. I just jumped the gun a little bit, by the time they start to eat it will be perfection.

All the staples were there. Mashed potatoes, corn, and brown and serve rolls, I had outdone myself and my family was going to have to admit my awesomeness within 2 bites, right?

Wrong.

The next bit all happened over the course of maybe a minute, My efforts although noted, didn't matter anymore.

Aron, being the loving husband he is sat contently with a painful smile on his face, thanking me for the hard work I put into the meal and having the house together, after working all day. He reminded me of how beautiful I am and how lucky he is to have an amazing wife like me and then reality strikes. Cassie started to cry.

Not just a few tears down her face but a full on, 7-year-old sob that completely baffled me. I said Cass Baby, what's wrong?? Her honesty made me cry- HARD, a lot of times.
"I want daddy's pork chops. I can't bite yours, Mama."

So, when I looked at the plates without my goal minded eyes, I realized what was really going on.
Pork chops= shoe leather/jerky
Dressing= bread crumb soup
Potatoes & Corn- no salt or pepper= bland

I said Aron, why didn't you tell me how bad it was. Those magic words rolled out of his mouth may as well have been in slow play, that instantly broke my heart and pushed another remark out of Cassie that went like this:
Aron- Honey, It's not that bad. (yes he said Not THAT Bad)
Cassie- YES IT IS DAD (still crying her little eyes out)
Me- Do you guys want to go out?
Aron and Cass at the same time- Yes

We had pizza and I have not made pork chops since. Cassie will be 11 next month.

That being said, I have gotten over it. I just have a few issues with cooking pork chops, well one issue with pork chops, I'm not cooking them. I'm sure I will cook them again one day but, just not today.

So, back to the point of this, finding the perfect gift for the perfect person.

I know I have gotten dishes and appliances for the holidays because I'm a mom, that's what mom's get, it's easy. I gladly accept and cherish those boxes of random things I will probably never use unless we are having company and I have to prove I am using them.

The specific things like if it were a Ninja Coffee Bar® System, I would use them every day. Well, you know what I mean.

What I got for Aron, is one of those specific things that you would have to know him to know how excited he would be. I had the opportunity to work with The Spice Lab and I got to pick the most amazing thing ever!

BBQ Smoked Sea Salt Collection

Aron loves to BBQ, it doesn't matter if it is 10° or 100° outside. Rain, sleet, hail or snow, I have witnessed him out there right in it, barbecuing. He is dedicated, to say the least.

This gourmet sea salt set is packed full of options so anyone can pick the best one for them. You can pick if you would like  4, 6, 7, 11, and 12 tubes of the best tasting, hard-to-find salts in the world. The prices make it easy to afford, starting $24.95, it's great for a housewarming gift, birthday gift, or Christmas gift. This is one of those things that will always be appreciated.

No. 6 - Alderwood Smoked Salt
No. 7 - Applewood Smoked Salt
No. 8 - Hickory Smoked Salt
No. 93 - Smoked Cyprus Salt
No. 97 - Cyprus Wild Garlic Salt
No. 130 - Lavender Rosemary Salt
No. 198 - Herbes de Provence & Fleur de Sel Blend
No. 203 - Smoked Grapevine Salt
No. 233 - Sriracha Salt
No. 235 - Smoked Chipotle Salt
No. 247 - Smoked Pecan Salt
No. 254 - Hawaiian Habanero Salt

The 7 tube set that I received has Applewood Smoked , Hawaiian Habanero , Herbes de Provence & Fleur de Sel Blend, Sriracha Pepper, Cyprus Wild Garlic Flake, Smoked Chipotle, and Smoked Grapevine. These are nestled in a wooden hold that stands up on its own.

Another thing I really like is it has a card int he package that tells you what salts taste better for which meats, soup and sauces, wine,  and vegetables.

The Spice Lab is really cool. They have so many products to choose from. I love gift sets and this is one I had never heard of until now and I am so happy to be working ith them. In addition to the Gourmet Gift Sets, they offer peppers, spices, seasonings, rubs, loose leaf teas, Himalayan salt shot glasses and plates, corporate gifts and so much more!

I received this for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. If you have any questions about this product, please feel free to email us directly at [email protected] or [email protected]

We would love to send you info on working with Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews this holiday season.