Northern Lights

Seeing these on the Hurtigruten cruise was a highlight of our time in Norway. Check out this video of the northern lights.

This Month...

Sigh. I really need to make a commitment to writing more. It's been a whirlwind of a month..

Norway. From the very delayed flight to the Hurtigruten cruise, to Oslo and sushi and the Scream and lots of walking, it was a very memorable trip. I have yet to absorb it. But never put off til tomorrow.

Montana. A week spent driving from Missoula to Helena to Bozeman to Big Sky. There is a freedom in being in the mountains, with a river running past the road. It was wonderful and beautiful all at the same time.

Getting ready for Seattle and Portland. And dinner and more work.

And reading lots of books, including finishing up James Madison and Bill Bryson's One Summer and now reading about Thomas Jefferson. And catching up on some movies like The Fault in our Stars and A Winter's Tale.

Anyway, I will write more and often and I'll try to wrap my brain around how September flew past.

Weekend in Virginia

S participated in the Colonial Beach Triathlon last weekend, so we went down there Saturday afternoon to stay over night. He finished, a little slower than his goal due to a swim snafu, but did great (despite barely training for it). Sigh. Wish I could do that. It was so hot and the women were just so stellar.

Colonial Beach may have been described as the "playground on the Potomac" once upon a time, though it was kind of dumpy, to be honest. The beach was rocky and the water was kind of muddled. We had dinner at High Tides which featured good seafood as well as a convenient location from the hotel. We also had ice cream, always a score.

I will never "know" Virginia like Michigan, and it's never going to be quite like home. But we've had a chance to see parts of the state--the Shenandoah, Richmond, Charlottesville, Onancock, and Chincoteague in the past year or so, which is a better track record than previously. Still much more to see, though.

Up North

We had a busy, hectic, outdoorsy sort of week. The kind that can reveal some tension, but also times that you'll remember--like K reminding J about the importance of memories.

A little agenda and then my highlights...

Got in Saturday, picked up pizza and groceries. Favorite part? Hanging out at the hot tub, hearing J tell kindergarten stories (no way he's in group I!!) and watching the sunset.

Sunday getting a bite to eat after church, and then a barbeque and gorgeous sunset.

Monday? Watching soccer at Mackinaw Brewing Company in downtown Traverse City. Grilling fajitas, and then sunset and J's Bar and getting reminded about the need to tip.

Fishing in Elk Rapids on Tuesday. We caught some great Lake Trout and then had a fish fry that night. Also smores! I also went to a winery with P&M to Hawthorne Winery.

Wednesday we went up to Mackinac Island. We rented bikes and biked two loops (16 miles) around the island. Then dinner at mom & dad's favorite Darrow's.

Thursday was the next U.S. World Cup game against Germany (go USA!) and we had lunch with C & baby Jack at Seven Monks Taproom. We then kind of lazed around with pizza before an epic battle of Apples to Apples.

Friday we went to the cabin, the first time I've been there in almost twenty years. We went to 2 Lads Winery before another barbeque, more Apples to Apples, and a memorable night of playing a$$hole with my brothers and SILs. We also let off some fireworks (baby ones).

And then it was time to go home.

Favorite memories?

1. J reminding me "Uncle Steve said you had to pay me a dollar" for his beer delivery.
2. J proudly proclaiming "I'm a good reader!"
3. J reading SCOTUSBlog with me.
4. J bringing out the soap after his pee break.
5. Baby Jack never stopping smiling!
6. C&J drinking water out of the hose, and coaxing a smile out of C.
7. S trying to swim in that ridiculous wetsuit and his even more ridiculous attempts to stand-up paddle board. Also S's 18 mile two a day.
8. Those absolutely breathtaking sunsets, where the sun literally melts into the earth.
9. All of our ridiculous attempts to hook up ESPN.
10. Hanging out with my siblings and SILs that last night, telling stories, talking about Aunt Joan and little Asian babies and how sweet little J is, how sad he was about leaving, and remembering how much I miss not being closer. Sigh.
11. Lots of Shorts beer. Awesome to discover a new brewery from Elk Rapids and Bellaire!

