Reconnecting

This past weekend was all about catching up with old friends!  On Friday night, we had some friends over for dinner.  We’ve been wanting to do it for ages, and literally years had gone by since we’d finally coordinated!  We had an intimate dinner with our families and it was thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing. They have a 11-year old son who epitomizes, in my eyes, a great upbringing. Not only is he articulate and engaging, but so helpful and loving with my little kids and the kitchen after dinner. My husband and I were very impressed! Here’s one of the dishes I prepared for the evening, Aloo Gobi (potato and

  cauliflower curry). The rest of the menu consisted of chicken curry and basmati rice pilau with peas and mushrooms.

Saturday night, we had not one but two parties to attend! It’s funny how things happen, but often we

  have zero plans for Saturday night, and this weekend we were juggling multiple events!  First we had a Diwali party (Diwali is a major Hindu holiday which occurred in early November. It’s a festival of lights, and has unique meanings for various religious sects and groups) at some friends from law school whom we haven’t seen in ages. This party is an annual event, and always very warm and festive.  Waiters were milling around with appetizing trays of kebobs, samosas and various Indian sweets.  Soft Indian classical music played in the background, and the whole house – a stunning home in Toronto’s swanky Forest Hill district – was decorated in tea candles and soft lighting.  It was a mix of family and friends, and it was so enjoyable to see old friends, and catch up with our friends’ delightful parents who were also there.

At around 10:30, we made our way to Dupont and Dufferin (my first time in this up-and-coming neighbourhood in the west end of Toronto) and we almost got lost!  This party was a going away party for our friends, Arif and Suchita, who are moving to Delhi for the next 18 months. Arif, a lawyer, is going to be working as a human rights lawyer with the Delhi police!  All very exciting and great to see everyone, but by this time, pregnant Amreen was fading!  My feet were throbbing from heels that are rarely worn and it was time to go. We said our farewells and made our way home.

Here’s a picture of Arif and I from his beautiful wedding last year:

Sunday morning, after delicious sleep-in arranged by my husband, I met my old roomies for breakfast at

  the King Edward Hotel on King Street in Toronto.  The brunch, which was a special treat by my dear friend  Iram for my and my other friend, Avril’s, newly announced pregnancies, was out of this world – I’m talking heaven for a hungry, pregnant lady!  Everything imaginable was in sight, but my fave was the ENORMOUS dessert table, where I promptly sampled everything from the tiramisu to the chocolate fountain!

Back to work today a little more tired than usual, but it was great to catch up with old friends and celebrate the many exciting changes in their lives.