Last night I went to Ramadan dinner (technically breakfast, the meal at which they break their fast) with Jessi and Ahmed. how much fun was that? A room packed full of happy people filling up on the most delicious egyptian food. Because it was Ramadan we had to wait until the appointed time to eat, but because this was a very popular place for Muslims to eat dinner you had to get there early stake out a table.
It was a room full of people sitting and waiting, there was a buffet set up at one end and it smelled wonderful. It was hard to wait (and I had not been fasting the way they had been). About 10 minutes before it was time to eat you could go up and get your plate, but you could not start eating until the appointed time. Everyone dug in at once, it was a very happy time.
I mean that, this was a really happy time. There was a lot of joy and a lot of generosity in the air. Everyone was kind and smiling. Ahmed knew almost everyone, the room was mostly Egyptians along with some Palestinians and Somalis. How could you not be happy, this was an event, a coming together to share wonderful food with people.
I can’t possibly describe all the food, there were probably 3 or 4 eggplant dishes, 3 lamb dishes, all the vegetables are stewed with tomatos, every dip from baba ghanouj to fava to hummus to tzatziki, 4 salads, rice, falafel and even french fries for the kids. You couldn’t possibly eat enough of anything.
then they brought out the tea and dessert.
I was worried going in to this, I felt like I was walking into a minefield of customs and mores that I would not understand. I did not want to offend anyone. I made it through, I offended no one, i even knew enough not to try to shake someone’s hand when introduced.
Jessi and Ahmed rock, they continue to answer my questions, and I have a lot of them. Also, I notice that they were playing an Arabic language television station. I got to see the weather in India, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia (they all looked hot and sunny). Then they played some sort of soap opera. I was reminded of eating in a Mexican restaurant where they play Univision all the time.
Other than that I did nothing for halloween. I got home too late to hand out candy and I would not have been able to with the dogs barking and jumping the whole time. Last year Alan came over to help me with the trick or treaters, he got to hold Ghengis while I handed out candy. Alan’s great reward was a Ghengis pee stain on his sweatshirt.
in other news…
Ghengis is recovering nicely. He slept under the covers last night. He’s a good, warm little dog.
I’m trying to decide what to make for dinner. I have the house to myself, I should take advantage and cook. I do not know what to cook. Anything I want to cook will require a run to the store. I’ll have to think about it.
Thought about it (i love the way time just flies). I’m thinking pumpkin gnocci with sauteed kale and salmon. Yum? YUM! I’ll let you know how that goes.
Category Archives: Doogles
he’s a little trooper
I put the little guy in the car with a blanket and turned the heaters on in the seat. We got to the vet and he very subduedly (is this a word) tried to play with the other dogs and cats.
The vet loves loves loves ghengis, she’s the vet that he’s seen mostly since I got him. She always gets so excited when she sees him.
She checked his ear and cleaned it out for me. I clean his ear with the liquid, but I rreally need to be getting in there with a q-tip once a week but I’m so scared that I’ll hurt his ears. We’re just going to have to practice.
My vet gave me a big thing of ear medicine, way more than he needs. This way, when he gets another infection I can just treat him at home and not pay another office visit. I’d probably go in anyway, I feel better knowing that he’s being looked at by a professional. Still, it’s nice to not have to buy the ear goo every time.
So yeah, I guess little little ear tubes means I’m going to have to be more vigilant, even if I am super squeamish. I don’t want to hurt my little guy.
Okay party peeps, I’m off to Ramadan dinner with Jessi and her husband. yay Egyptian food!!!
poor little fella
Ghengis was scratching his ear more than usual again. I say ‘more than usual’ because ever since the day I brought him home he has scratched at his left ear and shook his head a lot. I even have video of the day I brought him home and he’s shaking and scratching. Most of the time he vet can find nothing wrong, every once in a while, it turns into an ear infection.
The vet and I don’t really know what to make of his ear. There’s no hearing loss, no mites, and no signs of allergy.
I was concerned about his ear last night, figured I’d call the vet and make an appointment for this evening or tomorrow. This morning, when I sat down to check my email and drink some tea Ghengis came to curl up next to me. This is not unusual, this is our morning ritual, cuddling for 30 minutes in the morning quiet. What was unusual was how desperate he was to cuddle, he kept shifting and repositioning.
I looked down at him and he gave me the saddest face, his lower jaw was quivering. Dogs can’t cry the way little kids can, but they can come close. So, the first day of my boss’ vacation and I have to call in late to work to take my dog to the vet. I’m totally getting a note from the vet just to prove I was not just taking the morning off.
sigh, poor little puppy.
happy to see you
it’s not the jumping, the barking, the happy dances or hyperventilating joy, those things are nice from the dogs when I return from a trip, but they aren’t what really make me happy. What I love is the exhausted dog pile, the happy, contented, tired dogs that pile onto me and fall asleep.
The goat farm was a wonderful weekend. We had so much fun. I’ll post pictures and stories later. Now is time to chill and watch movies and drink jamaica Tang.
I am a girl
So, what did I do this weekend? I played gender specific role playing games! Specifically, David did the Man things like replace the exhaust system on his car and I did the Woman things like laundry, dishes and cooking dinner.
I ended up making fried rice with the tofu and bok choy. Not entirely exciting but not bad.
Tonight my sister is coming over and we’re slumming it with KFC! aw yeah, i know how to be dirty.
There’s not much else going on, really. I researched reliable Volvo mechanics, found one near my house. I made all the arrangements with the dog sitter for this coming weekend. I looked up flights for new orleans for thanksgiving, they’re expensive, plus all trips must factor in boarding the dogs at a kennel or getting a dog sitter.
This weekend is the GOAT FARM!!!! We are so excited! Goat Farm! Nothing says romance like surly ungulates.
Did you know Tang makes Horchata? they do! It’s in my fridge right now. It’s overly sweet but good.