In My Garden

   Here`s a photo of the kale in my vegetable garden. It is only three weeks since I bought the plants from the garden centre and already I am picking it and using it in recipes. It really is a `wonder food`! Yesterday I put it in an omelet. I wonder if I could make Kale soup. Maybe I will try that tomorrow.

I picked these peonies last week and they have lasted several days indoors. They really are better picked early as they don`t last long in the garden, especially if we have heavy rain.

    It was all go today as I was on the road to Don Mills by 7:45 a.m. I got there by 8:00, had everything ready for Kaffeeklatsch by 8:20 and hit for a bit with Maria until some more people showed up. It was not very busy today which made for a stress free time. Lots of treats as I had brought my Rhubarb cake, Kathy brought chocolate wafers and Hendrina brought cherries. Then, just as we were ready to go (it was very hot) Margaret showed up with yummy lemon cake. I just played two sets - I was hot even sitting in the shade! Needless to say I used the pool a couple of times to cool off once I got home.

    I had a productive afternoon, after a nap. First I set up a plumber to come on Monday to fix my two dripping taps. Then I sorted out some debris in the garage and got the outdoor tap there turned on so I could water the front border. Finally I tidied the front porch and got the propane tank hooked up to my barbecue. Finally I marinated some chicken wings and later barbecued them. They got a bit charred on the outside as I forgot to turn down the flame but were tasty nevertheless. I am just glad the barbecue has survived the winter

Out With the Ladies Who Lunch

    A special treat today - I had lunch out with Donna, Bonnie and Diane. We went to Diane's Seafood after this morning's Probus meeting. We all had lobster and crab rolls with carrot and ginger soup and coleslaw. Everything was delicious! Donna and Diane also split an order of oysters and gave me one to try. They were rather expensive - $15 for a dozen - but I may try them next time we go there. It's a favourite haunt for the three of them and I was honoured to be invited to join them.

    The Probus meeting went well - I got some free paperbacks, schmoozed over coffee and then we had an interesting speaker telling us about the writing process and her most recent novel. I buttonholed Gloria at the coffee break and persuaded her to be available as a substitute for our Monday afternoon bridge foursome. I also signed up for next Thursday's RODEO lunch as it's at one of my favourite spots, Bluffer's Restaurant down by the lake.

    After the big lunch I just had a light dinner tonight - an egg and vegetable omelet with some kale from the garden. it's amazing how quickly it is ready to pick. I also made a rhubarb cake to take to Kaffeeklatsch tomorrow. The rhubarb in the garden has been very prolific this year and I plan to make some rhubarb and ginger jam soon.

A Busy Morning on the Computer

   I had the TV on early this morning to watch tennis from London (not the Wimbledon tournament) but it was raining and they were showing reruns of last year's matches so I switched off. I started typing up the Minutes from last week's RTO meeting and was still at it at 11:30 when I decided to call it a day.
I had just left myself time to get showered and dressed - and prepare a packed lunch - before it was time to leave the house for Bridge.

   I actually managed to play two hands, and made the contract in one, but I was still getting terrible cards most of the time. I hope my luck starts to improve soon. Marie had a grand slam! I made a blunder just as we were getting ready to leave. Sheila came over to ask if anyone was available to play on Thursday and I volunteered without remembering I had been invited to lunch after the Probus meeting that day. When I got home I called Sheila to see if she could get someone else but if she doesn't, I will have to play. I will be very disappointed if I have to miss the lunch!

   I have a basa fillet to cook for dinner tonight and still have not decided how to prepare it. I thought about kedgeree but am almost out of milk which I would need for the sauce. It will probably be baked in the oven with some vegetables and a spicy topping. I also have some asparagus to use up which will be a tasty side dish. No carbs though!

Strange Weather

   Yesterday was a scorcher but, amazingly, the house stayed quite cool. By evening the wind had picked up and changed direction so it was a cool night. There had been heavy rain overnight but I cut the grass both front and back nevertheless.

    Today was still very windy (at one point this afternoon I was expecting the fence to blow over) but we played tennis anyway. Susan and I won 6-2 against Shirley and Betty which was pretty impressive for us. Susan's awesome forehand was working well. I did a bit of gardening this afternoon and even sat reading in the sun for a bit, but I was quite well wrapped up. It only got up to the low 20's today so no swimming. It has calmed down a bit now.

    Sticky chicken wings for dinner and some of the leftover asparagus frittata. I also had some of it in a croissant for breakfast - that was really yummy! I had corn with the wings yesterday and made another rhubarb crumble today. I have been well fed this weekend