The DiningTravelers

St. Paul Grill

Just returned from a whirlwind tour, Saw Greg and Annelise in the Windy City...ventured to ST Patrick's Day at the St. Paul Hotel with a visit to the WCHA tourney...and did all the following only gaining four pounds.
Returned from Napa via Las Vegas yesterday and Michael and Jackie valeted us from the airport to Salut

Chicago's Joes

Enter Wine Country

Baron Rothchild meets Robert Mondavi

Sterling

Windsor Winery of Hearlsburg CA


Your table for 2 at Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant at The Culinary Institute of America will be ready for you on Wednesday, March 2X, 2012 at 6:00 PM.   CIA Dining @ GREYSTONE

"Good Afternoon Ron,- before you decide what you're doing this weekend think about this . . .
How about a delicious Duck Cassoulet with flageolet beans gently simmered in a tomato and vegetable broth and then flavored with foie gras and boudin sausage, top that all with a slow cooked crisp duck confit and Viola!"
"Barb, Bon Appetite! How about enjoying a Surf and Turf with Petite filets and Australian Lobster. A sure way to make anyone smile .....
Todds Fine Dining Henderson Nevada

The list goes on but I did say only four more pounds.  Add the wine tours of Napa Valley and Healdsburg.  Discredit the LaTorque Chef's Table Tasting menu at Napas Westin as "miserably inadequate."

Add        Mustards of Napa

We ate on this vacation in 5 different states and cannot rate the experiences separate from each other.  This vacation was all Ron's idea as he just came home a month ago and said, "Let's go." 
I was so glad he wasn't on the phone!

I started reading Greg's recommended "The Hunger Games".  Sisters Katniss (MEG) and Prim(rose) (GRETCHEN) are sadly separate and I had to called Meaghan to see how she was doing as Gretchen and Josh are returning as I type this from three years in Baumholder, Germany tonight.
Gretchen being the sister she is, gave Meg her iPhone an hour ago.  Meg dropped hers in a mud puddle two years ago!  I have Gretchen's bed (cuz she still likes to sleep in her old bed) ready with a few pink layette items adorning the pillows. Uncle Greg bought her a copy of "Goodnight iPAD."  I am recording "Goodnight Moon" soon.
Finally I found this picture.  This is not Gretchen first rodeo!

Post"AL" Traumatic Dental Casualty Day

     "I realize how postal I become when thee dental appointment day arrives.  Yesterday was a Do-see! I faced my first periodontist. A feat which I had (not gallantly) avoided, cancelled, postponed for the past 20 years. The dentist in Gulfport, Mississippi had boldly recommended this option.  We left Mississippi in 1992. First, I went scuba diving with him as he was already in the class.  Didn't help the periodontal disease or my fear of dentists.  Cured my fear of sharks!

     I  experience extreme panic and anxiety by lashing out at whoever is in the vicinity when I have a scheduled dental appointment. Yesterday, I was doing my best to alienate my ride to Wausau by acting out. I am working on repairing the "resulting" outpour of showered verbal abuse but frankly I firmly believe the resolution to 'The Dental Chicken Dance' is  prescription narcotics.  I know how bad this sounds to the Wisconsin Department of Licensing  and to my S.O., a card carrying member of the The American Medical Association. . . but by 1:00 p.m. Ron was eyeball pleading me to take an Ativan.  Driving to Wausau I was apologetic and remorseful.  I WAS mellowed.

     I am to return to periodontal Wausau but I am not thinking about when, 'til then!  I plan to treat the "driver" better starting immediately!  (That part about "for better or worse." was realized yesterday as I did the darndest to become the  worstest!)

     My dad , Big George; would be 85 years old tomorrow had he not died in 1975.  I still think about him a lot and hope he will see I am trying to repair my bad behavoir of yesterday.  Dad was my rock on dental days way back when...1961-1971.  We would visit Dr. Aysta upstairs and after Biss's Locksmith and Gun Shoppe downstairs.  Who knew gun shopping could bring such relief?

 

     Our son, Greg, is 34 years old since Tuesday.  My episiotomy still hurts.
(First attempt to laugh at myself.)  Greg did write a poignant email yesterday and telephoned.  This is the same one who earlier wrote "The Day in the Life of K.. . "  (The kid can write!)

     I am reminded there is no amount of money which can cancel the value of goodtimes, good stories, good friendships, good humor, contributions of my offspring and the increasing value of loving relationships.
The quote for 2011-12 year has been from a twelve year old to his Grandma G. when he said, ". . .  you give me memories." (Above is a memory/gift from Mary Ellen which speaks volumns.)

     Our offspring continue to "slapstick" slay us with their antics and humor.  Gretchen and Josh have renamed my first grand baby from Jaxx to Riley.  Greg wrote he hopes the name "Riley" is not replaced with the name  "Mud".  Everyone but Gretchen likes the name "Riley Anne Rud"...the jury is out on "Mud Rud."  My sister Patty had a Great Dane named Meaghan (1979) when our Meaghan was born. . .so, this seems in keeping with tradition!

     Gretchen sent me a new Keurig which I may not have paid for (?) and I found Starbucks Blonde Kcups in Wausau yesterday to plug into it.  Meaghan and Gretchen found and sent (but signed from all) a four name necklace for a celebration of my babes.  Michael gave me a gold and rhinestone watch and has one to give dad when we see each other next. (Rhinestone Ron?)  Greg gave us a copy of  "a FILM that can SAVE your LIFE,"  FORKS OVER KNIVES which we haven't watched yet but he did recommend and we enjoyed "Midnight in Paris."  I have gifted out "Finian's Rainbow" x 3 this week to near dear ones...but probably will never get it shown on the big screen here!  (Modern Family)

Soon we will see a lot of hockey in St.Paul, after going to the "Green Tiger" in the Windy City...
To round out travels, Napa is being discussed complete with the CIA. (Thanxs Gwen for the heads-up!) 
As RJ has stated, "Don't know how long I'll have you around."  
Keeps a girl on her toes..Especially with how "postal" I was yesterday!
But I will improve in an attempt to please my parents and at least get to revisit them one day!
                                                                    Love The Views!

                                                                   20 weeks