Missing the Sun

    Dull and dreary here but the snow is gradually receding and some rather dead grass appearing along the edges of the lawn. I was quite chilled when I got home from my walk and spent the afternoon snoozing in bed. Hope I'm not coming down with something!

   It has been rather amazing not to have had a cough or cold all winter - probably due to wearing a mask on all outings. I guess we don't realize just how much infection we pick up from other people! Also washing hands well is a very good habit to continue once the pandemic is over.

   I got an interesting DVD from the library yesterday, "Detective Montalbano", and watched an episode last night. It is a mixture of drama, humour and relationships but, as it is subtitled, requires more concentration on the viewer's part. I will watch another episode tonight, I highly recommend it, but one is enough at a time. 

Winter Not Gone Yet

   Although we have had a couple of days with sun and above freezing temperatures, the snowbanks are so high I can barely heft a shovelful of snow over the top! Just praying we don't get another snowfall any time soon.

    However, the icy patches have more or less melted so taking a walk is not quite as hazardous as it was a few days ago.

   I kept busy today by making a batch of shortbread cookies which, unfortunately, I will now have to eat. Boredom leads to naughty things! I will keep them in the freezer which will make them slightly less tempting and easy to pop in my mouth. 

     I heard today that my age cohort will be allowed to book a vaccine in the last week of April but sounds as if the booking system has yet to be created so, once again, not holding my breath!

Chocolate Overload

    Out early for a slippery drive to the grocery store. We had several inches of snow overnight and I really should have stayed home until it had been cleared. However, a chocolate bar given out by the cashier at the store made it worth the effort - a customer appreciation gift. The store was surprisingly busy considering the driving conditions but I guess, like me, people were out of essentials after the long weekend. Trying valiantly to work through all the chocolate I have received this week.

   On returning home I got stuck on the slight slope of my driveway but dug my way out eventually. My neighbour's son came over to help and we got the driveway cleared by lunch time. Just as we finished the plough came by and left a considerable windrow across the end of my driveway, so more digging! I sincerely hope that is the last dig-out I have to do this year. We have got off pretty easily this winter, all told.

Family Day

    This is a Provincial (as opposed to Federal) holiday so the mail came today but I haven't ventured out to see what else is open. I had a walk this morning while the sun shone but now it has clouded over and snow is forecast overnight.

   Since I was staying home (and reluctant to do any housework) I decided to make marmalade today. I go through a lot of marmalade on my morning toast and it isn't expensive but home made is so much nicer. 

   A lemon, a tangerine and two cups of sugar gave me two small jars and it seems to have set well. Removing the pith from the rind and slicing it finely was time consuming but the end result was well worth the effort. I have to say I couldn't be bothered making a big batch - too much preparation required!

Now I just have a messy kitchen to clean up.