Today marks the 43rd year since dad dropped off mom at the hospital and went off to work. Not long later a little Jerry was born.
I once used to think I had an issue about age and getting older. I really don't though. I am content with my age and the freedom it brings. Of course - I notice things like thinning hair, slowing metabolism, fumbling fingers when I try to do up the tiny buttons on my shirts but I weigh that with the good things (own a house, great job, family and friends whom I love, and so on) and guess what, it is all good!
Last night Ruth made plans to go out for dinner with us to a Thai restaurant here in Burlington called My Thai (how cute is that?) by the Lake. Yes, it is located by the lake at the base of a large condo looking out over the water. When I first moved to Burlington Thai restaurants were not to be found - they were far too exotic I guess. Now ten years later they thrive!
We were supposed to be there at 7:30 and at twenty after seven Paul came upstairs and wondered if I was soon to be ready (I was finishing up yesterday's blog). I pushed save and ran about getting ready to go. Then I lost my wallet. Then I lost my glasses. Yes folk, we were late! Quite late it turned out. Luckily everyone else was late as well.
The restaurant is located in an area of Burlington that has many restaurants and bars but also has little parking. I was delayed again while we tried to park. Finally I dropped Paul off and drove around until I had a spot.
There were six of us for dinner. Paul and I, Ruth, Dave, Rosanne, and Catherine. It was wonderful to see Dave and Rosanne because we so rarely get to see them (they live in Ottawa) and a surprise to see Catherine. Paul, Ruth, Catherine, and I all have birthday's with 16 days of one another so this was really our 'birthday dinner'. It was a shame we didn't know Catherine was coming because we would have brought her gift with us - oh well, she will get it on Monday when we go to our class at the LCBO.
The restaurant was full - I had never been there when it was this busy. There were a number of large tables; it seems as if many people were celebrating birthdays! The waitress seemed a bit harried when she came over and took our drink orders. Ruth, ever the planner, also ordered our appetizers (2 orders of shrimp rolls, 2 orders of spring rolls, and 2 orders of soft spring rolls). Our drinks arrived followed shortly by our appetizers. We were so hungry that I didn't even have time to snap some pics before the plates were emptied.
For our main dishes we ordered 'family style'. Everyone ordered their favourite dish and we all shared. We ordered 2 mango salads, 2 cashew chicken, 2 basil chicken, Pad Thai, Red Curry Chicken, Pineapple Chicken, and Emerald Curry. Every one of the dishes was chicken (poor planning on our parts)! The waitress reminded us that we hadn't ordered rice and she suggested two large dishes of jasmine rice which was perfect.
The food was very well prepared. Good Thai food should have multi layers of flavours: sweet, salty, hot, and spicy. None of these layers should over-power the other. Dinner was perfect! We weren't able to eat it sll so Paul and I ended up with all of the leftovers (double yeah!)
The bill for the six of us with beer, drinks, and non alcoholic drinks for the non-indulgent types, was $ 180. It is rare to get a great meal such as this for $ 30 a person. Clearly we shall return, just not on a Friday night when you can hardly hear yourself talk to the person next to you.
After dinner Ruth invited us back to her house for drinks, coffee, tea, and cake. We knocked back a wonderful red wine from Australia that Ruth had in her wine cellar (good choice Dave)! and enjoyed cake supplied by Dave and Rosanne.
As always, the best part of the evening was the presents! Catherine had gotten me some wonderful sauces from a gourmet food shop here in Burlington. Ironically they were made by Stonewall Kitchens which we had visited in Maine. I had tasted these sauces but not bought them to bring home so this was a great treat! Dave and Rosanne bought me 2 months of the wine and cheese club. For the next two months I will receive a bottle of red wine selected by one of Canada's foremost sommeliers and a cheese perfectly selected to match it. They bought the same for Paul so this should take us through to November - what a great treat! Ruth bought me a wonderful piece of garden art, some aged balsamic vinegar, a cookie cookbook, some scented tea light candles, and an amazing looking chutney from Scotland. It is so great to have friends who know the things that you enjoy (art, food, and booze!)
At 11:30 we had to dash home because I was getting quite tired. Our plan was to go to the market today and if we were going to leave at 6:30 to beat the summer 'tourist' rush we could not have a late night!
Tonight Paul is cooking my birthday dinner and then it shall be more gifts. Yeah. It all makes getting another year older soooooo very worthwhile!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRO!!! We'll celebrate when I visit! I wish you a fantastic birthday and many more - you deserve the best! We're thinking of you!
Posted by: Rose | July 15, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Happy Birthday!
What a great place to celebrate. I looooove thai food. Great choices! I went through a thai cooking phase... but never could get it perfect. Now we just order out!
Posted by: sandi @ the whistlestop cafe | July 16, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Hi Jerry,
I know I am late but many happy returns on your birthday! Hope you had a great day and were spoiled rotten.
Posted by: Robert | July 16, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Sandi - we took a great Thai cooking class when we were in California two years ago. Because we have some great asian markets nearby we can easily get all of the special ingredients. For us summer is grilling time and the fall stir fries though for some reason! LOL
Thanks Rob! Spoiling was the order of the day - woo hoo!
Posted by: Jerry | July 17, 2007 at 08:32 PM