"L" is for LOVE.
Twenty-three years. Twenty-three years! We've been married for 23 years today.
As Matthew would say, "Oh. My. Cow!"
So, for our big celebration we decided to go to dinner somewhere where we NEVER go but always WANT to go. Come on, why not? We'll only celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary once so we pulled out all the stops and went to dinner at La Caille!
Let me explain La Caille. Nestled in the foothills of Salt Lake City, La Caille, I SWEAR, used to be somewhere in France and somehow they carved it out of the french countryside (probably the Loire Valley), flew it across the ocean, and plunked it right down in the foothills of Utah. It's an adorable french chateau surrounded by vineyards and peacocks. (Click here.) The food is known for being delicious and expensive. Verrry expensive. (Case in point: one of the menu items said "Financing Available." Get the picture?) Thus, we never go. But this was a big night dedicated to romance!
Yes, "L" is for LOVE.
So, I looked forward to it for 2 weeks. The night finally arrived (last night) and I got all gussied up and carefully loaded my camera into my big ol' purse. The night was gorgeous; it was snowing the biggest most beautiful flakes of snow. When we drove into La Caille it was like a winter-wonderland. Beautiful beyond description! I couldn't wait to get my camera out and get some most magnificent photos of our one evening at beautiful, snowy La Caille.
We were promptly seated in a cozy little corner right next to a fireplace which was roaring with a crackling fire. We were surrounded by windows that looked out over the vineyard, full of grazing geese and glistening snow. I was thrilled. I was going to get some really great photographs of our special evening. The scenery and ambiance simply couldn't be any better.
We got settled into our seats and I reached into my bag and took out my camera. Boy, was I ever glad I had decided to pack my big Canon 5D Mark II instead of my point and shoot. This was truly an occasion for my ultimate camera.
Soon, a server brought us a warm just-out-of-the-oven baguette and a plate of the most adorable butter! Yes, apparently butter can be adorable! It was shaped like two roses and was adorned with a real rose leaf! Yes indeed, the time had come to start with the photos. John picked up the plate of "butter art," I aimed my camera at him holding the plate, and "click," I got my first shot. Of course I wanted to take an immediate look at my first picture of the night so I hit the back button to view it in the LCD screen.
But much to my horror instead of the photo, I saw this: "No CF Card"
"L" is for LOSER.
Loser in the biggest way.
I suddenly remembered that my CF card was sitting at home next to my computer exactly where I had left it so that I could transfer the pics from it to my Mac that I had taken at our Relief Society/YW birthday dinner/fashion show three nights earlier!!!!
So, there we were. Left with only the cameras on our cel phones. In some cases, for people who have NICE and NEW cel phones, this wouldn't be too big of a problem. But, you see, John and I both own cel phones from the Jurassic Period. I'm talking .0001 mega pixels. Our kids make fun of our phones. Srsly.
So here they are. Our cel phone pictures from our glorious and once-in-a-lifetime evening at La Caille.
The "Rose Butter" (partly eaten).
John eating a delicious cracker with a well-endowed waitress behind him. I do believe that the pre-requisite to working at La Caille is you have to wear at least a "quadruple D" bra and have a 10-inch cleavage. I would never stand a chance if I applied for a job there - they'd laugh me right out of the place.
The fire. Boy, what beautiful details this camera catches! Makes you feel like you are right there, next to it.
My $60+ plate of scallops with carrot stick, asparagus stick, and lemon. Oh, and some rice too.
And here is the photo that John took of ME standing out in front of the chateau showing off the beautiful scenery:
You don't see it? Well, that's because it doesn't exist. That is what happens when John forgets to hit the "save to phone" button after he takes a picture.
End of my story.
John was so GREAT at navigating us through the subways. We would have been lost without him!
Julie on 'the staircase' showing off her newly purchased goods. 
We stayed at the Marriott Marquis Hotel right in Times Square. We had an amazing view from our room. Here is what we saw by night... 
John is such a trooper! Willing to stand outside in the cold wind for 2 1/2 hours for his wife. I asked him, "Do you think I am a nerd because going to the Today Show is a major highlight of my New York trip?". He graciously told me that I'm not too much of a nerd and that he actually had fun himself!
Natalie and Hota Kotb filming right in front of us. 
The REAL Starry Night! 
At the Fifth Avenue subway station. 