Napa

Napa was lovely this year, as always. After a 6am wake-up call, we immediately headed from SFO to Bottega, per our traditional meal (the seafood brodetto, of course). We had dinner on Friday night at Archetype, which was delicious despite our absolute tiredness. Bacon encrusted halibut, yum.

Saturday we went to the Oxbow Market, a first for me. Seafood tacos from C Casa were pricey but delicious. Crab tacos? Yes, please. Then we had a wine tasting at Franciscan, which was elaborate but very nice. Dinner at Bouchon? Chicken, a simple greens salad with goat cheese, and that chocolate dessert complete with Cline wines made for another nice meal. Sunday? We had a lovely wine and cheese pairing at St. Supery with Lou. And then lunch at Gott's Roadside with a stop to hang out at Mondavi. But frankly, I was tired of wine by then. The horror! Afterwards, we made our way to the scenic Marriott at SFO and were ready to call it.

A good weekend with good friends and their little guy. Some teasing, sure. And too much indulgence. Napa is always a little taste of heaven and sunshine and the work stuff is just stuff. Until next time...

Chicago

We had lovely weather in Chicago this weekend, enough warmth for two runs along Lake Michigan in shorts. There were also good meals--including at the Slurping Turtle and Henri. Not to mention time with good friends--E, D, etc. I'm sorry Michelle could not make it. We're a little at a loss of what we can do or how we can help. It sounds like her surgery will be next month, though, which I guess is a step in the right direction. How scary and helpless, though. And it makes you realize how you take good health for granted.

It also makes me sad that I'm so far apart from these ladies. There is nothing like old friends. Nothing.

The Week...

From a snow day on Monday to jury duty on Tuesday and Wednesday, to crazy work time these last couple of days, it's been a very busy week. And the weekend is solid, too. But phew. I feel like I can breathe a bit over the next few days. And the luxury of a weekend away is nice, too.

New Orleans was good. I think I enjoyed SBISA as much, if not more than, August. Their cocktail list was outstanding and had all of our favorites, literally, on it, like a Blood & Sand and Mary Pickford. And you can never go wrong with redfish. Sweetbreads and veal and rabbit aside, the Hors d'oeuvres at August were as delicious as anything. But I'm glad, so glad, for a weekend at home!

Ten Busy Days

How is it March 10? We've had a busy week that continues with more travel. Birthday weekend was fun, with great meals at Le Grenier, Acqua Al II, and an overrated brunch at Georgia Brown's. Big Board worked fantastic for the party--more food than we needed, but good service and the space worked very well. It flew by, as it always does. We also saw Capitol Steps, which had its clever moments but it grew less funny with each skit. I think some fresh material about our president is needed.

This weekend was Gainesville, and I met Aunt J at Devil's Millhopper for a picnic and a short hike down the sinkhole. Then on to the University of Florida and the symposium. Spent some time at the Swamp catching up with some usual suspects. Then home. Of course, we had the craziest airport experience ever, where we ran into Romney and Ryan as we boarded. Um, yeah. So I may not have gotten the best selfie ever, but I will take one picture, that turned out quite good. We were so excited about that. The entire flight home was full of VRWC types, like Kristol and Barone and SE Cupp. Ridiculous.

Oh, and there was a pesky birthday somewhere in there. We just had sushi at Kabuki which was nice, mellow. Quiet.

Now it's New Orleans, right. And life must settle down of course. But it's been a fun ten days. Now if I can just figure out how the power outage affected the garage.  As tired as I am, I'm grateful for one extra hour of daylight now. I can use it. And I can run after work, finally.

Memories from Park City

1. Baby C falling asleep across my body on Friday night.
2. Pizza with much of the family at Red Banjo.
3. Saturday  night dinner at Buona Vita.
4. Running along the snowy paths on Saturday morning, all the way until the plowing stopped.
5. Hiking up Shorty's Stairs with J & E.
6. Listening to the karaokers.
7. Snow all day on Saturday, big fluffy white flakes covering and powdering over everything.
8. Lunch at Legends and the Shack.

It was a great trip, family time included, and I'm sure we'll remember this for a long while.

A New State

Tomorrow I'm off to Utah for the family ski trip (not that I will ski...). I have not been to Utah yet, so add that to the lists of states I have visited. By my count, I still need to get to Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Vermont, and Maine. Maybe Rhode Island--I can't remember if I have been there yet. I don't think I have. So this will make 80% of the country. Not so bad.

