Books and Bargains

   Back to the dismal grey weather but at least it isn't cold, 9C when I got up this morning. Just my usual Saturday chores but I was late getting up so was behind the bandwagon all day. I put a loaf in the bread machine before lunch and it turned out well so that will do for the rest of the week. 

   I have made a start on the book for the next Book Club meeting in two weeks. It's a non-fiction, "Quiet" by Susan Cain, not my preference, and is about the world of introverts. So far the author has dealt mainly with extroverts so I am a bit confused as to where she's going with her theme. She has some funny anecdotes to share so I will keep reading. Luckily I have no more books on the go to distract me!

   Dinner tonight is pork souvlaki which was 30% off at the store today. I also got stewing beef similarly reduced and it has gone in the freezer. Love saving money. I am a real cheapskate!

   The fire is taking the chill off things tonight so I am cozy and comfortable.

Finally, Sun!

   Gorgeous day today - sunny and mild - so spent quite a bit of time outdoors pottering in the garden. I even had the sun lounger out for half an hour! I am busy cutting back bushes and removing ivy from the side of the house. Everything seems to have grown like crazy this year.

   Despite the nice weather I was also busy in the kitchen. First a pot of soup for lunches, carrot and lentil (the carrots were humungous - you have to wonder what the farmer is using to make them so big)  and then this afternoon a fruit cake. This is not something I make very often but I had dried fruit and mixed peel left over from the day I made the ill fated plum pudding. Hope the cake turns out better.

Too Much Exercise

   Still cold and grey but no rain or snow. I think it got to 4C this afternoon. We could do with some sun. 

   I had a tennis game arranged for this morning with Angela, Eva and Carol. The first set went to a tie break and Eva and I came out on top. After that I was playing at half strength but we still managed to keep it fairly even , 6-4 for the other guys.

   I got home around 12:15, had a quick lunch and headed out for Zumba. I started out OK but ran out of steam after half an hour so packed it in and went for a swim. The best part was soaking in the hot tub afterwards. Now I feel very relaxed and gratifyingly tired. Surely I lost a few pounds today! I will sleep well tonight.

   Jumbo shrimp for dinner -  I will cook them in garlic butter and fry some mushrooms in the same pan, a nice easy dinner. I have already had some crackers, cream cheese and grapes with a glass of wine so am not starving.


   

    

A Big Lunch

   No need for dinner tonight as I had a very filling lunch. It was the RWTO Christmas event at The Estates, our usual venue. They served Greek salad followed by three slices of turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. There were lots of nicely cooked vegetables as well and I ate almost everything. A slice of pumpkin pie and coffee followed for dessert. This was followed by a musical interlude, a duo singing folk songs. We knew them all and sang along. Lots of fun!

   So the day has passed and I will be vegging on the couch until bed time. Tomorrow I will have to work it all off with some strenuous exercise!