Wedding Anniversary

Celebrating our 8 1/2 Wedding Anniversary at the beach at our favorite spot--Elizabeth St. Inn!  It was gorgeous both days that we were there.  We traveled up and down the coast but mostly stayed in Newport.  There is an art village just down the road from the hotel-Nye Beach.  Love it!  We meandered in and out of the shops and ended up at my favorite eating place--Nana's Irish Pub. No, I didn't stay on my diet plan--I had the chicken pot pie with soda bread--yummm!  One of my favs besides shepherd's pie.

Fortunately, we walked down to the shops and had to walk back.  I think I burned off maybe 100 of the mega amount of calories I ate that day!   When we got back to the hotel, they had homemade chocolate chip cookies at 8pm.  Hmmm....can't stay no to a homemade chocolate chip cookie.  Couldn't eat just one--so four made their way to my stomach--waist--hips--thighs.  Sigh.  More walks on the beach the next day.

We will celebrate our 9th marriage anniversary in November.  We got married November 4 and then had a wedding May 6--so I have two anniversaries!  Two trips to the beach--two presents--two celebrations!!

Wayne and I had a relaxing time at the beach--love that man!  and looking forward to another celebration!

The view from our room!

Mother's Day Early

Yesterday late Alison texted me to see if I want to go to Mom's Day dinner and wine in town.  Looking at the chimichanga that I just warmed up for Wayne and me, I decided time with my daughter would be a heck of alot better than this dish.

So, Alison picked me up and we went to Pudding River Chocolate and Wine.  I didn't know that they did dinner or lunch for that matter.  Alison's friend, Alison was there working and talking to her parents who stopped in and visited.  The small cafe was quiet and comfy.  It was just Alison and me for awhile then one by one people came in.

The dinner was beef storganoff which I wasn't into.  So, instead we had appetizers--cheese, crackers, almonds, wrapped asparagus spears and wine. It was delish and I enjoyed the time with Alison.  Seems we are both so busy when we talk it is limited to one or two sentences.  So, it was nice to catch up.

I find that the older I get, the more I enjoy time with someone--whether family or friends or even a stranger.  Material items are nice but time is priceless.

My actual Mom's Day will be quiet.  I sent my mom a gift card to her favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.  There was enough on it to pay for her driver (my sister) and Mom's lunch.  They even have enough left over on the card to get another lunch some other time.  My mom is hard to shop for--she has everything.  One thing she needs is some weight on her--too bad that I can't ship a few of my pounds to her!  I will call her Sunday like I have been doing for years.  She likes to hear my voice--I know how she feels.  Texting doesn't hold a candle to a phone call or time with someone you love.

Salad Dressings

My continued effort to get away from processed food--salad dressings.  I got the recipes from Pinterest and they have been gathering dust for awhile.  It was a stormy day--no, I am not doing a mystery novel, chill, this is just a post. :)  It was stormy today and a good day to dust off the recipes and try them.

They were super easy and yummo!  I just did three:  Copy cat Olive Garden Dressing, Honey Mustard Dressing and Strawberry Vinaigrette.  I had bought bottles months ago and made some cute labels and viola--done!

We had the Olive Garden dressing and it was just like the real thing but less sugar and salt!

Larry's Birthday Party

Since January, Alison has been keeping secret Larry's surprise party which happened yesterday.  It was a fun party and it was great meeting Larry and Alison's friends whom I haven't seen since their wedding.  The grandkids had a blast.  Grace was so excited to see her Uncle Dan and Carlos, she had to go outside to scream.  What a character!  Wayne did socialize and then he retreated to the living room with another not so social person. I checked him every so often and he was jabber jawing so--he was good and I got to socialize.  Yes, I probably shouldn't have had four drinks (Vodka and something mango).  To tell the truth, the first one, Carlos made and it was a little strong.  The second and third just had more Sprite added until it was just Sprite.  Sorry, Alison, I led you to believe Mom was really packing in the alcohol.  I was after all going to have my grandkids spent the night after the party.  I couldn't let Wayne handle it alone. :)

Alison & me

A rare thing--a picture of Alison and me!  Thanks, Chris for taking it.  The only picture I have of us dates way back to her wedding and unfortunately, it looks forced and not natural.  We both had our first drink and yes, we looked natural.  Love the photo and yes, I am getting it enlarged!

Wayne & Misha chilling 

Toward the end of the evening, Misha had enough.  She jumped up on Wayne and stayed there for a good part of the evening until she moved to under the food table where she didn't look happy at all.  We took the kids and her home with us and she was the first to crash.  The kids fell asleep shortly after her.

Great party, great night--it was so heartwarming to see Larry and Alison happy together.