A Bit Milder

   No sun today but at least the temperature has stayed in the positive digits. The snow is almost gone but nothing is showing any sign of growing.

   I started my Zumba Gold class today - boy, was it tough! I hope once I learn the routines I will handle it better but I was sweating up a storm by the time we were done. I'm betting when I get up tomorrow morning I will be aching in all sorts of places.

   Nothing much else to report since my last post. I spent an hour this afternoon updating the memos that will go out to the Kaffeeklatsch monitors later this month. Luckily, not too many changes were required. The schedule is done (barring any last minute changes) so I am in good shape for my first attempt as the chief monitor.

   I am going to bake a fish fillet for dinner tonight - wrapped in foil on a bed of spinach and some chutney on top. I will have it with peas and mashed potatoes. Rather too many carbs today!

   On Tuesday I had an interesting excursion - I went to hear Donna Leon, the author of the Commissario Brunetti  detective novels, at the Toronto Reference Library. I have never been there before ( it's a beautiful building) but should have gone earlier as the room was packed. I heard 500 people came to hear her talk. She was very entertaining and I can't wait to get her newest novel from the library. I am about 350th on the waiting list!

Can't Wait for Spring

    Still a few errant snowflakes this morning but by noon the skies were clearing and the sun appeared. Most of the snow on the driveways and sidewalks has melted but the lawns and borders are still under a significant amount of snow - poor plants!

   I did shovel part of the driveway this morning before going out for Bridge. I had some good hands this afternoon and won a couple of tricky contracts. However, Pinkie and her partner Stephen had a small slam so won the game.

   I am well into the fifth season of "Game of Thrones" and should manage to watch all episodes before I have to return it on Friday. It's quite violent but fascinating nevertheless. I may have to borrow the books on which it's based to relive the tense sections!

   Just leftover chicken and cabbage for dinner and then out to my Monday dancing social group. We had a great turnout last week and I hope there will be a good showing tonight.

Still Wintry

    I just looked out the window and it's snowing again! It won't amount to much but is still depressing - it's April after all!

    When I went out this morning the wind was bitter and strong so we aren't done with winter yet. I am dying to get started on the garden but must wait until there is a more definite end to winter. The borders look so shabby I would love to get in and clear them and start digging. The only bonus is no grass to cut.

   To cheer myself up I made a batch of Lemon Ginger marmalade this afternoon. It turned out a treat - three small jars from three lemons and 2 cups of sugar. I feel inspired to do some more as I have a grapefruit on hand and a good recipe for orange grapefruit marmalade. Maybe tomorrow.

   Dinner tonight is chicken in a casserole with cabbage and potatoes. It's my own invention and I will bake it in the oven until the vegetables are brown and crispy. I love one-pot meals! No need for dessert tonight as I have been nibbling on scones and soda bread all day. I have really fallen off the low-carb wagon!

April Fool's Day

     Still cool despite being the first day of April, 10C was the high for the day, but some blinks of sun this afternoon. The wind was quite strong and from the north and we are expecting a few very chilly (and frosty) days this weekend. Spring is still elusive but I spotted some tiny blue flowers in a sunny corner of my garden.

   Nothing much happening here today. I did my step video routine this morning, got a book I had ordered from the library (and season 5 of "Game of Thrones", yaay!) and went to Progressive Bridge this afternoon. That was it!

   Leftover fish pie with pickled beetroot for dinner again tonight, and I will have the topping from the cheesecake cake for dessert. It is actually quite tasty without the stodgy base and I am enjoying it with a bit of cream over the top. My attempt to cut back on carbs went by the wayside today as I had cereal for breakfast and a slice of gingercake with my morning coffee. Since then has been better but I am sure my weight has crept up a bit again.