Tales from a Lazy Saturday (Veteran's Day weekend)

This past weekend was truly a lazy one!  As a government contractor, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a "three day weekend" due to the fact Monday, November the 11th, was Veteran's Day.  Most local, state, and federal government employees and contractors have federal holidays off.  These days include, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day.  Banks and the postal service are closed as well.

Nevertheless, thanks to a longer weekend, the husband (aka Big Daddy) and I decided to stay home, relax, do laundry, make dinner, and enjoy a cocktail (or two!).

Just for fun, here are the highlights from our lazy Saturday!

I woke up early.  Even though I wanted to sleep in, my body was up thanks to my daily schedule.  Instead of falling back into my cozy bed, I got up, made coffee, had a lovely breakfast with Big Daddy, and hung out with 'le cat.'

After breakfast, I watched "Stalag 17" as I worked on my vintage clothing "fix/repair" pile.  Once in a while, you gotta fix those popped seams, falling hems, and loose buttons!

By the time it was lunch (well, 2 pm), I finally spruced myself up and did my hair!

Now that it is fall and going into winter, it is time to pair bobby socks with my beloved Re-Mix wedges!

I intended to make dinner at home but Big Daddy's mother (aka Mammaleh), invited us over.  We had cocktails, steak on the grill (shrimp for me), and a salad.

To end the night, we came home and Big Daddy retreated to the deck and enjoyed his beloved, vintage pipe and had a scotch.

Since it was Veteran's Day weekend and Big Daddy is a veteran (almost 10 years US Army Infantry), I wanted him to have a few super-chill, relaxed days off!  I am proud of him and his service to this great nation!

And for all of you who have served, I want to say "thank you" for your esteemed service and dedication.

15 Year Wedding Anniversary Celebration Dinner at L'Auberge Chez Francois!

Yesterday the man and I celebrated 15 years of marriage! I cannot believe time has gone by so fast! I feel fortunate to say "it feels like yesterday!" I love that man so much and I am very lucky to have him in my life!

Ok, ok! Enough with the "schmaltz fest!" (lol!) I would like to share some photos from last night's amazing dinner with the man!

Every year on our anniversary (since 2004), the man and I always go to L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, Virginia. L'Auberge is a wonderful, quaint, intimate, and delicious French restaurant located in the countryside of Fairfax County. Their cuisine is top-notch, their wines are out of this world, and the service is impeccable!

http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/

We had reservations for 8:00 pm. I made sure to eat very light all day so I could truly enjoy the feast about to commence!

This is the man, as we got out of the car:

Here is me, with the restaurant in the background:

I am wearing a navy blue, crepe 1940s dress adored with two rhinestone pins and a self-belt. I wore vintage navy blue gloves and carried a modern beaded cocktail purse covered in silvery-white beading. I am also wearing an amazing pair of Betsey Johnson beaded platforms. Even the heels are beaded! I bought these in late 2006 from Zappos.

Here is me, in the ladies bathroom (goofy, I know!) trying to capture the detail on my shoes:

Now, to the important part! The meal! After being seated, the man and I started with the house appertif; a lovely blend of Chambord and Champagne. The was even a whole raspberry in the glass! (I wanted to take pictures but the flash on my camera is bright and I did not want to ruin the dining experience of our fellow guests).

As we browsed the menu, the staff brought us herbed ricotta and garlic toast points. The ricotta was amazing and it paired well with the sharpness of the garlic.

For my dinner, I started with the tuna tartar with sour cream sauce and salmon roe, then a gorgeous house salad prepared with endive and fresh roquefort cheese,  and then for my main course I had shelled maine lobster accompanied with fresh lump crab covered in a butter sauce that was served with fresh grilled asparagus and citrus.

The man and I both had the marvelous chocolate souffle paired with chocolate cream sauce. I wanted to die! Talk about dessert heaven! Despite my initial hesitation to take pictures, I managed to sneak a quick photo of my souffle, just after it arrived:

After our dessert and coffee were finished, I felt full but not stuffed. I managed to pace myself (even though I wanted to eat everything in its entirety) and in the end, I was satisfied and happy! I cannot wait to go back!

As we left the restaurant and made our way home, the man and I encountered some late night traffic (road construction). So typical of the DC area!

The man and I finally got home around 11:00 pm and he gave me these lovely flowers! I love the colors! So pink!!

Thank you so much, honey!

And here is the cat, wondering where we went!

I am very happy with the way our anniversary turned out! Despite the fact we had to work all day, our 15th was truly a special day! Again, I am so happy with amazing man of mine! Here is to the next 15 years and beyond!