Today's Rave: La Galette Berrichonne

    We enjoyed a fancy Friday night dining experience at La Galette Berrichonne to kick off DMan's birthday (today). Really the place wasn't fancy at all, but it felt fancy having seven courses for supper and eating French food, something neither of us had ever done. Having Chef Roland Parny come out and meet us personally -- such a sweet man, so cheerful -- and the warm attentiveness of his staff made the evening feel extra special as well. The food was superb: beautiful in presentation and delicious, with perfectly sized portions to savor but not overindulge. The only downside of the dinner was the noise as everyone was having such a good time (and lots of bring-it-yourself wine!) that it was difficult to carry on a conversation without yelling.
   DMan loved it, I loved it, and we both give a rousing rave to our evening at La Galette Berrichonne! If you want an extraordinary culinary experience to celebrate a special event or just to liven up your life, this is IT! Reservations are recommended for dinner, but you can also do lunch in the cafe without one.

A short drive to Fordland, easy to find on Main Street.

The evening's menu. Everything was delicious!

A look into the cafe area where you can have lunch.

I wasn't sure which silverware to use when, so I just watched what everyone else did. We brought Shatter, a French Grenache wine, to have with dinner -- an awesome choice!

The place was packed!

Chef Roland Parny serving up the Seafood Croustade course.

We fancied up a bit since it was a fancy dinner out!

The main course: Pork Filet Mignon!

http://www.rolandparny.com/

Today's Rave: Coffee

   Coffee? The only reason I got out of bed this morning. It's been a long week, I am tired, my body aches, and I still have to get through today -- UGH! -- so I had to soup up my coffee even more than usual to get me going. Pulled out my Bourbon Street mug to remind me of fun times in New Orleans and splashed in a heaping helping of Caramel Macchiato creamer. Now I've got way too much of a sugar buzz going, but oh so delish. I may make it after all!
   What got you going this morning?

I start with dark roast coffee and add a 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the grounds before brewing -- adds a nice punch of flavor and keeps my blood sugar stabilized all morning so I won't be as hungry (learned that from the John Tesh radio show a long time ago). Of course the Caramel Macchiato creamer probably negated that benefit, but it tasted damn good anyway.

  

Today's Rant: Sleep?!

   Sleep, you Beeotch, why do you betray me night after night? Has menopause turned you against me forever? Once you were my solace, my respite from the cares of the day, my private haven of rejuvenation so encompassing that I never even woke to tinkle. Now you tease me, making me believe you are right there under the sheets when I am exhausted -- and because of you I am always exhausted -- then you disappear and leave my mind racing. Even when you do grace me with your presence, you play the all-night, every-night torment dance with me: wake up, hot flash, throw off the covers, get cold, cover up, fall back asleep. Until the next dance.
   Sleep, I'm begging you -- can't we be friends again?!

   

Today's Rant and Rave: Floralicious

   While it has been a rather dreary, drizzly spring (my only rant, I promise!), Mother Nature has produced a floralicious bounty! DMan squired me around in his truck yesterday so I could snap some shots of the gorgeous trees and flowers in our neighborhood. And the spriggly new leaves and grass are such a nuclear green! (In a good way, not like Chernobyl!)
   Happy spring, Yall! What's blooming in your neighborhood?

Don't know what kind of bushes these are but they are the most vibrant crimson!

White dogwood, I think (I'm not very good with tree recognition).

Another tiny dogwood sheltered by a redbud tree.

These tulips were truly gorgeous but they got pummeled a bit by the rain just the day before.

Today's Rant: Late Left-Turners!

   I swear, every time I am out and about there they are: late left-turners. You know the ones, they pull out just far enough past the left turn lane so that when their light turns red the oncoming traffic has to let them go ahead and turn or else hit them. What makes those Yayhoos think where they are going is SO much more important than everyone else?! If I didn't love my little car so much (and can't afford to have my insurance jacked up or buy a new one), I would plow into one of those suckers and teach them a lesson!

   Yeah, late left-turners, this sign is for you!!

Today's Rave: Help for the Sags that are a Drag

   If you are like me and battling gravity's effects on your skin, here are a couple of things I've found that actually help (and I can actually afford): Jergens Skin Firming Toning Moisturizer and Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream.

   I have been using the Jergens moisturizer for nearly a year now and it truly works to reduce the creepy crepeys (when your skin looks like crepe paper)! It has a nice, light scent that doesn't overpower perfume and costs only $5.64 at Walmart. Just started using the Garnier cream recently, but I'm already noticing my frustration lines (unfortunately I tend toward grimacing in frustration way more than laughing -- plus those wrinkles are damn frustrating -- so I call them my frustration lines) are softening, and under my eyes appears smoother and less droopy. Been slathering it on morning and night, and I really like the light, silky texture. Found it at Walmart, too, for only $12.47. Haven't tried the other Ultra-Lift face creams yet, but I've got a coupon ready to use for my next shopping trip. Hope they work as well as the eye cream!

   Okay, Ladies (and guys that care about your skin), your turn. What is in your arsenal against the sags that are a drag? 

Stilettos

   Today's rant: Stilettos? More like regret-toes! How I would love to be like Carrie Bradshaw dashing around NYC in her fabulous Christian Louboutins, but alas I cannot. Not only do they kill my dang feet, but I look like Herman Munster clomping around when I try to wear high heels. And I'm not the only one. When I see a "fluffy" (aka VERY full-figured) gal wearing sky-high heels in order to make herself appear more svelte, I'm afraid it only makes her look like a very uncomfortable cow trying to balance on ice skates. Besides Carrie Bradshaw and celebs on the red carpet, I only know one woman in real life that pulls off stilettos without looking ridiculous, and she is built like a Barbie and walks around in them like they are house slippers. Even on ice.
   I don't know about you but I have seen some seriously ugly and permanently damaged feet from ladies torturing themselves in skyscraper shoes. I am TF (= thankful, remember this because I use it a lot) that many of the runway looks are sporting sneakers and flats lately so I don't feel totally out of fashion in my signature cap-toe sneakers. Cute, comfy, I'm not wrecking my feet, AND I don't fall off my shoes!
   What do you think, Gals? Time to start a "happy feet" movement? 

Carrie Bradshaw in Christian Louboutins

Sneakers, yes sneakers, hot on the runway!

My signature cap-toed sneakers -- Ahhh, happy feet!