First Winter Storm

Icicles hanging from the eavestroughs.

     Quite a bit of snow overnight so I stayed home today and managed to clear the driveway in small doses. We had about 10 cms. of snow. It was quite pleasant early on but then the sky cleared, the temperature dropped and the wind got up so now it is -10C (wind chill around -15C).

    Yesterday was our Christmas party at dance group but we had a very poor turnout due to the slippery roads. But those of us who braved the conditions had some fun dances then a lovely shared feast - everyone brought something. I made sausage rolls and they were a big hit - tasty too, I actually managed to snag one! Then some gifts for the teacher and the coordinators and lots of nice things said about them so it turned out well. We will start up again in January.

    

A Lazy Day at Home

   Don't know where the day went  - it was almost noon before I got down in the basement to do my step class video. All I had accomplished was to sort out the dishwasher and fill it with yesterday's dishes, and get yesterday's laundry ironed and put away!

    After lunch and a nap I walked up to the mall to pick up my new library book and some groceries. It was a cold walk but I was well wrapped up. Since then I have been reading "The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye" by David Lagerkrantz. It has started out very well so I think I will enjoy it. I have read the rest in the series and seen the movies.

   

    Still some Christmas cards to write and preparations for tomorrow's party at dance group but that can wait until the morning. Pork souvlaki for dinner with a home made tzatziki sauce. Must got search for a recipe on the internet.

Big Disappointment

   Judy phoned today and had to cancel tomorrow's family outing to Swiss Chalet for the Festive Special. There's a bug running through their family and James was sick today. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule but everyone is so busy at this time of year, it may be tricky. In consolation I opened a bottle of wine which turned out to be very tasty so I will have it tomorrow again with something from the freezer.

Smoking Loon 2015 - an Old Vine Zinfandel from California

    I made a pot of carrot and lentil soup for lunch  and as a different twist on an old favourite, blended it to give a smoother texture. It still had bits of vegetables but turned out really well. Lots more for later in the week.

Nothing Wasted

   Cold today with a strong wind and it's going to get progressively colder in the next few days. This is unusual for December but at least we have no accumulation of snow yet. I have lit the fire in the family room for the last few evenings so it is quite cozy indoors.

   Just my usual Friday fitness class but I did hang around over coffee at the Senior's Centre for most of the morning. When I got home I had a sudden burst of energy, wrote all my overseas Christmas cards, walked down to the post office and got them in the mail before lunch. I hope they arrive in time. Total cost of postage, $27! Luckily the cards were free as several charities sent them out last year as a promotion. I still have enough left for another year or two.

   The last of the cauliflower soup for lunch and leftover fish for dinner. I love to see an empty fridge by the end of the week, it means I haven't wasted anything. I do have a cucumber left and it's looking a bit soft - wonder if I can make cucumber soup? Other than that everything perishable will be gone before I shop again.