Well my last post seemed to generate a little buzz, which is exciting!  One question I get a lot is, “What was in the box?”  Is the suspense killing you?!  Maybe I’ll tell you and maybe I won’t.  I’ll start by telling you about our morning.

While our anniversary was technically on Sunday, Lea had a girls trip to Napa planned for her friend, Kelly’s, birthday.  So we celebrated on Saturday, instead, which worked out better anyway.  Lea woke up before me, as usual, and was downstairs making some racket before finally pulling me out of bed.  When I walked downstairs she had about seven frames of different sizes filled with pictures from our wedding and honeymoon displayed in the living room.  Happy anniversary!  By this time, I had only finished a “rough draft” of the mega blog post, but it seemed appropriate that I share it with her now.  I told her to read through it with the one instruction that she could not skip ahead.  Meanwhile I whipped up some French toast…and waited.

Once I heard a squeal from the other room, I went in and gave her the little gold box.  It wasn’t more than 3 seconds before she had the paper and outside box in shreds.  Inside was a jewelry box.  And inside that was a matching band to the one she received on our wedding day.  The final reaction was even more than I had hoped for.  She seemed more excited for this band than either of the other two!  Now my baby is iced out (see: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=iced+out).

This day is shaping up nicely.  What’s next?  Our usual Saturday morning ritual, of course.  We were off to the San Mateo farmer’s market, and. It. Was. Bumping!  The stone fruit is still doing well, but now the grapes are coming into season.  The real attraction, though, is the heirloom tomatoes.  Each one is unique in shape and color, and they’re packed with flavor.  Sweet, juicy, delicious heirlooms.  We’ll be making a lot of tomato based salads in the coming months.  And B.L.T.’s (hold the L.)for sure!

Once are wallets were emptied and our bags were filled, we headed up Skyline Boulevard for a mid-morning/afternoon hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods O.S.P.  We’ve hiked here many times, but this time we took a path less traveled, down North Ridge trail (http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/purisimanorth.html).

While many of the trails in this preserve are through heavy Redwood canopy, this trail offers a nice variation of Redwoods, and open space.  It also boasts the best views of the Pacific, which come through on a less-hazy day.

This is the same tree, closer up.

Not coming through in this picture is a view of the Pacific Ocean.

 

That’s the same trail to the right of Lea in this shot.  Just after this was taken, we were in for a long, steep descent (and corresponding ascent on the way back).

We made pretty good time, which allowed us to shower up and shave before our 3:00 couples massage!  Oo la la.  We both got worked over pretty good, but my neck was at a bad angle on the head rest, and I wasn’t sure if the pain I was feeling at the time was good or bad.  I have since confirmed that it was bad, and my neck still hurts.  Otherwise, I felt like she slowed my internal motor and the rest of the day went in slow motion.  I believe they call that, “relaxing.”

For dinner we headed to one of our favorite local restaurants, Kingfish.  I may have mentioned a dozen or so times that it was our anniversary, so they were very friendly and attentive.  We had a great seat next to a second floor window overlooking the street.  Lea started with a Kir Royale, the signature cocktail at our wedding (Champagne, splash of Chambord, raspberry), and I needed a cold beer.  On the table:

• Heirloom Tomato Salad – fresh mozzarella, basil vinaigrette, balsamic reduction
• Creole Seafood Pasta – gulf shrimp, fresh salmon, halibut, clams, creole lobster sauce
• Braised Short Ribs – fork tender short ribs, black pepper pappardelle, sugar snap peas
• Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee – silky, sultry with chocolate tuile

In the glass: 2004 Parador Cab.  My folks had purchased this back in April when they came to visit for Lea’s marathon, and weren’t able to take it home with them safely.  I told them I’d hold on to it until they came out again, but I lied.  Instead, I decided it would be a wonderful one year anniversary present to Lea and me!  Thanks guys!  I’m not going to go into much detail about this wine, other than to say that you know it’s a special occasion when the wine in your glass smells like a Napa Valley wine cave.  It’s a very good sign.

I couldn’t have scripted the day much better.  But, there’s always next year!

Jambo (“Cheers” in Kenya)

Next time I’ll drop all the wedding talk and show you what Lea made for dinner last night.  She’s been Greek-inspired by some fellow bloggies.