Stay-at-home Sunday

     Tennis is pretty much over for the year. We had planned to play this morning but it was cold (5C) and damp so common sense prevailed and we stayed home. The nets will come down in a couple of days and that will be it until late April or early May. I had quite a long walk this afternoon once it had dried up, but I was well bundled up.

   I bought another humungous cauliflower this week and, since I am still eating (from the freezer) the soup I made with the last one, I decided to make a casserole with lots of cheese and a crunchy topping instead. Inevitably there was some tomato added! It was yummy and will last me several days.

   Another puzzle finished - this one has been on the go for nearly a month but I was determined not to give up. Now it can go back to the friend I borrowed it from. She did warn me it would take a while.

   And, finally, a late blooming hibiscus flower on the plant I brought indoors for the winter. There are two more buds almost ready to open.

Just a Few Jottings

     Got my shots this week - Covid last Monday and 'flu on Friday - no side effects. So I am set for all the winter coughs and sneezes.

   On Thursday I attended my first R.O.D.E.O. lunch of the year (Retired Old Dames Eating Out). This is a group from our Probus club and we are eating "around the world". Norma had made up passports for us to record each meal and thoughts on the different restaurants. This week it was A for Afghanistan and she found a local restaurant with food from that country. It's called Naan Kabob and I had a Paneer wrap and a delicious mango smoothie. Next month we are visiting The Balkans, can't wait to see what she comes up with.

   Exercise class was cancelled on Friday (Alison had twisted her ankle) so I went for a long walk instead and managed 5,000 steps. It was surprisingly mild, in fact a record was set for Oct. 28th - 23C!

A Fristy Frosty Morning

    The nasturtiums in my header photo had to go yesterday as frost was forecast last night and, yes, there was frost on the pumpkin this morning. I was out early for a dental appointment and didn't leave any time to scrape the ice off the car windows - nearly made myself late! After the dentist I was due for my Covid shot but I had been hoping to also get the 'flu shot. That's booked for next Monday.

   Tennis on Sunday was brutally cold but we soldiered on and managed two sets. The wind screens had been taken down and the wind was pretty strong. The sun finally appeared and I was actually beginning to warm up by the time we stopped but I never did manage to take off any layers. We must have looked a fright in our winter jackets, hats and gloves. Just two more days, Thursday and Sunday and that will be it until April. Boo Hoo!

   The leaves have finally started to turn and, no doubt, will be littering the lawns and sidewalks soon. But I did manage to grab a few shots at the park on Sunday.

This bush is actually in my back yard. I think it's called "Burning Bush" for obvious reasons!

Eating Out

    I don`t eat out very often but this week was an exception - two events occurring in the same week! In fact I could have had two meals out on Thursday but common sense prevailed and I turned down one invitation.

   On Tuesday it was the monthly lunch at one of the retired teachers` groups I belong to. It was preceded by a craft sale with some of our talented crafters displaying their wares. This year it included baked goods by my friend Susan who had baked pies, tarts and cookies and was selling them at incredibly good prices. I bought lots and she almost sold out! The meal that followed was a delicious lasagna and Caesar salad with apple crumble for dessert. Any meal I don`t have to cook myself is always a treat.

   Thursday was my daughter`s 50th birthday (unbelievable, right! Where has the time gone). The six of us met at an Indian restaurant where we ordered several tasty dishes which we passed around to share. Some were a bit too spicy for my taste but I tried a bite of everything and drank lots of water to cool my burning mouth. Lots of lively conversation and jollity with the teenagers around the table so I was sorry to say goodbye (hugs all round) and make my way home. Judy sent me home with a slice of birthday cake which I will have tonight.

   The other meal on Thursday was lunch with some members of my Probus group following the meeting and speaker. Not all members opt to attend but it is usually a nice way to end the morning and socialize with new and old friends. Maybe I will attend next month. We had an excellent speaker this time (not all are!), her topic was "Agatha Christie and Archaeology". Who knew the great mystery writer was also very knowledgeable when it came to Egyptian artifacts?

    So, a busy week food wise but now I will have to eat more abstemiously to make up for all these extra calories!

A Cold Thanksgiving

    Monday was the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday and the weather was very unseasonable. Usually October is just an extension of summer but not this year! A bitter north wind combined with dull overcast skies made for a miserable weekend with temperatures in the low 'teens. In fact the overnight low was only 8C.  

