Still No Sun

   A dull gloomy day but not too cold. After yesterday's long post, this will be a short one - not much happened. Thank goodness I have a good book on the go, "Belgravia" by Julian Fellowes, he of "Downton Abbey" fame. It's set in the 19th century and is the kind of book I really enjoy, so lots of reading today.

   Fitness class this morning and afterwards I hung around chatting over coffee for almost an hour. We are a very compatible group and the range of topics discussed was far-reaching.

   I made shortbread cookies this afternoon but, for some reason, couldn't get the dough to stick together. Either the butter was too cold or I made a mistake with the quantities of the dry ingredients. After much kneading I did manage to cut out the cookies and they are in the freezer for next week's Book Club. Lynne and I are "on treats".

   Fish, cabbage and the last of the eggplant casserole for dinner tonight. Almost out of everything fresh so tomorrow's shop will be a big one.

Budgeting

   I had three good sets of tennis this morning with Martin, Angela and Renelle.  It was a mad dash from tennis to Bridge around noon but I made it without any traffic mishap. We usually play Bridge on Monday but the Centre was closed for Family Day. It was very busy in the Bridge room with 9 Bridge tables going. I had one very good hand and made two over the contract!

   We had one very mild day this week, in fact it set a record, 14C. Now it is colder but no snow cover at all which is unusual for February. If March comes in like a lamb next week (which it is forecast to do) we can expect storms at the end of the month and, possibly, more snow.

   I have been calculating my monthly budget today and I actually have some money left over! The heating bill was the big expense - $350 - and last month was over $300 as well, but I have cut back on a lot of foodstuffs (and wine) for Lent so that has saved me quite a bit. All other expenses were roughly the same except my car's yearly maintenance overhaul ($800) but I put that on my credit card so don't have to pay it until next month. Hopefully, there won't be another car bill this year, except for insurance.

   I made a pot of tomato soup this afternoon - really minestrone but without any beans, just pasta. It was mostly leftover tomatoes, fresh and canned, a half can of tomato paste and lots of other vegetables. Dinner tonight is an eggplant casserole I made the other day, it was yummy and will be even better for sitting in the fridge. I am making a concerted effort to use up fresh stuff before my next shop on Saturday and have only half a cabbage and some mushrooms that will be part of tomorrow's dinner. Just one minneola and half each of an apple and a banana, so everything will be gone. It's hard to use everything up when cooking for one!

Eating Out Today

    Monday was Family Day but the family was otherwise occupied so I had a quiet day at home. I had been out there on Saturday to babysit while Dave went to see Judy in her play. I had been to see her on Thursday while doing my bit as an usher. She did very well in her first part but was killed off at the end of the first act!

   Today I was out by 9:30 to The Estates to help set up for the RWTO lunch. I had the name tags laid out in good time and sold about 60 books at the used book table. Unfortunately, I went home with almost the same number of books as so many were donated - and there were several good reads among them. 

   The lunch was Greek salad followed by roast beef. There are always plenty of tasty, well-cooked vegetables and I managed to keep the carbs to a reasonable amount. Ice cream ball and coffee followed while we were treated to an interesting talk on financial planning (yes, it was interesting and there were plenty of intelligent questions from the audience). I learned some useful information. 

    After going home for a nap, I set off for the movie theatre around 4:00 p.m. to see "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" . What a good movie! I think it will be nominated for several awards, if I'm not mistaken.

   Just leftovers for dinner tonight, then, later, a cup of tea and a scone with homemade strawberry jam, a little treat before bed!

Ash Wednesday/St. Valentine's Day

    Funny to have both these special days coincide. Although today was the start of Lent, this was ignored at the Senior's Centre as we had a special free day - cake and unlimited coffee. We had a huge turnout as everyone likes free food, especially cake.

   I was out early for my Fitness class but came home to pick up my lunch. It was sunny and above zero so I decided to walk back for my shift in the coffee shop. Lots of melting going on but we are not done with Winter yet. The puddles will probably freeze overnight and make for tricky walking tomorrow.

   I was kept on my toes churning out coffee all afternoon so was quite beat by the time I walked home. Then a nap and some quiet reading before dinner (salmon and broccoli). Now it's the Women's Slalom at the Olympics which will keep me entertained until bedtime.