Travel League Lunch and Bowling.

I am delighted to say that the snow held off and we were able to make it to Elmira on Thursday for lunch and then bowling. It was snowing pretty hard when we left the alley, but it didn’t last long. Lunch was pretty good, I decided to go for the buffet for a change and ate a little turkey in honour of the American Thanksgiving. Actually there was some cranberry chicken which tasted better. I also, of course, had some mincemeat tart with cream and a small spoonful of rice pudding which wasn’t bad. Needless to say, I bought a couple of mince tarts before we ate and was tempted by a carrot cake which looked fabulous. Whilst we were paying for our meal afterward, I couldn’t stand the way the carrot cake kept pleading for me to take it home, so I did. It is now resting in the freezer along with the mince tarts. I convinced one friend to buy a mince tart too, I hope they enjoy it although he has eaten it at the restaurant. They had apple dumplings and bread pudding with caramel sauce. I had to resist both of those. There were several other delightful looking items such as Mississippi Mud Pie but I didn’t try those either. The cake in the picture is frozen already so I guess it is not looking it’s best. Some of the icing had got pulled off by the lid so I took it off and fixed it. I accidentally got some on my finger and it was deeeeelicious. No really it was an accident.

Then on to the bowling alley. I had one really good game and two moderately good. Poor Matt had a bad day on all three games. After all that lunch we had donuts as usual and we both ate one, good friend said she had had too much dessert and was full.

Friday is another day for my exercise class. I am quite enjoying these at the moment. I am hoping all the movement for both hip and shoulder will help – so far, I think it is doing so. Getting old is really for the pits you know. Mind you one of the people we bowl with has just turned 90 and he is pretty fit. The woman who was somewhat older has quit bowling for now, pity as she really loved to bowl. Talking of bowling, Matt is 80 next February and I am toying with the idea of throwing a bowling party in the downstairs alley where they can do “Cosmic” bowling, flashing lights and stuff. Never actually seen it in action. Thought it might be fun. It will be a surprise and shouldn’t be too difficult to do because we bowl on a Thursday afternoon anyway. Have to talk to the owners of the alley, don't know how this works yet.

To late for Thanksgiving, but this recipe can be used any time I guess. I am not sure I would add the sugar, but would taste it first I think. I also might use regular milk, depending on my mood.

Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Mash

WebMD Recipe from EatingWell.com

The addition of delicious sweet potatoes gives a nutrient boost to mashed potatoes. Double it: Cook the potatoes in a Dutch oven rather than a large saucepan.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3/4 tablespoons salt
  
• 1/4 tablespoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Place potatoes and sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until very tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Drain the potatoes, then mash them in the pot to the desired consistency. Place milk and butter in a small bowl and microwave on High until the butter is mostly melted and the milk is warm, 30 to 40 seconds. (Alternatively, place in a small saucepan and heat over medium until the milk is warm.) Stir the milk mixture, sugar, salt and pepper into the mashed potatoes until combined.

Have a great day