The family were out of town for a couple of days so we had the Thanksgiving feast on Monday and a right lively event it was too! As you can imagine, with three teenagers, there's never a dull moment. Suffice it to say the food and the conversation were plentiful - pumpkin soup, turkey and all the trimmings (two kinds of potatoes) and pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert. Dave cooked the turkey in the BBQ and it was a sight to behold, brown and glistening and so tender! There also was white wine and oldest grandson made the pumpkin pie. After the meal I waddled home and had a nap then vegged in front of the TV for the rest of the evening. 

    I had to miss the Thanksgiving social at the tennis club which also was on Monday but I didn't mind as it was "pot luck" and the weather was so unpleasant that not too many showed up. I heard after that everyone was playing in their winter jackets! The following day, the end of the coffee socials at the same club, wasn't much better, a rather dismal end to the season but I did attend that and at least managed to shed one layer of clothing as the sun came out for a bit.  There was even some leftover food from the previous day's party so not a bad morning after all. Later this week the bubble goes up for the winter club but I don't plan on joining. It's pretty expensive.

    Since then it hasn't warmed up at all but I am sure we will have an "Indian Summer" later this month or even in November. One can only hope!

What I'm Reading

    I don't think I've shared a pile of books on my bedside table for a while so here's what's there at the moment.

 This month's Book Club book, ready to be returned to the library, which I have already written about. Not one of my favourite reads but the whole idea of Book Club is to read stuff you wouldn't normally choose.

Next month's Book Club book. It took me a while to get into it but now I am really enjoying it. It has the element of surprise to it. I will report on the ensuing discussion in November.

I have been on a bit of a roll with Shari Lapena this summer and this is her latest - all good mysteries if you enjoy that kind of book.

    I was between books at one point recently and went to my bookshelf for something to read. I couldn't remember how this came out and it is keeping me intrigued. It's a handy book to read on the bus or at the senior's centre when it's quiet as it is small and can be tucked in your bag. Even though I'm half way through it I still haven't figured out "who done it"!

   So, there you have it. As you can see, most of the books are from the libray for which I am eternally grateful. There are now no late fines so you can keep the books indefinitely!

Misnomer

    I really should not have named my blog "Days In My Life" as the days seem to hurtle past without me leaving any record of them! This has been a busy week but no excuse for neglecting my blog.

   Sunday was a post birthday party for moi and I was treated to a delicious brunch at daughter's house and lovely presents. Luckily tennis was cancelled that day as there was a tournament at the courts. We had mimosas along with the food which resulted in me requiring a nap once I got home. A quiet evening with just a phone call from my son on the west coast to celebrate my birthday.

    Monday was the Knitters and Crafters group in the morning and Bridge in the afternoon. I had to skip the lunch with the crafty ladies as I wasn't able to get a substitute for Bridge. Another quiet evening at home.

   Tuesday started with tennis and it was so blisteringly hot people were dropping like flies. It had been hot for several days but this one was extreme for October. I think it set a record of 31C. I managed three sets but was home to cool off by 11:00 a.m. Bridge in the afternoon was more comfortable as the community centre where we play still has their A/C on, thank goodness. 

   Wednesday it was still hot but I had decided to walk to the Seniors' Centre for my kitchen duty. The walk there was fine but coming home was a bit of an ordeal. It's only a 20 minute walk and is shady in parts (thankfully the trees still have their leaves) but I was relieved to get home. The only good thing about this recent hot spell is that the evenings have cooled off considerably so the house has been comfortable again by the morning. In the evening Susan and I had the Thanksgiving Special at Swiss Chalet, our fave place for eating out and it didn't disappoint!

    Today brought a change in the weather as it was overcast but still warm (low 20'sC) so we had a comfortable two hours of tennis this morning. Book Club in the afternoon saw only 9 of us ( I suspect quite a few were starting the long weekend early - next Monday is Thanksgiving) but nevertheless we had a lively discussion of "The Wish" by Nicholas Sparks. And the treats were to die for!

   Rain is in the forecast for the next few days and will be very welcome. The gardens are in dire need of a good soaking. I am still picking tomatoes and will get a few more zucchini but the rest of the garden is ready to be put to sleep for the winter. That will keep me busy and out of trouble!