self-portrait, anniversary
I love that Z and I are looking at each other in this photo - it shows the connection that's growing between us. He is understanding so many thing recently. A friend told me that he's learning about emotions and that I should help him understand them. I've only tried it a few times - he starts whining or crying and I'll say something like, "Z, I understand that you don't want your diaper changed right now, but we need to do it. We'll be done soon. Please be patient." And, he's quieted down! I don't know how long this will work, but it's a very comfortable approach for me. It allows me to settle and perhaps that helps him settle. Although, it feels like we're on that upward slope of a roller coaster and we're going to fly down the other side on a wild ride.
He discovered this blue, floppy hat that used to be mine. It looked so funny with his orange hawaiian shirt and he knew it - he acted very cheeky and cute.
Several months ago, urged by Grandma MB, I made reservations for J and I at The Herbfarm. Then, it we learned that J's sister would be in town and she offered to stay the night with Z. So...last night, we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with a 9 course meal with 6 different wine pairings.
Before the meal we sipped a lavender-infused punch while we toured the wine cellar (the oldest wine is from 1792!) then took a tour of the garden. While on the tour we ate day lillies - they're crunchy!, tasted several varieties of basil, and learned all sorts of interesting things about the herbs that were used to prepare our meal. The Herbfarm grows much of their own food, especially hundreds of varieties of herbs, and purchases meat, fish, wine, and other produce from local farmers and fisherman.
Before the meal, the chef and sommelier told us about the food and wine pairings: the tuna had been caught just off the Washington coast earlier in the day, the prawn and crab had been alive until a couple hours before our meal, etc. etc.
The restaurant seats about 50 people and the staff must be around 20 - every one of them was introduced before the meal. The service was amazing. Each time I got up from my seat, I would return to a crisply folded napkin across my plate plus a sprig of lavendar or a card wishing us happy anniversary - something on the table had always moved when I returned.
The servers would talk about each dish as they brought it to us and the sommelier would tell us about the wine pairing - reiterating what the chef and sommelier had said at the beginning of the evening.
The theme for the night was, "Great Basil Banquet." There are so many varieties of basil! Each course used a different basil and in a unique way. From Basil-Mint Aioli to Lemon Basil Flan to Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream. It was all fantastic.
Throughout the night, J and I relived memories from each of the 17 years that we've been together. He remembered things I had forgotten and then one of his memories would trigger one of mine. We've had a great run so far.
Then, we looked forward. What kind of life do we want to lead? What do we want to show Z? When will we travel to Europe for his first time? Should we buy land out in the country and assemble our family from all over? One thing is clear - we want to focus on our family and find more time to be creative.
During coffee, one of the co-owners (who manages the amazing collection of wine), set a bottle of wine on our table. They had had alternative wines for sale throughout the night, so we thought that this was something we could buy. Then we looked at the label - Boudreaux cellars. 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. As the sommelier poured us the last wine of the night - a 1910 Barbeito Bual Madeira - we asked about this bottle. "Let me ask Ron about his intention." She returned and said, "It's a gift. Happy Anniversary!" wow.
We slept in this morning, watched a movie, ordered room service, then returned home. CL gave us an awesome gift by taking wonderful care of Z for his first night away from both of us. It sounds like he missed us, but he did good. He's such an awesome kid. I was so excited to get back to him this morning.
The stargazer lilies bloomed on Thursday - our wedding flower on our anniversary day.
Here's to 10 years!
He discovered this blue, floppy hat that used to be mine. It looked so funny with his orange hawaiian shirt and he knew it - he acted very cheeky and cute.
Several months ago, urged by Grandma MB, I made reservations for J and I at The Herbfarm. Then, it we learned that J's sister would be in town and she offered to stay the night with Z. So...last night, we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with a 9 course meal with 6 different wine pairings.
Before the meal we sipped a lavender-infused punch while we toured the wine cellar (the oldest wine is from 1792!) then took a tour of the garden. While on the tour we ate day lillies - they're crunchy!, tasted several varieties of basil, and learned all sorts of interesting things about the herbs that were used to prepare our meal. The Herbfarm grows much of their own food, especially hundreds of varieties of herbs, and purchases meat, fish, wine, and other produce from local farmers and fisherman.
Before the meal, the chef and sommelier told us about the food and wine pairings: the tuna had been caught just off the Washington coast earlier in the day, the prawn and crab had been alive until a couple hours before our meal, etc. etc.
The restaurant seats about 50 people and the staff must be around 20 - every one of them was introduced before the meal. The service was amazing. Each time I got up from my seat, I would return to a crisply folded napkin across my plate plus a sprig of lavendar or a card wishing us happy anniversary - something on the table had always moved when I returned.
The servers would talk about each dish as they brought it to us and the sommelier would tell us about the wine pairing - reiterating what the chef and sommelier had said at the beginning of the evening.
The theme for the night was, "Great Basil Banquet." There are so many varieties of basil! Each course used a different basil and in a unique way. From Basil-Mint Aioli to Lemon Basil Flan to Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream. It was all fantastic.
Throughout the night, J and I relived memories from each of the 17 years that we've been together. He remembered things I had forgotten and then one of his memories would trigger one of mine. We've had a great run so far.
Then, we looked forward. What kind of life do we want to lead? What do we want to show Z? When will we travel to Europe for his first time? Should we buy land out in the country and assemble our family from all over? One thing is clear - we want to focus on our family and find more time to be creative.
During coffee, one of the co-owners (who manages the amazing collection of wine), set a bottle of wine on our table. They had had alternative wines for sale throughout the night, so we thought that this was something we could buy. Then we looked at the label - Boudreaux cellars. 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. As the sommelier poured us the last wine of the night - a 1910 Barbeito Bual Madeira - we asked about this bottle. "Let me ask Ron about his intention." She returned and said, "It's a gift. Happy Anniversary!" wow.
We slept in this morning, watched a movie, ordered room service, then returned home. CL gave us an awesome gift by taking wonderful care of Z for his first night away from both of us. It sounds like he missed us, but he did good. He's such an awesome kid. I was so excited to get back to him this morning.
The stargazer lilies bloomed on Thursday - our wedding flower on our anniversary day.
Here's to 10 years!
posted by sp1ral at 1:47 PM
1 Comments:
Happy Anniversary, you guys! You're doing so well in life... I wish you many more years as happy as the last 17...
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