I’m back!
I disconnected a little bit this weekend but I missed you! Actually, I just worked all day at a big winery event all day yesterday and then went out for a nice dinner with the boy. We went to a restaurant in Healdsburg that I had never been to (or even heard about!) before called A Divine Affair.
I almost stole borrowed this puppy on the walk over
He wanted to big Dexter’s little brother. I just know it.
After being pulled away from the fence, we found the restaurant.
Loved the atmosphere here….it was a long narrow restaurant with brick walls and the most amazing patio.
Tulips are my favorite flower!
I think one of the big reasons I loved this place so much was because the chef/owner was a cute blond girl and her mom ran front of the house. Rock on blond women chefs! Also, there were gnomes everywhere. I love gnomes.
They had a really great and interesting wine list but we brought our own bottle instead—
Check out the artistic canopy!
We started with an appetizer called “dueling goat cheese”. No explanation needed.
Two goat cheeses fighting for the win. There was a soft chevre topped with local honey and a harder (stinkier!) one topped with cranberry relish. We both agreed that stinky won. Such a battle!
Since I have an obsession with all things beets, I naturally had to order the beet salad. It was different than normal beet salads because instead of using goat cheese, the chef topped the salad with ricotta salata, which is a cheese normally grated over pasta. It was delicious!
And finally, seafood risotto for me, stuffed pork chop for him.
The pork chop was stuffed with dungeness crab….an unlikely combo that actually worked really well.
Considering all the food we ate, we were much too stuffed for dessert but the olive oil carrot cake was pretty darn temping. I’m a big fan of olive oil cakes in general. Actually, I’m just a big fan of olive oil. Period. I like to put it in my cakes AND in my hair!
We went to church this morning and now are heading out on Lake Sonoma for the day. Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart for your emails, comments and tweets this weekend. I read everything (even if I may not have responded) and your notes have touched my heart. Thank you for thinking of us—it means a lot.
Happy Sunday!
Don’t forget to go and smell the roses.
jen trinque
April 25, 2010 at 11:37 amSo glad to hear you had a nice day yesterday – I was worrying that you were…not. I love the pic of you in the rose, fabulous. Have a great time doing what you’re doing today!
Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble
April 25, 2010 at 11:40 amDueling goat cheese = amazingness! I love love love goat cheese!!
Angela (ohsheglows)
April 25, 2010 at 11:41 amGorgeous tulips!
I’m glad you enjoyed yourself yesterday. I love how you are staying positive during a hard time…it is not easy to do. Rock on girlie.
Nicole
April 25, 2010 at 11:44 amThe pictures you take look so professional. I have a the same camera as you do ( I think ) and my pictures just don’t turn out as good. I guess it takes practice!
Your last picture made me smile! 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
April 25, 2010 at 11:45 amI love the exposed brick in that restaurant–gorgeous! It’s nice to disconnect from it all for a while. That’s what I’m going to do right… NOW.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
April 25, 2010 at 11:46 amSounds like an amazing meal and a much needed relaxing weekend. Enjoy the rest of it!
ps– that dog looks like my little guy, Baxter! Little dogs are so cute 🙂
Run Sarah
April 25, 2010 at 11:50 amWhat an adorable restaurant! Love the gnomes, too 🙂
Samantha (Foodedu)
April 25, 2010 at 11:50 amSounds like you had a very eventful, but relaxing weekend! The food looks amazing!
Jil
April 25, 2010 at 11:50 amHaha that flower is huuuuuge. The food looks absolutely amazing. Glad you has such a great weekend with the boy.
Diana
April 25, 2010 at 11:51 amAw, cute puppyyy 🙂
Glad you’re having a good weekend Jenna.
Brittany
April 25, 2010 at 11:58 amThat last picture is SO cute! Love it
Snowflakes and Sunshine
April 25, 2010 at 12:09 pmJenna, when oh when are we going to get a picture of the boy?!
Angharad
April 25, 2010 at 12:14 pmBest way to spend a Saturday night, hands down is at a new restaurant. Even better if you’ve never even heard of it – that’s my favourite! Awesomeness. And goat cheese + honey = massive win.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
April 25, 2010 at 12:16 pmLove that last picture!
Camille
April 25, 2010 at 12:19 pmI want to steal that dueling goat cheese!
I hope you saved me some 🙂
eatmovelove
April 25, 2010 at 12:19 pmHa – shows how much I know…I had no idea you could bring your own wine to restaurants…;)…don’t how you could forgo dessert – sounds good – unfortunately my head talks despite my gut.
Happy Sniffing 🙂
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
April 25, 2010 at 12:20 pmhahaha Dexter needs a baby puppy!! That risotto looks delicious, and I agree…life is too short we should stop and smell the roses every chance we get!
