~!~!~Thankful Thursday~!~!~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
~!~!~Thankful Thursday~!~!~
14
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 6:11am
Here's your spot to let everyone know what you're thankful for this week.

Rhonda


Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time disapproving of others.

       ~~Rhonda~~


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 11:37am
You've been so consistent with your running. That's great!

Rhonda


Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time disapproving of others.

       ~~Rhonda~~


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Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 1:27pm
Hi, everyone!

First, my thankfuls:

1) For well-informed and enthusiastic friends. Makes for wonderful conversation in person and on-line.

2) For my sweet DH. I made a very smart decision on June 9, 1981 by answering his proposal with a very happy yes.

3) For my job and my ability to do it well. I have no illusions about advancement. It's a job that pays well enough to help keep a roof over our heads and indulge in extras once in a while. More on that later...

You know, I'm basically thankful for my life as it is. It's nice to dream about big things, but it's nicer to have something to hold on to that's sure and real.

Nancy, I'm glad to hear your big adventure was successful yesterday, and that the harvest has gone safely and successfully. Happy birthday to your DH; my MIL would love your gift - she's a bit of a weather nut herself.

Lori, I'm also glad to hear you're feeling better today.

Deb, you and Katie have a blast in CA!

OK, now for the indulgence. Dinner last night. Definitely not the usual mid-week meal. Before the crowds arrived, I actually took in the surroundings. The atmosphere of the place itself made it very relaxing despite the full house. We were seated in the rear section of the restaurant, away from the open kitchen and the bar area. The rear section has a shoji screen in the back window. The setting sun cast soft shadows of the trees and shrubs outside on the screen. The decor is clean but not Spartan - medium-toned woods, black and white terrazzo floor, lots of delicate plantings and slim indoor trees, and framed black-and-white photographs and artwork on the walls. Deep blue heavy glass water tumblers, clear wine and drink glasses, solid white place settings, nice heavy flatware, white linens, and tables spaced to allow conversation without shrieking. The food was delicious and the flavors sparkling fresh. This is what the chef is known for and the kitchen staff delivered. Here's what we ate:

Shiitake-Leek Spring Rolls with Three Chile Dipping Sauce. I love mushrooms, and these were delicious, and the dipping sauce was 4-alarm spicy. It was served with an Asian greens slaw as a garnish and Romaine lettuce leaf wrappers to hold it all together for the dipping. Took the heat off the sauce, too.

Garlic-Black Pepper Lobster, Lemongrass Fried Rice, and Pea Tendril Salad. The lobster was deconstructed for easy eating; the body was standing up, tentacles in the air, stuffed with the rice. DH loved it. I could tell, because he was eating very slowly.

Crispy Skin Red Snapper in Sweet Corn-Lemongrass Broth, Roasted Garlic Yukon Gold Mashed Potato, and Heirloom Tomato Salsa. There were whole chanterelle mushrooms (look like little fans), diced red pepper, and asparagus in the broth. Can you tell I like mushrooms? I've never had red snapper before, but I'll be having it again. (And I didn't eat the potatoes!). Apparently, this was a change in the menu for August 18-28, because it's not on the menu posted at the website. I should be so lucky again!

Bittersweet Chocolate Cake, Sesame Nougat Ice Cream and Roasted Sesame Wafer, Chocolate Ganache. It also included a molded dollop of soft nougat cream (the consistency of well-whipped egg whites), coated in dark chocolate. The cake was soooo smooth in consistency, it was like eating extra-dark chocolate mousse. This is the reason I didn't eat the potatoes.

Back to reality today. Work to support the dining-out habit. Light dinner of various leftover proteins and fresh veggies. Workout like Monday night's. I did manage to get the bills paid before nodding off last night, and I believe there were stamps on all the envelopes this time!

Have a good day, ladies!

Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 2:11pm
Oh, gosh, I'm about to drool all over the keyboard!!! We had last minute turkey sandwiches and Lipton chicken noodle soup, because rain canceled our grillout. What a contrast! LOL!

Rhonda


Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time disapproving of others.

       ~~Rhonda~~


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Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 2:22pm
Been there, done that. It had to do with grilling, but it was because of a gas run-out instead of a weather rain-out. Too hot to cook anything else, too late for take-out. Ended up with par-grilled, par-boiled hotdogs. How many ways can you say ick?

I'll send you some tissue.....

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