Saturday, February 21, 2009

Foodie.....

I only have a few minutes to post before we catch the ferry to Sausalito, but I wanted to share a few pics from my "foodie" day yesterday! I took a culinary tour of North Beach/Little Italy on Friday afternoon. I drank the most delicous cappucino, tasted fresh-baked breads, pastries, truffles, olive oils, meats, and cheeses, and learned so much! What a beautiful area! I visited the very spot where Frances Ford Coppolla wrote the Godfather and where Bill Cosby got his start, saw the most beautiful cathedral, and ended up at a beatnik museum(random, i know). Connie and I dined at a French restaurant last night near our hotel and had one of the best meals I've ever had- and the most delicious wine and dessert. A foodie's perfect day!



















Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Clang Clang Clang Went The Trolley....

We had a blast in the city today We walked down the steep slope to Fisherman's Warf this morning without anyone rolling down! Success! We saw Hyde Pier and had a delicious meal at a street side cafe. The clam chowder was awesome! There are flowers blooming everywhere, and it's amazing how clean this city is- as large as it is! I think I'm in love with CA! The weather was sunny and a perfect- 55-60 degrees. We visited Ghiradelli Square (lots of chocolate) and could see Alcatraz from the Pier. We rode the cable cars all day- too fun- and Connie did not get motion sickness, thank goodness! Afterwards, we went to Union Square- SHOPPING CENTRAL! We're talking Neimans, Saks, Barney's, Macy's, etc., etc., TIMES SEVENTY! I've NEVER seen so many stores in all my life!! I loved just walking in and touching some of the designer fabrics. I did find a Michael Kohrs dress I loved at Saks, but I assumed Michael might blink at the $1300 price tag. gasp!
Last night we dined at the Nob Hill Cafe, just a block from our hotel. It was the MOST declicious pasta I have ever eaten. I will never forget the music that was playing when we wialked into the candelit venue. What an atmosphere! I love all of the quaint little bistros that line the sidewalks.
I cannot say enough about this awesome hotel! It's the most comfortable feather bed I've ever slept in, and probably the highest thread-count sheets! Bliss!
I have a San Francisco culinary tour planned for Friday while Connie is in meetings, and we plan to go see the musical Wicked Saturday evening. Here are a few unedited pics from our Wednesday. Love to all!

















Tuesday, February 17, 2009

We Made It.....

Well, we are actually in our hotel room in San Francisco!!! We made it safely!!! Thank you, Lord! Our hotel is absolutely awesome! I cn hear trolley cars out our window as I'm typing this!!! We're about to go eat at the Nob Hill Cafe. I'll share more later!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Prep....

Okay, it's Sunday night and I leave for SF in 33 hours or something. I just had to share this. Am I packed? Not in the least. Do I have everything I need to go? Probably not. Is Ella's bag packed for Mimi's house? Not a chance. Do I have to work a full day tomorrow? yep.
HOWEVER- the GROCERY trip has been made. Michael just went and bought all the stuff he and Ella will be "needing" while I'm out of town. Any time I'm not at this house for a day or so, he uses valuable alone time to eat all of the horrible, I mean neat, stuff he misses out on when I'm the one cooking. Usually he high-tails it to Subway for a Meatball Sub (don't even get me started. I'm getting sick just thinking of the smell). Anyway, he just returned from the store, and I just wanted to share a few of the grocery sack items that I helped him unpack: (mind you, I'm only going to be gone for 1 (one) week:
1) Polish sausage (seriously, vomit.) He says they will be making hot dogs with these.
2) Manwich Sloppy Joe mix (used to love this, but for some reason, the last time I made these I decided my life was not enriched or fulfilled in any way by consuming it)
3) Stuff for tacos (with taco seasoning- at least he won't have to separate my meat without the seasoning this week. whew.)
4) Little Smokies (yes, I like these, but for some reason this is a staple when Jamie's gone- I like to tell myself that pigs-in-a-blanket are the much-needed comfort food when he's too upset to talk about me being gone. sniff. yeah, right)
5) Items to make spinach dip (seriously, what husband makes spinach dip on his own, for himself? mine.) To clear up any "man-points" issues, I would like to add that he did purchase the already-chopped frozen unions, so at least there won't be any "dicing" involved.
6) Chocolate covered mini doughnuts, pop-tarts, and popcorn. (in case they get hungry)
7) Ella has two bunches of bananas, 3 packs of fruit cups, apple sauce, two gallons of apple juice, another box of oatmeal, and a lunchables that "he thought he'd see if she liked" to consume during this week. I hope Michael's in for some late nights. =)

I also noticed items for philly steak, which brings the current bread total to four: hamburger buns, hot dog buns, HOAGIE rolls, and regular bread.

