Another Lucky Day!

   A wild night last night with thunder, lightning, rain and wind. I'm glad I got the photo of the lilac yesterday as it is looking very sad and droopy this morning. More rain forecast for later today which may completely put paid to the blossoms. Everything else seems to have survived the storm and the grass is nice and green. I have finally got all my indoor plants outside - or at least those that are easy to move . Makes watering much easier, but I have to keep an eye on them as they are not used to direct sun. 

   Got in some tennis this morning although the courts were still a trifle wet - played two sets back to back, had a coffee and some cake, then called it a day. Back home for a quick shower then off to "do lunch" with the RWTO ladies. Believe it or not, my luck is holding as I won $21 on the 50-50 draw! Almost enough to pay for lunch (spring salad, chicken breast, veggies and roast potatoes, and fruit and ice cream for dessert).

   We had an interesting talk about a munitions factory which was located in Scarborough during WWII, mostly manned by young girls - out in the country in those days. It seemingly was huge, covering the equivalent of a whole city block. The girls were paid $22 a week which was a very good wage at that time. But it was dangerous work, assembling ignition fuses for bombs. The actual bombs were assembled in Ajax before being shipped overseas. 

   It is getting very dark so I think we are in for another storm. The trees are beginning to blow around quite alarmingly and I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance. A good evening to stay indoors.

Victoria Day

   There's been some talk about renaming this holiday but, for now, it's still Victoria Day, commemorating (I think) Queen Victoria's birthday. Tennis this morning at the Don Mills Club and, wonders of wonders, I lucked out in the lucky draw and won a tennis racquet, unstrung, but, nevertheless, a huge prize! This is the first time I've won anything anywhere more substantial than a can of tennis balls or a bottle of wine. We also had a very nice lunch, all for $2. Can't complain about that.

   I finished planting this afternoon and, in the process of hanging baskets and pulling weeds I walked by the lilac bush. What a perfume! Too bad the blossoms only last for a few days but, soon the lilies will be up and they have an even more powerful perfume.

    It was an afternoon for sitting in the shade reading and I came across an anecdote that really made me chuckle. It was in Francis Mayes book, "Every Day in Tuscany" which I am rereading and goes like this: she is talking about "carpe diem" (seize the day) and relates how her Aunt Hazel   "seized my grandmother's furs and jewelry during the funeral she was "too upset" to attend, By the time we trailed in, her Lincoln was packed." What gall!
 
   After a substantial lunch (breaded chicken, green salad and potato salad, cake and trifle), I plan to go light and have an avocado and grapefruit salad for dinner. Tomorrow is another meal out for the RWTO luncheon, Wednesday is the last night for the Petronella group, with snacks and treats after, then Thursday I have two meals out: lunch following the RTO AGM (free if you attend the meeting) and dinner after the AGM of ETFO ( $10 for a quite substantial meal - I chose salmon) . This week will go down in history as one of overeating. Time to start that diet!

A Day of Gardening

  Yesterday was grass cutting but today I finally got started on bedding the plants I bought last week. First the tomato plants went in, just four this year: one Early Girl, one Super Star, one yellow grapes and one cherry tomatoes. I put in just a little fertilizer as last year I had lots of greenery but little fruit. We shall see if that makes a difference. They look pretty puny at the moment but have a few flowers getting ready to open.



Fuschia

   I also filled my hanging baskets, the three on the front porch with New Guinea Impatiens (got a gorgeous deep pink for one of them) and the one in the back with two fuschia plants which hang rather dramatically over the edge of the basket. This is a first attempt with this particular arrangement so it will be interesting to see how they develop (or not!)

   I had an interesting find at the Garden Centre - garlic chives. I have had a chives plant that came up every year since I moved here but last year it was completely overwhelmed by mint. I dug up the mint in the fall but was unable to save the chives. So we will see if this one establishes itself in a new spot. The mint has come back but not quite so abundantly. I also bought Italian parsley this year. I usually get the curly sort and sometimes it will appear the next year as well. But most recipes call for Italian parsley so I will see how it turns out.

   Turned off the gas fire for good as the weather seems to have settled into Spring/Summer mode. I feel I have accomplished a lot today so don't feel guilty about vegging this evening. I have a good book and there are a couple of shows on TV I want to watch. Dinner will be easy, broiled salmon and quinoa with peas. And, probably, a glass of vino!

Chicken Tuscan Style

   I have made this recipe many times as I love a dish that can be prepared and eaten from one pot - and has left over ingredients to make into something else. It's from "Every Day in Tuscany" by Francis Mayes, the author of "Under the Tuscan Sun", and has many recipes that I like. One other favourite is Foccacio Bread. I usually make half the quantity so have artichokes and chickpeas left over. The artichokes go into a baked dip with mayonnaise and parmesan cheese, and the chickpeas become hummus with the addition of lemon juice, garlic and sour cream, all whizzed up in the blender and served with crudites and pita chips.

Pollo Con Carciofi, Pomodori E Ceci
(Chicken with Artichokes, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Chickpeas)

5 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
1 whole chicken, cut in 8 pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
1/4 cup thyme or marjoram leaves
2 cups chickpeas, cooked
1 can of artichokes, drained
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1medium onion, chopped and sautéed

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil in a flameproof and oven proof casserole. Saute the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes per side in oil. Do in batches if necessary. Add wine and transfer to a baking dish.
   Mix the remaining ingredients, pour over the chicken, and bake, covered, for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces, turning the chicken once.