Routines

   This topic is borrowed from another blogger but her entry struck a chord as I like to think that, since retiring, I have been able to cast aside routine activities and let the days unfold as they may.

   Having said that, I do realize I am a creature of habit. I cook the same selection of meals, I do chores on specific days, and the week is governed by my set activities. And I grocery shop and do laundry on the same day each week.

    Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday start with a game of tennis (not in the winter, unfortunately). Wednesday is fitness class and, until I open my own pool, Thursday afternoon is Senior's swim at the community centre. Monday and Thursday I have a permanent bridge game organized though the participants vary, and the last Wednesday of the month is Book Club. The middle Thursday morning of the month is the Probus meeting (so no tennis that morning) and the following Thursday is RODEO (Retired Dames Eating Out) lunch. This week we are going to Bluffer's Restaurant down by the lake  which should be very pleasant. The middle Tuesday of the month is the RWTO lunch and on Tuesday also we have the Executive meetings but that only happens a few times a year. And, lastly, Monday evenings are Scottish Country dancing at Scarborough (September to May). 

    I have come to realize that my best friend is my pocket planner otherwise I would never keep all these activities straight. As it is, this week I overbooked myself as I had a meeting of the Scarborough Dancers committee planned for tomorrow afternoon then realized I had to scoot up to Markham to pick up Natalie and James. The other committee members obligingly agreed to start the meeting early so that I can be at the kids' school for 3:30.

    Tonight I am driving with Susan to Rexall Centre at York University for a meeting of the Ticket Takers (more on that later this month) and surprise!  Sandy is providing a "light dinner" ! So no cooking required tonight.

Another quiet day at home.

    A quiet day at home although I did run up to the store for milk just before lunch. However, I was quite busy - tennis for an hour this morning, made soup and roasted red peppers for my lunch sandwich. Then this afternoon I made a rhubarb loaf - it looks delicious, can't wait to try it - and cut the back grass. I also had a couple of swims as it was quite hot and sticky outdoors. Liver and onions for dinner tonight but I will pick some lettuce from the garden for a salad.

I have a busy week ahead - stay tuned!

Rhubarb bread - it has a lovely crunchy topping, secret ingredient, lemon zest.



Recap of My Week

   I have been very remiss in not getting on here since Monday, so here's what's been going on.

   Tuesday: tennis in the morning - it was the Wimbledon brunch and there was a ton of food. I took sausage rolls and came home with some leftover sandwiches. A short nap then it was out again to the RWTO Strawberry Social in Markham. Luckily not too much food as I was still stuffed but everything had a strawberry theme. First we had a demonstration of crafts using strawberries - the cutest were mice with almond ears and liquorice whiskers and tails. Then "Farmer Mike" from Whittamore's Berry Farm told us about strawberry production, including the trials and tribulations. Finally there were door prizes and I came away with a punnet of strawberries. After leaving there I went to pick up the grandkids for "Dancing in the Park" but came away with only James as Natalie had a crisis and decided to stay home. James and I had a nice time together regardless, he danced three dances, and I got him home tired but happy by 8:45.

Wednesday: an at-home day as I was quite bushed after all the activity the day before. I got some chores done and a bit of gardening and had a couple of dips in the pool.

Thursday: Probus meeting in the morning (the speaker was from the Toronto Environmental Agency encouraging us to recycle) then straight to Bridge at the Senior's Centre. My partner was Sami and we had several heated discussions over my bidding. However, I played two hands and won them both handily so was quite pleased with myself.

Friday: tennis again and I was in charge of the board. It wasn't very busy and I got to play a couple of sets. Stopped at Panera Bread for my lunch as I had a coupon. It was a delicious but spicy Thai Chicken salad which did me two meals.

Today: usual Saturday chores and then watched the tennis from London and Germany. I am so pleased to get the tennis channel finally! Dinner tonight is grilled rainbow trout, quinoa and Kale from the garden which I will steam and add garlic and lemon. Still have some strawberries left so that will be dessert. Phew!!

Roses in my Garden

    I have had a couple of busy days, despite having an upset stomach (just the pills I have to take but very annoying).  Yesterday I came home from a demo at a church feeling quite queezy and didn't eat much supper. Unfortunately the pills I am taking are supposed to be taken with food so I can't just eat nothing. This morning I just had some yogurt and, later in the morning, a muffin and a cup of coffee. I was able to eat a proper lunch but still with some stomach pangs. Tonight I have cooked some chicken and potatoes as I had defrosted the chicken yesterday before going out. I will have to see if I can stomach it otherwise it will be dinner tomorrow.
 
     Off to bridge this afternoon for a couple of hours and then home to cut the grass. I also made a couple of dozen sausage rolls to take to tennis tomorrow. It's the Wimbledon Strawberries and Cream party although Wimbledon doesn't start for a week or so.



There are lots more to come on this bush.

      I took a tour around the garden this morning and found the first roses of the year in bloom. 

   BTW, the chicken was delicious - and no stomach pangs so far. I also have a jam turnover for dessert, made from the puff pastry left over from the sausage rolls. I think I will have it with some custard that has been lurking in the fridge since I made rhubarb fool for Natalie last week. I will have to come up with something interesting for dinner tomorrow as Natalie and James will be eating here before going to "Dancing in the Park". James is so excited!



Growing among the primroses.