This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A few very very special days...

We had the most beautiful February...
Roger Waters concert courtesy of our son...
Harry Potter exhibition...
a celebratory birthday dinner at a local restaurant, Monet's Cafe Restaurant...

Why so special?
Our son very generously gave of his time (along with his partner) to have JoJo for 3 nights so we could go out for dinner to celebrate Mr Armchair's birthday...
plus as a special birthday gift for us he gave us a weekend away at Rick Stein's at Bannister's (next post)...

We rarely get to go out as a couple...we are more a threesome whilst caring for JoJo so dinner out for us is rare...and if we do go out it involves organizing respite care...knowing when to be back...plus nothing is spontaneous for us as I imagine it would be in 'the real world' when you can 'just do it'...
especially as 'retirment' is on the horizon...

Retirement for us means we will still be caring...
still doing bedtime.........bathtime.........caring....
whilst other retirees will be sitting back and choosing what life they lead...


Back to the moment......outside the restaurant on the boardwalk...




Mr Armchair had Tempura Prawns......fresh Prawns in a fine crispy batter with a spicy Thai Cucumber and Peanut Dipping Sauce...



My choice......Bay Scallops.....pan seared then served on Caramelized Leek with a chilled Lime Dressing...


Mr A's Pepper Steak......prime Sirloin Steak topped with a creamy Greenpeppercorn and Brandy Sauce served on a bed of chips...


with a Side Salad...


My choice......Eden Kingfish......panfried with Coconut Cream......Pomegranate Molasses and Chilli Jam served on Thai style salad and Coconut Rice... 


Fig Affogato......warm Cinnamon Tea with Vanilla Ice Cream and fresh Mint...


Monet's Mocha Tart......shortcrust pastry filled with a rich dark Swiss Chocolate Cream and topped with Milk Chocolate and served with orange and Star Anise and Creme Anglaise...


At the entrance and exit...
the food was absolutely delicious...
and we loved it that we could book in to suit us and come home when we were ready!!!

Thank you Monet's for the special Birthday Offer of buy 1 meal......get 1 free plus a small bottle of bubbly......it came just at the right time for us......
and we are sure we will be back another day!!!

14 comments:

Bev C said...

Hello Dzintra,

That meal looks divine, I could go a plate of scallops.

Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dzintra!!!! Oh dear, this food is so beautifully presented and that salad, the COLORS!!! That was such a lovely treat for you and a kind thing to do on your son's part! I am so glad for you that you enjoyed yourselves and anytime near the water is romantic and refreshing! Ruben is taking me to CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA in Northern California this year to celebrate our 30th anniversary that we had in early March, but with school, it is hard to get away! So I am looking forward to walking the aqua beaches, meandering down all the streets lined with fairytale cottages and GOING IN AND OUT of every antique shop!!

Have a perfect day my dear! Anita

Nat Palaskas said...

The meal is looking yummy! I'm glad you had time-out just for the two of you. Treasures your special time - Hugs
Nat

Lynn said...

How fortunate you are to have such a thoughtful son! The food looks almost too beautiful to eat.

Simone de Klerk said...

Tears in my eyes, Dzintra, for the very special present you and DH received! So happy for you.
Oh, and you spend your time so well. With such beautiful names to the courses.
Happy birthday to DH!!!

Kath said...

your food looks wonderful. I love fish and shellfish and especially thai flavours.
I'm very pleased you got some couple time with your lovely husband.

Jeni said...

Hi My Friend
what a wonderful son and his partner.... to give you... hubby and your time..............i have a very wonderful son also...it makes life grand................the food lokks Delightful ...

Jeni said...

Hi My Friend
what a wonderful son and his partner.... to give you... hubby and your time..............i have a very wonderful son also...it makes life grand................the food lokks Delightful ...

Fer said...

What a wonderful treat. You certainly deserved it. xoxo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

My dear one, ENJOY THAT LOVELY WEATHER! And yes, I cannot wait to get to Carmel. I LOVE THAT PLACE!!! Oh when I see your header, my heart just jumps for joy dearest. Anita

Palomasea said...

Dearest Dzintra, I will join these lovely ladies in my joy for your special time out!! What a beautiful gesture on your son's part.
The food just looks so spectacular...
So glad you had a lovely time out, just beautiful.
Sending much love,
- Irina

Palomasea said...

Sweet Dzintra, I have tagged you dear friend! Please don't feel obligated to play, but if you are up for it, here is the link : http://palomasea.blogspot.com/.
Blessings and a beautiful weekend!
xoxo,
- Irina

Palomasea said...

Thank you so much for your visit, dear friend!
So is it cooling down a bit where you are? What are your average Fall temps during the day?
We are having the warmest Spring in recorded MN history here...the lilacs are blooming, and everything is sooo green! Normally it is very white with snow this month..:)
Blessings,
- Irina

Anonymous said...

Hi Dzintra, Somewhere along the line, you and I lost contact....I just spotted your comment on Julia's quilt blog and wanted to say HI. What a lovely gift for you and your husband to have time to yourselves to celebrate his special day. The food looks so good - especially dessert! Love the photo of you and Jo Jo on your header. Sending my love to you. Mildred Nalley

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...