Annie@stronghealthyfit
April 25, 2010 at 12:25 pmGreat photos, Jenna! The decor in that restaurant is awesome. I love tulips too! I had tulips and lilacs for my wedding 🙂
When do you reveal the bf? 😉 Sorry.
theemptynutjar
April 25, 2010 at 12:38 pmOh, there is always room for dessert…always.
have a nice day Jenna.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
April 25, 2010 at 12:39 pmA boy who can enjoy good food, good fun and church. He sounds like a great pick. So glad you are happy Jenna!
Kait
April 25, 2010 at 12:39 pmlooks like an amazing meal and a gorgeous day! Enjoy your Sunday!
M(a different M than the other M!!)
April 25, 2010 at 12:46 pmPlease send our well wishes to your parents as well this weekend.
Being close to nature for me makes me feel close to my departed loved one-I feel his spirit and essence from the breeze and the water.Reflecting on the beautiful person that will always be a part of my heart.
Wishing the same for you.May you feel your brother’s spirit closer than ever to yours.
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
April 25, 2010 at 12:53 pmThat looks like a fun restaurant. I actually like that little gnome. I like the candle, flowers, and food, it all looked wonderful. I’m so glad your doing better.
tieghan
April 25, 2010 at 12:55 pmJenna! I love the picture of you and the rose so cute!
Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries
April 25, 2010 at 12:56 pmOoh olive oil carrot cake? I will have to try making that!
MMiller
April 25, 2010 at 12:58 pmGlad you took a day to just be….and wow that you are still finding new restaurants! It really did look amazing! Was the wine bottle a clue to the boy? And I loved the picture with the rose too! Just awesome! Hope you have a nice relaxing day on the lake! Enjoy!
Ann @ Appalachian Appetites
April 25, 2010 at 1:01 pmYou needed the weekend off! Glad it was a good one 🙂
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
April 25, 2010 at 1:10 pmWhat elegant pictures. Sounds like a fun weekend in NorCal 🙂 Enjoy the lake!
Jaime
April 25, 2010 at 1:15 pmWOW! What a great restaurant!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
April 25, 2010 at 1:21 pmI think it’s good you switched off for the weekend – you probably really needed it!
YumMEH at that food – goat’s cheese + honet = MAJOR WIN!
Alison
April 25, 2010 at 1:25 pmI’m so happy you had a wonderful day! You deserve nothing but happiness! I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now and I think you are so brave. Everything that you have gone through with family to moving far away, you are truly an inspiration.
Jennie {in Wonderland}
April 25, 2010 at 1:28 pmDo you have to pay an uncorking fee when you take your own wine to restaurants?
That goat cheese looks divine. Your pictures are really professional and beautiful!!
I’m so happy to read that you had a lovely dinner with the boy. I think you need all the light you can get at the moment. Hugs for you, J xo
Heather (Heather's Dish)
April 25, 2010 at 1:36 pmthat seafood risotto sounds like perfection right now…and I LOVE that restaurant’s decor! hope you guys have a fabulous time at the lake today 🙂
Suzanne de Cornelia
April 25, 2010 at 1:38 pmFab restaurant. My neighbor had a Jack Russell terrier–too adorable!! Love flowers, tulips, too. My son is in Amsterdam for Spring—just gorgeous.
Your hair looks fantastic!! And that’s one huge rose.
Thanks for the reminder…was just sitting here wondering should I stay and work, or go out for a long walk and soft frozen yogurt. I’ll take your advice and go.
So glad you had a terrific day–am stealing your pix with credit/link for FB page!
Divine Affair! [sigh] Oh…you meant the restaurant. 😉
Jaclyn
April 25, 2010 at 1:50 pmHey Jenna. Looks like a great dinner date you had! Cool place!
I’ve been a reader for over a year now and have definitely been thinking of you and your family over this last week, especially yesterday. I actually re-read your post from a year ago, yesterday, the other day and it touched me all over again. Know that you have hundreds of *friends* supporting you and we are all thinking about you and your family right now. Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend–smelling roses included!!
Sana
April 25, 2010 at 1:55 pm<3 <3 you! You are so strong!!!!
Christie {Honoring Health}
April 25, 2010 at 1:57 pmSo glad you had such an amazing day yesterday, you deserve it!
That dinner looks like a major winner!
Sarah R
April 25, 2010 at 2:09 pmFantastic photo of you and the rose! Glad you had such a good weekend. Hope the lake treats you well!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
April 25, 2010 at 2:11 pmThat dinner looks superb, from the amazing dueling goat cheese right down to the creepy little gnomes. Haha.
Glad you had a nice weekend with the boy! You deserve it!
Claire
April 25, 2010 at 2:26 pmTulips are my favorite, too! It makes me sad that they don’t last very long. Love all the wooden frames at that restaurant…SO cute! Glad you had a good day.
Katy ( The Balanced Foodie)
April 25, 2010 at 2:28 pmAw yay! So happy you had a good day even if it was harder. Cute boys make everything even a little better. 🙂 That meal looks glorious. Goat cheese is amazing! 🙂 Also..you should have taken the puppy. 😉
Kelly
April 25, 2010 at 2:45 pmTulips are my favorite too, love them!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
April 25, 2010 at 3:06 pmIt sounds like you had an amazing time girl! Good food, great boy, awesome ambiance… can you ask for more? I think not.
