We decided our 10th anniversary (January 2) was a perfect reason to spend our first night away as a couple since Eilee was born. Since we had heard about a "Carpe Diem" special offered by the chain of inns that owns the Blue Lantern Inn (where we spent our honeymoon night), we tried out a new inn by booking it the day of our anniversary for that night. We picked The Channel Road Inn in Santa Monica, a large craftsman home converted to a B and B. After settling in, we continued our tradition of eating at PF Changs on our anniversary and loved the Prix Fixe Menu that they are offering right now (appetizers, soup, entrees, and desserts for 2 for $39). Since our inn was in walking distance to the beach, we enjoyed a morning run together along the boardwalk and finished up with more than our fair share of the yummy breakfast back at the inn. Then, we were off to explore Venice and all the interesting shops along their main street (which I am forgetting the name of right now). My sweet husband was a trooper as we perused many a store in search of a 10th anniversary memento (something aluminum or tin for a tradtional 10th gift). When we thought we had looked in every store possible, we found a greenish glass candleholder/vase/glass decorated with "aluminum-ish" looking metal. At that point we were satisfied, and went off to enjoy the most amazing tea ever at Jin Patisserie. If you ever are in the area, that is the place to go for the most amazing pastries, teas, and chocolates in a contemporary setting. Kristoffer is not usually one to frequent these places, but he couldn't stop talking about the Roobus (sp?) teas we both had...delicious. It was a perfectly cozy meal to eat on a brisk day. We both agreed that having a night away was the most amazing treat at this stage in our lives...it made us feel like newlyweds (but better) again. :)
