Christmas Prime Rib Dinner

Another prime rib dinner for Christmas.

This year's came from Smart and Final Store.  Instead of one long piece, they were packaged in smaller pieces.  Price was about half as well.

Dessert consisted of CostCo fruit tart of which we got the last one.  The crust was made with graham cracker.

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

After a day of sewing, I went to an Ethiopian restaurant in University Heights - Muzita Abyssinian Bistro.

Eileen ordered a family style dinner consisting of chicken drumsticks and boiled eggs, beef with a tomato sauce and the plate included stewed cabbage, chick pea mash, and mixed vegetables.  There was a salad in the center of the plate.  Everything was on a thin layer of some kind of pancake.

We each got a roll of the same pancake which to grab and eat the rest.  There are no utensils for eating.

We did get a spoon for the shrimp dish.

Surprising flavors - the pancake had a bit of a sour taste, the meat and shrimp were spicy.  Good combination and we were stuffed with leftovers.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

I was invited to try Ruth's Chris Steak House since I have never been.  I was very tempted by the non-steak selections, but decided to have red meat since that is what the place is known for.

The night's special was a surf and turf which I ordered with the rib eye.  The lobster was quite good and the rib eye was succulent with the horseradish cream.

I also added a chopped salad which had a great presentation.

The lobster and about a third of the steak was consumed with the rest in the doggie bag.

The steaks are covered with butter which I did not believe was a problem, but I did have a bit of a stomach upset so I will be need ask for no butter next time.

Pepper's New Bed

So the old lady has decided to boycott pills of all kinds so she is now on chinese herbal medicine which seems to be helping quite a bit.  She has been feeling better with more pep in her step even though the arthritis is a problem.

She got a new bed and couldn't decide how she liked it for a bit.

After a nap, I think she gives it a paws up.

Buga Korean BBQ

Buga Korean BBQ was pretty good for a birthday celebration for Phil.  

Lots of the dishes were spicy and there were some interesting dishes.  The meat was good.

Lots of Korean customers and it looks like the place has been recently remodeled.  The entry way was still being paved.

Crafty Bulletin Boards and Hotpot Dinner Part 2

I helped Eileen create two bulletin boards for her office.  We started with lunch and then shopped at Staples, Michaels, Home Fabrics, and Beverly's.

This was the smaller board and we got good at using the staple gun.  We were not so good with the measuring between the ribbon.

The second board was a bit easier since it was bigger and the ribbon wider as well.  Eileen had the best time using the glue gun to add her bling.

The final boards.

Josephine came over to use the serger for her snoopy blanket and we had a hotpot dinner with the leftovers from the night before.

We may be repeating next weekend.

Chin's Seafood and Grill

Eileen took me to lunch at Chin's Seafood and Grill and we had northern Chinese food.

Appetizers of Jellyfish, pork in gelatin with vinegar sauce, and rice burritos with chinese donuts and fermented vegetables.

We also ordered the green onion pancakes which were kind of chewy.

And a bowl of noodles with pork and mustard greens.  I tried some new things and it was all tasty.

Tea Ceremony

I recently joined the tea club and purchased a set from China.  I had a little tea party and Josephine did the honors.

The narrow cups are used for smelling the tea and refills of the cups.

The tea came from Eileen from her recent trip to Taiwan.

The first pot of tea is for cleaning the instruments and the sniff test.  The second pot is tasted and refills are made after that.

The tea leaves expanded to fill the entire pot.

The tea party was a success!

Thanksgiving

My version of a thanksgiving feast comprised of Damn Fine Chicken, Roasted Garlic Root Vegetable Mash, and Quinoa Stuffing with Leeks, Walnuts, and Cherries.

I used chicken thighs since I had them in the freezer.

The mash was easy to put together and I used my immersion blender.

The quinoa is a standby and I don't remember when I first used this recipe, but it was for supper club in the way back.  I substituted dried figs.

I spent the day sewing with the TV for company working on a project for Eileen as well as starting a new quilt top.

Beautiful day for giving thanks.

Fall in Los Angeles

A short work week in Los Angeles allowed me to see some fall colors.

This house had really cool landscaping along the stone fence.

View from the top northwest of Los Angeles.

Lunch at Brent's where I had breakfast and some well done steak fries.

Another lunch at Small Island for ramen and sushi.

And a final stop before home at Dreamy Creations Bakery.

November Spin Group

Shelley hosted spin group with just me and Jeri.  It was cozy and I brought knitting as my spinning mojo is missing.

We caught up and I visited with the dogs.

Shelly prepared a vegetable stew served over brown rice and quinoa.  I contributed a potato casserole and Jeri brought a fruit salad.

It seems to have been such a long time since our last get together.