Staying Sane by Keeping Busy

   Chilly start to the day but warmed up by the afternoon. I did my exercises this morning and had a walk down to the drug store to check the P.O. Box. This afternoon I cut the front grass (it looks so much better for being void of dandelions) and did some gardening, then sat in the sun with my book for half-an-hour. That`s about it.

   I am reading a very good book which I picked up from the Probus book exchange last year. It is `Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles` by Margaret George. I`m just at the part where she is tiring of Darnley and I know he is murdered in the next few chapters. Very exciting!

   

Shopping Online

  Picked up my order from Bulk Barn today, all except the yeast. Luckily I had a couple of tsps. left so was able to make a loaf this afternoon. But that will be it until I can get some more, so I will probably have to resort to store bought!

   I was quite happy with my first attempt at ordering online. They made it so easy and when I went in to pick up my order, my favourite cashier was on the checkout. She's a Newfie and calls everyone - young, old, male, female - "darlin' " or "sweetheart" and always has some funny quip.  She's a riot!

   I spent some time this afternoon digging up dandelions from the front lawn. They seem to have sprung up overnight and were very healthy looking - I had trouble getting them out and mostly didn't get the whole tap root. So, they will be back! I will dig up the rest (for now) tomorrow before I cut the grass.

Batch Cooking

   On Thursday I made a vegetarian lasagna from some (very ancient) noodles I found at the back of a cupboard. It was so good and, after two meals, the rest went in the freezer. Yesterday I used some (also very ancient) rice which I bought to make sushi years ago, and four Italian sausages, to make cabbage rolls. They were also very tasty and I will have a couple again tonight with the rest going in the freezer. 

   Both these meals are very labour intensive and I usually don't have the time or incentive to spend hours slaving in the kitchen but, with all the time in the world to kill, it was an excellent way to pass a quiet afternoon! I figure for two afternoons work and some garlic bread and a green salad, I probably have created 8 meals.  

The recipe is from "Lidia's Mastering the Art of Italian Cuisine". I used rice instead of the day-old bread.

This is the leftovers, ready for the freezer. Half the recipe made 8 cabbage rolls.

Out In the Garden

   Hurt my left hip (again!) while gardening yesterday so no exercise today, not even a walk. I tend to forget I'm on the downward slope to 80 and don't take reasonable precautions. I did manage to cut the back grass - its first cut of the year - and prune a couple of bushes today, neither of which required bending which is when the pain occurs. 

   Other than that it has been a quiet, restful day. My big excitement was placing an on-line order at Bulk Barn, the first time I have attempted it. Seemingly, it will be ready for pickup tomorrow after noon, but I have my doubts as the order included flour and yeast which are in very short supply hereabouts. They will call me if anything is unavailable. Still, no big deal if there are missing items. I will just do without.

    It has been a gorgeous day today, quite the best day this year so far and I was outdoors for several hours. Even took off my sweater while cutting the grass! Good times ahead!!

Captured on my walk a couple of days ago in my local park. So pretty!