Mother and I met Grandfather in Southern Pines, to show him Mother's new condo that is being renovated, and then we all went to lunch in Pinehurst! We ate at a great little restaurant that none of us had been to before, Elliott's on Linden, which was very bright and open. We ate early, so we almost had the whole place to ourselves, and so we sat, ate, talked, watched all the bikers and joggers go by - it was so pleasant!! Afterwards we wandered through their store, which was connected to the nicest art gallery! So many dog/horse/fox paintings, as well as gorgeous horse sculptures and equine silver jewelry. It was nice to get out of Raleigh for the day, visit with my fam, and enjoy a gorgeous day. I was hoping the shell of my jacket from the Country Saddler would be ready to try on - but no! It is ready this weekend to try on the shell and choose the liner - can't wait!!
On Saturday night, Kyle and I went on a double date with Loren and Hunter and had THE BEST time! Seriously, I wish I could do it every day. We spent 2 hours at The Wine Feed, which is co-owned by the fiance of a girl who used to work at iContact. Phil and Phil both went to App and started The Wine Feed a couple of years ago, and they recently opened a new storefront that is a major upgrade!! They went from a little basement to a great space on Glenwood South - The Wine Feed - Check them out! But both of the Phil's were there and talked to all of us while we each had a flight of wine, and then we shared a bottle. It was SO much fun, super chill, and I barely realized 2 hours had passed.
From The Wine Feed, we all went down to Calavera for an empanada dinner. I LOVE Calavera, but don't eat there often, even though it is such a treat because the food and drinks are great, for a good price as well. Seriously though - their spicy pineapple margarita is the best margarita I've ever had, and potentially will ever drink. By the time we got our food I don't really remember what everyone was talking about, but the conversation was engaging, and the company was outstanding.
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Quick note on my New Year's Day - Kyle and I had a fancy moment yesterday where we enjoyed the leftover duck pate from the beef wellingtons with crackers, wine, and watched the documentary Somm on Netflix. It was like heaven!
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I realized on my way to work today that it is January 2nd - almost two years ago to the hour, I was sadly boarding a plane to France, already missing my family, and wondering what the future had in store for me. As they say, the rest is history. I'm sad about this anniversary, as I will be for May 19, and July 24 because I feel that now the first year has gone by my time and memories from France are only going to get more and more distant as it becomes my five, ten, fifteen year anniversary for those dates that were meaningful to me in my eight month adventure. I'm sad when I think I will never get those experiences back. I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends to talk about that time with, and we can make new memories in different locations, but what we all had in Montpellier is finished. I just think about how sad I was to leave North Carolina two years ago, and how now I'd give anything to do it all over again. I don't regret a single thing during those eight months - I am proud that I lived with the "pourquoi pas" (why not) mentality while I was there because I did so much, grew so much, explored so much, and learned so much. So much is different now, and it just makes it that much harder to think about what a great time I had in Francey. Dear France, I miss you, but I'm coming for you - see you in eight more months.
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