I've been trying to get better about posting everyday. In doing so, I'm starting "Tuesday Ten," in which I will post 10 random facts about me, someone I love, or just something random, every Tuesday.
Here it goes...
1. I have cooked dinner every night since the Lumberjack and I got married (unless we've eaten out). I don't really believe in microwave meals. That's not to say I make a five-course dinner every single night, but I'd like to think I am a decent cook.
2. I prefer staying in to going out--even better, I love having friends over for dinner rather than going out to eat. My mom raised me to be a hostess, not a restaurant patron.
3. I am a control freak. I'd usually prefer to make plans than just see where I end up. I also prefer to be the driver, rather than be driven.
4. I have strange techniques, with reasons, for just about everything. For example, when I eat Pizza Hut pizza, I eat the first piece normal and the second piece crust first, because the front of the pizza is the best and I want to save it for my last bite.
5. Every year, for as long as I can remember, I have a chocolate cake with vanilla icing (has to be homemade) for my birthday.
6. My favorite stores are Nordstrom Rack and Homegoods. I love Nordstrom, but I'm a frugal shopper, so I leave the deals and brands at the Rack. Homegoods is my little houseware heaven. I could spend all day (and lots of money) in both stores!
7. My favorite holiday/season is Christmas. I'm ready for Christmas trees, lights, music, food and decorations by September 1. I don't really care for Halloween, and it's not that I don't enjoy Thanksgiving, but I like Christmas so much more!
8. I've never attended a public school. I've attended Episcopalian, Non-denominational Christian, Catholic and Nazarene schools, but I've never had any public school education.
9. My favorite San Diego restaurant and bar is "The Tractor Room" in Hillcrest. They make the best martinis, and their homemade chips are to die for!
10. I've never eaten a Big Mac. I've just never had any desire to, and In-N-Out is so much better than McDonald's. I've also never eaten meatloaf, mostly because my mother never served it and, since I don't know that I'd like it, it's not a dish I would order in a restaurant.
So, there you are, 10 new things you (maybe) never knew about me!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dutch: On "The Daily Corgi"
My little furkid, Dutch, is featured on "The Daily Corgi" today. Check him out at:
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A Review of Las Vegas: Rosemary's
Last weekend, the Lumberjack and I celebrated his birthday by taking a trip to Las Vegas. We drove out Friday morning, spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool, and enjoyed a perfect meal at Rosemary's, a quaint restaurant located about 20 minutes from the strip.
When you enter the restaurant, you step into a world that is beyond the simple strip mall you entered. The scenery is romantic and classy. A bar on the right boasts top shelf liquors, along with a few specialty beers on tap. A cocktail before dinner is the perfect start to the evening, and I suggest any beer lover enjoy a pint of the Tripel Karmelite.
The dining room reveals comfort and luxury paired with exquisite service. Rosemary's offers all dishes a la carte, or you can enjoy their prix-fixe dinner, containing three courses, for $55. Everyone in our party of four opted for the prix-fixe dinner as most entrees were priced between $30 and $45, so it seemed to be the best deal.
For my appetizer, I chose the Tasso Ham and Crawfish Risotto with Smoked Tomato Jus. The dish was moist but not mushy, with a subtle smokiness from the tomato jus and the perfect amount of salt from the tasso ham. The crawfish was perfectly cooked and decadent--not fishy. I also sampled the Salmon Tartar, which was very fresh and perfectly seasoned. The Twice Baked Parmesean Souffle and the Panko Crusted Crab Boulettes were both rich, indulgent dishes best for sharing. Overall, the consensus was that the risotto was the favorite appetizer of the night.
For the salad course, the Arugula, Endive & Radiccio Salad came with Maytag Blue Cheese, a Riesling Poached Pear, Toasted Hazelnuts & Port Wine Syrup. The pepper in the arugula complimented the tart blue cheese and the sweet poached pear for a perfect combination of flavors. The Caesar for Mark salad came with Parmesean croutons and a fresh Caeser dressing with anchovies. While some of the diners at my table found it to be too fishy, I thought the dressing was exceedingly fresh and a perfect combination. The croutons, while tasty, were too large to be eaten in one bite, and therefore a challenge.
