Museum Hopping

Kate trained down from Philly and we met her at Union Station. Before her arrival, Nicoletta and I went to see the Christmas tree that the Norwegian people had given to the US.

Christine in front of the tree

Then Andrea drove us over to the National Gallery of Art to see the Roy Lichtenstein exhibit. He waited downstairs while we toured the major exhibit.

                                              Andrea under the tree reading on his Kindle Fire

Then we went to the National Museum of the American Indian.


At the entrance to the museum - a new piece of sculpture

We first had lunch in the museum's fabulous food court.

Wild rice and water cress salad - the best!

 Fry bread and corn bread - delicious!

Andrea's buffalo burger

Then we visited the Horse exhibit - very interesting. Did you know that it was someone by the name of Columbus who brought horses to the New World?

Peruvian Dinner

Nicoletta wanted to return to Canteras in Adams Morgan so we met George and Dal there. We had a wonderful evening of stimulating conversation and excellent food.

 George, Christine, Nicoletta, and Andrea

 Dal and George

 Quinoa

Arroz con leche

A Very Italian Christmas

Nicoletta came to visit us for Christmas this year and we had a wonderful time. She arrived on the Feast of St. Stephen, December 26. She brought not only her fabulous self but also a wealth of goodies with her!

 Pocket Coffee

 Ricciarelli

 Pan Peppato

To be continued

Christmas Day 2012

We were invited to M & M's house and we had a wonderful time.

 Marcello and Michelle

 Sylvia

 Mima

 Colin and Christian

 The Mad Hatters: Andrea, Christian, and Colin

Carol's Birthday

We celebrated Carol's birthday (not too belatedly!) at the Lebanese Taverna in Pentagon Row. We enjoyed the delicious food but even more the conversation (although we didn't have enough time to finish all of our topics of conversation, as usual).

Welcome Home Lunch for George at Spices

George, Sue, and I met for lunch at Spices in Cleveland Park. We welcomed George home from his very interesting teaching stint in Bangkok.


                        The entrance to Spices


                             Stimulating conversation

                                          Delicious vegetable sushi - cucumber and avocado

 Sue ordered coffee because she liked the way it was served on the lovely wooden tray.

 

 

Leaving Spices

 
After lunch George took me to Vace's and presented me with a present for Andrea, a large Pan D'Oro.

Mary and I met for lunch at the NGA. 

We then enjoyed the Roy Lichtenstein Retrospective. There were over 100 paintings. It was extremely interesting! I want to go again and again!

Norway House Christmas Bazaar

We had a very successful bazaar. I was responsible for the sale of books. I enjoyed both days of the bazaar very much. It was fun talking to my fellow Norway House friends and to the wonderful customers, many originally from Minnesota!

 Christine and Nicole, Diligent Workers at the Book Tables

Are you into Nordic thrillers? We are!

The Fabulous Nordic Dancers

Thanksgiving Day

Andrea and I celebrated Thanksgiving this year with some members of our St. Christopher's family. We enjoyed ourselves, good conversation and delicious food.

Finnish Christmas Bazaar

Andrea and I continued our Christmas bazaar hopping. Today the Finnish bazaar was our destination. Again the focus was FOOD! There was a very large cafe where one could buy the materials for a tasty lunch. We again ran into Nicole, a fellow bazaar-hopper.

My lunch consisted of a Karelian pastry or pie with egg and butter spread (top right on plate), a Christmas tart (with prune jam), and four ginger snaps.

The Karelian pastry/pasty was delicious. The Chef Gourmet describes it thus:

North Karelia is the birthplace of Karelian pastries. Although they are eaten throughout Finland, the Joensuu version, spread with real butter, is the genuine article. The thin rye crust is filled with rice and shaped 'like a moccasin,' as a visiting tourist once described them.
Use fine rye flour that is finer in texture and lighter in color than regular rye flour. If unavailable, use half regular rye flour and half wheat flour.
Warm pasties are traditionally served with egg and butter spread. Pasties may also be eaten topped with plain butter, cheese, slices of ham or roast reindeer, gravlax, shrimp or whatever you happen to like! Pasties can be reheated in an oven or toaster.


This bazaar offered a wide variety of items. Andrea bought me a lovely Christmas present, a necklace and matching earrings. (I will post photos of them soon.)

There was also music.

And books.

Amici Italiani Sub-Committee

Five members of the Amici Italiani di Fairfax Meet-Up met at Faccia Luna in Clarendon for pizza and conversation in Italian. Qui si parla italiano!

Maju, Christine, Andrea, Marina, and Gina