A letter arrived today from the Ministry of the Attorney General. I am requested (or "ordered") to appear at the Law courts on December 8th for Jury Duty! I can only hope I am not selected as it is a tedious chore, sitting waiting to be called for selection. The last time I had this onerous duty I read two Dan Brown novels before we were released.
It has rained all day and been decidedly cold. Not a glimpse of sun all day. I have to go out this evening although I would rather stay at home, but I am on "tea duty" tonight. I would be very unpopular if I didn't show up.
Going to have a quick dinner of leftovers soon. I've just eaten some chips and a whole avocado , mashed and topped with salsa and grated cheese so I am not starving. Then it's off to pick up Sue and Erich to take them with me to dancing. They will be happy not to have to take public transit on this miserable night!
A diary of my life in retirement - food, books, gardening, travel, grandkids, and other pastimes that fill my days.
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Two Busy Days
No tennis this morning. I had arranged to take the car in for its rust check, plus it was rather chilly, though sunny. This afternoon was the free swim at Agincourt Rec. Centre so I did my minimum, 12 lengths, then had a soak in the hot tub. I plan to make this a regular activity now that the weather is getting colder and will try to increase the number of lengths I do..
Yesterday I went down to Dentonia Golf Course (a par 3 course). I have decided it is more my speed although it is a longer drive to get there and the course is very hilly. I felt much less tired after 18 holes there than I did after 9 holes at the longer regulation course. It was a little cool to start off with, even though the sun was shining, but by half way I had my sweater off. There are only a couple of more weeks before the courses close and the nets will probably be coming down this weekend at the tennis courts. The garden still requires some more work but soon that will also be over until Spring.
Last night was Book Club but we were usurped from our usual spot at Chapters as they were inundated with new arrivals getting ready for the Christmas sales. We ended up in Starbucks but it was very noisy and not conducive to a friendly discussion of the book we had read for this month. Several people went away quite disgruntled. Lee is hoping to find a better location for next month as our group has grown quite large (15 there last night). Next month's book is "The Orphan Train" which I think I will have to buy as the library only has a few copies.
I got my 'flu shot today while I was down at the drug store to renew a prescription. It's so easy to get it there instead of from the doctor - no need for an appointment, no waiting in a room full of sick people, just show up and bare your arm!
Dinner tonight is kedgeree (a fish, rice and egg dish flavoured with curry). This afternoon I made some roasted tomato soup as I was experiencing a glut of ripe cherry tomatoes brought in from the garden. It is very tasty, flavoured with basil , garlic and balsamic vinegar. I'll have it for lunch tomorrow. Right now I am nibbling on some hummus made with the chick peas left over from the Tuscan chicken I made earlier this week. Making sure I use up everything in the fridge before it expires is always a challenge for me, but I manage to not throw out too much food. Yesterday I made a yummy dip from artichoke hearts (also left over from the Tuscan chicken), mayo and parmesan cheese. I had it with slices from a sour dough loaf that has been lingering in the freezer for quite some time.
"Big Bang Theory" is back to Thursday nights so my evening viewing is all set. Yaay!!!
Yesterday I went down to Dentonia Golf Course (a par 3 course). I have decided it is more my speed although it is a longer drive to get there and the course is very hilly. I felt much less tired after 18 holes there than I did after 9 holes at the longer regulation course. It was a little cool to start off with, even though the sun was shining, but by half way I had my sweater off. There are only a couple of more weeks before the courses close and the nets will probably be coming down this weekend at the tennis courts. The garden still requires some more work but soon that will also be over until Spring.
Last night was Book Club but we were usurped from our usual spot at Chapters as they were inundated with new arrivals getting ready for the Christmas sales. We ended up in Starbucks but it was very noisy and not conducive to a friendly discussion of the book we had read for this month. Several people went away quite disgruntled. Lee is hoping to find a better location for next month as our group has grown quite large (15 there last night). Next month's book is "The Orphan Train" which I think I will have to buy as the library only has a few copies.
I got my 'flu shot today while I was down at the drug store to renew a prescription. It's so easy to get it there instead of from the doctor - no need for an appointment, no waiting in a room full of sick people, just show up and bare your arm!
Dinner tonight is kedgeree (a fish, rice and egg dish flavoured with curry). This afternoon I made some roasted tomato soup as I was experiencing a glut of ripe cherry tomatoes brought in from the garden. It is very tasty, flavoured with basil , garlic and balsamic vinegar. I'll have it for lunch tomorrow. Right now I am nibbling on some hummus made with the chick peas left over from the Tuscan chicken I made earlier this week. Making sure I use up everything in the fridge before it expires is always a challenge for me, but I manage to not throw out too much food. Yesterday I made a yummy dip from artichoke hearts (also left over from the Tuscan chicken), mayo and parmesan cheese. I had it with slices from a sour dough loaf that has been lingering in the freezer for quite some time.
