what happened to December?

what a crazy whirl wind of a month! I am making my solstice gifts for all the girls and getting ready forall the friends and family who will be here in christmas day.

My favorite boy had a birthday last week and it had to be a surprise. Sister M. decorated with black paper stars and ribbon, quite effective. I'd post a pic but am stuck on this silly Toshiba windows thing that is (arr) driving me nuts.

nathan and I went to dinner prior to his surprise party at Paley's Place and had an excellent meal at a horrible table in the "bistro" area. watching the server station at the bar was just not the view I wanted. Nathan had bone marrow, escargot and sweet breads for the first time. the food was excellent, of course, and the wine was good but I would choose different if I could go back in time. I had a shrimp thing with winter veggies that was interesting They expected you to eat the whole body of the bug, but I could only gnaw on the egg sack, too many arms and legs for me. we had a chocolate soufflé for desert which I had a candle for. I am glad I didn't tell them it was nathan's birthday, though maybe it would have gotten us a better table. probably not going to rush back to that place tho. We then went for drinks at a bar where the friends and family were waiting. Only two of nates friends made it, but my usual gang was in attendance.

Nathans parents took us out to dinner the following night. They were both exhausted and had gone to some dinner before hand at the art museum. neither of them seemed to like Le pigeon, but I don't think nateys mom likes anything about portland. I had the boeuf bourgogne, and nathan had the most amazing venison with a blue cheese fluff thing. I have never in my meat eating life eaten a better slice of mammel.

I did get my shoe shelf built, but after putting a few pairs away realize I need twice as much room as I thought I did. A 6' by 5' wall thing will only fit 60 pairs, and I have at least 120 not counting boots or the new ones from the past year and three quarters. I had a friend in from seattle down to help me put shoes away, and he said I should think about getting rid of a few. I told him to set aside any he thought were unworthy of my collection. He didn't find any rejects but I found three shoes to be tossed, thats 1.5 pairs kids! a job well done! around nine we decided it was time for Le Din Din, Brazil grill, an absolute orgy of meat. Meat on swords! Barbecued meat on swords, could it get any better? YES! It's all you can eat! makes me hungry all over again. We had a great bottle of wine, and some good conversation. wonder why they don't do something about the decor, or lack of, in that place? Then again who cares, it's all you can eat meat!

Out of the three, where would I want to go again for sure? the burnside squab and the south american meat orgey. paley's was a pale place compared to the last time I went there. maybe it was the view..

momzilla showed up at noon today, while I was looking for my phone to call her. We hit a couple dansco shops in hopes of clogs for her, but no luck. We did hit the thrift stores for xmas bulbs. red, green and silver. should be okay with the color changing lamp I got for my tree project. expect pics!

Tonight: drill holes in poles for xmas tinsel tree. Maybe toss a few decorations on it too.
clean my room
sweep floor in the front room
start some beans for bean stew
decide if I want to go to santacon part duex..


starving!