Summer Still Here

      This week we have had fabulous weather and it still continues. Actually it has been too hot a couple of days, but it does cool down at night.

   After tennis yesterday we went to the Pickle Barrel for lunch. I had a lobster grilled cheese sandwich and a Caesar salad - yummy!! Also a beer so I was out for the count 2 minutes after arriving back home. Dancing at Westview Church in the evening but we were locked out of the kitchen so couldn't have our usual tea and cookies. A prayer meeting was in progress in the lower hall. How dare they!! Everyone was very disappointed as this is our favourite part of the evening!

   Today I set up my garage sale junk and managed to get rid of some of it. By 11:30 all the good stuff was gone and customers were few and far between so I closed up shop with about $40 in hand. Not a bad morning's work!

   With my profits I went to Metro and picked up a nice salmon fillet which I will cook shortly with corn and potatoes. I also have some 50% off lemon yogurt to eat up so dinner is all set.

First Day of Fall

    Temperature in the  low 20's today after a chilly day yesterday. The kids were here as it was a P.A. day in York Region and we did manage an hour at the park but it wasn't very nice. Today was much more pleasant and lots turned out for tennis. We had one mishap - one of our older players collapsed in the parking lot and we had to send for the ambulance. She is OK now and back home but it gave us all a bit of a scare. 

    I have been eating venison stew for the last few days. I added carrots and the last of the new potatoes from the garden. Tonight I will also have garlic mashed potatoes and tomorrow (if there is any left) green beans. It is tasty enough, quite tender (I cooked it in the slow cooker) but, honestly, tastes much like regular beef stew - and was twice the price! I don't think I will be indulging again.

   The pool is closed for the season - ironically the last couple of days are the only days in September when I might have been tempted to take a dip! However, it's better to get it put away earlier than later. One less chore to take care of before winter arrives.

Another Catchup Post

     Thursday was a day trip to 1000 Islands. After an 8:30 start we arrived in Gananoque around noon and had a buffet (roast beast, potatoes and salads) lunch at the Island Memories café. Then we boarded the boat for the cruise around the islands on the St. Lawrence River. Super views of some spectacular "cottages" and Boldt castle which is truly impressive. It was pleasant going out but very windy on the way back so we had to retire indoors. I splurged on some goodies at "The Big Apple" on the return drive, cider, apple dumplings and a dip mix. Back home around 7:30, tired but happy. I slept very well after all that fresh air!

   Tennis Friday morning - quite cool but we had a surprisingly good turnout, at least a dozen people. By the time we stopped, around 11:30, the sun was out and the temperature had risen. In the evening we attended the Don Mills banquet at the Donalda Club. What a magnificent place! It's truly mind blowing how the "other half" live. The meal was buffet style with lots of interesting dishes and delicious desserts. I left quite early, once the dancing started but had an enjoyable evening with other "Kaffeeclatchers".

Pat, Kathy and me at Donalda.

   Tennis for an hour this morning but it was cool again so the courts weren't busy. Chan, Iona and I hit for about an hour but only one other court was filled. It almost felt like the end of the season but I hope there's lots more tennis still to come.

   This afternoon I cleaned and backwashed the pool, getting ready for closing next Saturday. The water is really cool now and I doubt I will be in again. I also tidied the borders around the pool to prepare for the cover going on - still a bit more cleanup needed before Saturday but at least I have the bins filled for pickup on Wednesday. I barbecued a steak last night (first time this summer) and had some of the leftover meat in a bun for lunch  - seriously delicious with lots of mustard and horseradish. Also lots of cherry tomatoes from the garden on the side. I can barely keep up with the output of my tomato plants. Tonight it's salmon and quinoa with green beans,

Docked at Ganaoque, ready to board.

 

There were several small islands providing a resting place for cormorants.

 

Looking a little cool for early September!

 

One of the more elaborate cottages.

A Dreary Day

   After being overcast all day, the rain finally arrived late this afternoon. Quite a lot is forecast to fall by late evening but tomorrow should be dry and brighter. This is good as I am going on a bus trip and short cruise in the Thousand Islands area of the St. Lawrence River. We will have lunch on the boat which should be fun! I must remember to take my camera as there will be lots to see from the boat.

    Today was my first truly free day since James is now in Kindergarten. I was a little worried that time would hang heavily, but I kept busy with housework, a trip to the library and some gardening.  Last week I was quite busy with something planned for each day, but as long as I have a decent book to read, I find the time passes quickly.

   Scottish Country Dancing started on Monday night and it was great to see everyone after our summer break. We took a longer than usual tea break as there was so much news to catch up on. We had a good turnout of 18 people which is two sets and Donalda had some interesting dances prepared for us.

   Dinner tonight was chicken pot pie using leftover meat from a bird I roasted on the weekend. There is still some left for tomorrow night as I won't need a big meal after my lunch out.