Hail, Yes
I love when it storms. And living in California - that really does not come often. I was looking forward to this storm after watching weather forecasts and seeing it hit Hawaii through v-chat with my mom and sister. There was no thunder and lighting but there was itty bitty hails!
Festivus Cards ‘08
Finished uploading, picking up, bringing home, cutting, gluing, sticking, writing, signing, licking, sealing, stamping and addressing my holiday cards today. I’d like to show the final product, but i don’t want to ruin the “surprise” for the blog readers that will be getting this in the mail sometime soon.
Pinnacle Bank Holiday Party
Pinnacle Bank had its annual holiday party at Pasadera Country Club in Monterey. It is a private club for elite members of society. (Haha - in other words, well off people) The country club was filled with very old and expensive objects such as dictionaries, tapestries and preserved quail egg shells. The walls of our dining room had a nice swirly pattern made from gold leaf. The food and service was excellent. We started off with a microgreen salad with bacon, grape tomatoes and croutons. It was savory yet sweet and very delicious. For the entree, Jeff had a prime rib, and i had a sea bass. I’ve never had sea bass before and i actually didn’t like it very much, but everyone was raving about it so it must have been good. Jeff’s prime rib was juicy and flavorful. Dessert was a plate with three small servings each of a chocolate souffle, a raspberry tart, and a cheesecake with fresh berries. Jeff won a $25 gift certificate to a local eatery in Morgan Hill called Ragoots. The party favor was a keepsake minted Hawaii state quarter (cool!). I think this year’s party was a lot better than last years. It will definitely be hard to beat!
Indian Summer
Ramzi was here in town this weekend so we went out to Monterey to hang out. We went to Indian Summer which is a hookah bar and lounge. I’d never been there before but I was pleasantly surprised with the outside fire pits and they were even playing some pretty good music inside on the dance floor. The outside bartender was slow as hell, and it was actually raining on us while we are outside but I still had a good time. This photo is of the fire pit and a young couple that couldn’t keep their hands off each other. I have no idea who they are they were just in the frame while i was taking this picture, but I think its adorable.
Special Ingredients for “Our Pasta”
Jeff and I make “our pasta” quite often - about twice a month or so. I originally got the idea from a friend of a friend, but have since put my own twist on it. It is basically penne pasta with ham and vegetables (we like zucchini, broccoli, carrots, celery and onions) and our special sauce. We use Lee Kum Kee’s Spicy Garlic Sauce along with garlic salt, soy sauce, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garlic. It tastes like an asian pasta, i guess you could say. Oishi!
My Shopping Cart
Safeway is my go-to grocery store. Here’s a look at the typical items i buy. I love Safeway’s Organics brand but i wouldn’t say i buy everything organic. I guess if i didn’t look at prices i would, but i do care about how much things costs. If its not that much more i’ll get organic, but if I think its outrageous i guess i decide to take my chances with conventional.
My, what a Rooty Orchid you have!
While video chatting with my mom yesterday, i showed her my sickly sad little orchid plant that hasn’t had any blooms on it since i bought it almost 3 years ago. I said to her, “look at all these stems, and no flowers come out of them!” Then she laughed and told me “those are roots not stems!” Oh my. My mom showed me one of her orchids that DID have a stem. She suggested i repot it and give it more sun. Now that i look at the plant i think, my how silly of me. I guess I just haven’t inherited the green thumb.
First Video Chat with Mom
I was talking to my mom on my drive home from work today, and she told me that they got a brand new MacBook! I have been asking her to get one for a while now so that we could video chat online. When I got home I walked her through how to sign on and voila! There she was. We chatted for a bit and then Patti came over to to scrapbook. I showed Patti the picture on the wall behind my mom which was a portrait of my sisters and I when i was 4 or 5. I look forward to many more v-chats with mom and dad.
My Fair Lady
Jeff and I went to see a local play production of My Fair Lady. Jeff received free tickets through work - part of a fundraiser for Ag Against Hunger. The house was pretty packed, but as Jeff pointed out it was mostly filled with “old” people. The play was entertaining but a bit long. Jeff actually ended up recognizing the actress playing Eliza Doolittle as one of his old coworkers. He didn’t realize it though until she “prettied up”. How funny. 
Jeff: 79 / Diane: 100
Jeff and I went bowling with Mike and Shelby at Monterey Lanes tonight. We played two games, and I actually scored an even 100 during our second game — beating Jeff! Hard to believe, but so true.
After bowling we went to Hula’s Island Grill where I had the daily special — butterfish with a shiitake mushroom gravy. It was so amazing! Jeff and the rest of the gang had burgers with sweet potato fries. The artwork next to our booth had a naked hula lady on it! It was fun going out with Mike and Shelby tonight… finally!
