3.26.2010

More Vacation...

Two nights ago, we went to a Novartis dinner and decided to do our own thing just before dinner - for me that meant a champagne cocktail! And, we played Chinese checkers. (We, unfortunately, forgot our travel scrabble.)



This morning - we had a leisurely breakfast outside, walked around and lounged for the day at the spa.


Kyle is listening to "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell in tape - loving it!! Malcolm Gladwell even uses an example in his book about a guy Kyle went to high school with - Kenna.
At the spa pool after our fabulous massages!
Me - in the hot tub - reading "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis. GREAT GREAT book!

We decided to celebrate our anniversary dinner a bit early. We went to the restaurant, Salt, at the Ritz Carleton. We had dinner there a few nights ago, and it was probably the best meal we've ever had. And, it did not disappoint tonight either. YUM!! We decided to do the Chef's Adventure Meal - you have no idea what you're going to get. We could tell the chef what we don't like to eat. And, to be honest, that's a very short list. I simply asked that we not eat organs - sweetbreads, tripe, etc. Although, I would be happy to eat fois gras. The meal was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G Really. And we ordered the wine pairings to go with each course.

They started us out with complimentary champagne - so good. And homemade gruyere rolls with their French, hand-churned, unsalted butter and 6 different types of salt.
Amuse bouche - chilled cucumber soup with ground truffle and micro greens
This one made me a bit nervous...raw tuna in a sweet onion broth with an oyster on top. Served with Chardonnay. I neglected to tell the chef that I don't eat raw seafood. Oh well, I ate it all anyway. And it was all great!!! (Although the bite that included the oyster wasn't necessarily my favorite bite of food....)
Salmon with wilted spinach, seafood broth, and lemon cream. Served with a Pinot Noir. YUMMMMMMM
6 of the 30 salts that we tried...
The main course - pork over collard greens, carrots in the middle, wild rice with roastedartichokes on the right. Who new this kind of food could be so delicious?! Served with a Merlot. Again nothing I would order, but incredibly delicious!

Grand Marnier Cheesecake with homemade strawberry glaze and homemade strawberry sorbet. Who knew something that wasn't chocolate could be so good?!
Finis!
Maybe not...and again my favorite wasn't the chocolate...what?!

The various salts they serve...

3.25.2010

Second Full Day

It was a little chilly, so we hibernated at the indoor pool on the second day. It felt a bit like we were outside, because the ceiling was a giant window. But it was much, much warmer. Perfect for reading good books!

Then we had a company dinner with some funny activities - skeet shooting, fly fishing, and golf. Hilarious!




First Full Day

We started off with breakfast in bed! Yummy and so relaxing! Then we took a two hour walk on the beach - stroll, actually. And we came across so many creatures!








Cornerstone Club

The first night we were on Amelia Island, we went to the Cornerstone Club Awards Ceremony. Very impressive group of individuals. And, the event was truly amazing. We had dinner (about 20 people) at the restaurant in the hotel, Salt. It was by far the best meal I have ever eaten. Six courses with wine pairings at every course. It felt like I was dining on the show "Top Chef". Kyle and I were given an allowance for "dinner on your own" on Friday night. We've made reservations to come here again. And, I think we're going to try the chef's adventure menu. Whatever they get in fresh that day is whatever they cook!

The trip has been so wonderful so far, but we are REALLY missing Graham. It's just so hard to be away from him. And we find ourselves envisioning this trip with him - what he would enjoy, what he would like....

I think I might smother him when we get home.







Vacation

Kyle and I are going on vacation! He won two awards with his company this year: President's Club Award (top sales for the year) and Cornerstone (the most prestigious award his company gives - requires multiple sales awards, domestic and international, at least ten years with the company, etc. Ten sales reps received the award this year. Some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. Kyle has been with the company for just 10 years. Needless to say, I think he's a rock star!!)

So, we're going on a trip with the company to the Ritz Carleton, Amelia Island. We're on our way, sitting in the Nashville Airport, and I notice this cart of suitcases on the tarmac. We had a two and a half hour layover in Nashville and parked ourselves in the food court the entire time. These suitcases were there the whole time. So, if you're missing a suitcase, it might be on the tarmac in Nashville.


New Foods, New Season, New Habits

A couple observations:

Graham loves eating corn on the cob

He loves making his own decisions

He very much enjoys "pushing the envelope" - standing on the chair when he knows he is supposed to sit

He loves playing outside

He loves playing in water. any kind of water.

He loves running the bases in our backyard - baseball bases.

His parents just can't get enough of him - really - he is completely addicting