Out and About All Day

    As I predicted, we are back to more seasonal temperatures today - only 3C  although it was sunny and the wind had died down. I had quite a busy day, starting with yoga at 9:00 a.m. then a short break at home, just enough time to wash up the breakfast (and last night's dinner) dishes and fix myself a packed lunch. This was to take with me to Bridge and eat in between hands or when I was "dummy".

   The bridge was fun - we had some interesting hands on both sides. I bid and made a five hearts contract at one point which was quite thrilling! We played until 3:00 p.m. when I left for a swim, sauna and soak in the hot tub to get rid of the aches from yoga. The sauna is a new endeavour and I am finding it quite relaxing - it's not as hot as I imagined it might be - a dry heat and quite bearable for about 5 minutes.

   Dinner tonight was Tuscan chicken from the freezer. I had made it last week but didn't feel up to eating it after the first day so packaged into individual portions which I will dip into over the next few days.

   My new favourite TV show is on tonight at 10:00 p.m. - "Shetland" - a detective show set in the Shetland Islands north of the Scottish mainland. The scenery is very bleak but much as I imagined it must be that far north. Can't wait!

Just Like Spring

    It was Groundhog Day yesterday and, although Wiarton Willie predicted 6 more weeks of winter, today was windy but a balmy 14C! However, the temperature will be dropping again tonight so our early taste of Spring will be short-lived. All the snow is gone and there are a few shoots poking up in the garden - a couple of tulips and some early garlic sprouts - but they will likely suffer from some frost damage in the coming days.

   Last Saturday was another Robbie Burns lunch, this one very tasty, followed by some Scottish songs and dancing. A great time was had by all but I was pretty wiped by the time I got home. Sunday was a quiet day and Monday only Bridge in the afternoon and more dancing in the evening. Our social group has had to relocate but our new home is familiar to most of us as we used it for another group last year.

    Tennis on Tuesday followed by Bridge lessons but I was home by 3:00 p.m. Usual fitness class this morning and back to the Senior's Centre for 11:15 as Maria had a doctor's appointment and asked me to come in early to cover for her. So it was a long afternoon behind the counter!

    Fish in a cheese sauce with peas and fries for dinner tonight - a fairly healthy meal so I may indulge in something sweet later!

Boots and Winter Coat Today

    Yoga yesterday morning followed by lunch at Dragon Pearl Buffet on York Mills. What a selection of delicious food they had! There were Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes so I tried to sample as much as possible. Sushi, stir fries, dim sum dumplings and more. I was up to the buffet tables three times and was thoroughly stuffed by the time I called a halt. We each got individual pots of green tea on heating candles to wash it all down and took our time between visits to the food. I would certainly recommend it and hope the RODEO ladies go there again next year!

   Fitness class this morning, a very good workout, then a short chat over coffee before I headed home to shovel the driveway. The snow overnight was light, fluffy stuff so I had it cleared in half-an-hour, despite -6C and a strong north wind. Then I had a quick lunch and changed for the afternoon demo at Living Life retirement home. I only mixed up one dance slightly and was able to correct myself before anyone noticed (I hope).

   Still eating up the turnip from Monday. Tonight I am having it with crispy bacon mixed in just to make it more appetizing. I am getting pretty sick of it!

Under the Weather

   Not much has happened in my neck of the woods in the last week.  I spent the weekend in bed with a bug which lingered until Tuesday but I had a couple of commitments on Monday so had to dose myself with some home remedies and hope for the best.

    Burn's Night on Monday with my social group so it was "piping in the haggis" and a meal with 'neeps and tatties and lots of other goodies. Luckily my stomach had settled down enough for me to enjoy the treats. I had leftover turnip and haggis again yesterday and turnip rissoles tonight. I may be eating it for the rest of the week!

    Tennis yesterday morning but I skipped Bridge lessons and slept all afternoon. Just needing to let my body fight off the virus.

   I closed the coffee bar early today as I had to be at Book Club by 2:30. We were discussing "The Painted Girls" by Catherine Marie Buchanan, a story set in belle epoque Paris and featuring Edgar Degas and Emile Zola. We were split on its merits (I definitely liked it though some thought it rather slow) but everyone agreed the author portrayed the period very accurately.

    Beautifully mild and sunny today - almost like Spring! - but back to winter tomorrow. It has been great not to wear boots or heavy winter coats too often!