The Season of Giving

    I have been inundated with requests from charities recently and, while writing a couple of cheques this morning, it got me thinking about Christmas being the season of giving. I have long since stopped giving my grandkids a Christmas toy or book as they get so much at this time of year. Instead they choose an item from the PLAN Canada catalogue to be given in their name to a needy child or family. They don't miss another toy and I think it gives them a good feeling to be contributing instead of receiving.

   My other dilemma is this: I have received in the mail this Fall 63 (yes, 63!) Christmas cards, as well as other seasonal items, from a variety of charities that I have never contributed to, in an attempt to solicit a contribution from me. Now, I have a few charities that I contribute to at this time of year (and at other times too) and don't feel obliged to add to that list. But what to do with the Christmas cards? I only send a few cards each year so this supply will last me until I am in my dotage and too doddery to use them! I am planning to take them to the Senior's Centre tomorrow and see if any of my friends can use them, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they also have more cards than they need. How the charities make any money from this type of promotion is beyond me. Your thoughts?

    Colder today, 5C when I got up and has stayed there all day but some glimpses of sun. I had a loaf in the bread machine by 8:00 a.m. this morning and it turned out well. The local bank at the Mall had a fund raiser for United Way this morning, 5 samosas for $5. It seemed like a good deal so that's dinner tonight with the rest of the broccoli casserole.

Donna gave me these beautiful carnations since I missed her party on Sunday. They were the table centrepieces.

The cracked wheat loaf I made today - this should keep (in the freezer) for a couple of weeks.

It rose much better than the last as I adjusted the amount of yeast I used.

Still Mild

    Double digit (11C) weather again today, but rainy, and I heard that Windsor (the most southerly point in Canada at Latitude 42 degrees) got up to 18C! Hard to believe for the last day of November.

   My usual Wednesday - fitness class at 9:00 and again at 11:15 (although the second one I only stay for 30 minutes as my shift in the coffee bar starts at 12:00), then serving coffee and snacks for a couple of hours. However, I closed up early and went to Book Club. We had a great discussion of "The Illegal" by Lawrence Hill (a Canadian author) although most people had some misgivings about it. His first book "Book of Negroes" was so well written that I think quite a few of us were disappointed that this one didn't quite meet expectations. At least it engendered strong opinions which made for an interesting afternoon!

    Last night's fish dish was not the unqualified success I had expected, but I finished it tonight with a broccoli casserole, followed by a perfectly ripe kiwi. Now I am stuffed and definitely won't need any more food tonight!

A Productive Day

   The bad news - Frank, our Bridge teacher didn't show up for the lesson today. Hope nothing serious is the matter. The good news - there were enough of us to play a few hands so we had a pleasant two hours. That was to have been our last lesson and I am in two minds whether to sign up for the next session starting in January. I will think about it over the break.

    I had done my shopping before the class started and was home by noon, just in time to do a bit of yard work before lunch. I got the last of the leaves binned, and cut back a couple of evergreens that were looking rather bushy and encroaching on my neighbours yard. He will be happy! I even sat out in the sun and decided it was warm enough to have lunch at the picnic table. It was 15C, sunny and only a slight breeze. I wonder if that will be a record for November 29th. Can't believe Thursday will be the start of December.

   After a nap I tackled another Christmas chore - mincemeat tarts. They turned out beautifully and will go in the freezer until needed. I think the secret is to spray the pan with cooking spray as not one of them stuck.

Enough for everyone!

   Dinner tonight is an inspiration - basa fillet baked with onions, mushrooms, salsa and grated cheese. It should be delicious. Stop by tomorrow for the verdict and some photos!

Out And About

   Still feeling a bit queasy and have hardly eaten anything so far today. Unfortunately, my pills are supposed to be swallowed with food so I had to force down some yogurt for breakfast. Lunch was half an apple and dinner will be an egg and some toast.

    However, I didn`t let my queasy stomach stop me from going to Have-a-Java club this morning! This was the inaugural meeting so I didn`t want to miss it. 23 people showed up, quite a few familiar faces and some I hadn`t seen in a while so it was a very social couple of hours. The location is ideal for our group and there`s lots of parking so we will be returning in January for our next meeting. I went straight from there to Bridge and played with Maria - not our best day but we will blame it on the cards.

   Tonight is the St. Andrew`s Day party at dance group and I am in charge of refreshments. I iced some Empire biscuits this afternoon and will take the tablet I made on Friday. Thank goodness I got everything done before I got sick!

Don`t they look yummy!