Day With Bea

Tue, Bea had to spend the day with Rodika (who is leaving soon to live back in France); Wed, Bea was hungover; finally yesterday we actually got together. After a quick cappucino for her/tea for me, we headed off to Bistro Moderne for lunch. We couldn't find a spot that wasn't valet parking but Bea parked anyway .... then found that there was only valet parking! In we go to the restaurant but it wasn't open yet. We got the car back, headed to Old Navy--shocker, I actually bought a top there!!!--then back to the restaurant, this time valeting.

Love this restaurant. French food with a Texas twist, impeccable service and classy decor. We both agreed we'll definitely be back. Jer would love it too. Lunch was so good that we ran late for Brokeback Mountain. Instead, we went shopping. During our outing I noticed two things about Bea's driving: 1. She drives like Charlie (grandma style); 2. She only likes to make right turns, no matter where she has to go!! We had some good chuckles over that all day.

Found some great prints at Z Gallery for the walls outside the bathroom. Nice sepia photos framed in black with large white mattes. Called Jer about it and got the thumbs up so I bought them. Stopped in at Bea and Michael's place then headed over to Aubrey's shop. He wasn't there so we went to his warehouse and watched as he created a fabulous arrangement of exquisite flowers for Coco. She had her "fixing" surgery so I wanted to bring her flowers.

It was shortly after 5 when we got back to my place so we headed over to Nancy's place. She loved the flowers and Coco loved the paper from the box that the vas was sitting in. You'd never know she'd just had surgery at all. We all sat on the porch having some wine and Michael came by presently, followed by Stephen shortly thereafter. We had a really fun time, as everyone always does at Nancy's. The Goettis left first and somehow Nancy produced another bottle of wine ... which was gone before long. Stephen dropped me off at home when we all decided that things could get crazy if we continued. See you guys on Sunday evening when I get in from Paris!!!

In Paris With Stephen and Nancy

Stephen and Nancy decided to make their annual pilgrimage to Paris with me this past weekend. The flight to and from were open and so they packed their rollerboards and boarded the 777. I was working in coach (ugh!!!) but they were sitting in 8D and 8E in both directions. Marian B was their flight attendant so I knew that they'd have a good flight over.

We all met in the lobby of the Hotel Mercure and headed out to the local shops upon arrival. First stop, Laurent's pharmacie. Stephen was hooked, as everyone is. Next, rue Lourmel with the cheese shop, deli, grocery store, fruit store and wine store. Got rained on heavily upon exiting the grocery store so we stopped in Aux Celtiques for some vin chaud and waited for the sun to come out again. It certainly did and so Stephen and Nancy headed off for St.-Germain des Pres for some quality Parisian shopping and ogling; meantime, I withdrew to my hotel room for a hot bubble bath and a good nap.

The three of us met up in my room for some wine and nibbles in the evening. Called the lovely Bea, who joined us, then headed off out for dinner. Had wanted to go to La Giberne for some traditional French cuisine but they denied us entry--it was, after all, almost 10 pm and we didn't have a reservation (a huge no-no in Paris on a Saturday night). Down to avenue de la Motte Piquet instead to Le Pere Claude where I knew we would be able to get in.

Dinner was superb, as it always is at Le Pere Claude. They are always friendly, cute waiters, consistantly good food and real wine glasses. All too often they use those cheap, chunky, small wine glasses in French restaurants. Hate that. Nancy had the poulet roti and the rest of us had the bouillabaisse. Yummo, as Rachel Ray would say. I forgot my wallet so thankfully Stephen covered for me--I'll get that to you tomorrow, Stephen--many thx!!!

A brisk walk balk to the Mercure and soon we were back in my room. Bea called it a night and opted not to join us at that point (still getting over her bronchitis) but the rest of us cranked the iPod speakers and listened to Snow Patrol, drank wine, made turbans out of our scarves and generally had good fun until about 1.30 am. They left, I showered and then awoke to the predictable "delayed" call. Stephen and Nancy went ahead in a cab and I remet with them at CDG. Got in to IAH at 7 pm .... too bad. Great time had by all though.

Grammy Night

The 48th annual Grammy Awards were held in LA on Wednesday evening and since the Grammies are my favorite of all the award shows, I decided to have a little party. This was a special year for me as Chris Botti was up for 2 awards, Billy Childs for 4 awards and Billy Kilson for 1 award. I sent out evites to 12 people, all of whom I knew would enjoy watching the awards. My goal was to gather a group of about than 8 people to come over and have fun with whilst eating, drinking and enjoying the show on our plasma tv. In all, we had 13 people throughout the evening.

