The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the ritual celebrations. There was a double hitter this weekend. On Friday, it started first with my office staff Christmas party at The Mint Leaf, a local Indian restaurant. This was an excellent if somewhat unconventional holiday feast of pakoras, samosas, chicken tandoori, lamb vindaloo, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, fragrant basmati rice, palak paneer, baigan bharta, ras malai, poached pear with pistachio ice cream..all washed down with several bottles of wine, Guinness, and martinis. Many stories of yesteryear and general good cheer was shared by all.
On Saturday, Mr. Hippo and I were off to his office staff Christmas party at La Felicita, an Italian restaurant in Oakville. This was a similar good time party at a lovely bakery and cafe which served up an sumptuous meal. Such gatherings usually create a few problems for me as I rarely meet Mr. Hippo's company folks but once a year. I did have some difficulty in remembering the names of the over 40 fellow employers and their spouses but generally speaking, I think everyone was in the same boat. The new restaurant, and special loot bag gift of Italian cookies were the most obvious and welcome signs of change in social committee at Mr. Hippo's company. The long promised summer BBQ may become a reality this coming year.
What awaits this week...the nurses Christmas dinner and the the hospital physicians holiday gathering.....'tis the season.