Polar Vortex Forever and Travel

Is it never going to be Spring? Because after 48 hours in warm LA weather and a tease of the 40s earlier today, back to the teens it goes. And even though this month is flying by, this damn frigid won't go away. So frustrating.

The trip to CA was good. I finally saw "Enough Said," and both Julia Louis Dreyfus and James Gadolfini were so good. So great. And Bono's daughter played Tess! She was gorgeous. It was good to see friends and to have a few decent meals, but man am I tired. And starving...been snacking all day. I just need to make it through yoga.

Off to Denver

Snow awaits, and so does Peter's wedding, after years of waiting for it, right? I need to get out of town, almost as much as I need to get some sleep. Snow, not so much. I am looking for some quiet away time, to think and be with family and forget about work in an environment where it'll be work friends. Silly.

Pray that things go smoothly.

Charlottesville

The days are going by so fast now. We had a fun weekend in Charlottesville this past weekend. Yeah, the UVA-Clemson game was a blowout, and we did leave at half-time. But the Fall colors were gorgeous. We had a fantastic dinner at Brookville, sharing a steak and this zucchini short stack with maple syrup and goat cheese. Perfection, pretty much. We went to T's old favorite watering hole, and then had another drink after the game/before dinner. It was a fun day, with one highlight being the receipt at CVS :-)

We stayed overnight in historic Staunton at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. A little disappointing and over-priced, though I think the noisy wedding party dimmed my view. We made it back in time for football, of course. And a beautiful drive through the Shenandoah Valley in peak Fall colors.

How is it November?!

New to New to New

I spent the last week on plains and trains and airports...New Mexico to New York to New Hampshire. It was a bit busy. Crazy even. And I need to catch up. But it's always amazing to go to new places, and do things like run along the Rio Grande and explore Old Town and see the charm of Autumn colors in Concord. I see why New England is so adorable.

But there's something to be said for making the quick trip to Dulles after an already delayed return flight to pick up your husband. And to go home and to Big Board and to do the regular things I like to do tomorrow, like go to the gym and grocery store. And next week it's Charlottesville and November!

Well, a few more hours to go, right?

Montana via Texas

It was a whirlwind week, to go to Texas then Montana. To see family and then to work. To head to South Padre then the mountains. To go from extreme heat to warmth and low humidity. To go from non-stop eating of shrimp and fried zucchini to rushing around a crowd of 320+ to eat hotel food. To see places like the stunning Hyalite Reservoir in the Gallatin National Forest. I wish we could have gone to Yellowstone, but perhaps there will be another opportunity. You really felt like you were in another world out there, so far from the East Coast's concrete jungle. We also saw what there was of a downtown Bozeman scene with a visit to Montana Ale Works and an absolutely mouth-watering bison burger. Yum.

That's all the travel for now, after a month starting in Detroit to Jamaica. I'm looking forward to some at-home time.

Jamaica

From my review:

Whitehouse was our fourth stay at Sandals. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, though as returning guests we noticed a few minor issues. What we liked: We enjoyed the great service, and would single out Keon at the Casa Blanca Bar (and his colleagues, including Fletcher) and Kevin at the Dutch bar as favorite bartenders. We had a great view on the fourth floor in the Dutch complex. The views of the water were amazing. We really enjoyed having the flexibility to dine anywhere without reservations. It made ours days less-structured, and we could enjoy a drink before dinner without rushing to an earlier than desired reservation. The food was good, though the restaurants weren’t quite A-plus quality. Favorite foods included grilled tuna and calamari at Neptunes, the ice cream at Café Paris, chicken and pork from the jerk pit, fresh fruit like mango every morning, and the filet at Eleanor’s. We found Giuseppe’s fairly ordinary; the lobster ravioli was bland and over-cooked. The beach was fabulous, and perfect if you enjoy kayaking or swimming or a run along the mile-plus stretch of water. We had a good snorkeling trip, where you could see quite a few fish along a reef not too far from the beach.

