Exhausted!

   Our family lunch went well - James brought some sausage rolls for appetizers (he is getting to be quite the expert), Judy made a lo-cal cheesecake and served it with fruit and cream for dessert (seriously yummy) and the other family came loaded with wine . The leg of lamb was completely demolished - we all got plenty but the three hefty males in the company ate most of it along with a huge amount of roast potatoes. There were plenty of other veg besides. I made green beans, broccoli, asparagus and I threw some parsnips in with the roast to get nicely caramelized. I even made some gravy!

   Now I am completely done in even with a nap after they all left. I will be early to bed tonight, for sure. I had a bit of a scare - after loading the dishwasher to the gunnels, it refused to start. It needed a couple of restarts to get it going but everything came out nice and clean. This is the original machine that came with the house twenty years ago so it owes me nothing, as they say. But I would be very reluctant to replace it as I only use it when there is a big crowd for a meal.

   Now it will be a quiet evening in front of the TV. I will try not to nod off!

Usual Saturday Chores Plus Some

    It has rained off and on all day but the sun has just come out so I will go out and pick some daffodils for tomorrow's Easter lunch table. I had to shop between showers (used some PC points so not too expensive) but have everything I need now and can relax this evening. A few bits and bobs to do tomorrow before the family arrive then, let the festivities begin!
  

   The garden is very waterlogged but it is lovely to see things starting to grow!

A Food Experiment

   I was out again for lunch yesterday after our Probus club meeting. Marilyn, Donna, June and I went to Remizzio's, one of our favourite spots, and I had minestrone soup and crab cakes. Very filling but I was hungry again by dinner time and had the rest of the previous day's fish stew with broccoli. 

   Today, being Good Friday, was a home day for me as all my usual Friday activities were cancelled. I got a start on sprucing up the house for guests (just family) for Easter lunch on Sunday. It wasn't really a spring cleaning but I did get rid of a few cobwebs and gave the carpets a thorough vacuuming. More of the same tomorrow as well as shopping for the meal. I have saved up some PC points so it won't be too much of a drain on my budget.

   I tried out a new recipe today - it was for vegan brownies, no eggs or dairy, and it turned out well. The base of the recipe was a pureed sweet potato which I needed to use up, and peanut butter, I just had to buy chocolate chips which I got yesterday. Nice and easy and good for healthy snacks.

Trying To Be Careful

   Lunch out today - it was very nice, poached salmon and lots of vegetables. I benefitted by having at my table several people who don't like roasted red peppers. I love them so they were passed over! There were also carrots and green beans so quite healthy. No bread and only a couple of baby potatoes, so I was very good. 

    We had a fashion show after the lunch (outfits from Lady Sophisticate) and I was one of the models. Lots of fun picking out the ensembles last week and lots of compliments on all of mine. However, they were rather expensive so, much as I would have liked to purchase one in particular, I had to settle for a rather fancy T-shirt. I know several people bought outfits so the store owner did quite well.

   I have taken a few shrimp from the freezer for dinner as I won't need a big meal. I will cook then in garlic butter with a spritz of lemon and have them in a salad with avocado. Should be delicious!