Almost Better

   This is the first day I have felt more like my normal self although still a bit stuffed up. I went to fitness class this morning and almost didn't manage to keep  it up for an hour. Either I am out of practice, having been away from it for three weeks, or my lung capacity is slightly reduced. But I hung in and managed to keep going at an easier pace.

   Nothing else on the schedule - it was bitterly cold this morning, although the sun was shining, and got even colder this afternoon, so no outdoor chores today.  I got out all my winter woollies yesterday, and had gloves on for the first time this year. The weekend is supposed to be warmer and my main job is to put compost on the roses and other delicate perrenials.

   Yesterday I raked the front lawn and bagged up a ton of leaves ready for the next pickup. The grass got its final mowing but I will need to rake again (unless it snows first) as all the leaves aren't down yet.

   Still eating chicken but I made a brocolli casserole with lots of cheese, onions and roasted red peppers. It was yummy!

A Bad Cold

   Feeling a bit under the weather today - it started with a scratchy throat yesterday and now I am sniffling and sneezing and a bit shivery. I had to go out this morning to the RTO meeting but went straight to bed when I got home and slept until 4:00 p.m. I think I will skip Fitness class tomorrow unless I am feeling considerably better. Luckily I had booked off my volunteer job in the kitchen at the Senior's Centre as I would just be spreading my germs around!

   The meeting this morning was at Black Creek Pioneer Village and they gave us lunch - a very nice salad and assorted wraps and sandwiches, with yummy little cakes for dessert. I am still stuffed so haven't thought of eating anything tonight although I am very thirsty. An early night I think - once the U.S. election results are in!

I'm Baaack!!

     I'm munching on a delicious artichoke cheesy dip with a glass of beer so all's right with my world! The artichokes, from a can, were left over from the Tuscan chicken I made last night - chicken thighs, sundried tomatoes, chickpeas and the aforementioned artichokes, one of my favourite ways to cook chicken, and there's lots left for later in the week.

   Got back from my trip on Friday and seem to have overcome the jet lag pretty well. I even went to demo pool practice yesterday although I have a painful foot that started bothering me on the flight home - probably from sitting in one position for eight hours. We had wonderful weather for the whole two weeks and I was in the sea several times and the hotel pool most days. Only negative thing was the food which was served buffet style and tended to be rather repetitive. I had a serious bout of food poisoning in the second week and didn't eat anything for a couple of days, but it was no great loss. The best meals were two we ate at local restaurants, lovely salads and fish at one and paella at the other.

   We finished off the trip with a day in Valencia which is quite an unusual city - a mixture of ancient and modern. I would love to go back there for a proper tour some time.

   Bridge was cancelled today which was disappointing as I was looking forward to playing after a long break. We may not get to play next week either unless we can find a substitute. I spent the afternoon in the garden - it was a gloriously sunny day - and got several bins ready for the garden refuse pickup on Wednesday. Cut the back grass on Sunday to take advantage of the nice weather. A little piece of salmon for dinner tonight - it's dance group and I don't want to eat too much.

Getting Ready For a Trip

   Off to Spain tomorrow so it is unlikely I will be able to post while I am away. But there should be lots of photos when I get back.

   Just my usual Wednesday - Fitness class, a couple of errands then back to the Senior's Centre for my shift in the coffee bar. I closed up just before 3:00, walked home, had a nap and did some packing. I hope I haven't forgotten anything - on my last trip I didn't bring an umbrella and got so soaked on one particular day that I had to throw away my shoes!

    A final meal consisting of leftovers and it was remarkably good - three sausages, two tomatoes, a handful of peas, a cup of cauliflower and a generous amount of cheese. I cooked the tomatoes into a tasty sauce, browned the sausages and boiled the cauliflower. Then combined everything and baked it for half-an-hour. There is even enough left to put in the freezer for my first night back!