i have a new favorite restaurant.  last night dad and i took mum out for an early birthday to a posh eatery http://www.staranise.ca. dinner was divine, and they had extended their "eat out vancouver" special (a price fix menu that many upper end restaurants in vancouver feature for a month or so every year to encourage us poor shlubs that perhaps can't indulge often in their wares to come in for a treat) which was a welcome suprise to me.  to any locals, or to anybody visiting vancouver, star anise is also going to do a price fix menu every thursday starting in march ($25 for appy, entree, and dessert) and after last night's experience, it's definitely a must-do.  i had called beforehand to pre-order dessert for mum, and as soon as i told the gentleman on the phone that it was mum's bday, he told me he'd arrange something special, just leave it to him.  turns out that gentleman was the charming and witty owner who was our host for the evening.  he doted on my mother, bantered with my father, and was attentive without being intrusive.  after having our mouth-watering meal, he came out with some kind of divine chocolate concoction (it was like a frozen ice-cream cake of some sort, but definitely nothing like DQ!) with a candle, whereupon he took many family pics on my mums camera without her even asking and then whisked it away to bring back single servings that were beautifully presented.  the atmosphere in the restaurant is cosy and welcoming, and all the art was done by his wife, who has a very interesting imagination.  apparently they shut the restaurant down on sunday afternoons, and she teaches watercolour classes there.

mum was very pleased with all the thai silk cushions and the table runner that dad and i got her (they're renovating their home, and she's dolling things up quite a bit) and considering she's leaving for england on a two week holiday next week, i think she's done pretty well! next year is the big one for her (the big 60!) so i better get going on planning something exciting  

my life-style has changed quite a bit during this reno, and i think in many ways it has been good for me. i often get too focussed, fixated on completing projects immediately and getting overwhelmed with the workload i've put myself under.  i was hardly a hermit, but i certainly wasn't enjoying the "outside world" as much as i could have.  with the chaos of the renos, it's forced me to drop a lot of things and get out doing other stuff.  all the exercise has made me drop a few pounds (although with all the eating out not nearly as much as i might have!) and re-examine my independance. i've always been very self-sufficient, but have let people help me when convenient cuz it's just quicker.  these days i'm still doing for others, but not taking up anybody on favors in return (although when the project's finished i'll definitely have to as there's no way i can get this place fixed up again on my own!) i can't wait to have my apartment presentable again, and am thinking of repainting it. i'm thinking pear colours...something fresh.

that's it for now, i'm off to get ready to go out (again), today just round the corner to the pub with my dad's partner's daughter robyn.  haven't seen her since her brother's wedding, and before that i don't remember when. she's a girl after my own heart though, should be fun, and i will try to behave myself this time (last time i was at the pub was superbowl, and that's a whole nasty story in itself, but probably too x-rated for this site! ha ha)

cheers my darlins!