Monday, August 28, 2006

We’re still alive ...Working, cooking and entertaining

I know that we haven’t been visiting or posting much lately and since I’ve been using my laptop so little lately, Dale hasn't had much of a chance to post either. I’m even using my lunch break to write this one. Geezzz!

One of the reasons for our latent blogging activities is that Ma and Pa (OrangeX’s parents) are visiting us. They’ve been here a week already and will be staying for another two. Ma has been cooking delicious Indonesian and Dutch food for the past week and it’s a blessing to come home after a strenuous day and dinner is already prepared.

The other reason is that I’m very busy at work. We have a big exhibition coming up mid- October where we’ll be launching a new product: Merchandising articles have to be ordered, photo shootings organized, launch pack prepared, leaflets need to be completed and printed, artwork for the booth, and the list goes on. So when I come home these days, I’m just too exhausted to read or write much. But we do have weekends!

Last Saturday, we invited TBFs over for an Indonesian dinner before they left for their next trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Ma and I prepared following (well, I helped and she did the cooking): Bami Goreng (Indonesian stir fried noodles), Tjap Tjoi (pronounced Chap Choi, a mix of stir fried vegetable and chicken), Babi Ketjap (pork simmered in sweet soy sauce), and Foe Yong Hai an Indonesian omelet filled with thinly sliced vegetables, ham and crab meat. It was fabulous!

Ma was not only impressed, but loved to watch TBF go for second and third servings (or wasn’t there also a small fourth serving, TBF??). Ahhh! That’s definitely a way to make Mama Orange-X happy!

After a small break, we brought out the Spekkoek, a “thousand layer” spice cake that we served with the coffee. Ma and Pa went to bed around midnight and we spent the rest of the evening with TBFs and had many more laughs. I will add some picts this evening when I get home, or a link to the album, should Blogger not let me! You will notice that we were too hungry to take pictures before the meal, so you'll see mostly leftovers.

Next week, we’ll be having another group of friends over for dinner and I hope that the weather will be better.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

oh that sounds like so much fun!!!! MY highlight was dimsum with the photo group. Really it was fun, but not as many laughs...

Glad at least dinner is ready. I just found out I have wed, thurs, friday off and monday is a holiday. Then school starts on Tuesday...

Back to school schedule. Also a woman from Dec 30th got a decision made on her immigration. Maybe I'm within a month for at leasat some contact!

I too have been dead to the world!

The Big Finn said...

I lost count of how many helpings I had. All I can say is that everything was really, REALLY great!!! Anytime you and Ma Orange want to cook for us is fine with us.
Thanks for a great evening.
BTW...I think King smelled Dale on my clothes. Oh...oh.

CanadianSwiss said...

ET: I love Dim Sum, but including laughter ;-) Hope you get some good news from immigration.

TBF: Anytime! You are both ALWAYS welcome for a drink, a simple meal or an extravagant one. Ma and Pa really ejoyed having you around (not to mention feeding you)! I hope King didn't deny you. Maybe a tube of vitamins might cheer him up? Any Speckkoek left at your end?

CanadianSwiss said...

Fab: Your estimate is quite accurate. I'll try to make up for it on my next post, or let OrangeX or Dale have a go at blogging again :-)

Xmichra said...

You stil look like you had a wonderful time despite the weather :)
Always so eclectic with meals... do you like all origins of food?

CanadianSwiss said...

Xmicha: Yes, I like to try just about anything from extremely hot to extremely mild. I don't think that there is a fruit ot veggie that I don't eat, and I pretty much like all meats. The only thing that I'm not too fond about is fish and seafood. Then again, it always depends on how it's prepared.

Ginnie Hart said...

As always, CS, you and OX are quite the hosts. I'm SOOOOO glad you're having help from Ma these days that you're super busy and stressed out. What great timing! And dear Pa! I just want to gather him up in my arms and hug him ever so gently. It looks like he's just soaking everything up in his own quiet way....Does Dale like to go sit next to him, I wonder?

Xmichra said...

ohh.. i love yellow snapper, i sorta broil it over lemons and a dry white wine. then top it with lemon pepper and ccayenne pepper. Very yummy. And shrimp.. oh love shrimp :)

Mark said...

Aah Ginnie, pa is not a talker. He has his fun in the crowd, all by himself. You are so right: he does enjoy every little moment he spends here. We will probably never notice how much he enjoys himself. It's all happening deep down inside... Just let him be and respect the way he enjoys life in his own way. After all, we're all one of a kind, aren't we? ;-)

Xmichra - no other words than: "Get yourself over here and let's cook together!"

Unknown said...

Wish I was there! Kiss that big hunk of an X for me, ok?

CanadianSwiss said...

Babs: So do we. And I did kiss the X ;-)

CanadianSwiss said...

Babs: So do we. And I did kiss the X ;-)

Mark said...

Babs, CS did kiss me, but why don't YOU come over and kiss me?? ;-)

Xmichra said...

ORANGE...you flirt you! haha...

I would love to cook one night with you guys! I hear you are trippin' on over to Canada.. and I am probably going to Montreal next summer ;)

christina said...

Wow - busy, busy, busy! I'd be in a coma if I had as much on my plate as you guys do. :-)

CanadianSwiss said...

Xm- Yes, he is a flirt, but one of the good ones ;-) He's just very caring and shows it. Hmm. You'll be in Montreal next summer??? Veeery interesting. If all goes well with the move, I'll let you know. Maybe we can meet. PS: Sorry for the delay. Have hardly had my computer on lately :-(

Christina: Busy is the word, indeed! I almost DID fall in a coma after that meal! Wow!

merlinprincesse said...

Nice party! Now I'm hungry! :)))

CanadianSwiss said...

I'm hungry,too, MP. But maybe it's just because it's 7pm already :-)