That song has been stuck in my head all week, so I decided to use it instead of just singing it badly and repetitively.
This town, Niles, is our own little funky town. Rob likes to call it "the town that time forgot", and it really is easy to feel like you're back in the 50's when you stroll or ride your bike around. Random and plentiful dogs (big 'uns!) barking in the distance, kids running around barefoot or riding bikes without helmets (gasp!), sticky with Popsicles they got from Mr. Mikey's Country Store, music drifting through the balmy air, either from the bandstand in the town plaza, or from some guy's car parked in the street getting detailed into summer sweetness. And trains; big and small, passenger and cargo, fast and slow, loud and stealthy...lots of trains. They call the area where we live "Niles Junction" for a reason. Good thing we like trains!
This year for our anniversary (one year...holla!), we decided to forgo the more extravagant plans we made, and try the local scene. We're still enamoured with our pool and hate the thought of leaving it on a nice weekend!
So here is our weekend in words and pictures.
Oh but first, a side note. I know what you might be thinking. "Why in the world would she think we want to see a bunch of lame pictures and hear about a weird town and what they did on their anniversary? It's not like a fabulous trip abroad with pictures of monuments or exotic beaches!". And I understand, I do. But I really like the idea of documenting even the smaller things. Let me rephrase that; "Especially the smaller things". Why? Because this is where our joy lies. And how lucky are we that we find such joy and adventure wherever we happen to be? Rob always says that life with me is an adventure. I used to think: "Well, yeah. Of course!" But then I started to really think about it. We go next to no where, and have close to nothing. We don't do a whole lot that I would think resembles anyone's definition of "adventure". Then I realized...adventure can be a state of mind. It can be how you see and experience even the most ordinary.
So with that, I invite you to share our most ordinary weekend! In words and pictures:
Friday night, we decided to go to Papillon for dinner (http://papillonrestaurant.com/index.html). Papillon is a French restaurant in Niles that has been around for 35 years. Back in the day, it was where my friends might go before prom, or for special anniversaries and other occasions. I was pleased that the decor was exactly the same as it was when I was in High School! I mean, exactly the same. The place is pricey. Some say too pricey for the outdated ambiance, but the food is delicious (and I really don't think it's that pricey at all when compared to some of the nicer Pleasanton restaurants we used to enjoy!).
The restaurant is (and has always been) owned by Tom Foreman, an interesting and friendly chap who punctuates the end of every sentence with a raise of his wine glass in a toast (sometimes he forgets that he isn't currently holding a wine glass, and then you just get an "air toast"). The place is definitely a family affair. His daughter in law is the head chef and at least one nephew and several other family members work there. We learned all of this and much, much more during his friendly (and numerous) vistits to our table. And for those of you who remember Papillon, yes, we got the booth with the velvet curtains. Score! We were invited back on Sunday for an art exhibit - Tom's brother Jerry and his twin sons are all very talented oil paint artists. Tom is a wood craftsman and makes beautiful pens out of rare woods.
Back to dinner. We ordered all of our dishes from the evening's special menu starting with tempura calamari in lobster bisque. For our main course, Rob had a three sausage combo: Venison with Cranberry, Duck with Fig, and Lamb and with something (we can't remember). I don't eat any of these three meats, but had to try one bite of each and let me tell you, it made me reconsider. I had the pork Rib Eye with a caramelized onion and berry reduction that was wonderful. We also got this complimentary desert!
SWEET!
Yes, I know the picture if sideways. I'm waiting for my I.T department to get back to me. Not.
The Mud Puddle is a little 50 square foot space on the main street in Niles operated by Michael McNevin. A good place to sit in and listen to some talented musicians doing what they do best. It's a "bring your own wine to share and hope you find a chair" kind of place that seats about 20, but the floor would be all right too.
Well, that was enough for the first night. Saturday I had to work for a few hours so we didn't do too much except make this fantastic dinner and lounge around at home!
Sunday was the piece de resistance! We started out with breakfast at Dino's (which prompted me to sing The Boys Are Back In Town for about the next 6 hours...'cause we were "hanging out at Dino's"), then the art exhibit, then home by Noon for Mimosas pool side! Here was my view for most of the afternoon:
After a time, we decided to fill up our water bottles with the remaining mimosas and ride into town to catch the Summer's first "Music in the Plaza" concert. Now, you may think it's foolish to bike while drinking mimosas...we beg to differ, we found it fabulously refreshing! Here's our trail:
Here's me on the trail:
And we can't forget the trains!
Yep...this is our home town now. I think we'll stay for a spell....
(That says NILES on the hill, by the way. In case you aren't from around these parts.)
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