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
April 25, 2010 at 3:17 pmGoat cheese has recently become an obsession for me. I love it on english muffins with honey and jam, in salads.. it’s sooo gooood.
Lauren @ Running Examiner
April 25, 2010 at 3:17 pmLovely evening!
Keeping you in my heart.
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
April 25, 2010 at 3:26 pmSo glad you had a nice night with the boy!! 🙂 And I am glad you were able to have a nice weekend of reflection! 🙂
Emily
April 25, 2010 at 3:43 pmYou’re adorable and I’m glad you were able to “disconnect” this weekend 🙂
Teresa
April 25, 2010 at 3:44 pmPuppies are so cute. I have one and she is a little Maltese who looks like a little stuffed toy.
You dinner looked delicious ! The last picture of you smelling the roses is cute and by the way your HAIR looks fabulous Jenna !
Glad you had an enjoyable weekend sweetie! Love your posts as always !
Lauren @ A Fit Foodie
April 25, 2010 at 4:01 pmLooks like you had a fab weekend! You deserved and needed it for sure! And yes, let’s not forget to stop and smell the roses. Perfect reminder.
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
April 25, 2010 at 5:01 pmYour photos are amazing!! The flowers are so gorgeous!
I have missed your blog! School is finally over for the summer and I can get back to the blog world! 🙂
I can’t wait to read daily!
Katherine
April 25, 2010 at 5:07 pmThanks for missing me (I can only assume you meant me personally- just kidding!!!). That dog needs to be named wishbone
Lisa
April 25, 2010 at 5:22 pmGoat cheese is my fave!
KatieTX
April 25, 2010 at 5:47 pmJenna- Just curious if you have read/heard of Pathways to Joy? It is a spiritual/yoga book. It talks about how God is in everything and in us, and echoes back to the word yoga meaning union, aka union with the Spirit. It just really spoke to me and wanted to share it with you!
Andrea
April 25, 2010 at 5:48 pmHi jenna…yes thinking of you here, too. Glad the weekend was good…relax and enjoy, love it!
Carrie (Love Healthy Living)
April 25, 2010 at 6:00 pmThat rose ate your face! 🙂 Enjoy the rest of the weekend and keep living in the moment.
Joanie
April 25, 2010 at 6:02 pmHi Jenna-
I have been reading your blog for the last 6 months. This weekend was a very dreary, rainy weekend. That is my excuse for reading back about a year on your blog. The journey you have been on in the last year is amazing! You are an inspiration and a truly wonderful woman! I admire you for following your dreams and traveling across the country…wow!
I read your blog now with a much better understanding of who you are and what has brought you to this place in your healthy journey!
Enjoy a glass of wine for me!!
-Joanie
Eric
April 25, 2010 at 6:17 pmAw yay! So happy you had a good day even if it was harder. Cute boys make everything even a little better. 🙂 That meal looks glorious. Goat cheese is amazing! 🙂 Also..you should have taken the puppy. 😉
kellyO
April 25, 2010 at 6:19 pmLove tulips! Glad you and your family have made it through this weekend. Now you have “the first” of everything behind you. The first Christmas, birthday, etc. I know it still hurts. Do whatever it takes to continue moving forward!
kate
April 25, 2010 at 6:27 pmTulips are my fave too and that goat cheese looks amazing!
Em (The Lady Pastor)
April 25, 2010 at 6:47 pmI love your blog. I’m not sure if I’ve ever posted a comment before, but here I go – posting a comment! Thank you for your authenticity, thank you for updating regularly, thank you for being so darn real. Love it. Love it. Love it. Have a great week!
Jackie
April 25, 2010 at 7:03 pmI’m glad you had a nice weekend! Thinking of you and your family.
Nothing like spring tulips to brighten the mood!
Andrea (TastebudApproved)
April 25, 2010 at 8:46 pmwhat a cute restaurant
Simon
April 25, 2010 at 9:01 pmI’m glad you had a nice weekend! Thinking of you and your family.
Nothing like spring tulips to brighten the mood!
Amanda
April 25, 2010 at 9:26 pmI’m glad you got to disconnect, I had a feeling thats what happened. I love that last picture! Thats one hell of a rose!
Debbie B
April 25, 2010 at 9:37 pmI loved this post! Beautiful pictures too! 🙂
Kelly (Local Foodie's Fight)
April 26, 2010 at 5:34 amAwww cute pup! Cool that they let you bring your own wine!
And tulips are my favorite flower =)
John
June 23, 2010 at 6:45 pmI really enjoyed your blog! It made for “interesting” after-dinner reading as my consumed pasta worked it’s magic on my serotonin. The pictures are very appealing. You keep on living strong! =D
Eat banana’s…
blueberries
turkey
peanut butter
celery
water
pasta
vanilla bean ice cream (my cross I must bear lol)