I L.O.V.E. a loooong weekend, and this Memorial day was no exception! Friday started with an amazing dinner out with Tia, and then I followed that up by watching a live band in downtown Monterey, wrapped up by a phone convo with my sweetie.
Saturday I took a trip to Sweden, or...our Ikea store located near San Jose. Christie and I perused through the store easily, knowing exactly what we came for and bypassing all the basement trinkets. I was very pleased with my purchases of 2 kilby bookcases, 1 metal kitchen utility rack, 1 treated (no mold here!) bathroom shelf set, a few shoe racks, and some dvd boxes. I can't WAIT to unload them in Korea and have one super organized overseas pad.
After all that shopping our stomachs were screaming, and Christie found just the right place by doing a yelp search. Our destination? Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill. It was a delicious trip to the Caribbean.
The restaurant is just a comfortable hole in the wall, with a delightful array of options. You can find directions, menu, and reviews here: http://www.backayard.net/. Christie and I both ordered the jerk chicken meal. We had a FULL plate of food, with chicken covered and grilled in the most delicious spices and sauce, red beans and rice, plantains, and small green salad. I ate every last bite!! I haven't had a meal this different and good for awhile, and from this meal finally understood the meaning of Soul Food. That plate hugged me!
On our journey home from San Jose Christie took me by DSW...and I fell in love...
...with a GORGEOUS pair of nude heels by Max Studio. Beautifully made, leather...and just the right color. I've been lusting after a nude shoe for some time, but couldn't find the right fit/mix for me. These were it. And they went home with me.
Sunday was all about moi. A morning gym trip, cleaned up the house, and then cleaned myself up for my evening vacation to Italy.
Italy was only a short drive to Fort Ord, where this gorgeous gal above lives, Ciarra. Another smart, sweet, military gal pal whose quick wit and scrumptious dinner made my Sunday night!
My dear Christie was there as well, and we spent the evening gathered round the kitchen, sipping wine and creating fabulous pizza plates.
We had flank steak and crumbled Gorgonzola, mozzarella, tomato and peppers...
...prosciutto, mushrooms, and caramelized onions...oh my gosh...YUM! The evening ended gathered round their fire pit and I felt so at home. Good conversation, good people, and I was re-awakened to how fun my life is...filled with new experiences and adventures daily!
The long weekend wrapped up nicely on Monday, as a tested out my egg poacher, the Poach Pod that I found at Sur la Table. For only $9.99 I came the closest to a nice-at-home poached egg for my morning breakfast.
Just rub a little oil in them, place pod in an 1 1/2 of water, cover and simmer for 4 minutes.
Easy and Eggtastic
Breakfast wasn't the only amazing part of my day. I had a sunny bike ride, and finally picked up some hiking boots at REI. A little bite with Tia at Lallapalooza, and a long skype date with my honey.
I adore weekends like this one, that are full of surprise outings, new energy, good food, good friends, and the promise of more to come.
I got myself a poaching pocket today! That was such a great weekend even though my red faced pizza picture isn't the most flattering. Pizza was so yummy and the bonfire smell stayed in my hair for days. It was fantastic :)
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