Friday night was Jill & I’s 5 year anniversary. Jill was in charge of our accomodations, and I was in charge of the evening events. For Jill’s choice, we stayed at the Iowa House B&B right here in Ames (we didn’t want to get too far from Grace, since she was staying home with grandpa & grandma).
That left me in charge of the evening’s entertainment. And in my usual style, I chose to make the plans in secret and surprise Jill. So, first was dinner. I had a few ideas, but decided to consult with our old neighbor Elin, who also runs our wine club. She suggested Audubon’s at the Gateway Center, they have fantastic food and no corking fee for wine club members! – so we took a fantastic Biltmore Cab which we thoroughly enjoyed.
After Audubon’s, we hopped in the car and I asked Jill to open the glove box. Inside I had a list of 6 options. Of the 6, I knew what Jill would choose, but thought the options might be fun anyway. I provided several movie choices, including some specifically for me… 🙂 And finally, what would be her choice – an evening at Snus Hill Winery near Madrid. The Soul Searchers – a blues swing band – were playing on the terrace that evening.
[flv] url=”http://www.janesfamily.org/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/toast.flv” width=”320″ height=”240″ autostart=”false” image=”/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/toast.jpg” [/flv] [flv] url=”http://www.janesfamily.org/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/band.flv” width=”320″ height=”240″ autostart=”false” image=”/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/band.jpg” [/flv]A bit later in the evening, an older couple made their way up to the front and began dancing….
[flv] url=”http://www.janesfamily.org/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/others_dance.flv” width=”320″ height=”240″ autostart=”false” image=”/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/others_dance.jpg” [/flv]And after a few more glasses of wine, I was able to talk Jill into dancing, and we had a fantastic time!
[flv] url=”http://www.janesfamily.org/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/dancing.flv” width=”320″ height=”240″ autostart=”false” image=”/content/wp-content/uploads/janesfamily_org_files/2009/08/dancing.jpg” [/flv]So, after a fabulous meal, some great wine, some swing dancing, and a nice room at the Iowa House, we had a wonderful evening. AND, a nice evening without being terribly anxious to get home to Grace… until the next morning when we cut our breakfast short to get home and see how she was doing.