Eating Out Again

   It has been a heavy few days on the food side of things for me. After Saturday's Burns' lunch I ate very little until James's birthday dinner on Sunday. He's now 5 and had a smart new haircut for the occasion. We had two delicious salads followed by pulled pork on a bun - all very tasty. And, of course, cake! It was a "Mud Cake" complete with chocolate sponge (the mud), caramel pudding and whipped cream. And don't let's forget the worms (gummy worms actually and nice and chewy they were too). I had a great time playing with the kids before and after the meal - they're always good for a laugh. Lucy the dog was there too and brought her servants (Steve and Alison) along for the ride.

   Monday was relatively light on the food until the evening at dance group where someone brought sandwiches and someone else brought a huge box of chocolates. Of course I once more indulged - just to help clear the plates, you understand!

   Today was ladies' lunch with RWTO and it was quite unusual - a lovely Greek salad with pita for starters followed by chicken kebabs with tzaziki sauce, roasted potato wedges and rice. We were all looking for something green on our plates, beans, peas, broccoli, anything to vary the monochrome palette of the meal. Nevertheless it was tasty and filling, and was followed by a humungous slice of Baklava which I adore. While we finished off with tea or coffee we had a fascinating speaker - a quilter who had brought along some of her 200 (yes, that's right) quilts to show us and give us a little history of how she came to take up this craft. I'm quite keen to give it a try - on a small scale of course!

   Got these nice pictures of some of  the plants brought in from the garden in the fall. They have managed to produce some flowers despite the lack of sun - so cheering on a dull winter day.

These fuschia flowers are just opening - hopefully the plant will survive until it's warm enough to go back outside in the Spring.

 

I have been clipping sprigs off this Rosemary plant but must have missed a couple of sprouts which have managed to produce flowers.

Robbie Burns Lunch

   I attended a wonderful Robbie Burns lunch today at a church hall. The food was good and very plentiful (second helpings of everything ,of which I took full advantage) , the haggis was very tasty and, best of all, it was a free meal as we were part of the entertainment!

   The haggis was piped in and a kilted member of the church gave the "Address to the Haggis". After the meal there was "Toasting the Lassies and Laddies", some Burns' songs and poems, a comedian and, finally the Scottish Country dancers (us). We did a couple of reels and a strathspey, then we had the audience up for a couple of ceilidh dances. A couple more dances and a sing-a-long of well known Scottish songs and the entertainment was over. Quite an entertaining afternoon.

    I am still stuffed from lunch so will just have soup and a sandwich later this evening, then an early night after a bit of TV.  

   

Fun With the Grandkids

       It was a lovely sunny day but - boy, was the wind cold. The temperature stayed around -5C all day so it was another indoor day. The grandkids were here for the day and we did manage out to the park for half-an-hour this afternoon but were pretty chilled when we got home. Time for hot chocolate and marshmallows!

    It's always fun around here when they come for a visit. They often have me in stitches with their funny ideas and quirky comments, James especially. We had a trip to the library in the morning then played games, did puzzles and finally, got out the scrap paper, stamps, glue and glitter for some craft time. They also each had some computer time and Elliot had brought a kit to put together. He spent quite a bit of time on that and they did watch a video just after lunch while I cleaned up the kitchen. It was a bit of a disaster zone as Elliot and James decided to make a yogurt smoothie just as I was making sandwiches and devilled eggs (their favourite treat at my house).

   Mind you, as soon as they left, I headed upstairs for a nap. Now I am all bright -eyed and bushy tailed, ready for an evening of dancing at Fallingbrook. Hope there's a good turnout tonight.

Probus Club

   I had my second visit to the local Probus Club meeting this morning. Although I have to wait until next Fall to join, I can visit three times for free. This was my second visit, very enjoyable with a  speaker from the ROM. Also, I ran into an old Bridge friend there, Gloria, who I hadn't seen for at least a dozen years. Now that I am back to playing bridge I gave her my phone number in case she ever needs a fourth for one of her bridge nights. 

    After the talk I had to rush back to the Senior's Centre for 12:00 p.m. for my other bridge group and we played until almost 3:00 p.m., eating lunch in between hands. I only had one successful hand but felt I played it rather well. Other than that, the cards just did not fall my or my partner's way!

   Back to Agincourt Community Centre for a swim and I managed 18 laps for the second time. Next week I plan to go for 20. Then a short soak in the hot tub, a quick stop at No Frills for milk and sandwich meat for the grandkids lunch tomorrow, and finally home for a relaxing evening. It has been a busy day!