Finally Some Rain

    We had a violent thunderstorm over night but it didn't keep me awake despite flashes of lightning. I dozed off thinking how badly the grass and garden needed rain. Another shower this morning around 7:30 so no tennis, although I took a walk over to the courts to see just how wet they were - definitely too wet to play. It was sprinkling as I walked over but that was the last of it.

    I spent the morning doing a few chores - the dust bunnies under my bed were the first to go - and intermittently watching the tennis from Hamburg. No big names playing but some interesting matches. Just before lunch I cut the back grass - it really didn't need much of a cut as it has largely gone dormant with the hot weather, but it does look neater now. I also pulled some weeds which had loosened up as a result of the rain.

   I had an early lunch (cauliflower soup and half an apple) and set off for my Zumba class on foot as it was still quite cool. It was quite a workout but I stayed for a coffee and cookies after. However, coming home all sweaty and tired, it was much warmer and by the time I got home I needed a rest. I was met at the door by the guy who was here to replace my gas meter (I wasn't expecting him today but knew it was to happen soon). He needed to get into the house to start up the furnace and water heater again. Immediately after he left I realized that he hadn't started up the pool heater, but he was just next door so came back to get that done.

My shiny new gas meter - free of charge from the gas company

    Finally I was able to take a nap (after a cooling swim) and felt quite refreshed after that. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and now it's time to fix fried fish and peas for dinner.

The Heat Continues

   A scorcher today, 35C at one point this afternoon. I spent most of the day at the senior's centre which is nicely air conditioned, but even the short drive home had me sweating so it was straight into the pool (which, incidentally, is 82F). Since then I have been entrenched indoors, enjoying the cool.

    I had an innovative dinner last night - left over chicken, roasted red peppers and half an avocado in a spinach wrap - super easy and delicious. Some mayo spread on the wrap kept it quite moist and juicy. Tonight I made a dip with the rest of the avocado and some salsa and will grill a salmon fillet and fry some mushrooms later. That should be tasty. I also have to make cauliflower soup for tomorrow's lunch but that shouldn't take too long. Today my lunch was just half an apple and some sliced cucumber and red pepper.  Of course, being behind the counter at the coffee bar gave me free access to coffee and cookies and I have to admit I did indulge!

Not Much Excitement

   Very pleasant today. I think it got up to 28C this afternoon with a nice breeze. I walked to my Bridge game at the senior's centre, about 20 minutes there and back (4,000 steps total). Diane brought a plum kuchen (cake) which we had in our coffee break - delicious! I had two great hands, one a small slam and one where I got 11 tricks, so it was a highly successful afternoon for me.

    The rest of the day was spent by the pool, reading, followed by a dip. I didn't sit out too long after my swim but watered the garden before coming in.

  Nothing much on TV tonight but I am at the denoument of my book so may just finish it after dinner. Chicken legs in the oven, corn on the cob and some broccoli ready to go and I opened a bottle of red wine to go with it, just for a bit of an indulgence.

Catching Up on Chores

   I had my favourite breakfast this morning, a veggie omelet in a croissant with some coffee.  I very rarely have a cooked breakfast so this is somewhat of a treat which I indulge in once a week, and Saturday is the one day I'm not rushing out somewhere. In fact, I rarely make coffee in the morning any more as it is usually on tap at the tennis club or the senior's centre.  

   A quiet day at home today - just a quick run to the store to stock up on fruit and vegetables. Of course I forgot to buy a cucumber but got a cauliflower   (slightly spoiled but good for soup) for $1.97.  I used my PC Points so my bill was only $5 and change. I love getting free stuff!

   I went shopping in between tennis matches from Wimbledon - a good women's final, then men's doubles followed by a very exciting women's doubles match. It is amazing how fast their hands are, our games are like slow motion in comparison. Serena won the singles and she and her sister won the doubles. Other than that I have just been watering the plants, reading and relaxing.

   Salmon for dinner with some kale from the garden. I think I will cook it like spinach with garlic and parmesan on top. Also some potato salad from the freezer. No dessert as I have been nibbling on Brazil nuts all afternoon - they were on special at the bulk food store today.

My current book - quite a tense murder mystery.

Lavender, sweet peas and echinicia  all in bloom at the same time.