Eating Out Again

    Yesterday was this months RODEO lunch and we are at the letter "K" so it was a Korean restaurant. Another quirky little spot in a non-descript strip mall. You would never find it unless you were actually looking for it. Our fearless leader, Norma, is painstaking in hunting down interesting places to eat. The restaurant was surprisingly busy for a mid-week lunch hour so, obviously, it's a well known and popular spot.

   So, we arrived at "Makkal Chon " and were all seated promptly. Our meal started with complimentary appetizers, some quite spicy, followed by entrees such Bi Bim Bop and Bol-gul-bi. Not being too adventurous, I chose a pork cutlet which was tender and crispy with a slightly spicy BBQ sauce and a salad and rice on the side. Having nibbled on the appetizers I was quite satisfied with half of the meal so took the rest home for dinner. 

   December is always a busy month for eating out and I have at least 2 more events to attend and one concert. The month will go by fast and, before you know it, it will be the new year. No idea what our next RODEO outing will be but, as we are at the letter "L", it may very well be Lebanese. ,  

'Tis That Time of Year

   I don't usually start to think about Christmas until December arrives but, last week, I received my first Christmas card. We are now in the midst of a postal strike so it may very well be the only one I receive! 

    Just to confirm Christmas is not far off, yesterday was the first of several Christmas meals - the retired teachers' luncheon complete with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce  and very good it was, too! After the meal we were entertained by the "Enchanted Flutes" who played a medley of seasonal tunes and had us singing along to several. One of our members belongs to the troupe which includes several semi-professional musicians. It is always so uplifting to be entertained in this way each Christmas season.

   Today the weather continues to be quite unseasonably mild (long may it continue!) so I walked to the Seniors' Centre for my Fitness class. I dodged a bullet as it rained while I was there but was just drizzling by the time I headed home. I have racked up 8,700 steps so far today!

   

Two Food Adventures

    As often is the case, my blog entry is prompted by a culinary adventure. The day started with a meeting with coffee, fruit and muffins where I ate sparingly as I knew I needed to be hungry come lunch time. So I was back on the road headed for my next destination by 11:30.

   It was the monthly R.O.D.E.O. lunch where we are "Eating Around the World". Last month was Italy (very yummy) so predictably this month was Japan. I love Japanese food, mostly take-out sushi, but had never eaten at the Nakamori Restaurant. It was a tiny, quirky space set in a nondescript strip mall, with bar seating to watch the chef prepare the sushi items. We were 12 ladies at a long table and soon we were tucking into a variety of Oriental items. First came a tiny but tasty salad which was quickly followed by Miso soup. This is a flavourful broth with bits of seaweed and tofu cubes floating in it. For the main course I chose sashimi, not realizing it is raw seafood! There was a large scallop and slices of salmon, tuna and another fish I didn't recognize. I did ask the waitress but it was something unrecognizable. However, it was all delicious and came with a bowl of rice, soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi mustard. I had to leave as soon as I had finished eating as I still had another destination before heading for home.

   My next stop was the community centre where we hold our monthly book club. This month we had read "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. We had a lively discussion but the foodie part, supplied by the members introducing the book and leading the discussion, was a rare treat, Russian caviar on slices of dark bread - so tasty!. They had hoped to also treat us to a cocktail, a Moscow Mule, but liquor isn't allowed in the community centre. Boo hoo! Quite often I have days like this followed by a few where nothing is planned. It may be Monday before I get together with friends again.

   Now I am home and, after a short nap, am contemplating dinner. I think it will be something light. Next month it will probably be Korean food, another new experience for me. Can't wait!

Indian Summer

     This expression is usually reserved for a warm spell in November, but it has been so gloriously hot and over 20C for the last week that I think it qualifies! The trees are quite brilliant at the moment but are beginning to lose their leaves. Soon it will be time to start raking.

   Tomorrow may be the last day, though, as the rest of the week is forecast to be more autumnal - low to mid-teens and some badly needed rain. We had a good game of tennis on Sunday - I actually lasted on the court for the full hour and a half - but didn't do much for the rest of the day. The garden is pretty much tidied for winter but I will keep filling the bird bath until we have minus temperatures. I think the birds are delaying their departure for warmer climes because of the extended summer. Of course, there are still lots who stay around all winter. No idea how they survive!