Simcoe Day

   Bank holiday today so a special event at Don Mills TC. There was a shocking site when we arrived  - the strong wind last night had taken down part of the fencing so some of the courts were out of commission. However, by 11:00 some of the younger guys got the fence temporarily up, enough so that we could use all the courts.

   Although the day started cool and overcast, it turned out quite hot. I played several sets before lunch and another after we ate (not a good idea!). Lunch was a real treat. The club supplied hamburgers and hot dogs, coffee and punch, and the members brought pot luck, so there was an abundance of food. Salads, quiche, chili and samosas (both quite spicy) and devilled eggs were some of the treats. And the desserts! I tried to have one of everything but there was just too much! No dinner for me tonight although I did make some bruschetta to have with a beer earlier.

The baguette: I toasted a few slices and returned the rest to the freezer for another day.

 

The tomato from the garden: I didn't even need the whole thing, it was so humungous!

 

The bruschetta ready to eat:  chopped tomato, some chopped basil leaves, garlic and olive oil - and a few shavings of parmesan cheese on top. Yum!!

Passed the 5,000 Mark

   I have now had over 5,000 views so obviously someone is enjoying my posts!   A funny day weatherwise - hot this morning on the tennis courts but I did manage almost three sets. I had to quit before the end of the third set but Cathy and I were ahead, so we counted it as a win. Kathy and Susan were not pleased! 

   This afternoon clouded over around 4:00 p.m. and a strong wind came up. This was followed by heavy rain and thunder. Can't complain as the garden definitely needed the moisture. Luckily I had a swim right after I got home from tennis.

   I cashed in some Air Miles at Metro this afternoon and got a steak, some Oka cheese and a baguette virtually free. I am saving the baguette to make bruschetta from all the tomatoes that are on the cusp if ripeness. When the rain stops I will barbecue the steak and serve it with fried onions and cremini mushrooms and mashed sweet potato. Thank goodness the BBQ is on the front porch where it is dry!

An "At Home" Day

   I did do a grocery run this morning but, other than that, have had a restful day at home. Quite heavy rain for a short while this afternoon with thunder rumbling in the distance, but it is now sunny again. Temperature a pleasant 25C and the pool is back to a refreshing 78F.

    I trimmed some leaves from the tomato plants to help ripen the tomatoes and pulled up the lettuces which had shot up wildly. I also picked the last of the raspberries - just a few small ones but enough for dessert with some blueberries.

   I treated myself to a crispy bacon sandwich for breakfast this morning with fried mushrooms and tomatoes. More cherry tomatoes with my lunch - it's either feast or famine here when the fruit and vegetables start to ripen!

Almost ready to be harvested.

Back to blue skies and fluffy clouds after a heavy rain shower.

  

Eating Up the Kale

   The kale I planted in the Spring has been a good performer this summer. I read an article in the newspaper decrying the purported health benefits of kale - seemingly it ranked 16th in a list of nutritious vegetables. Number one was watercress, of all things!

    I started picking the kale just a few weeks after planting (tender shoots for salads) but now it really needs to be cooked. I came up with a new recipe slightly based on one I found in one of my  numerous cookbooks, using kale and fish, for my dinner tonight.

   The recipe was for a stuffed salmon trout, using spinach but I converted it into a baked fish fillet covered with the stuffing. Into the bargain, with a bit of flexibility, I managed to use up several items that had been lingering in the fridge and were close to their expiry date. The final result was a juicy piece of fish with a tasty, and in some places crisp, topping. It was a bit fiddly - you had to pre-cook the kale and fry up onions - but it only took 30 minutes in the oven.

    It has been hot and sunny again today but clouded over around 4:00 p.m. No sign of rain, though!  I managed three sets of tennis this morning but was done by 10:30 and came home for a much needed swim. I only had the AC on for a couple of hours as the kitchen heated up while I had the oven on. Now I will open the windows and hope for a cool night!