Monday February 19, 2007

 For months, we’ve been dreaming and longing for Valentines Day, promising ourselves that we would take a break just for us.  When we’re in the middle of something so involving, like building a house, it’s hard to let go of the ever-present mental “got to keep things moving” dialogue.  This once we managed to accomplish just that plus not rush ourselves to get ready or leave which made for a fabulous 24 hr rendezvous.  We opted to stay in town since our time was short.  I took Adam to my mom’s house Saturday morning and picked up a few groceries while David Lee plugged in some hours at the house.   At noon, the magic time began.  We did a bit of fun house shopping first … mostly looking at lights to see what we liked … and grabbed wraps for lunch.  After that we browsed the mall, drank Starbucks coffee, and leisurely shopped some more.  We checked in to the new Hilton hotel in town and were quite pleased to find it as lovely as the online pictures.  Around 8 we headed to the downtown mall to check out an Italian restaurant we’ve always wanted to try and found it to be way beyond our expectations.  Lovely golden textured walls, hardwood floors, rich tapestries at the windows, large ficus and palm trees, and fringed lamps created a warm, romantic, and semi-private atmosphere.  I was delighted when the hostess ushered us to a tiny table in the corner, tucked away by the window and half screened by plants.  The table decor was delightfully elegant.  Gold cloth tablecloths topped by a smaller white one.  Real silver, a fresh pink rose, and a tea light candle in a silver cup .. and then came bread that made you want “just one more small piece.”  Our salads were a delightful mix of fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, a bit of lettuce all drizzled with a fantastic basil and olive oil combination.  I had roasted leg of lamb in caramelized onion sauce for the main course … yummy.  Both of us love elegant dining yet every time we exit, we breathe a tiny sigh of relief.  This time we decided it’s time to find an etiquette book at the library and educate ourselves on the “rules” so that we don’t sit there next time worrying about committing some terrible faux pas.  Can anyone tell me, what are the rules for ordering?  When we eat at “normal for us” places (like Ruby Tuesday) the waiter always looks at me first.  I was all prepared to order this time and it discombobulated both of us a bit when our waiter kept looking at David Lee.  Then at the table next to us, we noticed the guy ordered for both himself and his date.  Is this customary at a certain level of dining or only at Italian restaurants?  I can’t remember ever having this happen before although maybe it did and I was too taken up with other things to notice.  I still shiver inside and turn red outside every time I remember what I did at Carmellos a couple of years ago … but that’s another story.

Fortunately, my Cinderella hours had an easier transition back to the real world.  We picked up Adam and Mom fixed a delicious lunch for us after church.  Kelvin and Beth were there, too, and we had a great afternoon laughing and watching the snow blow. 

And now, we’re home.  Back to the real world where my dryer conked out and there are a million nail holes to putty.  But I’m not dreading it.  I feel revived, rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to go …. and dreaming of the next vacation! 

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• Tuesday February 27, 2007 →