Longing for those days of R & R....

As I look at my calendar, I see that school starts two weeks from this coming Thursday. I know if you are not from California, you are probably saying, big deal, school already started here a week ago. It's just that I am not ready for summer to end. I do love the fall and winter seasons. They are my favorite times of year, but with that comes lots of school projects, never ending spelling words, and homework. Ugh!  

So as I look back over my summer, and the last weeks of the school year 2007-2008, I do long for those leisurely days of vacations, pools, and sleeping in late. So I will take this time and with the next few post, I will tell you about my wonderful adventures. 

The first started with our trip to Sedona, Arizona from May 16-May 20, 2008. 

This was our yearly business meeting, but since my husband and I are the only 2 shareholders, it made it a quiet intimate meeting! After our 1st year in business, it was nice to get away and retreat to a place that was quiet and also had a beautiful setting.

Now my husband loves to do things in style for me, so when we got to the Phoenix airport, there was a full size limousine waiting for us. Two hours of pure pleasure and relaxation. We popped open a bottle of White Star Champagne, kicked back, put our feet up and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way. Once we arrived at our final destination, the Enchantment Resort, we were ready to work! (...that is, work at resting and relaxation!) 

Adobe Casita style accommodations amid a pristine 70-acre setting of majestic red rock  formations of Northern Arizona's Boynton Canyon. Lovely! Since we booked two packages, The Tranquility Package & Enchantment's Mii amo Package, we were treated to spa treatments each day.  We spent many days after our spa treatment laying out soaking up the sun by the pool or indoors by the pool reading or relaxing.

Our packages also included Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily at the Mii amo Cafe, which featured amazing fresh meats, seafood, and poultry all made using healthy cooking techniques. We also were able to savor the 180-degree view and the beautiful sun setting on the red rocks from our dinner table out on the patio of The Yavapai Restaurant. We could have spent the whole evening just sitting there talking. My husband also treated me to a vintage bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne. The food was delicious and I was able to enjoy two of my favorites; Rack of Colorado Lamb and Buffalo Tenderloin.  We also had a wonderful Jazz Brunch on Sunday at The Yavapai Restaurant pictured below.

We also enjoyed smoothies and yummy concoctions from the juice bar in Mii amo spa and poolside.  One of the highlights of our trip was a wonderful cooking demonstration we went to at Mii amo Cafe.  We were treated to Shrimp with Gyro Marinade, Taziki (cucumber yogurt), Tabbouleh, Seared Sea Scallops in Feta Cheese Cream with Tomato Cous Cous and Eggplant Caponata.  All were easy to make and replicate in one's home kitchen. 

We took quiet walks at night under what looked liked millions of stars. The weather was perfect and we couldn't have asked for more. 

We also ventured out of the resort one night to have dinner along Oak Creek at L'Auberge Restaurant. We ate outside on the open air terrace right next to the creek. The food was delicious and the setting romantic.  

After "wining, dining, rest and relaxation", our wonderful trip had to come to an end. My chariot was waiting. Ahhh, all good things must come to an end.

We are looking forward to going back to the Enchantment Resort and the beauty and solitaire of Arizona's "Red Rock Country." I hope you will consider this wonderful place to get away from the hurriedness of our everyday life and go to a place where you can eat well, and truly get some rest. 

We came back smiling. :) 

P.S. Okay it wasn't all R & R, I did get our business meeting minutes done...and yes, it was a business trip!