Round Three of the Display-Off: Bountiful Harvest

This is the post to end it all. We have each won a battle, now it's time to see who will win the war. I present to you....Bountiful Harvest!

Who feels like the know my house by heart at this point? In keeping with previous entries, let's start as we walk up the pathway.

To the left you will find my first display

I absolutely love this display. It's so inviting to guests as they walk up the path to our house. Some favorite pieces are:

Crab apples in harvest basket

And seasonal grasses in tin bucket

As you round the corner, you see an overall view of the front of the house with the two additional displays.

This is the display to the left of the door

My crate packed full of seasonal goodies, and the requisite horn 'o' plenty. It's not November without a cornucopia of fall delights.

As promised in Round Two, I turned Hooty into a little pilgrim. He's perched on top of my vintage stove. This is my favorite piece in this particular display. I can't lie.

Here is the next (and last!) display to the right of the door.

There are a few great pieces in this display as well. Vintage milk jug filled with seasonal grasses

Vintage picnic basket filled with fall mums sitting atop vintage crate. I LOVE this piece! The colors really pop against the brown basket.

Raffia wrapped dried corn stalks nestled in my orange canister. Being from Iowa, this was a requirement in the display.

And that's all, folks!

Feel free to praise, trash, or do some combination of both. This round will be decided by a panel of qualified judges (read--light on Ashley's friends) who will be both fair and unbiased. No "I love candy, so Ashley wins" business going on in this ever-important round!

Bring it, Carter!! Let's see what you got!

PCH

Okay--first things first. I finally got to meet the Blog-famous Brooke. It was like having dinner with Ashley's twinner. They look, talk, and laugh exactly the same.


Dinner with the Doublemint twins was great. We met up at Tamarine in Palo Alto. I threw out a few suggestions for the girls, listing options for good and even great food. Then I told them I had a restaurant that would blow them away, and they signed up. Tamarine it was. As always, the food was amazing.

I ordered the shrimp puffcakes and the shrimp spring rolls to start. My main dish was the tamarine prawns. It was all delicious. My favorite part is how they nestle the exotic rices in banana leaves.

On Friday, Lancer and I took off for Monterey. We got a great deal on a room at the Monterey Plaza Hotel on Cannery Row--it included a $50 room credit. Upon checking in, they "offered" us a room upgrade for a mere $50. So tricky, you guys. We passed, which ended up being the best option. Our room was more like a suite, and the bed was made of clouds. I want to go back. Lancer ducked out to take these nighttime pics while I snuggled up by the fire.


We dined in the on-site restaurant. First up--I ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and Lance got the creamy clam chowder. We also shared a crab stuffed artichoke with a garlic aioli dipping sauce.

For the main entree, Lancer went with the catch of the day, and I got the shrimp Thai salad. Thanks $50 credit! There apparently is such a thing as a free lunch, and it's delicious!


The next day, we explored Monterey. We started out in downtown Monterey, grabbing breakfast and checking out stores. Lancer picked up a few new argyle sweaters to make up for his 2 sweaters that mysteriously disappeared. I'm sure glad about this fact, because I (hopefully) no longer have to hear his theories on where they went.


In the afternoon, we mozied on down the coast to check out Big Sur. The weather was highly cooperative, and we got some great pics.

Lance fixed up this one of me--I love it!









After enjoying the breathtaking views, we headed back to Carmel. We popped into the shops, and Lancer surprised me with a cute new green purse. I love it! I'm ready for spring.

Thanks for another great weekend of great food and great views. Now I feel refreshed and ready to go back to work. That's not really true, but I will certainly feel better when I think back on the weekend 'o' fun.

Gone Too Soon

I know it's human nature to be upset when losing things or people before their time. It hardly seems fair.

Which is why I am so upset at having lost one of my great loves--Fuel Restaurant in San Jose. You know, the one where the owner Gene knew my name and order by heart. It was like my Cheers. I'm a cute, female, less fat version of Cliff.

And it closed right before Brooke was coming into town--we already had plans to dine there. On to plan B, which will NOT be at Chili's, Olive Garden, or that other crappy chain you tried to sell me on. Um, I'm allergic to all of the food at all of those places. I'm thinking Dish-Dash. That was my "go-to" before Fuel came into my life.

I have a few words to say about you, Fuel:

I had birthday parties with you.

I snuck off to lunch with you.

I snuck off to dinner with you.

I got takeout for my fun GNO's from you.

I dreamt about your generous portions of grilled pork salad rolls--4 for $8. I would have paid double.

You were my "go-to" restaurant when I was trying to look hip and fancy. Everyone was always impressed. They came out with full bellies, and smiling pocketbooks.

The worst part is I never got to say goodbye. You just up and left me. I feel so alone. I think I need a grief counselor.

PS--another Fuel devotee and I have been emailing each other tonight on Yelp. We're going to leave a note for Gene on the door and hope he gets it. Whoever hears from Gene first will email the other person. We want to know where he's going next, cause you know our crazy arses will be there day and night!

That's not weird, right?

PSS--Aren't you glad this wasn't another NKOTB post??