Straight to Summer

    We had one Spring-like day on Monday and a few daffodils opened, but it is now full strength summer (high of 27C today) with temperatures in the low to mid 20`s for the rest of the week. I just about expired walking home from my Fitness class today, carrying my jacket and sweater. I really did miscalculate when I left home this morning!

   I really must change my header photo but the few Spring flowers that opened this week are now wilting in the heat, just like me! My body needs more than one day to adjust to the change of seasons. Of course, it will cool off later this month and we may even get some frost overnight and what we really need, rain!

Easter Lunch

    I only host two family meals and Easter is the second. There were just the six of us so it wasn't a big deal. After shopping around I found a reasonably priced leg of lamb so that was the main course. The price per lb. varied greatly from store to store, $16 at my usual store, $20 at another and finally $11 at the store I occasionally shop at. The leg cost $23 which I deemed a triumph. Pretty much the whole leg was consumed (my family are big meat eaters, especially the teenagers) but there is enough for a leftovers meal for me today.

   The starter was "al fresco" (sitting around the coffee table in the family room and nibbling cheese, crackers, shrimp and smoked mackerel with a glass of wine for the adults. I served the meat with roast potatoes (my specialty and I must say they were tasty and crisp) and the first asparagus of the season. After a break we had dessert and coffee and then got into the Easter chocolates. I really need to ration myself as chocolate is my weakness!

  I was pretty exhausted by the time they left, and really stuffed so no dinner, just a snack later in the evening. Judy had made a delicious cheesecake (she really is the Quenn of cheesecakes) and there is a slice left for me tonight too!

........... and a nice Portuguese red to go with the lamb. It was a nicely matured 2020.

On My Bedside Table

   I picked up a couple of new reads at last weeks' Probus meeting. Now the pile by my bedside is threatening to take over. I recently finished the book for next week's book club meeting, The Shape of Family, so am ready to discuss it and return it right after. It was O.K but nothing special. I hope next month's is better. Should go and request it right away.

The rest are either mysteries or Detective stories as I am not in the mood for anything deep or thought provoking!

    

Weird Weather

    I had a busy day but the weird weather only interfered with the latter half.

   Spent the morning at home but went out for a lovely buffet lunch (chicken pot pie, quiche and salads, and yummy desserts) at the seniors' centre, courtesy of our local Amica retirement home. I would love to retire there (even just for the food which was excellent) except that I heard the monthly fee is $6,000 to $7,000! Yikes!!

   The home has every amenity imaginable so everything is included and that really does mean everything. You can even book a room to entertain family. However, I would run through whatever I gained by selling my house very quickly at that rate! But it was interesting to hear how "the other half" live. The meal and presentation were followed by musical entertainment with many of the younger seniors up on the dance floor but I was too full to participate.

    After a brief stop at home for a nap, I dropped in on a friend to take care of some paperwork as we are colleagues on a couple of committees. While on my way there, and she lives quite close, a strong snow squall blew through turning everything white again and dropping the temperature several degrees. I wasn't properly dressed for this sudden change in the weather so got quite chilled.

     Soon I was on the road again and drove through the squall to our local Conference Centre for an RPW (retirement planning workshop). My days aren't usually so jam packed but I was there on behalf of our local branch of RTO (Retired Teachers of Ontario) to try to recruit new members and answer questions about our programs and activities. Another substantial buffet meal (sandwiches, wraps and salads as well as some tasty desserts and fruit) took care of dinner so now I am just having a mug of herbal tea and a couple of chocolate brownies, which fell into my purse from the buffet table, before heading for bed. I will have to pay for all this over indulgence by eating sparingly tomorrow!