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| taken April 11th. |
The unthinkable happened this morning - snow, and not just a few flakes! It started out as rain, then became freezing rain. By the time I was heading out to work (luckily fairly close) it was a combination of hail and snow, quite crunchy underfoot but becoming mushy in places. It snowed pretty well all morning, much to the excitement of the kids, but had pretty well turned to rain by the time I set out for my afternoon assignment.
By now (2C) it is only lying on the grass and boulevards. The roads are reasonably clear so driving isn't a problem. I am sure by tomorrow it will be all gone.
I am headed out for a cooking demonstration in an hour ("Everything's Better With Bacon" - sounds yummy), but will have a bite to eat (and a glass of wine) before I go in case they don't feed us till quite late. I never have much bacon in the house but, if I knew some new and original ways to use it, I might indulge occasionally.
While shopping in the local hardware store the other day for a new Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (see last week's post "Today's Excitement), I happened across an exciting new cookbook which I couldn't resist, especially as it was on sale for $13!
"The Complete Book of Preserves and Pickles: jams, jellies, chutneys and relishes" - all things I like to have on hand to spice up a meal. It's a beautiful, full colour book with many inviting recipes and I couldn't wait to get it home and try something.
My first attempt was quite successful - lemon and ginger marmalade. I happened to have a couple of large lemons kicking about and in three hours, with very little effort, I had two jars of tart, juicy marmalade. It was nearly a disaster, though. While the marmalade was coming close to the setting point (a crucial and exact temperature of 220 degrees F) and I was cleaning up, I cut my finger on the very sharp knife I had used to slice the lemons!
Soon blood was dripping on everything so I had to rush for a couple of band aids. By the time I had staunched the flow, the marmalade was almost 300 degrees, so it is a very stiff mixture but still completely palatable. It is described as a tart, slightly bitter recipe and lives up to its description.
I can't wait to try some of the chutneys and relishes. Already I have had someone recommend two of the chutneys (thanks, Sue) and will add the required ingredients to my shopping list this weekend.
BTW, my cut finger was not as bad as it looked at first and is healing nicely.
.......bring May flowers. It's not May yet but the flowers are appearing. We had a humungous storm last night as I was returning from my Monday night dance group. In fact the storm started with a huge clap of thunder in the middle of the last dance, the lights went out and the alarm went off, scaring us all to death!
I drove home in torrential rain with the wipers going furiously, and lightning bouncing all around. The spray from the trucks on the highway was like being dunked underwater but I made it home in one piece.
However, the upside is that the grass and borders got a good drink and should show results if we have a few warm days. Haven't had to cut the grass yet but will have to start raking it shortly, now that the snow is all gone. These little blue flowers seem to have sprung up overnight but you can see in the background the daffodils are still a ways from blooming. I wish I knew their name as I can't remember planting them. Maybe the squirrels again?
I took James swimming this morning to the local indoor pool. He was somewhat reluctant at first - we just went to see the other kids playing but no one was there except for the ladies doing aquafit. Once we were inside he was quite willing to get changed, get his "floaties" on and splash on the edge. The water was wonderfully warm in the paddling pool (sometimes it's a bit on the cool side) so it wasn't long until he was all the way in and splashing like mad! He was soon blowing bubbles and practising his kick while I twirled him around and he had his floaties off for most of the visit.
We didn't stay too long - better to leave while he's still having fun - so we were back home in time to get the soup cooking for lunch. Just my usual, carrot and lentil, but he had worked up quite an appetite and had a big helping. His eyes were drooping by the time lunch was over so it took only minutes to get him settled for his nap. I had to waken him two hours later, so I had plenty of time for a nap myself and a few cleaning up chores. Hope he sleeps tonight!
