Chinese New Year

     Tomorrow is actually Chinese New Year but I celebrated today by making dumplings and fritters, Chinese style. I used leftover vegetables and meat from last night's dinner and wrapped small spoonfulls in Wonton wrappers. They are in the fridge chilling at the moment and I will fry them up soon to serve with pickled ginger and soy or plum sauce. It should be tasty.

   It's milder at the moment but rather dull and dreary. Good news is that I received an email from the tennis club saying Early Bird registration starts in March so I can start to look forward to getting out on the tennis courts. The club doesn't actually open until May 1st. but at least it's something to anticipate. Can't wait!

Winterlicious

    Blogger told me that "Winterlicious" is not a true word but, here in Toronto, it certainly is! We also have "Summerlicious", and these are two festivals put on by local restaurants to encourage new customers (or regulars) to try their meals.  They offer a set menu of a starter, main course and dessert for a ridiculously reduced price (today it was $34) and the lunch we had today was truly delicious! 

    I went with a group from the Seniors' Centre and had ricotta and caramelized onion Bruschetta, seared salmon with a barley and walnut salad and cappuccino trifle and coffee for dessert. Other choices were spaghetti and meatballs, spicy chicken and pork tenderloin but I think I had the best choice. I also had a glass of rose wine which was extra but perfectly complemented the salmon. No dinner tonight although I may snack on something later. Right now I'm still stuffed, I don't often eat a three course meal.

   The weather has warmed up a bit but the snow piles are still huge - I am still digging out the last snow fall which, after some rain yesterday, has now developed a crust of ice, very hard to heft onto the pile at the side of my driveway which is now over my head. No need to work on my biceps!

Snowed In Again!

    Huge blizzard hovering over this part of the continent and we have already received about 30 cms. of the white stuff. It started snowing overnight and has continued all day so who knows how much of the white stuff will have accumulated by the time it stops? The wind is also very strong blowing the snow into immense drifts. 

    I went out with the snowblower this afternoon and cleared the driveway but it will need to be done again tomorrow. First I had to dig a path to the front and back doors before I could even get the snowblower out and my hands were already frozen before I even started. So, after a warm up I was out again, this time I got it done. I will plug in the battery before I go to bed so it is ready in the morning. Luckily I don't have to be anywhere tomorrow (my Bridge game has been cancelled) but I hope the snow plough comes round to clear the road as I would like to be out by Tuesday. 

   It is supposed to be cold all week, never getting much above -10C. With the strong winds it feels much colder but not as bad as some parts of Northern Ontario and the Prairie provinces who are experiencing extreme wind chill temperatures!

Digging Out

      After a few mild Spring-like days we got a double whammy - frigid temperatures and a huge dump of snow. The schools were closed and people were asked to avoid any unnecessary travel. I didn't have to be told twice as I was well and truly home bound!

   This was yesterday. The temperature was in minus double digits all day and it snowed and snowed. We ended up with about 30 cms. which my little snowblower has a hard time handling. In fact some of the drifts were even deeper. The snow stopped around 3:00 p.m. and I went out to make a start on clearing it but only managed a path to the driveway and back door. The driveway itself defeated me and there was no way I could drive through so much snow. So, today, the family came over to dig me out. 

   It took three of them less than an hour to clear my route to the street (Judy on the snowblower and the two guys with shovels) so I was able to get back on schedule. The side roads and highways were quite clear but still some slippery spots so I drove cautiously. I was surprised how many people actually made it to the Seniors Centre - my ultimate destination. Yesterday, seemingly, it was a ghost town. The only person who arrived for their class came by public transit. Those buses can get through anything!

   There's more snow in the forecast but, hopefully, not as much. And the temperature is a balmy -4C!