I'm sure you can understand why this post was waylaid by this one as the first of the year...
2016 started out pretty fabulously for me. In preparation, I bought the world's best wrapping paper for VM's birthday gift.
The new year literally began with banana bread french toast for said bday. My photos didn't come out that great, but you get the idea.
This nerd got some too.
After brunch, I met up with my one of my oldest friend's families and had the opportunity to meet Cory Booker (!!!!!!). He made a very short, but inspiring speech and, afterward, he spoke calmly and warmly with each of the gads of folks clamoring for his attention as if it weren't a veritable mob scene. My in was a personal introduction by my fake father-in-law, a fellow politician, and I took it the extra mile by gifting him a Charm School Chocolate bar. I'd asked VM in advance if she thought I should share a bar from my haul and she posited, "Well, how much do you want to impress him?" A lot; he got the coconut milk chocolate with maple candied pecans and I hope he thought of me with every sweet and crunchy bite!
As if all of that wasn't enough, there were pignoli cookies from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar fordessert a midday snack.
And then...
ADELE tickets were my gift for VM- of course the caveat is that she has to go with me, but still. The show isn't until September and she has already informed me that we'll be eating at the new Cinnamon Snail at The Pennsy!! She'll get no argument from me on that front.
They weren't open on her actual birthday, so the next night we went to Desta Ethiopian Restaurant to celebrate. Aside from mine, VM hadn't had Ethiopian food in quite a while, so it was easy to convince her we needed to try everything. This is the large sampler that includes every veg item except for the mushroom tibs.
Aaaaand, here are the mushroom tibs. You can only order them as a dinner because they are not part of any sampler and you cannot order them as a side. They are worth every cent of money and every surprised look from the waitstaff when you don't choose between the sampler and the mushroom tibs dinner, instead ordering both while trying not to make eye contact.
Most of the vegetarian items at Desta are made with olive oil and are vegan by default, but you can confirm by requesting that everything be prepared that way instead of with the nit'ir qibe.
A good time was had by all. Too bad these birthdays only come up once a year.
2016 started out pretty fabulously for me. In preparation, I bought the world's best wrapping paper for VM's birthday gift.
The new year literally began with banana bread french toast for said bday. My photos didn't come out that great, but you get the idea.
This nerd got some too.
After brunch, I met up with my one of my oldest friend's families and had the opportunity to meet Cory Booker (!!!!!!). He made a very short, but inspiring speech and, afterward, he spoke calmly and warmly with each of the gads of folks clamoring for his attention as if it weren't a veritable mob scene. My in was a personal introduction by my fake father-in-law, a fellow politician, and I took it the extra mile by gifting him a Charm School Chocolate bar. I'd asked VM in advance if she thought I should share a bar from my haul and she posited, "Well, how much do you want to impress him?" A lot; he got the coconut milk chocolate with maple candied pecans and I hope he thought of me with every sweet and crunchy bite!
As if all of that wasn't enough, there were pignoli cookies from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar for
And then...
ADELE tickets were my gift for VM- of course the caveat is that she has to go with me, but still. The show isn't until September and she has already informed me that we'll be eating at the new Cinnamon Snail at The Pennsy!! She'll get no argument from me on that front.
They weren't open on her actual birthday, so the next night we went to Desta Ethiopian Restaurant to celebrate. Aside from mine, VM hadn't had Ethiopian food in quite a while, so it was easy to convince her we needed to try everything. This is the large sampler that includes every veg item except for the mushroom tibs.
Aaaaand, here are the mushroom tibs. You can only order them as a dinner because they are not part of any sampler and you cannot order them as a side. They are worth every cent of money and every surprised look from the waitstaff when you don't choose between the sampler and the mushroom tibs dinner, instead ordering both while trying not to make eye contact.
Most of the vegetarian items at Desta are made with olive oil and are vegan by default, but you can confirm by requesting that everything be prepared that way instead of with the nit'ir qibe.
A good time was had by all. Too bad these birthdays only come up once a year.
thank you to my wonderful Abby for such a very special birthday celebration only to continue in September when we see ADELE together!!!
ReplyDeletelove and hugs always,
vm
First of all I'd like to say, I wish I could adopt you. You do know how to celebrate and share the love. Your year's beginning sounds sweet (hahaha) and delicious. The Ethiopian food looks amazing, and I don't blame you for ordering both choices, though I'm sure I would have felt constrained to get just one, damn. And the wrapping paper! Can you say a little more about it?
ReplyDeleteI love a good celebration! The paper is from Shutterfly!
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to start the new year! Senator meeting, birthdays, Adele... All very cool! Many of my colleagues were miffed to not be able to buy tickets to her concert, therefore you are so lucky!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get in on the pre-sale and although my whole office was trying for tix day-of, I'm the only one whose order went through: I know I'm very lucky! I don't know anyone else who got tickets, but a friend of a friend who got a pair is selling them for thousands. We're keeping ours! Buying tix is a huge pet peeve of mine for this reason and I really wish there was a fairer procedure. We all know that if you're not lucky enough to get in as the system is intended, only the rich can afford to buy through third party sites.
DeleteOoh, Jarrod and I tried to go to Bunna last night but it was PACKED and now i'm craving Ethiopian food extra-hard after seeing yrs.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Cory Booker, I'd vote for you after that Charm City Chocolate gift.
And damn, damn, damn, that banana bread french toast!! I am swooning.
Desta is a trillion times better than Bunna! I'd be happy to meet in New Brunswick if you guys are ever up for it. Can you tell I really like it there?
DeleteI'm paying for all of these good eats now with tight pants!
Not even Adele tickets are worthy of that wrapping paper. I assume it was saved after the gift was unwrapped?
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise one! I absolutely wrapped the top & bottom of the box separately so it can be reused, but VM currently has it displayed on her piano so it's not been refilled yet.
DeleteEvery time I see a plate of Ethiopian food, I wonder why I don't eat it every day, mushroom tibs and all! And that is some cracking wrapping paper - is should be framed on the wall somewhere!
ReplyDelete