New Year's Eve - Eve

Ken and I mulled over where we wanted to go for this year's anniversary celebration.  It started getting close to the time to make a decision and plan, and while we had many great ideas, the most feasible was the New Year's Eve Black Tie and Pearls party at the South Coast Winery.  We had been to this resort before, and we loved it, and the idea of a themed party was too much to resist.

We arrived in the afternoon, but we were still early for check-in.  Happily, our villa was ready, and we were able to check-in early.  We got settled into the villa, and then we walked around the grounds for a bit.  I wanted to see if I could find an ornament for our Christmas tree at the gift shop, but the only ones they had were very large and too fancy for our tree. the wine tasting shoppe was packed and very busy, so we went back to our villa area for the car.

After exploring South Coast, we went to Wiens Family Cellars for some wine tasting.  I have to say that Wiens is my favorite overall.  I love their reds, and I have never been disappointed in anything I have tried there.  While there are some I would not purchase for my cellar, I still enjoy them.  Ken and I enjoyed our tasting, we looked around for an ornament for our tree (didn't agree on one, but I really liked the owl), and then made our purchase.  Half a case of wine isn't too bad - especially when you're going to do more purchasing.  LOL

After the tasting, we went back towards the freeway for supper at Claim Jumper.  We had some time before we could get a table, so we went to the bar.  Ken ordered a beer, and I was completely ready for a margarita, but I decided that I would try something new since it was the Anniversary Adventure. So, it was an Absolute Lemon Drop martini for me.  The drink itself is actually sour, so the sugar on the rim of the glass is very necessary.  I really enjoyed the drink, and now will have to find out how to make them!!

Ken and I enjoyed our meal, and we had a great time talking and catching up on things.  My wrists and hands were still aching from our weekend of shooting which made things rather difficult for me at times, but I worked through it.  I asked Ken to take a picture together, and he surprised me by kissing my cheek for the picture.  

We went back to our villa, opened the complimentary bottle of wine and enjoyed drinking it in the jacuzzi tub.  After we were done enjoying the tub, we wrapped in the Resorts' robes and sat in front of the fire for some warmth in the really large, over-sized chairs.  If there is any way I can have a Master Suite in my home like these villas, I would never leave it!

Despite knowing that we would have a busy and long day the following day, we stayed up late talking and enjoying the child-free environment.