Braving the Elements

    The daffodils have finally opened so I will have a nice bunch to bring into the house for the Easter lunch table. Now the big clean up begins!

   It was sunny but bitterly cold today, not much above freezing. I did manage a walk and came home to a warming bowl of soup which had been bubbling away all morning. My favourite carrot and lentil concoction with some crackers and cheese makes an easy lunch.

Preparing for Easter

    Two crusty French loaves baked for Easter lunch on Sunday - if I can resist taking a slice or two (just to check they are good, don't ya know).

    Today I went out early on a hunt for a nice leg of lamb, reasonably priced, and lucked out at the last store I tried, then had to go out again for garlic and Mint Sauce! Also hit the liquor store to stock up as I had cut out alcohol for Lent. I will have a big glass of red on Sunday to celebrate a month of abstinence. Ditto with chocolate so I hope the grandkids bring me some.

   Lamb is our tradition for Easter Sunday and nothing will prevent us from indulging, not even another lockdown. Praying that the family stay healthy until then - one school had a case of COVID but it remains open so caught in time, thank goodness! 

   In case you are wondering, I had no side effects from my shot last weekend - just a stiff arm for a couple of days.

Whoop-te-doo!

 

Just the first dose. We have to wait four months for the second one!

Books

     The other day I (roughly) calculated I have read 150 books during lockdown. I wish I had kept a list but never thought it would go on so long. Who knew what we were in for!

   Anyway, here are my current two. 

    This one I may have written about before as it is my own copy. I was between library books last week so picked it up. I love the Commisario Guido Brunetti stories as they are replete with descriptions of beautiful Venetian vistas and wonderful food (his wife, Paola, is a remarkable cook). The plots are never complicated so don't tax the brain, which I also like.

   This one from the library (don't remember why I ordered it, someone must have recommended it) is a bit of a challenge. It's a multi-generational story with themes of classism and racism intertwined with family dramas. One of the reviewers described it as "epic and sweeping without ever leaving behind the personal and profound" I don't know if I entirely agree and I find some of the characters rather disagreeable in their complacency. 'Nuff said!

    It has been damp and dreary today but I did manage a short walk between showers - also much colder.  Still haven't had to cut the grass but the rain may bring that along pretty soon!