Quite a Heatwave

   It is very hot again here - 31C I believe was the high today- and my A/C is still not fixed. The broken part was delivered in a huge box yesterday and a crew will be here to replace it on Thursday. Meanwhile I am trying to stay as cool as possible. The house interior is currently 24C and will probably rise a few more degrees before the sun goes down and I can open the windows. Sleeping may be difficult tonight and tomorrow night!

   I had a nice refreshing swim when I got home from tennis this morning and another after sorting out the garden refuse for tomorrow's pickup. I only played two sets of tennis today. The second set was quite strenuous - Yoshi and me against Debbie and William. We started out badly but came back to equalize, 4-4. My legs were quite wobbly when I got off the court so I finished my coffee and cake (a delicious apricot sponge brought by Maria) and departed for home, leaving the others to sweat in the sun!

   Nothing special for dinner tonight - sausages from last Friday's barbecue and a corn cob, but I have been overeating for the last few days and need a break from meat-heavy meals - perhaps fish should be on the menu tomorrow.

An Elegant Bloom

    Sometimes I stick things in the garden and hope for the best. This is one that really worked out - an Easter lily that has continued flowering each summer for several years. It is not only beautiful but very fragrant - a joy to behold!

Unfortunately it only produces one bloom but it and its perfume lasts for a week.

Canada Day

   There were big plans for Canada Day on Friday but the weather interfered. I had planned to go to the social at the tennis club but woke up to quite heavy rain. I pottered around tidying the house for my dinner guests, setting the table, vacuuming, and putting the ribs on in the slow cooker. By 10:00 a.m., even though it was still raining slightly, I decided to head over to the tennis courts. At least there would be coffee and Timbits and, possibly, some others there to watch Wimbledon on TV.

   There were quite a few at the courts and a good match on TV. By the time I had finished my coffee the rain had stopped and we had the courts dry by 11:00. We played until 12:30 when lunch was ready - chicken souvlaki, green and potato salads - and delicious strawberry desserts.

   Then home to switch on the pool heater, stir the crock pot and have a nap. Unfortnately, with the skies clearing came a change in the wind and a drop in temperature so no chance of having a swim. Steve and Alison arrived around 4:00 p.m. and the Athertons by 4:30. It was even too chilly to sit or eat outside (although Elliot did try!) so we had nibbles around the coffee table.

    Judy (and James) helped with the barbecuing and we had dinner around the table, even though it was only set for the food. We ladies retired to the kitchen table and ate in peace while the guys ate with the kids, My strawberry rhubarb pie went down a treat along with two kinds of ice cream, blueberries and cupcakes. There was no pie left but I will have strawberries and ice cream tonight!

    I am still eating the leftovers for dinner tonight. It has remained cool and the big event today was that the technician from Enercare finally figured out what is wrong with my A/C. It needs a new part which will come in a day or two and then it will finally be fixed (I hope!) Luckily it is not going to be too hot for the next few days.

Fun With the Grandkids

     Judy went into school today and dropped the kids off just before 8:30. We had a good day which included watching tennis (me), playing with a new electronic game (Elliot), making cards and other crafts (Natalie and James), and walking up to the library (all of us) which included  a stop at Tim Hortons for a coffee (me) and Creamy Chills (the kids). After our long walk we needed some down time so we all watched a DVD that Natalie had borrowed from the Library.

    Despite our morning snack everyone was ready for lunch by 12:30 - ham sandwiches, devilled eggs and a cheese and veggies plate. Elliot, James and I had some soup too and Judy had what was left when she got back around 1:30. We played Monopoly while we waited for her so it was a busy, fun day for all.

   I cleaned the pool later in the afternoon - followed by a swim - and it looks much better. I even gave it a backwash and then filled it up a bit. I hope the weather tomorrow is warm enough for everyone to have a swim, but thunderstorms are forecast.

   A baked fish fillet for dinner tonight with some kale from the garden. I also made a bean casserole for tomorrow's dinner and had some of that too. Some Pralines and Cream ice ream for a treat after. Naughty me!