A fun date with hubby and a new friend on the phone!

Dan and I had a total blast last night, and how it started out was a total "fluke."

See, he was supposed to be home by around 4 or 4:30, but when I called him, he said he was going to be longer. That left me with time on my hands, and my inkling was to research restaurants!

I had read that afternoon in a health-oriented magazine that pasta is actually low-glycemic, and I've been doing fine since adding it back into our diets (on a limited basis); so I looked up Italian restaurants in the area. I looked at The Old Spaghetti Factory, but the reviews said it was more family oriented, kid oriented and noisy. They had the clam pasta I was wanting, but I didn't want that sort of atmosphere for my date night with my hubby! I kept looking, and I found Little Italy's Trattoria. They have two locations, but the downtown Vancouver, WA location seemed a lot more like what I wanted.

It was a bit difficult to find because of the one way streets in Vancouver, but we did do so. The restaurant was cozy in the front dining room where we were seated. It wouldn't accommodate a wheel chair in that area, but the back dining area looked more open. I also understand their other location is more roomy.

The menu was fun! It was full of all sorts of items I couldn't pronounce, fortunately, they were all well described in English :) There were a number of entrees that looked really appealing to me, even with my nightshade allergy (tomatoes), but I settled on the clam linguine -- after all, that was what had pretty much set me on my search for Italian food in the first place! Hubby ordered the shrimp linguine. We were served yummy salads with the House dressing -- a balsamic vinaigrette -- then our dinner was served. Mine came with about 8 whole fresh steamer clams on top, for decoration, I guess! The sauce was loaded with fresh clams and garlic -- it was wonderful! Hubby's was great, too. He didn't have as much seafood as mine did, but the prawns were huge and he said it was yummy. We finished with Spumoni ice cream to share. Yum!!

At one point I was just sitting and enjoying the ambiance -- listening to the Italian music playing in the background. I couldn't understand anything that was being said, nor did I recognize any of the music. Then, all of the sudden I realized I actually DID recognize the piece being played -- it was a piece that the makers of Veggie Tales had turned into a "Silly Song with Larry!" I don't know what it is in Italian, but the VeggieTales version of it is "A Great Big Squash Just Sat Upon My Hat!" When our server came by a few moments later, I asked her if she was familiar with VeggieTales. She said she was and I mentioned the Great Big Squash song and she chuckled. She said she goes home all the time with random Italian music running through her head!

Hubby had never had spumoni ice cream before. I knew there were bits of fruit in it and had already gotten several pieces. All of the sudden, while eating our ice cream, hubby sticks his tongue out at me, and with tongue out says something unintelligible. Then he pulls his tongue back in and says, "I got a raisin!!" Big grin in place. Very cute :)

If someone was wanting a place with quick service -- just to get in and out for a easy meal -- I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. When we were there, the house was packed, every seat taken. However, for good food, reasonable prices, a pleasant atmosphere and friendly service, this is an excellent choice!


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This afternoon I was looking at my Melaleuca biz report -- I haven't actually "worked" the biz in about 2 years, but I noticed there was someone who was a regular customer that I had never even spoken to that had gotten 19 back orders! I figured she'd never been taught how to place an order, and really felt like I was supposed to give her a call. I felt really awkward, but explained who I was and why I was calling. She responded with what I can only describe as near-glee! Apparently, learning how to place an order and do something with all this excess product she was accumulating was on her "to do list." I showed her what to do and she was very thankful. We then started talking and ended up talking for about 1.5 hours!! Turns out we have a LOT in common... I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. She's currently studying to become a naturopathic physician and she told me about PH levels in relation to healing. I really think she's got something there. I'm looking forward to learning more!

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Oh, and if you are following the wedding dress story, it has about 14 hours left and bidding is over $50. I'm thrilled! Since 20% goes to the youth fund, this has the potential to be a big blessing!

Gotta go!

Blessings,
Sharron