Long awaited
I started my vacation yesterday, Monday at 1pm. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I was in the stairwell to the parking structure. I literally sat down at the top of the stairs and just put my head on my knees and closed my eyes. I was like a wet rag that had been fully wrung without a drop of moisture. I haven't had a real vacation in over 2 years - I went straight from the non-profit to this company. I don't count Costa Rica and Tahoe b/c we were following an itinerary (which, if I was livejournal savvy, I would link to monkeymischief's tales of our trip). This week will be an itinerary-free, agenda-free vacation...maybe go fishing, camping, to the beach, for a hike, to a museum, a play, a movie, who knows..I'll follow where the wind takes me.
When I finally left the parking garage, I drove down Ventura Blvd. with one mission: to celebrate by eating somewhere yummy and of course, with a glass of wine. I ended up at Piacere in Woodland Hills. And in Rachel Ray fashion, I sat down at my table for two, and had the biggest jolly rancher grin. I didn't notice at first, then realized U2's 'It's a Beautiful World' played on the restaurant speakers. And I whispered a thank you to God because this vacation couldn't have come at a better time. I couldn't remember the last time I had a slow enjoyable lunch where I wasn't inhaling the food and keeping constant eye on my watch. 1 hour lunches are pathetic. Monday would be different...
My Celebration Lunch
Viogner Stag Leap, Napa Valley white wine $9
Dungennes Crab Cake with leaf salad, lemon oil, chive creme fraiche $12.95
Rustic bread and butter $0
Vanilla Creme Brulee $6.95
Tip $4
Total $32.90
Review: Stag Leap was a chilled white wine, drier that I normally like and with a lingering aftertaste, but refreshing. The crab cakes were filled with chunks of crab, with a lot of lemon and spices. The creme brulee was warm with berries on top, just the way I like.
Another momentous occasion - 285,050 miles later, I finally sold my 1990 Honda Accord late Monday. Seriously, I loved that car, one b/c it was reliable, but mostly b/c there were good memories attached to it, like Em's Rabbit and Monkeymischief's Diesel Benz. Now I gots me a station wagon...
When I finally left the parking garage, I drove down Ventura Blvd. with one mission: to celebrate by eating somewhere yummy and of course, with a glass of wine. I ended up at Piacere in Woodland Hills. And in Rachel Ray fashion, I sat down at my table for two, and had the biggest jolly rancher grin. I didn't notice at first, then realized U2's 'It's a Beautiful World' played on the restaurant speakers. And I whispered a thank you to God because this vacation couldn't have come at a better time. I couldn't remember the last time I had a slow enjoyable lunch where I wasn't inhaling the food and keeping constant eye on my watch. 1 hour lunches are pathetic. Monday would be different...
My Celebration Lunch
Viogner Stag Leap, Napa Valley white wine $9
Dungennes Crab Cake with leaf salad, lemon oil, chive creme fraiche $12.95
Rustic bread and butter $0
Vanilla Creme Brulee $6.95
Tip $4
Total $32.90
Review: Stag Leap was a chilled white wine, drier that I normally like and with a lingering aftertaste, but refreshing. The crab cakes were filled with chunks of crab, with a lot of lemon and spices. The creme brulee was warm with berries on top, just the way I like.
Another momentous occasion - 285,050 miles later, I finally sold my 1990 Honda Accord late Monday. Seriously, I loved that car, one b/c it was reliable, but mostly b/c there were good memories attached to it, like Em's Rabbit and Monkeymischief's Diesel Benz. Now I gots me a station wagon...