NaBeel's (A Review)

This past Saturday we took all the children (they are all grown-ups) out for lunch in celebration of our youngest's graduation from nursing school. I picked a restaurant near the venue called NaBeels. NaBeel's is located in Homewood, Al on Oxmoor Rd. It had good reviews and bonus, it was Greek. One of the things I miss/crave is Greek food.

We arrived early and took a seat at the bar. It was fun to watch the prep work being done for the coming day. After about twenty minutes we asked for a glass of wine to drink while we waited for everyone to arrive.The staff were cheerful and pleasant.

Once seated service took a serious downer. Thankfully we weren't in a hurry but you know it's bad when your server deliberately avoids eye contact. Twice, I left the table to get a server for a particular item. I suppose that since an 18% tip was built in that she didn't feel that she needed to work for it. She really, really didn't deserve it.

The food was a complete opposite. WOW!!!!! From the Bifteki (Greek hamburger) and moussaka  to the pastitsio and the Camel Riders, everyone agreed the food was superb. Dessert was fantastic too. Tiramisu and canoli  topped off our meal. So go to NaBeel's but sit at the bar or get take out.


Keywords: Birmingham, Alabama, Homewood, Greek, Restaurant, Review, Camel, Rider, mousaka, Mythos beer, 

Holiday Bucket List

Usually I simply just "get through' the holiday season.  It rarely provides me with any particular joy. I'm annoyed by the crowds and the screaming, whining, demanding children. I am also bothered by the fact the people feel compelled to get me a gift. Thank you but I really don't need anything beyond day-to-day items. This year however, in honor of my fresh start,  I've decided to actually make an attempt at the holiday spirit. Below is my Holiday Bucket list:

1. Make real hot chocolate (with quality cocoa and milk on the stove top.)
     On Saturday my brother and his girlfriend were visiting and I made the hot chocolate for dessert. I used my favorite recipe for this from a drink called an Irish Goodnight created by one of their bartenders (Dar) from the McGuire's Irish Pub cookbook. Thanks Dar. The recipe calls for Irish Mist but we all exercised our own preference including no booze at all. It was dark, and devilishly delicious.) Update 12/12/2012): I've made it twice now. My Daddy got a taste of some of the leftovers and had me make him a quart to go and teach him how I do it.

2. See the Christmas lights in my new home town.
     OK, I'm marking this one off but it was kind of fudged. I had visions of spending an evening devoted to seeing the lights but we drove around a little bit after going to the theatre last Thursday. So that will have to do. Unfortunately, not as many of the beautiful houses downtown are decorated as I had expected. 

3. Decorate my house elegantly with beautiful lighting and items. (Heaven help me because Bobby is already talking about doing the outside in Redneck style.)
     Pretty satisfied with this one. My tree is beautiful with lots of lights and ornaments. I made a pretty substantial topper which includes a large bird with a long feathery tail. The shrubs out front are covered in white lights and the beautiful wreath made by my sister-in-law is one the front door.

4. Do Twelve Days of Christmas for my husband.
     Done! 1 box of candy, 2 new gel inserts for his work boots, 3 boxes of Cracker Jacks, 4 Double Moon Pies, 5 rolls of sushi, 6 pack of beer, 7 Pez dispenser and 6 rolls of Pez candy, 8 ounces deluxe mixed nuts, 9 ounces sesame candy, 10 ounces of his favorite crackers, 11 ounces chocolate pretzels, 12 ounce bottle of shower gel. Yes I know most of this is food. That's how I think, in food. OK, so I didn't do very well with this one. What have I learned from this experience???? That the women who do this sort of thing are stay at home wives and mothers who have time to think this stuff up. Admittedly though it was fun, it made him smile, and I will do it again but I'll start thinking, planning, and buying in August.

5. Do 24 RAoKs for Advent. (Random Acts of Kindness)

I will post updates as I progress.

Ten Commandments of Grocery Shopping

The Ten Commandments of Grocery Shopping

1.       Thou shalt not ignore thy screaming child. Do something even if it means taking precious out of the store.

2.       Thou shalt not block the middle of the aisle with your buggy. Move it to the side as far as possible.

3.       Thou shalt be considerate of other customers whilst you yack with your BFF on the phone or in person. Keep your voice low and review Commandment #1.

4.       Thou shalt not attempt the express lane with thy EBT, WIC, or other welfare items. These things take time and have to be sorted out. There is nothing speedy about them even if you only have a few items.

5.       Thou shalt not enter the express lane with more than the allotted items. Read the number on the sign then count the number of items in your buggy. Simple.

6.       Thou shalt not use coupons in the express lane. Anything other than ringing, paying, and leaving is not speedy.

7.       Thou shalt not use the express lane if you wish to write a paper check. Get in a regular lane. Let’s face it…if you are still using paper checks you shouldn’t attempt the self check out either.

8.       Thou shalt have thy method of payment ready. Get out your card while the cashiers ring you up. Fill out your paper check while you wait in line. Have your cash in hand waiting for the total.

9.       Thou shalt put thy buggy in the cart rack when thou art done. You don’t want a buggy crashing into your car and neither does anyone else, besides it makes you look like a lazy schmuck.

10.   Thou shalt be kind to the cashiers and baggers. They work for pretty low pay and there is no reason to make their jobs any worse.

So what do all these things have in common? …Have consideration for your fellow shoppers. For many people grocery shopping is their only outing they have. Some people just enjoy looking at new and different items. Whatever their reason for being there you should go out of your way to practice common courtesy and make sure their trip to the store isn’t ruined by anything you do.