here and there

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Single women eating out!

Yesterday, I decided that since no one was home, I would eat out! Mystery book in hand I tried to decide just where I would go!   Since I would like a glass of wine, that eliminates the fast food places and thank goodness for that, as I did want to be pampered! 

Although the food may be good at our neighbourhood Pub, I decide that it might be awkward to walk into a pub by myself!  I did want something light, thought of the Kinjo the sushi bar that serves food other than sushi, but to sit by myself at a sushi bar may again be awkward.  So I decide to try Milestones.  The lounge seemed like a logical place as it was brighter than the dimly lit restaurant, however in walking through it the only places available was the barstools and only gentlemen were sitting there.  So to the dimly light dining room, I was seated at a table for four! 

Just why do restaurants in the middle of a wide-open space, have to be so dark with the ceilings exposing the guts of the air circulation pipes and painted a dark colour.  As the sun streamed through the upper windows, the lower window’s binds were closed, allowing for a dimly light eating area with lit mini orange shaded lamps!  Yes, I need to move closer to the lamp to see the menu!

As I sat there and listened to the conversation around me, I so wished I was in Rome, sitting outside at a restaurant in full daylight, alone at a small table and enjoying a light meal without feeling awkward!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

It should be no surprise that kids rioted!!

Yesterday, I walked out of my house to walk the dog, I was confronted with a rap song with the f word repeated as the workers replaced the shingles on the neighbours roof!  Yes, My dog also wondered why he had to listen to this!

Last night I listened to a "Post Father's Day Show" on CKUA focusing on songs with the word Daddy.  http://www.ckua.org/pages/playlist  As I listen to the program with nostalgia and thoughts of my "Daddy", I wonder how many youth would actually listen to these songs, especially a song like: That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine



This morning, I read with great interest Naomi Lakritz's article "it should be no surprise that the kids rioted" in the Calgary Herald on that it was no surprise that the riots occurred in Vancouver.   Naomi asks ’why would we expect them to show good grace in losing?’  Her belief that keeping adult and children worlds separate was an issue.  Focusing on child centred and “fun”, instead of bring the child into an adult world and expecting children in Naomi’s words to “acquire self discipline and patience, absorbing by osmosis the values of the community” or society one belongs to!  By being left out of the adult world, they rioted because as they had not learned the values of society, they respond to the moment and one’s “juvenile whims”! 

Her article made me reflect on a visit to my husband’s elderly aunts for dinner.  The table was set with fine linens and china.  As the meal was being plated in the kitchen, my two sons aged 6 and 4 were asked to assist them. To my horror, there were my two boys carrying out heirloom china cups to set on the table.  I learned a valuable lesson from these two senior women, there was an expectation that these two young boys would do a good job and they did!  What expectations are we placing on our children that prepare them for adult life?  Have we protected our children so much they become frustrated and angry adults when the world no longer focuses on them?

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Vancouver Eats

Ceanothus is an evergreen shrub or small tree with many clusters of small blue flower clumps in spring and summer.  Bees swarm to the bright flowers in early May. 


The Calling








CHILI CHICKEN in light tempura with chinese chili sauce and cool cucumbers.


PAN FRIED GYOZA japanese pork dumplings with hot mustard and sesame soy dipping sauce.
SZECHUAN EDAMAME wok tossed with chilies, garlic & soy sauce
 Joey Restaurant
SUSHI CONE tempura prawn cone with avocado, spicy mayo, cucumber & amazing


 ended at the Winking Judge Pub

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sushi in Calgary- Kinjo

Irassyai
Kinjo
Peter Kinjo came to Canada in 1971 with 35 dollars and started Edo Japan in 1977 in South centre Mall in Calgary.  Check the Cideo and his philosophy on food and life- If you make your employees happy, they`ll pass this on to the customers, along with happiness returning to him. He believes that if you are sad, unhealthy or lonely, nothing tastes good, but if you are smiling your food will taste so much better!  The atmosphere is fun and the food is yummy and yes, I did leave happy!


Sitting at the sushi bar,with prepared sushi going around the bar on little boats in water !

Midori Roll in the top right corner- cream cheese, red pepper, yam, asparagus



 Slicing beef for Ginger Beef
Spicy Crunch Roll - squid, tobiko, cucumber, spicy mayo!

 Tempura with mixed vegetables!



 Tangy Golden Beef