Undercurrent Restaurant - Downtown GSO 4/24/2010

We decided for our anniversary dinner we would go to Undercurrent to celebrate! We have been here several times in the past and it has always been really good! Saturday night was no different. We had reservations at 8:00 for dinner for two! We started out at the bar for a glass of champagne. Some may know that I like to have things planned out and I often decide on what I am going to eat at a restaurant before we sit down at the table! Strange I know but I guess I get it from my mother because she does the same. As I read through the entire menu, I decided I was going to have one of everything. The bartender suggested the Morel Mushroom Dusted Sea Scallops. If it has morel mushroom in it this gal is going to order it. Morel mushrooms are by far my most favorite thing! In the meantime, Mark is just shaking his head because once again I have decided on my meal before hitting the table. So we got to the table and it was Mark's turn to decide what he wanted. While he was deliberating I decided I was going to start out with the Lobster and Shrimp Spring Rolls. Mark said I must try them as these are a staple on their menu! We had the best server - Allison. We discovered that we remembered that she had been our server before at Undercurrent as well as Muse.

Here is the final dinner choice -

Mark:

Starter: Organic Greens - Chive Vinaigrette, Goat Cheese, Toasted Pine Nuts and
Sun Dried Tomatoes

Entree: Coriander Rubbed Red Snapper - Fennel-Sesame Polenta Hash, Grilled Asparagus, Cilantro-Mint Emulsion and Raisin Molasses

Ashley:

Starter: Lobster and Shrimp Spring Rolls - Soy-Ginger dipping sauce and Shoyu Reduction

Entree: Morel Mushroom Dusted Sea Scallops - Tarragon Whipped Potatoes, Sweet Peas, Baby Carrots and Sweet Cream Butter Sherry Reduction

We shared dessert: White Chocolate-Blueberry Bread Pudding
Caramel Sauce

Everything was FANTASTIC and cannot wait to back!

Cheers!

Ready to shed some more lb's!

I have to admit I am a little slack when it comes to keeping up with my self.com weight loss tracker. I decided that I would go on today and log my progress. I feel like I have lost more weight since the last time I updated it. The scale confirmed it for me! Since I signed up in late December, I have lost a total of 11 pounds! Since August 2010, I have lost a little over 20 pounds! This is great but it just gives me the strength I need to keep on trucking. I have a long way to go to get back into a healthy range. I hope I can kick the blood pressure/high cholesterol cocktail every morning. The only way to do this is to get back to working out. I know this is no excuse, but my life has been flipped upside down in the last month or two. I have allowed myself to get out of the exercise routine. I did cancel my gym membership because it was so hard to get there with all of the things I am doing for Mark. So, my solution to this is to get back to walking/running outside! When the checkbook permits, we will invest in an elliptical for the house since Mark will not be running anytime in the near future or not at all.

Getting ready to take Jackie Chan on a walk and pick up Mark for his weekly physical therapy. I hope everyone is enjoying Earth Day!

Mad Hatter Tea at O.Henry Hotel

I was invited to a Mad Hatter Tea Party this afternoon. I joined Diane, Caroline, & Ella for a belated birthday celebration. It was so much fun. The food and all of the decorations were out of this world!

O. Henry hotel brought the story of Alice in Wonderland to life today. We started with story time in the lobby of the hotel, made our way through the rabbit hole for a tea party in Wonderland with Alice, the Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter. We enjoyed special treats, crafts ,and seating at Tweedledee's whimsically decorated table surrounded by flowers and giant mushrooms.

"Don't Quit" - inspiration needed to make it through tough times!

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

"Don't Quit," Author Unknown

This really hit home for me today. In general, my life, especially in the last year has been very tough. It seems I have been faced with many challenges and heartache. Recently, it feels like my world has come crashing down. Monday was the breaking point for me. It started with an unexpected trip to the vet for Jackie Chan and ended with a flooded kitchen! I need to step back and take a look at what I have and where I am going. I found this quote on the Internet and it will be something that I will keep in the back of my mind to help push me through these tough times. I think it is human nature to give up when it seems like everything is going wrong. When I wake up in the morning I thank God for my husband, Jackie Chan, Miss Kitty, my family,friends, and strangers. If you ever are in this position just remember the quote above!

I am taking Mark to Durham tomorrow so he can get settled and prep for his epidural steroid injection he is getting in his neck on Friday AM. I hope this will help him in his recovery and keep him far far away from neck surgery. It just makes me nervous to think about a big needle being inserted in his neck. I am a chicken when it comes to a needle or anything medical!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week/weekend!

Ashley

Always know your independence........

The meaning of wedding vows is to be committed with your partner. Looking back on our wedding vows, to me it is a sacred promise between me and Mark in front of God, that we love each other and be committed to each other, in ALL THICK AND THIN. With this in mind, things that have happened in the last couple of weeks have really reminded me of our wedding vows! Let me just tell you I have done more things on my own in the last three weeks than I have in a lifetime! As you may know, my husband has a herniated C6/C7 disc in his neck. Friday I put together a collapsible hammock, cleaned the entire house, cleaned the garage, & detailed my car. On Saturday I could not stand looking at the jungle in our yard so I mowed the front yard and edged it with garden scissors! Mark stood out there while I was mowing to make sure I didn't mess anything up or take a body part off! Sunday after lunch with my parents I finished the back yard. Much larger than the front but it is done. I must say I am very proud of myself. Kind of forgot that I am capable of doing things on my own but it is nice to have help! Mark has definitely helped me so I do not mind doing this. We go to another specialist on Wednesday and really hoping we do not get another surgery solution!

MerleFest countdown.....................

The countdown is on! I am super excited to start my second year of marriage to my wonderful husband listening to bluegrass! I am really excited to see Sam Bush (pictured above), Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Zac Brown Band, The Avett Brothers, Donna the Buffalo, The Waybacks, & Steve Martin. Those are just a few off the top of my head! I know he is not going to be at Merle Fest, but Ben Harper, is coming to Wake Forest University the week before and we are going! I am definitely going to fulfill one of my New Year's resolutions to see more live music in 2010!!! Hip Hip Hooray!