The Unforgettable Kiss, San Diego

While my sister and I were in San Diego we came across this statue, which I am sure you will recognize from the famous World War II photo. As you can see from the ship behind it this statue is very tall. We were actually trying to find a dock to take a bay cruise when we saw it. We couldn't resist stopping for photos.


SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- “Unconditional Surrender,” a 25-foot, 6,000 pound statue by world-renowned artist J. Seward Johnson commemorating a famous World War II photo was unveiled Feb. 10 at Mole Park in San Diego. Unconditional Surrender is a three-dimensional interpretation of a photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a Sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V-J Day.Edith Shain, the nurse memorialized in Eisenstaedt’s photo, and members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Inc., attended the ceremony along with hundreds of San Diego residents.“This statue brings back so many memories of peace, love and happiness,” said Shain. “There is so much romance in the statue; it gives such a feeling of hope to all who look at it.”“During the moment of the kiss I don’t remember much, it happened so fast and it happened at the perfect time. I didn’t even look at the Sailor who was kissing me,” Shain continued. “I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment like any woman would have done.”

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27774

Solvang, California

My sister and I recently took a trip to San Diego, on the way down we stopped at the quaint Danish community of Solvang. It is a picturesque town, located in the Santa Ynez Valley. If you have a chance to stop by you must try the Aebleskivers, which are a round like pancake served with a Strawberry Syrup and Whip Cream. You can also stuff them with fresh strawberries which I think make them extra delicious!

It is not unusual to see the shopkeeper dress up in Danish costumes. Very Cute!

There are carriage rides around town, well worth the ride as they review the history of the town.

Yummmmmmm!!

ad hoc Restaurant, Yountville Ca

On our last day in Napa Valley we were lucky to be able to have dinner at "ad hoc", a Thomas Keller restaurant in Yountville. It was so delicious, I can't wait to go again some time. Its a family style restaurant with dinner service and a set menu served twice an evening at 5:00 and 7:45. If you are in town I recommend that you make reservations.

Trevor our waiter,

Our first dish was a Spring Vegetarian Salad. Garbanzo beans, Asparagus with a beet Vineigarette.

Main Course was Grilled Beef Skillet Steak with Fava Beans. Along with a Potatoe and Mushroom Casserole. The steak was very tender and very delicious. I never had Fava beans before but found that I love them.

Third course was Cheese on Brioche with Moscare Grapes.

Dessert was Lemon Pound Cake with Strawberry Sorbet.

In the back of the restaurant they have a small herb garden.

My favorite Shop in St Helena

One of the towns that we passed through is Calistoga. They are well known for their natural mineral water springs. The corporate headquarters for Calistoga Bottle Waters has a whimsical fountain/statue in front of their building. Normally water spray's out of the radiator, it's very cute!

Woodhouse Chocolates

In Napa Valley there are many small quiant towns with beautiful shops and outstanding resturants. In St Helena we stopped by Woodhouse, a Chocolate store recently featured in Victoria Magazine. The chocolates are beautifully had made with no preservatives.

Vacation to Napa Valley

My sisters and I just came back from a girls weekend to Napa Valley. On our way our first stop was to have lunch at Gotts Roadside, Hamburger Resturant. They have fantastic gourmet hamburgers. You can eat your burger on the pic nic tables behind the resturant. We were so lucky we just finished a week of rain and our vacation had nothing but beautiful sun filled days.

My sister Dawn....Brain Freeze from the Chocolate Shake....He He He!

I guess we got to the resturant just in time, when we left there was huge line..... well the burgers are worth the wait!

After the delicious hamburgers we stopped at Dean & DeLuca to pick up some treats for the evening at my sisters vacation home. This is an amazing specialty store. It has a bakery and deli inside as well.