"Big Bang Theory" is back to Thursday nights so my evening viewing is all set. Yaay!!!
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
A New Class
It has rained on and off most of today but I didn't mind - I started my new winter activity today - bridge lessons! When I was at the Recreation Centre last week to vote in the Advance poll, I picked up a brochure advertising all the activities available for seniors. There are several drop-in activities but I discovered that free bridge lessons are offered on Tuesdays so I signed up for them and went there this morning. There are three classes, the first on bidding for beginners, the second on conventions (I skipped that as it was for more experienced players) and the third was "Play of the Hand" where we actually got to deal hands, bid on them and play them out. I watched for the first part then got to play a couple of hands. It is coming back to me, but slowly (it's been at least 20 years since I last played) and a lot of the terms are new. It may take me a while to get up to speed but I have signed up for all the winter sessions.
Yesterday the grandkids were here (a P.A. day in York region schools) and kept me hopping. James and I made soup for lunch (Elliot made the devilled eggs and Natalie helped with the sandwiches), they singlehandedly decorated a gingerbread Hallowe'en house, we planted crocus bulbs, visited the library, and spent an hour at the park. Luckily it was quite mild and I took along the tennis raquets. Elliot had fun hitting the balls over the fence although I told him the idea was to keep the ball in the blue court. He has quite good eye-hand coordination whereas Natalie had trouble connecting with the ball. James just chased the balls around the court. Even with all these activities we still had time left over so I let them use my computer for the last hour before Judy arrived to pick them up. After they left I had a nap!
Dinner tonight is the leftover Tuscan chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. Just a matter of some chopping and reheating. Easy-peasy, just the way I like it!
Yesterday the grandkids were here (a P.A. day in York region schools) and kept me hopping. James and I made soup for lunch (Elliot made the devilled eggs and Natalie helped with the sandwiches), they singlehandedly decorated a gingerbread Hallowe'en house, we planted crocus bulbs, visited the library, and spent an hour at the park. Luckily it was quite mild and I took along the tennis raquets. Elliot had fun hitting the balls over the fence although I told him the idea was to keep the ball in the blue court. He has quite good eye-hand coordination whereas Natalie had trouble connecting with the ball. James just chased the balls around the court. Even with all these activities we still had time left over so I let them use my computer for the last hour before Judy arrived to pick them up. After they left I had a nap!
Dinner tonight is the leftover Tuscan chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. Just a matter of some chopping and reheating. Easy-peasy, just the way I like it!
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Still Mild
Friday was another brilliant day. I spent the morning on the golf course - at Tam O'Shanter which is 5 minutes from me. Rather a challenging course for my ability level so I just played 9 holes. However, I think I will go back to the easy par 3 course I usually play even though it's a longer drive. But with the sun shining, 13C and the trees in all their glorious fall colours, it was an exceptional morning.
That evening was the AGM for my local tennis club and as I am the designated note-taker, my presence was required. It started late and there were many long-winded arguments that I tried to document, but at last it was over and I now just have to type up the Minutes before I forget what my scribbled notes mean! I have until the Spring to do this but if I leave it too long it will be an arduous process.
A quiet day today apart from the usual Saturday chores - laundry and grocery shopping. I was a bit late getting out and the store was crammed but eventually I was home, had a light lunch and headed for bed. Some rain this afternoon but my laundry was dry enough to bring indoors and is now folded and put away. An evening of TV awaits and there's a chicken casserole in the oven (my favourite, Tuscan chicken, thighs with chick peas, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes. I also threw in the tiny eggplant from my garden, hope it tastes OK).
That evening was the AGM for my local tennis club and as I am the designated note-taker, my presence was required. It started late and there were many long-winded arguments that I tried to document, but at last it was over and I now just have to type up the Minutes before I forget what my scribbled notes mean! I have until the Spring to do this but if I leave it too long it will be an arduous process.
A quiet day today apart from the usual Saturday chores - laundry and grocery shopping. I was a bit late getting out and the store was crammed but eventually I was home, had a light lunch and headed for bed. Some rain this afternoon but my laundry was dry enough to bring indoors and is now folded and put away. An evening of TV awaits and there's a chicken casserole in the oven (my favourite, Tuscan chicken, thighs with chick peas, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes. I also threw in the tiny eggplant from my garden, hope it tastes OK).
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