The start of our 2010 adventures

J came up with a great idea this year. He thought we should take a weekend a month and stay at an inn nearby. Preferably one with a restaurant, so we could have a nice dinner and some wine without worrying about driving home right away. This weekend was our first adventure.

We stayed at the Crescent Lodge, which is just up the road from us and has a restaurant as well. Thus meeting our requirements ;) We had a blast.

Our room was lovely. OK, if you look at the picture, it definitely has a Grandma's Room from 1982 vibe. Complete with a dish of hard candies on the side table, and an ancient TV with the world's largest remote. But you know what? It all worked, the room was clean, the shower was hot, the bed was comfortable, and we had a ton of room.

We enjoyed our dinner as well. We had a cocktail at the bar, and the bartender knew his stuff. The food was yummy, including dessert. We shut down the restaurant, then returned this morning for breakfast (included with our stay). We will definitely go back again for dinner at the very least.

I can't wait to see what next month brings.

Christmas in pictures

The tree at J's grandmother's house


All the great grandsons got Nerf guns from Maw.


Chaos ensued


My husband makes potatoes for Christmas dinner


My mother in law, pretending to be excited about a box of rechargeable batteries. It's OK--they went with the digital camera we got in the big box on the left.

Happy Anniversary Weekend!

Oh, the food we had.

We decided to save our money this year, and just treat ourselves to a nice dinner Saturday night, along with a champagne brunch Sunday morning. Both delivered beyond expectations.

We visited the Cherry Valley Bistro for dinner Saturday. Our appetizers were awesome--crab cakes for the husband and roasted beets with field greens and bleu cheese for me. We each had steak and for the first time ever, I finished my dinner before my husband did. It was so tender I didn't even need the knife. We shared some of the smoothest merlot I've ever tasted, as well as chocolate cake and a berries n cream martini for the husband. I got tea in the cutest tea pot ever. I've already found it online and it will be mine soon.

Brunch was at the Stroudsmoor Inn, and exceeded expectations. Everything was included--a giant buffet, plus extras if you ordered from the kitchen (I had eggs Benedict), mimosas, champagne, and/or bloody Marys, and dessert. I forgot how good German chocolate cake can be. All for $20 pp. Once again, we will definitely return.

I'm debating ever cooking for myself again. Just kidding ;)