Tail of the Hurricane

   Monday and Tuesday were nice although chilly but today has been continuous heavy rain and blustery winds. I have been dashing from one location to another, trying to avoid a soaking!

   On Monday I stayed home until the evening, except for a walk up to the mall for library books and some groceries. The bag was rather heavy walking home and my hands were pretty cold. One of the items from the library was the DVD of the first season of "Game of Thrones", which I am currently reading. I am trying to keep ahead of the episodes, but am watching a couple each night.

   On Tuesday I was at tennis (indoor at Hendrina's condo) by 10:a.m., home by 12:00 and changed before Bridge lessons. I took my lunch as we were there until 2:30 when I finally got home for a nap.

    First thing this morning was "Stretch and Strength" class followed by coffee and chat with the other ladies. I didn't stay long as I needed to get home to change before my coffee bar duties. It was quite quiet as many of the regulars had stayed home because of the inclement weather. No nap today as I went straight from the coffee bar to Book Club where we discussed "The Paris Architect". It hadn't been one of my favourites but I read it and enjoyed it nevertheless.

   Chicken in coconut sauce again as I have to use up the rest of the can of coconut milk. But meanwhile I am watching another episode of "Game of Thrones" - very violent!

Giving Thanks

    Still digesting lunch - a late Thanksgiving meal with the family at Judy's. They were away on the actual Thanksgiving weekend and Steve, Alison and I had fun hearing about the cruise and all their escapades, and seeing the photos. The meal was delicious and well worth the wait - pumpkin soup, turkey and all the fixings and pumpkin pie for dessert. I will just have soup and a sandwich tonight.

A Restful Day at Home

   I had a late start this morning - didn't get up until after 8:00. Breakfast started with a small banana while I cooked a poached egg which I had on toast with a glass of orange juice. More toast with coffee to follow and that was me set until lunch time. By the time the laundry was done, the newspaper read and the kitchen tidied it was 11:30. Where did the morning go!

   A quick run to the grocery store (rainy but mild) to pick up some fresh fruit and veg and then lunch (butternut squash soup and a tomato, cucumber and lettuce sandwich). Before retiring for a nap I put bread in the machine and set it on "dough" as I wanted to make a French loaf. It was done by the time I got up again and was soon proofing in a warm oven. I baked it in a couple of tins and it turned out well just in time to sliced it for bruschetta. The rest went in the freezer for later.

   Dinner was a salmon fillet (I was sick of chicken) and broccoli casserole. Because I had eaten so much of the bread I decided to forego any carbs and I really didn't miss them. I will probably be into the Girl Guide cookies before the evening is out!

Fall Colours

   Brilliant blue sky today but a chilly start. However, it warmed up enough by the afternoon for me to work outside without a coat. The trees are almost all turned and were putting on quite a show as I drove home from fitness class this morning. Unfortunately I am still having difficulty uploading photos since converting to Windows 10. They are in my computer somewhere but steadfastly refuse to load in here! So you will just have to take my word for it.

   I used up the last of the produce from the garden in a chutney today - a small aubergine, two tiny tomatoes, garlic and a half-red, half-green pepper. I was pretty sure the pepper was not going to survive another chilly night and, going by the last one which I had to throw out, wouldn't ripen enough indoors. So into the pot it went. I still have a few onions, which will go in my next stew, and enough garlic to get me through the winter - and some to plant soon, ready for next year.

    I also ate the last corn cob from the farmer who sets up locally. He is long gone (probably off to Florida with all his profits!) and the corn was a bit chewy but still better than store bought. I had it with leftover butter chicken from Wednesday. I was lucky that neither of the lunches I had out this week featured chicken as there is still some left for tomorrow and I will be ready to try something different by the time it is all gone.

   I tried the olive oil I bought yesterday on bruschetta today and it was delicious - a little spicy and the tangerine flavouring came through quite strongly. I am going to see if I can get hold of the seller as I would definitely like some more. It would make a terrific gift!