Holiday Lunch

Andrea wanted to go for a pizza at his favorite place, Menomale.

We invited Dona to join us. We all enjoyed the food, the place, and the company.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Invitation to a screening

As a loyal WETA supporter, I was invited to a special screening of the first episode of Downton Abbey, Season 4. I invited my friend Carol to be my guest.

We met at the WETA headquarters in Shirlington. Here we are in the lobby of the building.


We then were taken upstairs and offered tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, scones, and Christmas cookies. We could then have our photos taken in front of Downton Abbey.



We were given several items - a bumper sticker, a Gwen-Judy pin, and a WETA tote.

 

We enjoyed the episode very much and are eagerly awaiting all of Season Four! It was a very nice experience. Thanks, WETA and PBS!

I could not live without PBS. I am very grateful for its excellent programming - so many wonderful programs. It lifts my spirits! (Did you all see the Irish boys' Christmas special? Heavenly!)

Paella Feast for Ruth

Ruth's wonderful daughters and sons-in-law organized a fantastic party to celebrate Ruth's 75th birthday. We were treated to a great meal at Jaleo's, Crystal City, featuring butternut squash soup, mixed greens salad, chicken paella, vegetable paella, and flan. And Spanish wines. It was marvelous! We were very honored to be included in this special family celebration.

 Ruth and I met at St. Christopher's back in 1977.

 The Meloni and the Squadrini families soon became friends.

Same combination: Italian husbands, American wives

 Scott, David, Michelle on the left and Teresa, Rich, and Lisa on the right

 Andrea, Michelle, and Alessia

David, Tania, Teresa

Dining out on a cold winter day

Sunday was a cold and snowy day but Andrea and I braved the elements and went to church. We then went to our favorite Afghan restaurant in Springfield, Afghan Kabob, on Rolling Road. We invited our friend Florence to join us.

Florence and Christine

I ordered my usual - the Vegetarian Dish. Here is the description on the menu:

Combination platter of bouranee baunjan (fried eggplant), subzi (fried spinach), and kadu (sautéed pumpkin), served with nan (Afghan bread)

Book Sales at the Norwegian Christmas Bazaar

I am the one in the Norwegian sweater! Book sales were quite brisk this year.

Dutch and Greek Delights

DCDC met today for a very special outing. We met at the Phillips Collection and toured the Van Gogh Reflections exhibit. Memorable!

 Mary, Jodi, Synthia

 Christine, Synthia, Mary

Then we walked over to Mourayo's Greek restaurant on Connecticut Avenue. "Mourayo" is Greek for 'safe harbor where fishermen moor their boats.' We had a very delicious lunch. Jodi took charge of the selections (she is superb at this). She ordered four appetizers and one salad - all equally impressive.

Salata Gaea - fresh beet salad with apples, walnuts, and yogurt

Manouri stin Shara -Manouri cheese grilled with a cranberry coulis sauce, garnished with spinach

Agria Manitaria - Oyster mushroom ragout with tomatoes and feta

Kypriako Haloumi me Sousami - Sesame crusted Cypriot haloumi cheese

Melitzanosalata - Roasted eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, feta, olive oil, and vinegar

(It should be noted that DCDC had dined at this restaurant several years ago. Check out my blog post for November 16, 2007.)

God Jul!

The Washington, DC Sons of Norway lodge has a very vibrant and enthusiastic group of Norwegian-language learners. In the photo above you will see the members of the Advanced Norwegian class - from left to right, Ellen, Instructor Nina, Bill, Ingrid, Chuck, Norbert, Christine, George, and Rebecca.

Our exuberant instructor kindly invited all of her students to her home for a Christmas celebration. We ate numerous delicious goodies while we socialized before settling down to watch an excellent Norwegian film, Suffløsen (The Prompter).

A good time was had by all! Thank you, Nina and Keith, for your cordial hospitality.

The Lighting of the Tree

Andrea and I went to Union Station to participate in the annual lighting of the Norwegian Christmas tree. The people of Norway are grateful for the assistance of the American military during the Nazi occupation of their country during World War II and, as a symbol of their gratitude to the American people, they give a Christmas tree that is placed in Washington's Union Station. WETA's Robert Aubrey Davis was the Master of Ceremonies, and, as always, the ceremony was both moving and festive.

  This year, in addition to the little Norwegian and American flags, the tree was decorated with many small illuminated Screams, the face of Edvard Munch's very famous painting "The Scream." 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of Munch's birth.


                        See the little Screams?

Two opera singers from the New York Opera Society sang the Norwegian and American national anthems. The new Norwegian ambassador to the United States gave a moving speech.



Norwegian refreshments were served.

Robin's Birthday at Annie's

Andrea and I met our dear friend Robin at Annie's on Kent Island for a birthday lunch. In the photo above she is showing off her piece of birthday cake with one candle.

We liked her sweater - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - Somewhere else!

The restaurant was beautfully decorated for the holidays. We had a wonderful time catching up on our news and celebrating our long friendship (Robin and I go back 6 decades!) as well as Robin's birthday.