I have been noticeably absent once again, longer than usual this time.  Things have been a little overwhelming lately and I have been thrown a couple of interesting curve balls that have been keeping me pretty busy lately.

One major one involved having my 19 year old nephew move into my home. That has been really interesting and awkward as hell, let me tell you! I won’t get into any of the details or reasons why he is here now but it definitely has created a bit of culture shock and adjustment time for all concerned.  I am happy to say that we are mostly settling in now and it seems we are learning to co exist more peacefully now.  (And chances are good I won’t have to kill or even torture the boy much.) 

Hmm Black Rose was great this year! Brett and I went down for the Halloween weekend event and had a really wonderful time again!  I taught three classes this time around and got great feedback from the folks who attended. I also just taught again over at Vassar college and they plan to invite me back for a 2 part series of bondage classes in the spring which I am really looking forward to!

However in the meantime I have decided to pretty much take some time off from teaching and travelling the way I have been.  I am just way too tired of packing and unpacking and schlepping through airport security and spending far too much money on events when what I REALLY need is a vacation to some sweet little tropical spot.

Brett and I took a mini sanity break last weekend that started with a truly fabulous dinner at the Culinary Institutes’s Escoffier Restaurant which is advertised to consist of classic French cuisine with a contemporary touch. I started with the Foie Gras and continued with the chicken breast stuffed with shrimp and spinach, while Brett had a lovely “surf & turf” appetizer followed by a delicious duck dish. I also greatly enjoyed a little cocktail that the bartender came up with called a Hudson Valley Harvest that had a pumpkin infused vodka mixed with a bit of Frangellica.  In fact, I liked it so much I had two of them! And then while I was at it for dessert I ordered a dessert wine sampler that included a Sauternes and one other sweet wine that for me was the perfect end to a fabulous meal! Although the place is a fair bit pricier than I would frequent often, I would definitely enjoy dining there again and checking out some of the CIA’s other fine offerings. 

To contnue our weekend break, the next afternoon we checked into a suite at the Inn at the Falls that boasted a HUGE jacuzzi tub and a fabulous four poster canopy bed! Wow what a tub!  We were both able to fully stretch out in it and simply soak for awhile and let the world slide off our backs for the night! No phones, no email, no one to bother us at all.

But I sure did bring some toys and rope!!  In fact, I had an absolute blast tying up my beloved in several very hot very vulnerable positions and having my way with him most of the evening.   And although I took a few photos for personal memoirs I would rather not share this set here but I do promise to try and get more visually interesting here soon. In the meantime, I am going to go watch a movie and relax for the rest of the evening and I do hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you find yourself having much to be thankful for!