Sweltering!

    Still too hot to go out and water the vegetables - I will wait until the sun goes behind the houses, another hour or so. I pulled a few weeds and trimmed some dead branches while I was still wet from my swim. I have worked back up to 12 laps and am determined to get that in daily for the rest of the summer. Having to miss so many days in June and July, I really lost some tone in my arms.

   I am getting loads of tomatoes (Judy took a bunch yesterday when she came over for a swim) and quite a few cucumbers. I used some of the tomatoes and a bunch of kale in a casserole the other day but, unfortunately, overcooked it. Eating it anyway, I added some canned tomato sauce to try to restore it!

   Last week was very busy as I was volunteering at the tennis tournament. I found it very tiring this year, mainly because of the heat, one night my shift didn't end until after 11:00 p.m. and I wasn't home until midnight. I can't remember the last time I have been out so late. But one bonus - I received my twenty years of service pin and got a ticket for a box to watch one of the evening sessions, food provided. It was a real treat. 

   We have been promised a break from the high temperatures starting on Wednesday but today has been brutal - 32C but feels more with the humidity. I may need another swim this evening.

   

Garden Update

     It's extremely hot again - 33C when I went out to water the vegetables so it was just a cursory soaking. I'll go out again when the sun goes down. The pool is up over 80F so I haven't had to use the heater yet this summer. 

   I picked another bowl of raspberries yesterday (they were delicious!) but that will probably be it for this year. I also got a 9 inch cucumber - there are more coming and I noticed the grape tomatoes are starting to redden up. There are loads of tomatoes but all still green so far. They will all probably be ready to pick at the same time so will have to make tomato sauce for the freezer. 

   Too hot for tennis today but I did play a couple of sets on Tuesday while it was still relatively cool. This week I am watching a tournament from Washington D.C., it must be so hot on the courts I don't know how the players stand it!

Dim Sum

    It has been extremely hot here since I last posted and I have been sheltering indoors for the most part. But, finally, this week I have been able to get in the pool to cool off. I now have a waterproof dressing on my leg and am hopeful that that may be gone soon. Things are looking up! 

   Of course, sod's law, it is set to cool off starting tomorrow but the water is a blissful 83C so should still be pleasant. I am also going to try some tennis although my time on the court may be short lived. I went to our annual Wimbledon party last week and only managed a couple of games as the heat was so oppressive. Tomorrow should only get up to the mid 20's and if there's a breeze it will be quite pleasant.

   Today was ladies' lunch and just 7 of us met at "Perfect Restaurant" for Dim Sum. We tried about 15 different dishes and the grand total was just $13 each including a tip. The dishes arrived at the table in wicker baskets which were passed around and I think I had more than my share as I couldn't pass up anything remaining. Refills of green tea kept us hydrated and the conversations were fun and entertaining. Just a light supper tonight, I think.

   

Pick-your-own

    What with all my other concerns I almost forgot to get out to the Berry farm before they were all gone. It has been extremely hot for the last few days (high 30's with the humidex in the 40's) so I went extra early - the sun was barely up! Seniors are allowed to pick between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. without having to reserve a spot so that suited me very well.

   I just picked one basketful and was home before 8:30. I made a batch of Strawberry Rhubarb jam this afternoon and tomorrow I will make a batch of just strawberry jam. I got 8 jars today and hope to get the same tomorrow so that will last me through the winter, plus I still have some of the 2024 batch to eat first.

 I still have lots of rhubarb left so must think about picking it for a pie, cake or the freezer. By the end of the rhubarb season it's getting a bit tough so I use it to make rhubarb and mango chutney, another favourite treat of mine. All these things are also useful as hostess gifts or to share with family and friends.

   It was my granddaughters High School graduation today but I didn't attend as it was just parents - it's a big school. However, we had a small celebration yesterday at home and, yes, cake was involved!