Early Anniversary Present

We've never owned our own grill.  I take that back, Hubby bought a cheap throw away grill (less than $30) two years ago; it didn't last the summer.  When we lived in Arizona we were lent an old grill while we lived in one of my in-laws properties (about a year and a half).

Hubby loves to cook and nearly anything that has to do with it, and as most men, he loves to grill.  Several years ago I bought him a grill tool set (spatula, tongs, knife, etc with carrying case) for his birthday, with the hope that one day we would get our own grill.  We just couldn't ever justify the expense.  About a year ago I decided that if I got a bonus for re-enlisting, I'd finally buy a grill.  I didn't tell Hubby.  Oh, we talked about one day finally purchasing one.  And we even window shopped and talked about grill features.

When the decision was made for re-enlisting, I found out I did qualify for a small bonus.  Later, I asked Hubby about grills.  He was happy to look, but didn't think we'd actually buy one.  A couple weeks ago I let the cat out of the bag and told Hubby that I wanted to buy him a grill, and I didn't want to wait.  I wanted him to have it and use it and enjoy it.  If we waited, until say tax return time (supposedly they won't be very much anymore), I would be gone.  I will be gone all next "grilling season".  But this is San Diego, you can grill almost any day of the year.  Hubby, being the modest man he is, said I didn't need to do that, it was too much, that I didn't need to do anything for the next year for gifts if I bought the grill.  I simply said that it would be an early anniversary gift (no. 10 is about two weeks after I leave for deployment).

We did some more research and searching.  Hubby's final choice is the one you see below.  We purchased it, prior to going out of town for the week of Thanksgiving) from Lowe's.  Thanks to their military discount (10%) an a small blemish on a back piece (the assemblers  made a tiny dent - so we got an extra 10% off) we paid less than the grill we were looking at from Sears (it was on sale so no military discount, but that location had horrible customer service).  I barely got home with the grill before we set it up and Hubby started dinner.  It was fabulous!

 For anyone interested, this grill is in Lowe's 2011 Grill Shopping Guide, but not on their website yet.  It is manufactured by NexGrill out of Encino CA, under the KitchenAid label.

Happy [early] Anniversary, Honey!  I love you and hope you enjoy your grill for years to come.