I also have several herbs that smell quite strongly - rosemary, oregano and mint - but they need to be handled before their odours become evident.
Friday 4 July 2014
My Swet-smelling Garden
On exiting my back door today I was hit by an intoxicating perfume. I traced it to a lily that had opened overnight. If you recognize it, please tell me its name. It comes up each year and quite enthralls me with its beauty and perfume. The lavender, which I severely cut back in the spring, has recovered well and is also emitting a strong perfume, especially when watered or brushed against.
Tuesday 1 July 2014
Canada Day
On July 1st. we celebrate our great country with friends, feasting and fireworks - at least I got the friends and feasting part organized; the tennis club was holding a round robin and barbecue lunch. Unfortunately, the heavens opened after about 10 minutes of organized play and we were well and truly flooded.
Luckily, we had tennis to watch on TV in the club house - Milos Raonic playing in the fourth round at Wimbledon. He won his match against a Japanese player who is ranked 11, so lots of smiles and cheers. Meanwhile the courts were being dried off, the sun came out and we were able to have another set before lunch. Chicken skewers, salads and tasty desserts with a plentiful supply of cold drinks - the temperature and humidity were very high.
Came home for a much needed swim and rest before Steve arrived with his chainsaw to demolish a couple of dead trees in the back yard. After an hour we were both so hot and sweaty we decided to call a halt for today. All the big trunks are cut up and most of the smaller branches but I have no more bins so the remaining stuff will have to wait until the next garden refuse pick up day. Then I can reload the bins again.
Another swim was called for after al that strenuous activity - the pool has been consistently in the 80's for the last few days - and then a quick tidy up of the yard before relaxing with a drink and snacks. I am still eating the leftovers of the "Festive Special" but dinner tonight should be its last appearance.
Luckily, we had tennis to watch on TV in the club house - Milos Raonic playing in the fourth round at Wimbledon. He won his match against a Japanese player who is ranked 11, so lots of smiles and cheers. Meanwhile the courts were being dried off, the sun came out and we were able to have another set before lunch. Chicken skewers, salads and tasty desserts with a plentiful supply of cold drinks - the temperature and humidity were very high.
Came home for a much needed swim and rest before Steve arrived with his chainsaw to demolish a couple of dead trees in the back yard. After an hour we were both so hot and sweaty we decided to call a halt for today. All the big trunks are cut up and most of the smaller branches but I have no more bins so the remaining stuff will have to wait until the next garden refuse pick up day. Then I can reload the bins again.
Another swim was called for after al that strenuous activity - the pool has been consistently in the 80's for the last few days - and then a quick tidy up of the yard before relaxing with a drink and snacks. I am still eating the leftovers of the "Festive Special" but dinner tonight should be its last appearance.
Monday 30 June 2014
Long Weekend
Family over here on Sunday for swimming and a meal. I decided to go with my version of Swiss Chalet's Festive Special since we are half way between last Christmas and the next.
It was warm enough to swim without the heater on, amazingly. Everyone was in the pool, even Steve and James who were both rather reluctant initially. Natalie is a little fish, diving and bobbing all over, and Elliot had lots of fun on the inflatable rocket.
Dinner was a great success. Alison had brought a delicious roasted corn and avocado salad with a hint of cilantro. Judy's salad was crunchy and exotic too. The only mistake was the potatoes which I cooked - they didn't crisp up and, although cooked, were a bit soggy - too many pieces in the roasting pan! I had picked up a couple of rotisserie chickens from Metro and we had stuffing and Chalet sauce (which Elliot prepared). A few sausages rounded out the feast, although I forgot to serve the cranberry sauce - it will be saved for next Christmas.
Once everyone had digested their meal, we had strawberries, blueberries and cream for dessert. Then it was back in the pool (even me!) as it was still warm and pleasant.
Today Judy and the kids were back for another dip as it continues to be very hot. James was in for the longest time, not even wanting to come out to eat his lunch. He is becoming quite the water baby!
It was warm enough to swim without the heater on, amazingly. Everyone was in the pool, even Steve and James who were both rather reluctant initially. Natalie is a little fish, diving and bobbing all over, and Elliot had lots of fun on the inflatable rocket.
Dinner was a great success. Alison had brought a delicious roasted corn and avocado salad with a hint of cilantro. Judy's salad was crunchy and exotic too. The only mistake was the potatoes which I cooked - they didn't crisp up and, although cooked, were a bit soggy - too many pieces in the roasting pan! I had picked up a couple of rotisserie chickens from Metro and we had stuffing and Chalet sauce (which Elliot prepared). A few sausages rounded out the feast, although I forgot to serve the cranberry sauce - it will be saved for next Christmas.
Once everyone had digested their meal, we had strawberries, blueberries and cream for dessert. Then it was back in the pool (even me!) as it was still warm and pleasant.
Today Judy and the kids were back for another dip as it continues to be very hot. James was in for the longest time, not even wanting to come out to eat his lunch. He is becoming quite the water baby!
Friday 27 June 2014
It's Heating Up
Wimbledon party at Don Mills TC this morning and James and I baked sausage rolls to contribute to the feast. Lots of sandwiches and salads, and strawberries and cream for dessert. Needless to say, James bypassed the nutritious stuff and headed straight for the sweet stuff. Luckily there was also lots of other fresh fruit which he devoured too.
As a special treat for behaving himself (i.e. stayed off the court while I played one set of tennis), on the way home we stopped at the subway station and rode the subway for half-an-hour. He was quite thrilled by the long train and the dark tunnel! It was a really cheap thrill - just 75 cents for him.
Home for a swim, although I couldn't get him in the pool, other than his feet. I had two dips as it has been really hot today, up in the high 20's. The water has been warming up nicely. I may not need to put the heater on when the family come over on Sunday.
As a special treat for behaving himself (i.e. stayed off the court while I played one set of tennis), on the way home we stopped at the subway station and rode the subway for half-an-hour. He was quite thrilled by the long train and the dark tunnel! It was a really cheap thrill - just 75 cents for him.
Home for a swim, although I couldn't get him in the pool, other than his feet. I had two dips as it has been really hot today, up in the high 20's. The water has been warming up nicely. I may not need to put the heater on when the family come over on Sunday.
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