A couple of ho-hum days - tennis was rained out yesterday (although it did stop raining at one point but the courts were too wet) and although today was very pleasant, it's now raining again.
James was here today and we attended the final party at the church play group. So that's it for him and a very tearful farewell (not really) to all the kind and helpful ladies who run it. There was a pot luck party with plenty of chocolate in which he and I both overindulged so there was no need to rush home for lunch.
We stopped off at the park on the way home and James was delighted to discover the splash pad was turned on. He got right down to his underwear to enjoy the (very cold) water. Luckily there was only one other family there and the kids were similarly attired. An unexpected treat for all.
Elliot was sick at school so Dave had to fetch him home and therefore wasn't able to come for James so I drove him home, chattering all the way. He really is observant and fascinated by much he sees from his car seat.
Now off to dance practice for the upcoming White Heather Ball. I don't have a ticket yet but that shouldn't be a problem as they weren't sold out last year. It's in June.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Mother's Day
A brilliantly sunny day - got down to shorts and T-shirt on the tennis court this morning. Just a small select group surprisingly, as the weather was so nice. But we had fun!
After a few chores I headed over to Judy's for a Dim Sum Mother's Day lunch. Since she is also a mother (and had run a 10k race earlier in the day), take-out was on the menu and it was delicious. Spring rolls, lots of little shrimp and pork bundles, rice and fortune cookies were served buffet style and eaten at the picnic table. Everyone stuffed themselves with only a little room left for strawberry shortcake with scads of cream. We washed it all down with mimosas (sparkling wine and orange juice), spent some time outdoors with the kids, then I headed home with a lovely geranium from Steve and Alison. It's nice to be pampered once in a while!
I won't need much dinner tonight but will heat up some leftovers in an hour or so.
After a few chores I headed over to Judy's for a Dim Sum Mother's Day lunch. Since she is also a mother (and had run a 10k race earlier in the day), take-out was on the menu and it was delicious. Spring rolls, lots of little shrimp and pork bundles, rice and fortune cookies were served buffet style and eaten at the picnic table. Everyone stuffed themselves with only a little room left for strawberry shortcake with scads of cream. We washed it all down with mimosas (sparkling wine and orange juice), spent some time outdoors with the kids, then I headed home with a lovely geranium from Steve and Alison. It's nice to be pampered once in a while!
I won't need much dinner tonight but will heat up some leftovers in an hour or so.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Mushrooms!
After James left yesterday, I quickly changed and headed over to the liquor store for a cooking demonstration - accompanied by well-matched wines. I had no idea mushrooms could be used in so many delicious ways!
First course was an appetizer of pesto-stuffed mushrooms wrapped in phyllo pastry. Some tips on handling this tricky Greek pastry were very helpful and the actual tasty bite was fairly easy to assemble, although Chef used prepared pesto which is really cheating. Next came a mushroom gratin - fairly straightforward, except for the addition of white wine to the mushrooms. Next came a chicken breast with leek and mushroom sauce made with crème fraiche - brandy in this dish gave it its unique flavour. Finally Panini stuffed with sautéed mushrooms, caramalized onions (I can never get them to caramalize so I watched closely) and gruyere cheese then toasted - in effect an extra fancy grilled cheese sandwich. To finish off the meal we had chocolate truffles, since true truffles are related to mushrooms. However, these were all chocolate and cream and absolutely delicious!
Today was the first day of the Thursday social at Bridlewood TC. Not a great turnout (7) but it was rather on the cool side. I plan to keep track of the numbers this year as we don't seem to be attracting many new members, which was the purpose of having this weekly event.
First course was an appetizer of pesto-stuffed mushrooms wrapped in phyllo pastry. Some tips on handling this tricky Greek pastry were very helpful and the actual tasty bite was fairly easy to assemble, although Chef used prepared pesto which is really cheating. Next came a mushroom gratin - fairly straightforward, except for the addition of white wine to the mushrooms. Next came a chicken breast with leek and mushroom sauce made with crème fraiche - brandy in this dish gave it its unique flavour. Finally Panini stuffed with sautéed mushrooms, caramalized onions (I can never get them to caramalize so I watched closely) and gruyere cheese then toasted - in effect an extra fancy grilled cheese sandwich. To finish off the meal we had chocolate truffles, since true truffles are related to mushrooms. However, these were all chocolate and cream and absolutely delicious!
Today was the first day of the Thursday social at Bridlewood TC. Not a great turnout (7) but it was rather on the cool side. I plan to keep track of the numbers this year as we don't seem to be attracting many new members, which was the purpose of having this weekly event.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Tennis Season Begins
First day for Kaffeeklatch - this is our Tuesday and Friday morning socials at Don Mills TC. A very good turnout - all courts filled - and it was a spectacularly good day, weather-wise. Sunny but still on the cool side although I did get out of my track suit and exposed my pale limbs to the sun.
I had a busy afternoon. First the duct cleaner with his noisy vacuum spent an hour cleaning years of dust and grime from the ducts. I'm ashamed to say this has never been done since I moved here nearly 16 years ago! He says I'm good for another 5 years, unless I'm in the old folks home before then. Next came a team of guys from the city to replace the water meter. It came with an electronic reader so I don't have to phone in the reading every other month.
Lastly Judy came by to pick up James' sand table and kitchen centre which she has managed to sell. Now that we can get outside and to the park, we don't spend as much time playing in the basement, so it's time for them to go. They fit nicely in her van and I am glad to be reclaiming the space they took up. I am planning a garage sale next month so have started filling boxes with other items that I neither use nor want any more. I may not make much money but I will feel much less cluttered.
Dinner tonight is chicken thighs cooked in a tomato sauce with veggies. I plan to have bruschetta as a starter to use up the savoury bread I made for Easter that didn't rise properly. It will be fine toasted and topped with tomatoes, garlic and parmesan.
I had a busy afternoon. First the duct cleaner with his noisy vacuum spent an hour cleaning years of dust and grime from the ducts. I'm ashamed to say this has never been done since I moved here nearly 16 years ago! He says I'm good for another 5 years, unless I'm in the old folks home before then. Next came a team of guys from the city to replace the water meter. It came with an electronic reader so I don't have to phone in the reading every other month.
Lastly Judy came by to pick up James' sand table and kitchen centre which she has managed to sell. Now that we can get outside and to the park, we don't spend as much time playing in the basement, so it's time for them to go. They fit nicely in her van and I am glad to be reclaiming the space they took up. I am planning a garage sale next month so have started filling boxes with other items that I neither use nor want any more. I may not make much money but I will feel much less cluttered.
Dinner tonight is chicken thighs cooked in a tomato sauce with veggies. I plan to have bruschetta as a starter to use up the savoury bread I made for Easter that didn't rise properly. It will be fine toasted and topped with tomatoes, garlic and parmesan.
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