Lodging Review: Arroyo Vista Inn- The antidote for civilization
September 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
My swubby works very hard running his business. And, I work just as hard running mine. For now, This Marriage Thing is my hobby, but shortly it’ll be my retirement business.
Our days are long, and there are calls to make, even on vacation. So, when we do get a few days to ourselves I’m fairly particularly about where we spent them and with whom. Especially since all our vacations now have an added ‘mission’- to find the right place to relocate in two years. You can imagine how much research I put into finding a relaxing oasis for our week in Southern Pasadena, as we combined some R&R with dropping Miss Thang off at Occidental.
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Good bye dear Summer!
August 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Alas, all good things come to an end. Sure, I know summer isn’t officially over but you can’t deny that after Monday there’ll be no more wearing white! heavy sighhhhh Instead of the usual Friday blockbuster post since most of you will be off having fun on the long weekend, I thought I’d give you a preview of next week’s chat, which includes:
- Good news! This Marriage Thing is now a featured blog on Wellsphere.com, a groovy wellness site where you can indulge in healthier living
- Bed & Breakfast Review of Arroyo Vista Inn, South Pasadena Would it be giving away too much if I said, the swubby and I adored this elegant and tranquil home and it’s fun hosts, Pat and Russ.
This is a picture of the beautiful front porch where we enjoyed a fabulous wine dinner- 6 yummy course and plenty of great wine- provided by RoomForty.com
Can’t you see yourself sprawled out on a lounge chair enjoying coffee and the Sunday paper there? More details on our room with a balcony and amazing view next Friday, but for now…see more of this charming bed and breakfast near Los Angeles with a special secret
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Empty Nest: The First Real Goodbye
May 30, 2008 | 3 Comments
Today, my baby girl graduates from high school. I’m shocked. It’s cliché to say ‘where did the time go? But honest, where DID the time go?
It feels to me like she was just a baby, perched on the dishwasher door proudly grinning at her own feat of daring, last month. Now, she’s striking out on her own traveling across the country to California for Occidental. Is she ready? I think so, even though she still can’t run the dishwasher. Read more
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New Orleans- Here we come!
April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today, we’re flying into the Big Easy for a brief taste of the good life. We’re staying at the Southern Comfort Inn. I hope one of my very first meals will be at Acme Oyster. And, I’m too excited because I’ll be grooving to the sounds of Cassandra Wilson, Billy Joel, Keyshia Cole and others excellent performers at the JazzFest. This will be one of our very best vacations. Look for the trip report when we return.
Best Vacations
My idea of a dream vacation has shifted over the years from rauchous fun to beach coma to, well, well-accommodated adventures. That means I want all the fun and none of the fuss! While we’re doing the bar crawl, why not share stories about your best vacation? Maybe, yours will make my ‘Too Much Fun’ List!
Where did you spend you best vacation with our sweetheart?
PS Just ‘cos I’m away doesn’t mean we won’t be chatting. Through the miracle of technology, TMT will be refreshed with new posts so check back often.
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Is It Rude to Have Sex at a B&B?
Are Oysters Really an Aphrodisiac?
Is It Rude to Have Sex at a B&B?
April 12, 2008 | 2 Comments
Ok, that’s a little personal, I know. But, I’m curious. This whole thing got started when I read a recent article in the Boston Globe about hotel sex being better than at home. The author theorized that people love having hotel sex because hotels were probably the only place to get privacy, away from parents or roommates, during those early heady years of a relationship.
Hotel Sex
Thinking back to my first boyfriend in college (my first boyfriend ever, really), we did enjoy the freedom and excitement of being anonymous and, thereby unaccountable for strange, uh, noises and bumps that escaped the hotel walls. Heck, sex was so new everything about it was thrilling. Ahhh, back in the day…
Vacation Sex
Now that we have all the privacy we want the kicks of hotel sex have largely worn off. Although since we tend to rent houses instead of staying in box hotels, the right setting can really pay off. On our very first vacation we traveled to St. John’s for an idyllic stay at the Windwardside Cottage. It just doesn’t get any more romantic or dreamy than this folks.
We had our one single room cottage that included a tiny kitchen and a king size bed with premium thread count sheets. (You haven’t slept until you’ve slept on 900+ thread count- it’s a whole new world!) Best of all we had an outdoor shower that led to a secluded, private hot tub. A few cocktails while gazing at the moon and each other, and well, let’s just say some personal records got set. Enuf said.
B&B Sex
As I mentioned in an earlier post, we’re heading to New Orleans for the Jazzfest. Instead of staying near the French Quarter which will no doubt be loud and rowdy (as it should be), I opted to book us to stay with Cindy of the Southern Comfort B&B. What a great host Cindy is. She helped me make the entire trip a surprise for my swubby. And, if TripAdvisor is right, and the often are, our stay is gonna be heaven. Quiet neighborhood, scrumptious breakfast, knowledgable host. Only trouble is:
Can we get wild while doing the wild thing?
