Last night I had an amazing dinner at Yoshi's house. She invited Stephan and I over for a proper Japanes meal complete with a menu she emailed us beforehand!!
Here was our menu:

Starter - Shimeji Soba with radish / cucumber dip
Main - Chicken & Shiitake with black bean sauce
Soup - Miso Soup
Rice - Chirashi zushi (family type sushi)
Desert - ice cream with Figs
Drink - Tea / Still & Sparkling water

OH it was sooooo good!!!! I never knew I liked Shitake mushrooms! She is going to give me the recipes for the Miso Soup and the rice. I thought of Jamie and Gen the whole time and how much they would have loved it!

Regarding weather... we have crossed a bridge. I woke up cold in the middle of the night a couple nights ago and have put the tick comforter back on my bed. I have turned on the timers for the heaters and have started wearing a jacket to work.... when I get back from Venice this weekend I will pack up all my tanks and sandals and pull out all my turtle necks and sweaters!!!