For the entree, I chose the Seared Sea Scallops with Parsnip Potato Puree, Apple Cider Beurre Blanc, Crispy Prosciutto & Fried Parsnip Strips. When I dine out, I often try to stay away from beef, even though I love it, because I am usually disappointed after being spoiled with the Lumberjack's cooking. The scallops were the right choice. They were perfectly cooked--tender on the inside with a slight crisp on the outside--and the parsnip potatoes were rich and creamy. However, I also sampled the Grilled Veal Tenderloin, served with a Sauté of Asparagus, Prosciutto & Maitake Mushrooms & Roasted Garlic Reduction Sauce. The veal was tender and succulent, cooked to perfection and complemented with the reduction sauce. Though not a traditional steakhouse, Rosemary's Roasted Filet of Beef stood up to the rest of the menu after being seasoned and cooked perfectly with a bourbon green peppercorn sauce, and complemented with horseradish souffle potatoes.
For dessert, I enjoyed the chef's special of the night--a Passion fruit cheesecake with pomegranate sauce. I also sampled a platter of miniature desserts, including a lemon bar, peanut butter crisp, and mint chocolate fudge. All were delicious, and the perfect cap to an excellent meal.
In addition to the fabulous food, the service was wonderful. The sommelier was attentive and helpful, as was our waitress. The waitstaff presented each course in sync, serving each dish at the same time and allowing ample time in between courses. Water and wine glasses were kept full, napkins placed gently on laps and every other need met graciously.
Overall, Rosemary's provided one of the most exquisite meals I have ever enjoyed, and it is a Las Vegas restaurant not to be missed.
When you enter the restaurant, you step into a world that is beyond the simple strip mall you entered. The scenery is romantic and classy. A bar on the right boasts top shelf liquors, along with a few specialty beers on tap. A cocktail before dinner is the perfect start to the evening, and I suggest any beer lover enjoy a pint of the Tripel Karmelite.
The dining room reveals comfort and luxury paired with exquisite service. Rosemary's offers all dishes a la carte, or you can enjoy their prix-fixe dinner, containing three courses, for $55. Everyone in our party of four opted for the prix-fixe dinner as most entrees were priced between $30 and $45, so it seemed to be the best deal.
For my appetizer, I chose the Tasso Ham and Crawfish Risotto with Smoked Tomato Jus. The dish was moist but not mushy, with a subtle smokiness from the tomato jus and the perfect amount of salt from the tasso ham. The crawfish was perfectly cooked and decadent--not fishy. I also sampled the Salmon Tartar, which was very fresh and perfectly seasoned. The Twice Baked Parmesean Souffle and the Panko Crusted Crab Boulettes were both rich, indulgent dishes best for sharing. Overall, the consensus was that the risotto was the favorite appetizer of the night.
For the salad course, the Arugula, Endive & Radiccio Salad came with Maytag Blue Cheese, a Riesling Poached Pear, Toasted Hazelnuts & Port Wine Syrup. The pepper in the arugula complimented the tart blue cheese and the sweet poached pear for a perfect combination of flavors. The Caesar for Mark salad came with Parmesean croutons and a fresh Caeser dressing with anchovies. While some of the diners at my table found it to be too fishy, I thought the dressing was exceedingly fresh and a perfect combination. The croutons, while tasty, were too large to be eaten in one bite, and therefore a challenge.
For the entree, I chose the Seared Sea Scallops with Parsnip Potato Puree, Apple Cider Beurre Blanc, Crispy Prosciutto & Fried Parsnip Strips. When I dine out, I often try to stay away from beef, even though I love it, because I am usually disappointed after being spoiled with the Lumberjack's cooking. The scallops were the right choice. They were perfectly cooked--tender on the inside with a slight crisp on the outside--and the parsnip potatoes were rich and creamy. However, I also sampled the Grilled Veal Tenderloin, served with a Sauté of Asparagus, Prosciutto & Maitake Mushrooms & Roasted Garlic Reduction Sauce. The veal was tender and succulent, cooked to perfection and complemented with the reduction sauce. Though not a traditional steakhouse, Rosemary's Roasted Filet of Beef stood up to the rest of the menu after being seasoned and cooked perfectly with a bourbon green peppercorn sauce, and complemented with horseradish souffle potatoes.
For dessert, I enjoyed the chef's special of the night--a Passion fruit cheesecake with pomegranate sauce. I also sampled a platter of miniature desserts, including a lemon bar, peanut butter crisp, and mint chocolate fudge. All were delicious, and the perfect cap to an excellent meal.
In addition to the fabulous food, the service was wonderful. The sommelier was attentive and helpful, as was our waitress. The waitstaff presented each course in sync, serving each dish at the same time and allowing ample time in between courses. Water and wine glasses were kept full, napkins placed gently on laps and every other need met graciously.
Overall, Rosemary's provided one of the most exquisite meals I have ever enjoyed, and it is a Las Vegas restaurant not to be missed.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Five years ago
Five years ago today, I went on a date with a boy I had become friends with. After his persistence to date me, I asked him to go to a movie with me. Little did I know it would be my last first date.
