I talked my mom into babysitting so that hubs and I could go out on our *second* date - and celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. We selected an oyster bar we had heard was "excellent," slated to be written up in Bon Appetit's April issue as one of the best restaurants in the country.
In good spirits we decided to start with oysters. Pacific Northwest oysters are sweeter and briney-er than other oysters in the country. Only downside: they are smaller. They were FABULOUS. So we decided to order the chef's specialty, basically whatever the chef felt like throwing together - the best of the best is how it was phrased - but I have to say I can't recall the last time I was so dissapointed in a meal.
Following is what we were served.
First course - three slices of beet with two pieces of frisee lettuce and a dab of goat cheese (I'm allergic to beets)
Second course - four little gnocchi with a poached egg and holandaise sause (good but too small a serving)
Third course - one crostini with marrow-infused bread with steak tar tar on top (after a root canal, I just couldn't make myself consume bone marrow)
Fourth course - Cow gland (it looked like cauliflour and was sort of rubbery so I only took a small bite) on pickled cabbage
Fifth course - Scallops in a chicken liver sauce (UGH!)
We decided to finish our meal with a bang and ordered the banana split - which was great - except one of the scoops was coffee ice cream (which was great but coffee late at night does not agree with me).
On a positive note, we were seated next to a great couple, who we ended up meeting out for drinks afterward. We then hurried home to find Chase fast asleep.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Happy Holidays
Just a quick note to wish everyone a very happy holiday season.
Quick updates on this end. We have officially moved to China, although we are in Portland, Oregon for the holidays. Brian loves his job. China is wild, crazy and promises to be quite an adventure. More on this later (when I have more time).
I had a very dental Christmas - spending most of it in the dentist's chair (root canal, crown lengthening surgery, cavity on the same tooth, night guard). Good times.
My dad and sister-in-law are engaged. Not to each other. A quick blog family welcome Fern and Courtney!
As for Chase, she is a little sick at the moment. But she gave us the greatest gift of all - she learned to kiss and clap on Christmas day. It is outrageous. SO sweet.
Oh and I managed to break one of our digital cameras, which explains why I have not posted anything lately. And why there are no pictures with this posting.
And now on to New Years....
Quick updates on this end. We have officially moved to China, although we are in Portland, Oregon for the holidays. Brian loves his job. China is wild, crazy and promises to be quite an adventure. More on this later (when I have more time).
I had a very dental Christmas - spending most of it in the dentist's chair (root canal, crown lengthening surgery, cavity on the same tooth, night guard). Good times.
My dad and sister-in-law are engaged. Not to each other. A quick blog family welcome Fern and Courtney!
As for Chase, she is a little sick at the moment. But she gave us the greatest gift of all - she learned to kiss and clap on Christmas day. It is outrageous. SO sweet.
Oh and I managed to break one of our digital cameras, which explains why I have not posted anything lately. And why there are no pictures with this posting.
And now on to New Years....
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Phuket
Nothing makes you feel more like a sloth than being surrounded by triathletes.
These days I find it exceedingly difficult to get out of bed in the morning (this from a gal who used to bolt out of bed at 5 am to head for the gym). So you can imagine how fabulous one feels when one is surrounded by bright-eyed, bushy tailed triathletes who are out running/ swimming/ biking before the sun rises. I was particularly inspired by (okay, actually kind of annoyed by) a couple uber fit moms (with small kids in tow) who somehow found time in their day to train to be triathletes.
With New Years right around the corner (and New Years resolutions to be made), I decided to take a good look at how Chase and I spend our day to see if maybe we, too, could train for a triathalon. After a closer look, it just might be possible ...
6:15 Chase awakes before the sun rises (a promising start)
6:30 We play quietly while letting daddy "sleep" (maybe this could be where we go for a run)
7:00 Mom finds coffee (breakfast of champions)
Chase eats carb breakie (in bed) to prepare for the day ...
Swim training begins ...
And then it's time for a power nap ...
Upon waking, we do some elephant wrangling (to build physical strength and endurance) ...
And then it's time to meditate (to build mental strength) on the meaning of life ...
And then ...
another nap before dinner.
Yep. I'm pretty sure that if we can keep this aggressive schedule up, we'll be ready to participate in the triathlon next year.
These days I find it exceedingly difficult to get out of bed in the morning (this from a gal who used to bolt out of bed at 5 am to head for the gym). So you can imagine how fabulous one feels when one is surrounded by bright-eyed, bushy tailed triathletes who are out running/ swimming/ biking before the sun rises. I was particularly inspired by (okay, actually kind of annoyed by) a couple uber fit moms (with small kids in tow) who somehow found time in their day to train to be triathletes.
With New Years right around the corner (and New Years resolutions to be made), I decided to take a good look at how Chase and I spend our day to see if maybe we, too, could train for a triathalon. After a closer look, it just might be possible ...
6:15 Chase awakes before the sun rises (a promising start)
6:30 We play quietly while letting daddy "sleep" (maybe this could be where we go for a run)
7:00 Mom finds coffee (breakfast of champions)
Chase eats carb breakie (in bed) to prepare for the day ...
Swim training begins ...
And then it's time for a power nap ...
Upon waking, we do some elephant wrangling (to build physical strength and endurance) ...
And then it's time to meditate (to build mental strength) on the meaning of life ...
And then ...
another nap before dinner.
Yep. I'm pretty sure that if we can keep this aggressive schedule up, we'll be ready to participate in the triathlon next year.
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