Keeping Busy

   I have done virtually nothing since coming home from tennis around 11:00 this morning. Kathy, Susan, Iona and I played three hard sets, changing partners each time, and it was getting very hot by the time we stopped. There were exactly 12 people at the courts so we didn't have to give up our court for the whole time we played. What a bonus!

   I had two dips in the pool - the water is up to 24 C (75F) and very refreshing - one after I came home from tennis and another after watering the vegetables. Then I felt refreshed enough to dig up some weeds so, gradually, I am getting the garden in shape. It helped that I was still in my wet swimsuit.

   I have a new recipe for dinner tonight - Oven Fried Chicken Breasts. They are dipped in buttermilk and then coated with a breadcrumb, flour and spices mixture. Then baked until cooked through. I also made some more scones this afternoon, to use up the buttermilk. More raspberries for dessert! I need to get the grandkids over to help me pick the rest before the birds get them.

I couldn't resist - I had a $1 off coupon - and it's delicious in this hot weather!

A nice tidy border.

Lots of green tomatoes. Soon they will be ready to pick.

A Visitor

  Friday was busy - tennis until noon and I came home quite exhausted but had to get on with weeding as it is getting out of hand. I have been picking a bowlful of raspberries most days for dessert.

    Today was a more peaceful day with some tennis on TV this morning (the lone remaining Canadian at Wimbledon, Vasek Pospicil, won his match so is through to the round of 16), a quick run to the grocery store to replenish my larder, and then a quiet afternoon. I had to stay indoors as I was waiting for the maintenance man to give my furnace and air conditioner their annual checkup. He was supposed to come last Friday but didn't appear (or I was in the backyard with the grandkids) so I had to rebook him. He finally arrived about 3: 45 and was done by 4:15 so I was able to spend some time by (and in) the pool while the sun was still around.

   I treated myself to some smoked salmon, which was "on special" and have just eaten most of it on crackers with cream cheese and a glass of sherry. I will be cooking a basa fillet in a little bit (still wondering if it will be fried or poached) and I should get out for more raspberries. They are coming thick and fast and I may have to freeze some for later. I made a rhubarb loaf while waiting for the furnace man so a slice of that would be nice with the berries. It is such a treat to not have to buy fresh berries although they are a bit cheaper at this time of the year.

Sweet peas are just coming into bloom. These are self-seeding and sprout each year in a couple of spots.

Mexican Meal

     Usual Thursday activities - tennis for an hour and a half this morning (we had three really hard sets, must have burned off a few calories) and bridge this afternoon. Then home to putter in the garden for an hour. But the highlight of my day was the discovery of a new recipe.

    In the newspaper today there was an article about Mexican food with a recipe for "Chilaquiles". This is a dish normally served at breakfast or brunch but, to my eyes, it afforded a way to use up all the small pieces left at the bottom of the tostitos bag! I had it with yesterday's vegetable pie and it was a very tasty accompaniment. Here's the recipe. I left out the jalapeno and chipotle peppers as I found the salsa was spicy enough. I don't eat a lot of spicy food.

Chilaquiles

2 tbspn. olive oil
1/2 large jalapeno, seeded, finely diced
1/2 cup diced Spanish or white onion
1 cup purchased salsa
1 tbspn. pureed canned chipotles in adobo sauce or to taste
1/4 cup sour cream
 2 cups tortilla chips
1/4 cup grated queso fresco or Monterey Jack cheese

Toppings: (optional)
2 fried eggs sunny side up
1 avocado, diced
1 large tomato, seeded, diced
2 tbspn. chopped cilantro leaves
2 tbspn. thinly sliced green onions

In medium, non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and jalapeno. Cook, stirring, 3 minutes to soften. Add salsa and chipotle. Reduce heat to medium, cook 4 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Add tortilla chips and toss until well coated. Sprinkle with cheese. Turn heat off, cover and let stand 2 minutes to melt cheese. To serve, divide in two plates, top with your choice of egg, avocado pieces, cilantro and green onions.

Enjoy!

Especially liked the avocado topping!

 

And now for a sweet dessert!

Canada Day

   Canada is 148 years old today! I celebrated the holiday with my tennis friends at Don Mills - lots of tennis and a great lunch. It was a BBQ with various salads, fruits and several desserts. Coffee was on tap all day and plenty of cold drinks so, all in all, everyone's needs were satisfied.  The weather was perfect (low 20's) except that it was quite windy. Rain had been forecast but never materialized. There must have been at least 60 people there so we had to take turns on the courts but I had more than enough tennis. After lunch we joined in singing "Oh, Canada" so all felt very patriotic.

   Home for a nap, cut the front grass and tidied up the borders, taking advantage of the good weather. Picked some kale, parsley and lettuce from the garden and have a healthy vegetable tart in the oven. I will have it with some salad and my pickled beetroot. There's even some chocolate brownie I  brought home from the tennis club lunch so I will be well fed tonight!

Kale, onion and mushroom pie. It also had parsley and cheese. Lettuce and avocado salad with cucumber and red pepper.

I had 1/4 of the pie so I will be eating it for lunches and dinners for a while. The salad had a lemon, balsamic and olive oil dressing.