A Couple of New Finds

   Last week, on garbage pickup day, one of my neighbours had this lamp sitting at her curb. I wandered by and asked her if it worked - she was working in her garden - so now it is mine! It is perfect for when I am reading in my new chair.

   

     I had some books to donate to Value Village last week and received a 20% off coupon so bought a new (to me) toaster oven to replace my rather battered but well used one. It is so useful when cooking small meals. Tonight I will use it to broil a piece of fish for dinner.

An Indoor Day

   Miserable day, cold and rainy, but as I was at the Senior's Centre most of it, I wasn't too put out. I gave in and turned the heating back on this afternoon as I was just so chilled. Tomorrow is supposed to be more summery.

   I spent an hour this afternoon sorting through the bins of books from the RWTO used book sale. Some I am keeping to start us off in September, some will go to the Senior's Centre and the rest will go to Value Village. I will get a coupon to spend there so I will have a mooch around and see what's new. I am meeting Donna for lunch at "Rosemary and Thyme" on Friday and it's in the same plaza, so will kill two birds with one stone!

   Next week is the RTO meeting and I have agreed to make the arrangements as my (truly) last act as Secretary. No one else has volunteered to take over but, as the next meeting isn't until September, perhaps someone will be found over the summer to take on the job!

   I have been working hard in the garden this week and almost have a bed ready to plant the potatoes that Judy gave me. The soil is pure clay which made it such hard work, but I will add some compost and lighter soil to make it more manageable. It's where my raspberry bushes used to be - no wonder they didn't thrive! I have moved them closer to the fence so hope they like that location better.

The End of the Chicken

     Yesterday's dinner. I have finally finished the whole chicken I cooked last Sunday. Two nights eating the legs and wings, one meal of the breast in gravy, one chicken salad and two meals when I made chicken rissoles from the rest of the breast meat. Phew!

    I also made a pot of barley soup using the carcass and it is still on the go, so several more lunches. That's pretty good for an $8 chicken!

I usually buy the Halal birds as they are quite a bit less expensive than the regular birds and taste just as good. In fact, I think they are juicier.

   Having said all that, I don't think I will be cooking chicken again for a while!

Not What I'd Planned to Do!

    "Sound of Music" last night with Judy - what fun! It was a marvellous production and the cast (especially the von Trapp children) were so good. We both enjoyed it very much. There was a reception afterwards to meet the cast but we didn't stay long as we had a long drive home - Judy especially.

    Today I had a good game of tennis with Soo, Paul and Washington. It was very close (7-5 in the tiebreak) but I put the last shot in the net so Soo and Paul came out on top this time. Maybe we will have a rematch next week.

   This afternoon I buckled down and finished the Minutes for last week's AGM. That should be my last act as Secretary but they haven't been able to find a replacement so who knows? I would have liked to have been out gardening but I had to stay indoors to wait for the person coming to spray protection on my new furniture. She was to come between 1:00  and 5:00 - Sod's law, she arrived at 4:35! The couch and chair are still wet so I'll be sitting on the floor to watch TV tonight. At least I have the Minutes out of the way.