We Kin Get Thin!

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend away :-) Joel whisked me away to the white mountains (NH) where we stayed at a gorgeous hotel, with an UNBELIEVABLE restaurant. We ate, we lounged, we watched movies, we shopped in the rain, we hiked to a waterfall, we ate some more. I'd love to get into details. But I am pooped! I will give you bullet points and pictures. Not necessarily in order :-)

• Braised veal cheeks and butter chive spaetzel. (seriously. best thing i've ever eaten)
• Hot espresso, crackling fire, downpour rain outside.
• Icy cold spray from a raging waterfall on the face. Stepping in bear poo.
• TV over a jacuzzi tub, filled with homemade bath salts
• Asparagus bisque, sweet potato gnocchi, shrimp ceviche, roasted beet & goat cheese salad.
• Foliage as if the forests were on fire, or made entirely of gold.
• New set of amazing knives as a b-day gift! Can't wait to cook with these :-)
• Hidden away pumpkin farm with a lovable yet eerie farmer.


Pumpkins, on the honor system. Healthiest looking pumpkins I've ever seen for sale!
Farmer man asked me how I picked the one I was holding. I liked the shape of it's stem, I said. "You're a graphic designer, a good one." He said. I told him he was right. He just kinda nodded and walked away. I kinda love that guy.


We think Yoda owns this gas station.


The Basin. A natural formation, off the side of the highway. Yes, even the rest stops hold treasures in this magical land.



Our destination! The Wentworth.


I can't tell you how huge this actually was, well I can, technically. I think I read that it is 108 feet. But, seriously. It is huge. And the power of the flowing water applies the strongest, wettest wind directly to your face.

(crab cake on pretzel bread. Yes, it was as good as it looks!)

Sorry I didn't get more food pictures. The food at the Wentworth was as gorgeous as it was delicious. But, it was quite a fancy place (like, I wore a dress, and heels, and even lipstick!) and so I just felt very uncouth pulling out my camera and snapping pictures. But I assure it, it was incredible. :-)

So thats that. I'm back (no happily) but I had a wonderful birthday. Thank you all for your bday wishes!!!

Here's to another good year!

*yawn*

Just got home a couple hours ago. I drove Mom out to the Berkshires to check on Grammie's trailer and do some errands. It's just under a 3 hour drive. I promised I'd take her as long as she allowed me a short pit stop to the campground. It is my most favoritist place in the world. It's a culmination of a strong childhood connection, and the sheer beauty of nature. . . I can't help but feel happy and peaceful when I visit it.

So we walked down to South Pond,

Where there were leaves washed ashore. I love fall colors!

There were salamanders

And Mommy Jesus walking on water (poking salamanders)

There were teen punk trees with badass red streaks in their hair,

And pretty flowers


We stopped at a restaurant called The Wagon Wheel, in Gill, MA. It was adorably kitschy and fun

They had a surprisingly varied and healthy menu, including Emu burgers and tofu dogs!
We opted to share a gyro, and a Mediterranean plate. We didn't anticipate the size of this! Everything was unbelievably good! One of the best gyros I have ever had. And the mixed plate had all my favorite greek goodies - grape leaves, baba ganouj, falafel, greek salad, hummus, pitas, and roasted veggies. Amazing.

We couldn't finish it. But we made a good dent.

It was a long day, but a super nice one. Mom and I always have a nice time together, and I got to visit my favorite place. AND got bonus delicious greek food.

The crappy part is, my knees and my shoulder are in A LOT of pain right now. Maybe from my workout last night, maybe from the driving. I dunno, but I hope it chills out by tomorrow's training session!