fabulous day date

life has been so incredibly hectic over the last month or so, even more than usual.  i think i've dropped the words "fucking cookie season" more times than i care to admit.  and the hub, whose life is always super busy between his day job and the lounge, is just crazy like always.  as a result, we hadn't spent any decent amount of time together in at least a solid week - not since the wedding on valentine's day.

the other day, he found himself with a calendar that was shockingly wide open.  no conference calls, no meetings, no lunch appointments - nothing.  and with the bean having hit her cookie sales goal at last, i was in a great position to spend almost the entire day catching up with my husband.  and so after a leisurely morning at home, we hopped into the car and drove down to the beach.

we ended up in laguna - at the surf and sand hotel for a great view and some lunch.

not a bad view for a monday lunch date, wouldn't you say?

we ate at splashes, the restaurant at the hotel.  neither of us had been here in years - not since i worked at the commercial real estate office where we first met.  the food was delicious, starting off with perfectly chewy wedges of bread and tapenade.

i was amused when my lobster bisque arrived - the bowl was empty aside from the little clump of lobster:

and then the server took a little silver pitcher and poured in the actual soup.

my flatbread had braised short rib, caramelized onions and bbq sauce.  so good.

and although the dessert menu looked promising:

we took a quick selfie before heading out to drive the coast a little.

after walking off our lunch strolling around fashion island, looking at watches and shoes and all sorts of other fun stuff, we made one last stop for dessert.

best monday i've spent in a very, very long time.  i love my husband so much.