Legacy Parkway Trail

For my birthday, my hubby bought me a new bike.  Even from Germany, he managed to buy and have a bike delivered from a local store.  Rather than getting my normal bouquet of flowers, I opened the door to find a bike and a man from Guthrie standing on my front porch.  I decided to take the bike on a real "break'er in" ride yesterday.  It was a beautiful afternoon, and I headed to the Center Street trail head on the Legacy Parkway in North Salt Lake.  I went about 8 1/2 miles north (unfortunately short of the 12 miles, but I had dinner plans) before I realized I had goofed off too much and needed to head back to the starting point.  It was a wonderful, cool, day, and today I have some mild stiffness and a few aches and pains, but over all I did pretty good having not been on a long bike ride in years.

An Amazing Dining Experience

On my birthday I went out to a new restaurant.  A new culinary experience that recently located itself to my little hamlet called Forage.  95% of the reviews I read were between 4 and 5 stars, so I figured I couldn't miss with this birthday choice. Plus I always attempt to make an effort to try something new on my birthday.
The restaurant is a small, renovated early 1900 house within walking distance of my own home.   Stepping foot inside the dining area, my first though was, "so this is what my house would look like if I vaulted the ceiling..," followed with a quick "no..no.., no more remodeling."  We were seated near the front window of the small restaurant (which can't hold more than maybe 30-35 people), and were quickly asked if we cared for tap or bottled water by the waitress.  The wait staff is kind and courteous, which I don't often come across in many of the more "affluent" restaurants.  I am always surprised when a waiter takes an attitude at $30 + a plate.  Like a tip is somehow expected just because the food is expensive.  Our waitress carefully explained how Forage dining works.  The chef's prepare a daily menu, you can choose the $90 (per person) 13 course event, which takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours to complete, or the 3 course event (which still took us 2 1/2 hours) at $45 a person.  There is also an optional wine pairing at $30 each person.  Although I read about the phenomenal 13 course ensemble, we chose a bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc with the 3 course.
My first meal was goat cheese wrapped in a buckwheat crepe with fresh herbs (which they grow themselves in a small green house behind the building).  After consuming and indulging in the many flavors, the chef brought out the first of 6 "tastes" that are eaten in between the 3 major selections.  These were are wonderful little treats that kept the evening moving, and made for more conversation topics.  My second meal was a charcoal cooked yellow tail fish with a side of risotto which had so many unbelievable fresh flavors it was like a culinary orgasm ( yes I said orgasm!).  What makes this restaurant so unique is that the chefs have been able to make food out of things I would have never thought of as food before.  For example, within the risotto were fern fiddleheads which are the young fern leaves prior to them uncurling and leafing out.     

They were delectable, offering a bit of the flavor of asparagus, but with more texture and crunch.  I absolutely loved it!  We opted for the cheese plate which is an additional $7.  This was brought out before the third meal.  My third meal was a white chocolate mouse with fresh blueberries and hazelnuts.  Again, an amazing mixture of flavors and textures.  The end of the meal came with the check, a small macaroon and a lavender infused marsh mellow.  I can't even begin to tell you how amazing those surprise treats were.


Forage is definitely a new favorite of mine.  Every taste was a delightful and delectable experience.  The staff was precise in all of their movements and gestures.  The evening was an experience of culinary genius and creativity.  I am so thrilled to have this new addition to Salt Lake dining and even more so that it is a part of my neighborhood.  Forage is an experience that should not be missed for those that enjoy slow eating, lengthy conversation, and relish in trying new culinary experiences.

Top picture is of the dining area and the bottom picture is of one of their main dishes of pork.

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

Today I had to say goodbye to a friend of 16 years.  My cat, Vosh, was wasting away and I could no longer sit by and watch her suffer.  I had hoped for the last few months that she would go on her own terms, but when I watched her unable to actually lift her body off the ground and walk more than a few feet, it was time to let her go.  Out of selfishness I was holding on, hoping not to have to make the very hard decision that all pet owners have to make at some point in their lives, but my selfishness was causing her pain, and I couldn't live with myself if I took it one day longer.

My mom actually took this picture.  It has been on my fridge ever since.  It cracks me up because the way she was looking at my mom, gives you a real good idea of Vosh.  She was always a little bit pissed that she couldn't have things her way most days.  She really did think she ruled this house, and was always fighting for 1st place (and yes, she even wished I was out of the way sometimes, so she could have Larry all to herself) :).
But when she wanted to be sweet and friendly, she was both those in spades.  A loyal friend until the end.  We miss and love you Vosh.  Now go tell'em whose boss up there!

Out with the old

I suppose I have nothing but to blame Spring for this one.  As I said in my last post, for me Spring is about being reborn, a shedding of skin, etc..., and for the last week or so I have been going beyond enjoying the birth of it all and even the "spring cleaning," but actually clearing out a deeper part of me.  I am cleaning out the past.  The past is full of old people, old expectations, old friendships, and old dreams that have passed their prime and have no where to go into my future.  I have come to a place of peace with that idea.  Leaving things where they had their moment and moving on to the unknown.  Strange thing is that as I look at what I have held onto, most of it was never really real, never really apart of me, but for some reason I held onto it as if it was.  I think it was just a comfort of knowing that somewhere and at some point in my life there was a spot for me to belong, but when I look at that spot, it doesn't fit the person that I am today.  And if I look at it with a more critical eye, I see that the spot never really fit at all.

So as I clean out the closets, get the bags of clothes together to give to Goodwill, clean out the garage and rip out carpet to be replaced with wood flooring, I find I am also clearing out my life of the old and unusable, of people that no longer fit me and accept the person I have become.  And as I begin to plant my Spring flowers and vegetables, I relish in the unknown blooms and seeds for the future.