Poke Bowl

Kabuki Restaurant

Poke Bowl

Sushi

Banana Tempura with Ice Cream

Husband M and I went out to dinner recently and I had a chance to try a poke bowl for the first time. It is pronounced  'po-kay'.  I learned that it is a raw fish salad that has become very popular here although is a centuries old Hawaiian dish. In truth, It was an experience and it tasted fine, although I am more used to sushi and sashimi.  M had Sapporo beer, a lighter beer and a sushi platter.  Dessert was bananantempura with a selection of ice cream.  I chose black sesame and M had vanilla.

Maxed Out

Breakfast Brunch

My share

Husband M and I decided to go out to a breakfast brunch this past weekend at one of the Eggsmart chains here. They had a large breakfast for $10.99 that seemed perfect for sharing with 2 of everything including the pancakes.  A lot of people must share.

There was another couple at the table next to us and as they were paying their bill, M overheard the lady saying that she had maxed out her credit card (it had reached its limit).  The gentleman asked her if she was okay and she said she was, that she had some cash on her.  Hmm.

Reflections on Life

 An old friend contacted me, she is planning a luncheon with a bunch of friends towards the end of November.  She is now 75 years old, her husband was diagnosed with congestive heart failure this past year.  She said when he started his medicines he lost control of his bowel movements and that it was an awful experience for her having to cleanup after him.  He just had a knee replacement on one knee so these days she is doing lots of nursing.  His kids don't really help, the responsibility is all on my friend.  He is lucky he has her.  In truth they enjoy the companionship that a relationship brings. She keeps herself sane by meditating and yoga, in fact she teaches yoga in her condo.  One tip she has learned is that smiling does a lot to make us happy, she encourages her students to try it often.  She imagined she would be free at this time of her life to enjoy more.  I told her it's a life stage..toward the end actually.  And that there are bumps, challenges in every life stage because that is what life is all about.   One of her friends has cancer, one widow has Alzheimers...And we had a good laugh about us being tough survivors and overall good people.  We value our long years of friendship, some 35 years.

Such is Life

I got this Swedish milk chocolate bar from Ikea recently, it is a large bar and very delicious.

Earlier this week, I was at my dentist for a checkup and cleaning. Thankfully it was a good one. He was telling me that a patient died of a stroke recently. The 60 year old man woke up one morning and told his wife that he wasn't feeling well. He lay down again and went into a coma and died 2 days later. It was a shock because they could remember him coming in not too long ago laughing and cheerful. He had 6 grandchildren and life was good. It's not a bad way to go, although 60 years old seems like a relatively short time these days. Such is life.

Paint Party Friday - Pumpkin Vignette

Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday! I did a pumpkin vignette based on a photo I took. It's done in my sketchbook (9" x 12") with my permanent markers.

Fallling Leaves

The leaves have started to fall and look pretty at this time of year. Apparently the milder temperatures have delayed the colouring of the leaves somewhat but it has become colder so things should be back on track.

Scribble Picnic - Toy

It's time for Scribble Picnic! This week's theme is 'Toy'. My piece is done on coloured cardstock
(6" x 6") with my permanent markers. It is a classic Fisher-Price Corn Popper.

According to Wikipedia, 'It was invented in 1957 by Arthur Holt, who died in April 1996, and sold to Fisher-Price for $50. The Corn Popper is one of the most popular toys for young children in history.'

And welcome to November!  We are that much closer to Christmas.  But of course the Americans have their Thanksgiving just before that.