Duh! Did he say that?
Party in New Orleans: 14 days and counting!
April 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! 
And, the good times are definitely going to roll. Why? We’ll be headed to one of my favorite cities in the world: New Orleans. If you’ve been there before, you know how relaxing yet utterly thrilling it can be. A contradiction- yeah, but absolutely true. There’s no rush to do anything and almost too many good times to do.
We’re going to attend the Heritage and Jazz Festival, a big two weekend party that regularly happens at the end of April. For some jazzheads like my swubby (that’s sweet hubby), it’s like making a trek to mecca. True music lovers can experience the great and soon-to-be great. Trouble is: I’m not a music lover.
Local Street Food Rules
I love food, though and there’s plenty of that to keep me dazed with culinary delight. Of course, we’ll hit the long standing favorites like Cafe du Monde. You haven’t lived until you’ve washed down a hot sugary beginet with their excellent chicory coffee au lait. Yum! I’m having trouble choosing which type of po’boy, a local sandwich legend, I want. Shrimp and oyster are always excellent. Then, there’s the BBQ. And, the crawfish and crabs. And, I’m gonna have a few dozen oysters. Are you seeing a trend here???? Honestly, I started dieting last month in preparation for the huge pig-out I anticipate.
A Foodies Delight
Normally, I’d have a ‘dining experience’ or two planned for us. You know, a local restaurant that has an national or international reputation. It’s wonderful to look forward to a new fine dining experience but they don’t happen by accident. It takes research and planning, at least for me. There was a funny article in this month’s Food and Wine magazine about a wife who has many of my food-coveting habits.
Initially, I was keen on eating at one of John Besh’s many places: August, La Provence and Besh Steak. If you like food reality TV shows (and I do) you’ll remember him ‘The Next Iron Chef’‘ competition. But he seems a bit overexposed so I thought we’d give Couchon a try. A cajun menu devoted to pig from oink to tail. Pork cheeks and corn bread sounds mighty yummy. Who knows we might still sneak in brunch at Luke, another Besh place, too.
Of course, I’m open to suggestions, people. Remember what your mom said: it’s good to share…
What’s your favorite food or restaurant in New Orleans?
PS. With all this eating, my next question has to be: will we be too full for vacation sex??? More on that later…
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Are Oysters Really an Aphrodisiac?
April 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Last year I had a ’sexual’ awakening of sorts. I tried oysters again.
For years I avoided them. The look, the smell, the effort of opening them put them off my radar screen. Not interested. Then, I thought let’s try something new. I might like them.
So I started with two. Kinda slimy but also refreshing. Next time, six. Then, eight. Then I proudly ordered and devoured 12 and an obsession was born.
Now, whenever I need a treat I think about going to my favorite oyster place in Boston. Why? Because oyster-mongering is NOT an inexpensive hobby. Those baby boys- Island Creek, PEIs- go for about 2 dollars a pop! At my secret spot I can enjoy them for the bargain price of $1! I love them drizzled with lemon juice with a mix of cocktail sauce and horseradish slathered on top. YUM!!
We’re going to New Orleans for the jazz festival at the end of the month. Know what I’m craving…oysters! ( I’ll be talking more about the trip for sure. We found a great B&B. The lineup is killer and the food- good lord!) Of course, swubby isn’t into those little gems, but he is waiting, patiently, for the ‘aphrodisiac effort’ to kick in.
However in all this time, and it’s been over a year, I haven’t felt the urge to, uh, get busy after eating a dozen or so. Certainly, the decadence of eating oysters is sexy but I missed the’ viagra effect’. Am I doing something wrong? I kinda think it’s a placebo kinda thing: it works because you believe it works. Personally, I’m happy to get all those good vitamins and the omega 3, but I’m open to new feedback…
Do oysters put you in the mood?
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What has traveling with your spouse taught you about yourself?
February 20, 2008 | 2 Comments
It’s vacation time at our house. Soon, we’ll be off to Las Vegas to see the sights. Normally, we do the caribbean thing, but this time we’re trying sin city. Heck, we might even get hitched!
I’m reminded how travel brings out the true colors in each of us. I am my best and worst self when I travel. I know that because my swubby (sweet hubby) acts like a mirror, allowing me to reflect on how I’m acting, thinking, or reacting to new, strange situations.
We start each trip the same way. I’m excited and organized to the teeth. My dearheart is generally a little less so. But he makes up for it by being cool, calm and collected on the return trip, while I have nightmares about missing return flights, leaving stuff in the hotel room and such. Each of us has a talent for navigation: he does places, I do people and things.
Recently, we’ve acknowledged that every single trip must include IT. Typically, IT happens early and once complete, we have a lovely time. IT is a fight…over nothing…that involves yelling. Crazy, but so far it’s unavoidable. Go figure.
What kind of traveler would you spouse say you are?
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