Mindy said, when she was here recently,
"I'm glad you and Dad plan
these little anniversary get-aways to Las Vegas
each year since you moved to St. George.
I remember you never had time
to celebrate your anniversary
when we lived in Ogden."
She's right.
I sang with "Soft Rain" for 27 years,
and we invariably had a booking
on December 14, our anniversary,
every year.
We would always say,
"Well, we'll celebrate it later,
after all of the Christmas Rush."
But, by then, we were always too tired.
So, Roger now gets on the internet a couple months out
and finds the best screaming' hot deal in a great hotel,
and off we go to Vegas to celebrate!
The night before we left,
we attended the NAI Christmas Party at Sakura.
Sakura is a favorite lunch spot for their Bento boxes,
but we had never had the Hibachi food.
It is as much entertainment as good food,
and we had fun with Roger's co-workers.
We left for Las Vegas
right after Brickey's afternoon class on Christ's birth,
which was profound and inspiring,
and we were again reminded of the real whys
for Christmas celebration.
We stayed at the Aria,
and this giant lighted reindeer is in their lobby.
The real reason we go to Las Vegas is for the food!
We had $100 resort credit, so we chose to eat at Julian Serrano's,
a Spanish tapas restaurant, that night.
What I like about tapas is
you can have lots of different yummy tastes,
because the portions are small.
We shared six things,
starting with lobster gazpacho . . .
(we devoured this delicious soup so quickly,
Roger just got a shot of it in the nick of time!)
. . . an outstanding salad . . .
. . . seafood ceviche . . .
. . . crunchy potato cubes with fresh tomato sauce and aioli . . .
. . . Serrano ham in a yummy sauce with toast points,
and an almond torte with honey almond ice cream.
(we didn't get a shot of dessert.)
We ran up to our room to freshen up before we headed out to see the beautiful decorations in the various hotels,
and a knock came at our door.
This amazing plate of Jean Philippe morsels was delivered to us,
because we had told them that it was our anniversary.
Our lovely room
We next went walking, oo-ing and aw-ing
at the Vegas decor.
This is Liberace's old car covered in rhinestones,
displayed in the Cosmopolitan.
Here is a Christmas tree in Crystals . . .
. . . and some more sparkling trees.
This is one of three window displays FILLED
with old-fashioned sewing machines.
We counted over 500 of them.
Where else but in Las Vegas would you see such a thing?
We always check out The Bellagio.
This Grinch is in the Jean Philippe Chocolate Shop there.
The terrarium is always so beautiful,
decorated with live flowers.
I think Roger takes a pic of this every year -
Dale Chihuly's blown-glass ceiling in the lobby of The Bellagio.
Giant horse
Next day, we had brunch at Mon Ami Gabi in The Paris.
We shared their specials -
apricot-glazed and Marcona almond crepes
and eggs Benedict with duck.
Both were delicious!
We shopped all day at the outlets and Fashion Show Mall,
then had dinner in El Segundo.
We go there for their amazing guacamole.
If you haven't ever tried Jean Philippe desserts,
it is a must do in Las Vegas!
They are even more delicious than they are gorgeous!
After much deliberation, we chose the Trio to share.
A raspberry cream macaron,
a caramel peanut pop
(tastes like a Snickers bar)
and a container of vanilla creme brûlée
sit on a thick bed of milk chocolate.
Divine!
Okay, so we spent about an hour over dessert -
first, photographing it,
then eating it!
It is so luxurious to not be in a hurry,
laugh and talk,
and do a little people-watching.
Next morning, we checked out,
drove out to Primm to shop,
then stopped at Trader Joe's
before heading home.
When we arrived home,
we hurried and changed, then went to the
Washington County Board of Realtors Christmas party
at the Hilton Garden Inn.
It was a fun respite,
during this busy holiday time,
to get away together.
I guess it is too much to hope for
to have another 46 years together here.
These Vegas get-aways are definite incentive for it!