I absolutely love cooking and all the planning and prep that goes along with it so this was so much fun for me. I made several appetizers, dinner, a cheese board and then chocolates for dessert. While Jer and I were putting the final touches together for the party Chris phoned to give us the great news that he had won a Grammy in the pre-show for What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life. This was fantastic news!! He was totally surprised and I was bummed that he wasn't there to receive it in person. Had he been, then Jer would have been too ... and thus so would I. Oh well, such is life! Shortly Jer heard from Billy Childs who was at the show--he won 2 Grammies and Billy K won 1 too. Amazing night for the Botti band! YEAH!!!!!!! All of them were in the early pre-show awards so we wouldn't be seeing them during the telecast.

Served Pomosas (Champagne with pomegranate juice) as everyone arrived and picked a nice Barbera for the rest of the evening--also a South African Chardonnay for those who wanted it and St. Arnold's Amber ale for Michael. The first to arrive was Paul Dunham who brought a fabulous bottle of Absinthe. I'm talking the real stuff--made with wormwood. I had only read about it to this point and have always wanted to taste it, but not quite yet .... wanted to hold back on the drinking until later. Paul also brought Kristin along, whom I hadn't seen in ages. She always looks so good and is such fun yet we never seem to hang out together. We made a point of agreeing to get together at the end of thevening.

Next to get here were Stephen, Nancy and Dale in Stephen's Jeep. The Pomosas were flowing as we all started to watch the green carpet arrivals. Some way cool looks on the green carpet, highlights for me being Teri Hatcher's dress, Ludacris' suit and Matt Dillon. It doesn't matter what Matt's wearing--to me he always looks hot. He may become my new Ashton Kutcher, whom I think is the hottest (or most blah!) man on the planet. About half an hour before the ceremony started Bea and Michael arrived so all 9 of were here.

We all started out laughing and chatting, generally catching up. The appetizers: mini bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato and dill; crab dip; artichoke pesto; caviar devilled eggs; shrimp with cocktail sauce; coconut chicken and pineapple skewers; crudites; smoked salmon puffs. The show got under way with a phenomenal performance of Hung Up with Madonna and Gorillaz. She looked so good and her moves were spectacular. The gay guys really enjoyed that one!! Great start to the show. The first award given was for female pop vocalist, which Mariah Carey was the hands down predicted winner .... but not to be as the award went to Kelly Clarkson. Everyone was surprised, especially her. She was so cute, crying out of happiness and excitement as she accepted the award. Next up, the performance that I had been looking forward to: Coldplay. They rocked out on Talk, Chris Martin dashing through the entire lower level of the stadium, much to the amusement of the audience.

The mood was definitely up at our house as the show continued. After a while Michael decided that it was time to crack open the Absinthe. He knew exactly how it should be served and proceeded to pour it through a strainer with a sugar cube, add a little water then sip. It is the most beautiful blue color and turns slightly milky when you add the water. We all watched and waited after he and Paul sampled it. Supposedly it makes you hallucinate ... but they didn't. Eventually I tried some ..... delicious. Felt nice and warm as it went down, with a distinct anise flavor. Nothing wierd though, nor for anyone else--and some of them had several.

Half way through the show I put the main course out. I made slow roasted pork loin with basil, my spinach bake, sauteed garlic mushrooms with red wine and roasted fingerling potatoes with rosemary. We had made it through several bottles of Barbera by this point and it was hard to watch the show with all the different conversations and laughter. Everyone was having a blast. Managed to catch the awesome performance of One by U2 and Mary J. Blige. Was so happy because U2 were sweeping the awards. They won 5 Grammies altogether. Outstanding!

None of us made it to dessert, but we all enjoyed the cheese board and several more glasses of wine. Nancy had to hide the Absinthe as some people were starting to get a little too happy from it (thanks Nancy)! Didn't want things to get scary. Jay and his new (?) friend Forest made a surprise appearance towards the end of the evening. He had to work that evening and so had sent regrets so it was good to see him briefly. They left after a Crown Royal then Kate called Bea to see if she could come over.

Everyone except Bea and Michael left soon after the awards ended, it was a week night after all. Kate showed up looking great, as always. Michael had an interview the next day so Bea took him home and came back. Jer was a great sport and endured the continued chatting and laughter (and drinking) of the three of us girls. We solved the world's problems, rewrote the Kama Sutra and generally giggled into the wee hours. I finally had to call it a night.