Hemingway's: Annapolis

Andrea and I met our good friend Robin at Hemingway's restaurant just outside of Annapolis to share some Christmas cheer.

Robin and Chris inside the restaurant

Robin and Chris in the cold outside the restaurant

Union Station

My sister came down for a Christmas visit. She came down by train. We met her and saw her off at Union Station. She posed for us in front of the Norwegian Christmas tree.

Shakespeare Theater

Katie and I went to the Shakespeare Theater to see a performance of Twelfth Night.

The performance was excellent!! Here is Katie after the performance. Note the spectacular view of the street from the second floor of the theater. The theater is located directly across the street from the Verizon Center.

Katie and Chris

Chris

Oyamel's Again

Katie and I had lunch today at Oyamel's Mexican Restaurant before going to the theater. She was not impressed but she was a very good sport about it.
We shared a quesidilla (see above) and I had the cactus paddle (see below).

I also ordered a cup of World Peace tea.

The Newseum

My sister in front of the museum

I had been wanting to visit Washington's newest museum, the Newseum, and I finally had the opportunity to go. (I had actually tried to get in the day of its opening but the lines were too long.)


Katie was delighted to find President-Elect Obama on the first floor of the museum and wanted her picture taken with him. He seemed equally delighted!

The Number 1 Attraction for Katie was the cabin of the UnaBomber, which had been transported to the museum from Montana.

The Number 2 Attraction for Katie was the studio from which George Stephanapolis broadcasts his Sunday morning TV talk show.

I have not yet decided my favorite attractions. I found the entire museum fascinating.

Olive Garden

I had received a gift card for the Olive Garden so Andrea and I went there for lunch just before the card expired. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was OK (not authentic Italian by any stretch of the imagination). The rose' house wine, however, was very delicious!

Andrea and Christine

The Washington Revels

The Washington Revels perform every year at GW's Lisner Auditorium.



Andrea and I like the Washington Revels very much. Every year this group puts on a Christmas show in which the focus is on folk songs from a particular culture.


This year the focus was on French-Canadian Music, Dance, and Drama. Three years ago the focus was on five Scandinavian countries including Norway.


Much of the music was the songs the Voyagers sang as they rowed their boats.

Sons of Norway Christmas Party

Our lodge had a Christmas party tonight with lots of music and dancing. We had fun as we learned more about our Norwegian heritage.

The Nordic Dancers performed many traditional Norwegian dances.

Everyone was invited to join the Nordic Dancers to learn some dances. I plucked up my courage and took to the dance floor! My poor partner!!



Many children wore traditional clothing. Aren't they all adorable?

Many lodge members wore their Norwegian sweaters. Mine was purchased in Lom, the home of my great-grandparents Jacob and Ronnaug. They settled in Minnesota in 1870 and in 1878, respectively.

Oyamel Mexican Restaurant

The dynamic Dinner Club met last night at a fabulous restaurant in the District, Oyamel Mexican Restaurant. We are grateful to our friend George for suggesting it.

Christine sporting Obama buttons and Jodi making sure you notice them!

It was an Obama Victory Dinner. All of us were absolutely thrilled at the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. We are so proud of our country for choosing an intelligent, compassionate man to be our leader. And we are delighted that most of the world respects us again. About time!

Synthia and Mary pause for a photo before picking up the stimulating conversation again.

Here are a few photos of our absolutely delicious food.

Quesadilla de Hongos

House made corn tortillas with wild mushrooms, tomato, anco chile, onions, garlic, epazote, Chihuahua cheese and a side of Serrano salsa

Queso fundido con tequila

Melted Chihuahua cheese flambéed with tequila and served with fresh hand made tortillas

Nopal asado con salsa molcajete

Grilled fresh cactus paddles served with a salsa molcajete of grilled tomatoes, tomatillos, green onions, cilantro and green chile

We also enjoyed the following dishes:

Frijoles refritos con queso
Slow-cooked refried beans with melted Chihuahua cheese inside, served with light Mexican cream and micro cilantro served with fresh tortillas

Ensalada de Chayote - Mexican squash salad with crumbled ‘double cream’ cheese and crushed peanuts, in a hibiscus dressing

Pastel de chocolate con crema de Mole Poblano y helado de vanilla - Warm chocolate cake with a cream of mole poblano sauce and a froth of spiced Mexican hot chocolate, sprinkled with crushed peanuts, corn nuts and cocoa beans. Served with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream

Oyamel is located at 401 7th Street, NW, not far from the Verizon Center. Visit their website at http://www.oyamel.com.

Norwegian Christmas at Union Station

Every year the Norwegian Embassy creates a Norwegian Christmas in the Great Hall at Union Station. We went to see the tall Christmas tree, the model train, and the goods at the bazaar. The tree is decorated with little American and Norwegian flags.

We bought Viking caps for the boys at the bazaar.

We all enjoyed the delicious Norwegian waffles. The waffle actually has five heart-shaped parts and it is covered with scrumptious strawberry jam. The best waffles in the world!!

Here comes the train through the Norwegian countryside!

The Wizard of Oz at the Warner Theater

My grandson Christian and I went to the Warner Theater for a very enjoyable production of the classic children's story, The Wizard of Oz.

The Entrance to the Theater - You can see the photographer's reflection in the door!

The Friendship Circle Dines at Petits Plats

One of our very favorite restaurants is Petits Plats on Connecticut Avenue in the District. We had lunch there with our dear friends. The atmosphere is cozy, the food is superior, and the service is excellent.

Dona and Dal

George, Christine, Andrea

I started out with a salad of goat cheese and beets.

I concluded my delicious meal with a lemon tart.

George had a scrumptious sorbet for dessert.

Thanksgiving 2008

Andrea and I went to our son Marcello's house for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time with him and his family.

Colin helped his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He was the sous chef!



We, of course, had turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.


Christian enjoyed the pumpkin pie I made (he ate three pieces!) and loved the Reddi Whip.



But, since our family is very diverse, we wanted to represent the diversity.

Romeo and Juliet from Brazil - guava paste on cheese

Cannoli from Italy - a speciality of Sicily (ricotta with chocolate chips)

Tea and Dumplings in Georgetown

My friend Gertraud and I had lunch today at the wonderful little tea room in Georgetown, Ching Ching Cha.

Gertraud

We, of course, chose our tea first. She chose orange blossom and I chose passion fruit. We were both very satisfied with our selections.

Orange Blossom Tea

Then she chose chicken dumplings and a marble egg. I chose vegetable dumplings. For dessert she had almond cookies and I had a little sweet made of sesame paste.

Marble Egg