Indian Summer

     This expression is usually reserved for a warm spell in November, but it has been so gloriously hot and over 20C for the last week that I think it qualifies! The trees are quite brilliant at the moment but are beginning to lose their leaves. Soon it will be time to start raking.

   Tomorrow may be the last day, though, as the rest of the week is forecast to be more autumnal - low to mid-teens and some badly needed rain. We had a good game of tennis on Sunday - I actually lasted on the court for the full hour and a half - but didn't do much for the rest of the day. The garden is pretty much tidied for winter but I will keep filling the bird bath until we have minus temperatures. I think the birds are delaying their departure for warmer climes because of the extended summer. Of course, there are still lots who stay around all winter. No idea how they survive!

Giving Thanks

    Today was Thanksgiving Day in Canada but, for me, it has been another week of overeating!

    Last Thursday, at the Seniors' Centre it was pumpkin pie day to all who showed up. There was actually a choice of pumpkin or apple but I had the traditional pumpkin with whipped cream. Yummy!

   On Saturday I was invited to a community dinner at the local church even though I'm not a church-goer. This time it was the full meal - turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables and coleslaw followed by, you guessed it, pumpkin or apple pie! This time I chose apple and it was excellent as was all the food. I went home rather over stuffed, just like the turkey!

    Sunday was a quiet day at home with very light meals but today, again, it was the whole works with the family, another delicious meal starting with pumpkin soup and this time it was back to pumpkin pie. I brought home some leftovers (mostly brussell sprouts as I'm the only one who really likes them). Guess what I will be eating for dinner tomorrow! By that time I will be thoroughly sick of turkey and anything that tastes of pumpkin!

BTW, before the family meal we went around the table saying what we were thankful for and the main sentiment was to be healthy and to have sufficient food, given how many people around the world who are affected by wars and horrendous weather are having to go without.

Autumn Days

    Decidedly cooler today although I haven't had to turn on the heat yet. We were well wrapped up for tennis this morning but I had stripped off two layers by the time I stopped. Our tennis days are drawing to a close as one club moves over to indoor tennis next week by erecting a "bubble" over the courts (I don't join as it is too expensive) and the other club closes down at the end of October. That will be it until next April, sadly.

   The overnight temperature is set to be around 6C tonight so I have brought in all my indoor plants that have been summering outside. I checked them for bugs before bringing them in but inevitably will have missed a few! The plants themselves are all looking very healthy and seem to have benefitted from the extra light they get outdoors. They will likely die back a bit in the coming months but right now look very healthy. The fern has done especially well but the Hibiscus will need to be pruned as it has grown rather tall and spindly. 

  Off to warm up some leftovers for dinner. I made a big batch of rice and chicken stir-fry the other day so it will hit the spot. 

My Food Diary

    I  picked up some of the local corn today from the farmer who brings it into the city in his truck. He was parked at the gas station on my way to Bridge today. I always like to support the local farmers but also buy it because it is incredibly fresh! I will have a cob with dinner tonight.

   Last week was just too much eating out. On Thursday the RODEO ladies (Retired Old Dames Eating Out) went to Eately Restaurant for the "I for Italian" page of our Eating Around the World project. I had decided not to eat Italian and had bay scallops with salad and rustic bread - a light lunch but not something I would normally cook for myself. Most of the group had pasta or pizza. Eately is rather a posh place but not overwhelmingly so, so it was a pleasant experience. 

   The following day it was Italian cuisine again at "Scaddabush" with the family, ostensibly a late birthday party for myself as oldest grandson was home from uni for the weekend. There, I did eat Italian with a mushroom pasta dish with truffle oil. It was very good, I would definitely eat there again. Natalie had pizza, Elliot had tortellini and Judy was very good and had a goat cheese and beet salad. 

    Now back to plain cooking for a few days but Thanksgiving is coming up on the weekend so I had better be prepared!