Surprise Packages and Smoking Tandoori

Today started out like any other day. Terry headed out to his office at the VA and I had files to do at home. Terry works with the veterans at the VA to help them get rides they need for their medical and dental appointments. I do transcription and closed captioning from home. I shot Terry an "I love you" text and settled down to begin work. 

After several hours of typing, I heard a knock on the door. I was handed two packages. Terry orders quite a few things online that may be more difficult to locate in the Roseburg shopping scene. I took both boxes and tossed them into his recliner. The regular mail was delivered with the packages too, including a thick envelope that had a rubber band stretched around it. This means playtime for Kit. He loves to pull the rubber band and watch as it snaps back into place upon his release. 

Thirty minutes of snapping and I was done. I grabbed the mail and placed it in a higher spot where I figured Kit could not get to it. Sitting down and adjusting myself to begin work, the phone rang. Many people ask me if I get a lot of work done since I do files at my home desk. The answer is typically the same, "No." Either the phone rings or someone knocks or I'm chasing kitties and a dog around the house like I have a couple of toddlers. It is what it is and I actually do love it. I feel blessed that we have the life we have. Our home is special to me. It's peaceful and filled with laughter and love. 

Beginning a file again, I work until I hear the key go into the front door lock and turn. This means my sweet man is home! We greet each other and I go back to complete the file. I only have about three minutes left to do and he loves to go out to smoke a cigar upon his return. 

After he finishes his relaxation time and I have my file complete, we hear a knock on the door again. Another large box has arrived! This time it is something that he has ordered that we both knew was coming, although we expected it on Monday. Today was Friday (3/3/2023). Yay! Early arrival of packages is always a good thing. 

Terry sets the box down and goes off to grab the box cutter. One slice and the top is opened ... He reaches in and pulls out a bunch of air bags to protect the item during shipping. Ugh. Hurry up and get to the good part. I feel like the family in Christmas Story, feeling the excitement and reading, "fragilay" on the box top. After pulling out all the bags, he gets to the good stuff. He reaches in and carefully pulls out a large acrylic Buddha. It was beautiful!

Upon our arrival to Old Town Florence, Terry was shown a large acrylic Buddha I had fallen in love with a few years ago. The Buddha sat in a crystal and rock shop that sits along the unique store fronts in the small seaside town. Terry laid eyes on the Buddha in the shop and immediately he began a quest to find one for himself. He found one, claimed it, and had it delivered. 

It's about 14 inches tall and while a bit different from the original one I saw, it's still beautiful. I love the feeling behind it, the meaning, and of course because Terry loves it too. I was so happy he found what he had been looking for. It will definitely bring some good energy into our new home when we move. 

Once we had the new Buddha up and smiling, we discussed dinner. Terry asked if I would like to go out and of course the answer was "Yes." We chose Indian cuisine tonight instead of the usual Chinese food or Mexican restaurant. Best Taste of India is a new place we decided to try. 

While the sign on the front of the building in this picture says, "Real Taste of India," the restaurant is called "Best Taste of India." Not sure what happened here, unless this was a really old photo taken from the Internet. I did type in a search for images, and this is what came up. If you click on the link, you will be directed to the Best Taste of India restaurant. 

Terry and I chose the first booth shown here. It was quiet and the place was clean looking. There was a backroom where I believe a party was starting, as the music was playing, and we could hear voices that continually grew louder. One man came to the French style door and closed them, making it much quieter in the main restaurant. 

To start us off, Terry ordered up some of the wonderful garlic naan served with a smile. Their naan was amazing! Buttery goodness melted in your mouth. Little flecks of garlic flavor struck the taste buds. Not overwhelming and yet just enough to make it a wonderful experience. 

Samosas came next. Wow, delightful little pockets of spiced up potatoes inside a crispy, crunchy, light crust. Perfect to start off the meal. 

For the main course, Terry chose a mixed vegetable curry dish over rice. He loved it and said it was very good. I took his word for it, as he likes spicy foods that will light up his mouth and singe his tongue. Me? Not so much. If I get so much as an onion on my plate I'm dying, grabbing for water, and calling 911. 

Mixed veggie curry before it was mushed together on his plate. 

Tonight, I chose the food that looked like the house was on fire. Chicken tandoori, non-spicy style food came out of the kitchen, steaming and sizzling. You can see the steam rolling off the top of this dish as it arrived. Wow! Was it ever good! Bone-in chicken marinated in some sort of rub. There were green peppers and onions, plus a spice of some sort on the plate upon serving. Those items were discarded as I grabbed a couple of pieces of the chicken and began to pick away at it. I found my new go-to if we go back there to eat. 

My chicken tandoori with naan. 

Another day, another experience with Terry. As each day passes, the love grows stronger, the memories are meaningful, and deeper the souls bond.