Southern Belle Reincarnated: Day On The Duffy

Yesterday the company I work for had a staff outing. We do that occasionally because it's good camaraderie and it helps to relieve the daily stress we deal with (property management is no picnic, folks!).

We closed the office at 2:00 p.m., headed down to the Newport Coast of Southern California and boarded the S.S. Minnow; oh wait, wrong boat! Actually, my boss doesn't have a name yet for his vessel, but as we putted through the bay in his little electric Duffy Cruiser, sipping red wine and munching on freshly shaved Parmesan and little rosemary-raisin crackers, everyone seemed to have an idea of what he could name it. As you could imagine, the more wine that was consumed, the more questionable the names got! It was fun to throw around ideas.

We cruised for about 45 minutes and ultimately docked at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant. The establishment had a dock right there in front of their doors that you can tie your boat to, walk up the gangway, and enter easily...how convenient is that?! We found a little section in the corner with large comfy couches, wicker chairs and a fireplace (although it was a little too warm for the fire) and got cozy. Soon thereafter Ruby Red Martinis started flowing! Oh my....these little jewels were AMAZING! Vodka, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, and Contreau shaken with ice until it's frosty and served with a sugared rim. They tasted like candy and I could have drank them all night if I knew I could have just rolled off the couch I was sitting in into my comfy bed for the evening. Cocktails were accompanied by appetizers consisting of the most SCRUMPTIOUS garlic-cheese bread that has EVER passed through my lips, sauteed shrimp scampi, fried tempura battered calamari, fresh fish skewers and chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce.....all delicious!

We boarded the boat again and made our way around the bay passing multi-million dollar mansions and yachts, all of us dreaming about what it would be like to own one of these beauties. It amazes me just how much money is in this one little section of our state. But, you know what? I wouldn't be any happier owning one of those homes or yachts, than I am now. I'm blessed just to have the opportunity to sail around them, gawk, dream, enjoy my martinis and let THOSE other people make the mortgages!