Yay Dalgleish!

Sunday was a day of many naps. I loved having nothing pressing to do. We had a brilliant morning walk together in Elder Cedar and then we came home to chill. For me, that meant reading, but I kept falling asleep. The evening, of course, was spent in front of the telly, and I went to bed early. Late in the night, I awoke feeling sick to my stomach, but I resisted my body’s desire to have me throw up. I went back to sleep and this morning I am feeling rather fragile.

Monday was similar, but our morning walk was with our friends—well, it almost was. I had to turn back because I was feeling too vulnerable to walk. We came home, and I went to bed, hoping to recover. Oh, I felt nasty, but it felt very good to be home where there is a bed, a fire, my beloveds and a toilet.

I felt better in the afternoon, and so I went for a long walk with Her Highness. We went to the Ricki Ave. trail, and when I parked, I saw Mark walking along the street. I met Mark and Amy when I was part of the Sunday walking group. They had a magnificent Great Dane named Juno. How I loved her, and so I was devastated when I heard that she had very suddenly and unexpectedly died while she and Mark were walking in the 707 park. Poor Mark could not lift Juno, and so he had to leave here there and fetch friends to help him carry Juno back to their house.

We walked together for almost an hour, and then I came home to a lovely warm and cosy home and built up the fire for the evening. And yowza! I got to watch two new episodes of Dalgleish. Yum! And then to bed.

Today is sunny and bright. We’ll enjoy our walks today, and I will enjoy reading my penultimate Richard Osman book. I read yesterday that The Thursday Murder Club will soon be a TV series with Helen Mirren starting as Elizabeth Best, the octogenarian spy. I can hardly wait, but the thrill of these books is in the humour that comes more from Osman’s wit than action in the story, and that may not translate to the screen.

Baking & Dinner Out

Saturday was pleasant because I was not stressed about the dessert I had to make for my dinner at Stacy’s. It was a dull cool day, but there was barely any rain, so being indoors and baking was a treat. I made a chocolate cake that always goes over very well. My friend, Dana, once said it was the best chocolate cake he’d ever had. It’s secret? I mix dark cocoa into two cups of hot coffee, and I often add shredded beetroot for both taste and colour.

I usually make a chocolate buttercream to frost it, but for this one, I decided to make Italian meringue and frost it with meringue that I can bake to brown. I think the meringue makes for a very showy cake; that’s why I like to make it.

Our walks yesterday, were short. Sheba’s foot is sore and with my breathing issues, a short walk also works well for me. Our second walk was carefree because the cake was done, the frosting is fine, and all that was ahead of me was going out for dinner and then My Day all day today. I shall do naught but eat, walk, read and watch.

Dave and Urusla spent the day moving into their yurt. Their son, Will, came up from Victoria to help them move the furniture in and get set up. Nine months, from start to finishing a brand new home.

I left for Stacy’s after feeding the brood, stoking the fire and giving Her Highness a bone to chew on while I was with my friends. I hate leaving her alone. She was invited along, but both Stace and Bryce have big dogs and I think having three of them in the house is too much.

We had a blast together, and dinner was truly delicious, and my cake was a hit. How can anyone resist rich chocolate cake with lots of meringue icing. Yum! And we all said out goodbyes at 8:30, so I was home and back with Her Highness early. I had such a good time, but nothing beats being at home.

And I came home to some great news: Dalgleish, season three starts tomorrow. I am overjoyed because I really love the series.

I learned to type on one of these.