We were celebrating our anniversary at Sandals (where we also honeymooned), and we were taken aback that it wasn’t acknowledged despite our mentioning it when we made reservations and when we checked in. The following day (after I mentioned it to the concierge), we received a card and a piece of cake in our room late in the evening. It was a bit of a letdown, particularly since we saw other guests’ anniversaries acknowledged on the actual day of their anniversary. We also were a bit disappointed in the Piano Bar; performances started at different times each night, and it would have been helpful to have books to sing along. No one seemed to know the lyrics, including the pianist.  However, we still enjoyed ourselves.

Overall, I’d recommend this resort if you really enjoying swimming and other water activities; it’s by far the best reach we’ve been to. The lack of a reservation system also offers great flexibility. The grounds are meticulously maintained. The ride is long and bumpy (1:45 going there; 90 minutes coming back); be prepared by either booking sedan service and/or taking some Dramamine.  

From my two cents...great vacation. Too short, but after six days (two traveling ones), it was time to come back. I feel a little refreshed and ready to tackle things here. And first class coming home wasn't so bad, either. 

Getaway

We had a wonderful stay at the Inn at Onancock during the weekend after July 4 for a spur of the moment getaway. The bed & breakfast was fabulous, and we enjoyed a variation on a crab benedict and a spinach & cheese quiche as the entrees for two four-course breakfasts we had over the weekend. Her biscuits, scones, and fruit tarts were also amazing and made-from-scratch. We particularly enjoyed the wine-down hour, and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet the other guests and enjoy some fantastic wines and appetizers. 

We went to the Charlotte for dinner, which was also delicious, and were very helpful with directing us to area attractions. 

We also got in some kayaking and beach time at the infamous Chincoteague, along with an infamous miniature golf rematch (I win! again!). So glad we got away, so wish it was for longer. Only a few more weeks til Jamaica...

Florida

For a trip that began with an agonizingly long delay and to go cups of wine, Florida turned out to be pretty nice. Time with work friends, away from the drudgery of daily life, a little time on the beach, and time with family was the recipe for the perfect weekend. It did go by so fast. It reminded me of previous Orlando visits--at 10, at 12, at 18, at 25...now at 37. Little pockets of memory, and it is a snapshot in time of the girl or the woman I am now. I'm fortunate to have these networks of friends across the country in my life, and days go by and I just only dwell on the frustrations and headaches that exist on a daily basis.

But it was nice way to spend part of Father's Day weekend. Remembering my grandfather, whose parents lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut, apparently. You learn something new every day. If only my great-grandmother had succeeded in evading him! Felicia and Walter, I believe.  How life would change, and cease to exist.

Napa '13

The annual Napa trip always goes by much too quickly, and I don't realize it until the whirlwind is over and then we return, all jet-lagged and ready for another week. We had much good food, of course. Bottega was fantastic, and the wine we drank (Biale Black Chicken Zinfindel) was also on Saturday's long and lush menu. That may have been one of my favorite ever Napa menus, though it was much too much. That peach salad with goat cheese, the gnocchi I'm still dreaming of, the sausage and clams and the spice, and dessert, which was the weakest link, though those donuts were quite tasty. Conversation was also delightful, and it made me nostalgic and reflective about my time working here. Though that long flight home, despite the very interesting The Interestings, took even longer. With the husband gone, I've got a long week ahead and much to do. And a disaster of a house to clean up.

Richmond

Last weekend, we learned to love Nascar.

OK, maybe love is too strong of a word. But we learned to like Nascar after a trip to Richmond. We learned the terminology of garages, the pit, all of the prep work and logistics that goes into a race, all of the advertising, the pre-race drivers' meeting, the checks, the star guests like Demarcus Ware, the Danica Patrick worship, the noise, the all-day tailgating, the exciting as these cars swiftly fly around a 3/4 mile track at speeds I can't ever drive. And we learned about people like Kevin Harvick, who won the Toyota Owners 400. We learned about the fandom of Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and our adopted favorite Karl Edwards (he was robbed!).

It was a fun weekend with friends in our Dodge Caravan, the cavernous white minivan. We've been so busy lately, working and traveling (like I'm about to embark upon again..) that you forget what it means to have a day with friends. We also had a mediocre breakfast at the Strawberry Street Cafe, but that gave us a chance to explore Richmond a bit, as well as see the monuments on Monument Avenue.

Now on to the next stop...