You'd think I never feed the boy.
SO- if you're hungry this week, stop by the Ekenseair's. There's lots of meat, I mean food, to be eaten. I would not be at all surprised if there's a bisque or souffle involved! I do hope he remembers that our daughter just got over the stomach virus. polish sausage. enough said.

A side note- I remember a couple of years ago leaving for a trip with a girlfriend- had not made it out of the neighborhood and remembered I had forgotten something at the house. I came back in the house and noticed the oven was on. Michael had mixed up a cake and it was baking in the time it took me to get to the edge of the subdivision. I'm talking greased the pan, mixed, poured, preheated, the whole thing. I swear he must have had it in the works for days- all the little mini-pinch bowls and spatulas and pyrexes laid in the most convenient spot to grab and go to work as soon as the door shut behind me. Flour on the forehead.... I digress....I've laughed about that one for years. I'm not the only foodie in this house, for certain! =)
P.S. He will KILL me for sharing the cake thing. And all my friends thought he bought the Kitchen Aid mixer for me. hmmm.......

Dirty Thirty.....

Well, I know it's been a WHILE since I blogged, but I've misplaced my camera cord/adapter, and have lots of pics waiting to be seen!! Ugh!!! I have no idea why I lose things so often! =)
We have also been really sick around the Ekenseair household. Ella had a stomach virus for over a week, and Michael and his Mom both got it (theirs was short-lived, thank goodness!). She has been a very sick little girl, and even had to have IV fluids mid-illness for dehydration. Scary. We are SO glad she is feeling better! Everyone in Conway has had it I think! She is so skinny and is still getting an appetite back, but NO MORE vomiting. whew.
Yes, I turned DIRTY THIRTY on Friday (the 13th, might I add)!! Although I dreaded it, I had a wonderful day/weekend!!! My friends at work took me to lunch followed by a surprise dessert and gifts! Then, I arrived home to my sister and niece who came to visit, and a SPECIAL delivery had been made!!!!!! Michael surprised me with a NEW DINING ROOM TABLE and a new lamp for my living room!!!! Yes, you read that correctly!! He purchased it over a month ago, and had it delivered as a surprise for my birthday!! WOW!! Many of you know that I've been trying to decide on what to fill our skating rink (aka dining room) with for over 5 years now! So indecisive! The funny part is, I saw this table about two weeks ago and decided it was the one! My husband had already purchased the exact table!!! Does he know me or what? He's awesome.
BUT WAIT- it gets better!! On Saturday, I opened the other gift from Ella and Michael, and in it was an itenerary. That is, FOR MY SURPRISE SAN FRANCISCO TRIP THAT I LEAVE FOR ON TUESDAY!!!!! OMG!!!!! Biggest surprise ever!!!! Most spontaneous thing I've ever done, for sure. I am going with my sister Connie (she has a conference) and we will be gone for a WEEK!!!! I am SO excited I don't know what to do! We are staying in the neatest hotel! I went to SF years ago (probably 13) and loved it, but my memory is horrible, so I can't wait to have the experience all over again. OMG!!!! I have the best husband in all the world (who's love language is obviously gifts)=)!!!
I'm a little apprehensive about leaving Ella after she's been so sick, but Michael assures me that between he and his Mom, she will survive. =) I know I've not been away from her this long - and this far - ever. Pray that she'll feel great and that I won't worry.
THEN- Michael had a fun dinner on Saturday night planned with some of our best friends- my Kim and Matt even came up from Hope! Love you guys! I got to spend Valentines with some of the people I love the most!!! And, my family stayed the weekend with me! (connie, kirk, emily)
Anyway, I'll be blogging about our adventures through the week, so stay tuned!! =)
Thanks to everyone for all the cards and phone calls on my birthday, and while Ella was sick! I have the best friends and family to share milestones (and a little 30s dread) with!! Blessed beyond measure!
Hope you ALL had a wonderful Valentines Day with the people you love!!!