We went to Pizzeria Uno in the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. We split a deep-dish pepperoni, with mushrooms on half--the same toppings we still order today. He ordered a beer, non-alcoholic because neither of us were 21. He paid, he now admits, "just in case it was a date."
We walked to the theater, purchased two tickets to "Shark Tale" and walked around the theater while we waited for our movie to start. We talked about our likes and dislikes, our classes, our friends and our families. At one point, he told me he had a brother who was the same age as my younger sister, and I said it would be fun to go on a double date with them sometime. And he asked, "So, is this a date?" I laughed because, of course, it was. We walked hand in hand back to the theater, and he put his arm around me while we watched the movie. He was a perfect gentleman, and even asked if he could kiss me when the night was over. (He would tell you now, just for the record, I said he had to wait until our second date. And I would tell you now that I should have let him kiss me then.)
On our first date, I had no idea that I would spend the rest of my life with him. Compared to now, I knew so little about him. I didn't know that his favorite band is Metallica, or that he loved watches, or that he'd be so kind a gentle despite his manly exterior. I didn't know he'd graduate cum laude, or that he'd be so well-rounded, or that he'd be the best friend I'd ever had. And, it's amazing that compared to what I'm sure I'll know about him in 10 or even 20 years, I know so little now.
What I do know is that first date was the first day of the rest of my life with the man of my dreams, and when I wake up to that sweet face each morning, I know I am a blessed woman.
Happy five years, my love.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Fragility
I started a post on our wonderful trip to Vegas that I was going to post today, but I'll have to post tomorrow.
Last night, the Lumberjack and I found out that his dad has prostate cancer, for the second time. The first time, the Lumberjack and I had been together for about a year. I remember finding out, crying with my man and praying his father's recovery would come smoothly and quickly. And it did. After a prostate removal surgery, his cancer was gone.
This time around, cancer treatment means radiation. There is no prostate to be removed, but somehow he has prostate cancer? We are praying for a speedy recovery and healing and that the radiation banishes all forms of cancer from his body.
I don't know much else at the moment, other than life is fragile and precious. Please keep my father-in-law and our family in your prayers.
Last night, the Lumberjack and I found out that his dad has prostate cancer, for the second time. The first time, the Lumberjack and I had been together for about a year. I remember finding out, crying with my man and praying his father's recovery would come smoothly and quickly. And it did. After a prostate removal surgery, his cancer was gone.
This time around, cancer treatment means radiation. There is no prostate to be removed, but somehow he has prostate cancer? We are praying for a speedy recovery and healing and that the radiation banishes all forms of cancer from his body.
I don't know much else at the moment, other than life is fragile and precious. Please keep my father-in-law and our family in your prayers.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Changes: "Adult" Furniture
When the Lumberjack and I got married, we moved into our first apartment, which we still live in. When we moved, we blended together a mash of mixed hand-me-downs....a white Ikea computer desk, 30-year-old hardwood coffee table, a decades-old Crate & Barrel taupe love seat, an Ikea futon, a white printer table, a cute white-spray-painted-black sofa table, a gingham red ottoman, etc. All of the pieces were functional and perfect for us at the time--FREE!
Well, after almost a year and a half, the Lumberjack and I decided it might finally be time to get some real grown up furniture. We loved the things we had been given, but the truth is that none of it was "our" style.
The timing happened to be perfect, as my younger sister was moving into her new place and happened to be needing everything we were getting rid of. Don't you just love hand-me-downs?
After a few nights of furniture shopping, the Lumberjack and I finally found the perfect furniture, and in our price range. We ended up purchasing a black leather sofa, matching wood- and-glass coffee and end tables, a black corner desk, and a headboard-foot board bed set for our room.
Of course, projects like that never end there--only start. We figured, if all of the furniture is going to be moved out, we should get the carpets cleaned. But, before we get the carpets cleaned, we should fix up the paint in the living room. And, if we're going to paint the living room and get a new bed in the bedroom, we might as well paint the bedroom too.
And of course, if we're getting a new bed in black wood, now our black comforter is going to look overwhelming, so we'll order a white down comforter. And the brown Tommy-Bahama-esque lamps no longer match, so we'll need new lamps too.
See what happens?
I ended up with a crisp white duvet to cover my overstuffed down comforter, along with new bedroom and living room lamps.
It was all worth it when my furniture was delivered. Now, seeing the house all set up, designed how we like, painted how we like and with furniture that we like, all of the hard work and late nights were totally worth it.
(I wish I had before pictures, but at least here you can see the amazing bed headboard and foot board we got.)
Love it!
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