The Most Romantic Valentine's Date

Zane took these pictures of us before our big date. Boy, were we looking forward to getting out and trying a new place! Did I already mention GETTING OUT? ;)


When we first sat down at our table next to this tranquil wall fountain, a photographer took this picture of us for The Edge's Facebook album. Sure enough, I found it. We settled in for what would be a perfect, romantic evening. Even the live music was just right, with a slow-jazz romantic vibe.


We had the most divine dinner at The Edge Restaurant and Lounge in Old Town. We were surprised to find out there was a Valentine's menu, but it turned out to be unbelievable! To start, the Amuse Bouche was Grilled Lemon Infused New Caledonia Prawn, served with a Napa Brut Rose'. What a beginning! The First Course, though, was the only one we weren't thrilled about: the Deconstructed Nicoise Salad. Just a bit bizarre. I love fancy food - and Nicoise salad - but all of the raw stuff on my plate (including a strange egg) had me less than thrilled. Fortunately, the Temecula Viogner made up for it! Then, the Intermezzo was a real treat: French Butter Pear and Thyme Granite', just in time to cleanse our palates and get us ready for the main course!



Our entree was to die for! We both ordered the Braised Bone-In Beef Short Rib with Vermont white cheddar/cauliflower gratin, confit pearl onion and merlot reduction! Oh my word... AMAZING!!! It came with a perfect Sonoma Zinfandel.



For dessert we had Fallen Bittersweet Chocolate Souffle "For Two" with Amarena cherries and vanilla bean creme anglaise... with a delicious "Six Grape" port. I surprised Will with his early Valentine's gift: a watch he had spotted a few weeks earlier, that he loved. It was so fun to be a tad extravagant this year.

Valentine's Day 2010

We love to set the breakfast table with Valentine's goodies before the kids get up. Will bought them each a cool new shirt and we got them lots of chocolate. Grandma got a special keepsake box for all of her cards she receives. And this little red box is mine; Will got me the most gorgeous ring that he shouldn't have bought me. But I'm sure happy he did.


Mom and Dad sent me these gorgeous roses with a box of chocolates! Thank you, dear parents! Here are the roses the day they came...



... and a few days later, even more beautiful!


Somebody broke into their chocolate.

Dessert and Dancing for Daddy

To celebrate Will's new job - and to let him know how much his family appreciates how he leaves for work at 4 a.m. every morning! - I made Will a special Friday night dinner and milk chocolate cake. We all sure do love you, Sweetheart! (Note the picture of Grandma's new DO. She's not sure she likes it, but she opted for this "body wave" so that on the days when her hair just doesn't get done, it still looks somewhat coiffed!)





During dinner and dessert, we were listening to Italian opera. Sullivan couldn't wait to finish so she could hit the floor dancing...


... and pretending SHE was the opera singer! She had us dying laughing!!! She's the absolute funniest 2-year-old I have ever known.

Those kids...

... they just keep on growing!!! Even the furry one! And I love each child's unique personality.

Girls' Getaway Weekend

Kimberlee, Julia and I (you know, the 3 cooking musketeers) headed down to San Diego on Saturday morning, to spend the weekend, for some girl-time therapy. I almost felt like I was in a dream state the whole time! We have really GOT to do this more often. We stayed at the Hyatt near Seaport Village, and this is the view from our room. (Disclaimer: These photos were actually taken the following day when the sun came out. On Saturday, it was snowing from our room on the 23rd floor... I'm not kidding. And... we ended up changing rooms, so these are from the 31st floor, but I'll spare you all those details.)


Three hungry girls enjoyed "street tacos" at a Mexican restaurant in the Gaslamp. None of us could remember the name: something Baja. Unfortunately, we visited for so long that we ended up getting a parking ticket for an expired meter. A few more quarters could have saved us $30! But, on our defense, time really flies when you're having fun and enjoying great friends.




After lunch, we decided to take a little walk around Seaport Village with a break in the rain. We took a couple of pictures ourselves and then unknowingly picked a very strange man to take our group photo. I don't know if he thought he was being charming, but he told us to say something I dare not repeat on a family blog. It was not "cheese." At least we managed to smile and be off on our way.


After sharing some delicious red wine and an entire box of roasted almonds covered with dark chocolate, sea salt and turbinado, it was time to get ready for dinner!


Our plans to have dinner somewhere fancy in the Gaslamp were shattered with pouring rain - yet another one of California's latest rainstorms! But we had an equally delectable dinner at one of the Hyatt's restaurants: Sally's Seafood. We were even escorted in the back way, through several hallways and through the kitchen itself, so we wouldn't have to go outside in the rain. Isn't that nice of them? We felt famous. ;)


My dinner: Lobster Pot Pie! It was delicious! And huge! It also had sausage, vegetables and boursin cheese... all topped with puff pastry. I just had to try it, and I'm glad I did. But I think I'm still full. Did I mention I started off with a Baby Romaine Caesar too? All of us girls had the same dinner, and we all had to "talk off" our food coma for hours in our room that night. So deliciously fun!


I had this Chai Tea panna cotta for dessert, which was very unique and very good. I'm not quite sure how I managed to stuff it down after that pot pie, but, as Sulli would say, "I did it!!!"

On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at Lael's, there at the Hyatt. We talked over coffee for hours before we packed up and headed home. What a wonderful time with such special girls. I love you both and am truly blessed.

Blue Belt!!!

Last week Titus had his latest belt test: blue! It was fun for all of us to go watch him perform everything he's been learning. Between Zane and Titus, we've been to quite a few of these events over the past few years!



We all watched with great anticipation as Titus...


... punched,...

... kicked, (oops, don't have a picture of that)...


... blocked,...


... recited 3 Bible verses,...


... waited his turn,...


... sparred,...




... and fought off the bad guys!





Mr. Kruger presented Titus with his belt and certificate. Good job, Titus! We're all so proud of you!



After the belt ceremony, we came home and celebrated our tough guy with pizza and this apple crostata. Zane found it in one of my cookbooks and asked me to make it. It was good lovin' (as Bruce would say)! This one's a keeper!


And we ended the evening with Titus' favorite game: Monopoly.