Friday, May 13, 2016

Book, Shopping, Bowling.

I never realised it was so difficult to take a picture of a book. I received my copy of The Fall of the Dagger from Glenda Larke a couple of days ago and wanted to write about it. I was useless at taking a picture though so borrowed one. This is the last of Glenda's current trilogy which has been another terrific read from this author. I get to help her with Beta reading and proofing which is why she is kind enough to send me a copy of the book. Glenda creates the most fascinating worlds and peoples them with characters who are charismatic but you can still identify with. There is always magic. Every book or series she has written has it's own form of magic. Beats me how she can think up these different forms but they are all great. This particular series concerns a background of spice trading in foreign lands and incredibly evil sorcerers in the home lands. All good reading material. The trilogy starts with The Lascar's Dagger, then The Dagger's Path and now The Fall of the Dagger.

Couldn't go shopping on Wed. our normal day (or Matt's normal day at 7 a.m.) had to take the car in,
but he went on Thursday. He was back by 7:30 a.m. turned out that all the computers had crashed in the store. Not just our store, but all the Loblaw owned stores in the area. The computers came back on at 10 so we went back. You notice I said we. Matt dragged me with him because he figured there were things he wouldn't find. We ended up spending $152 which actually cost us $42 because I used our accumulated points. I have done this many times now. I think it is a wonderful system. They call them loyalty points. I always try to make sure that the things we buy each week are on the points special list. Doesn't always work unfortunately, but mostly it does. I know in the end I am paying for it, but it would probably cost me the same at other stores and I would not get the quality and satisfaction I get from Zehrs.

We got home at 11 and then had to rush around to put stuff away, make lunch and get to the bowling alley although really and truly there is no set time for us on a Thursday but we like to get there around 12:30. Matt beat me in all three games but I had a consistent score all through and they were not too, too bad. Next Wednesday is our Summer League start so I am hoping my scores will improve.

I finally got round to cooking my rhubarb on Thursday evening. I had some for dessert. Matt will not eat it. I just cook it simply for me using Splenda and - although I forgot - maybe some ginger.



Avocado Asparagus Wontons


McCormick

Looking for a twist on the avocado egg roll? Go the seasonal route this spring with baked (not fried)
Avocado Asparagus Wontons. Asparagus and avocado become fast friends when seasoned with Italian herbs and stuffed inside traditional wonton wrappers. Dunk finished wontons into a perfectly paired soy-citrus sauce and devour.

For the Dipping Sauce, bring all ingredients to boil in small saucepan, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute. Set aside.


For the Wontons, preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add asparagus, bell pepper and spices; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove from heat. Gently stir in avocado.


To form wontons, place wrapper on clean work surface. Brush lightly with oil and flip over. Spoon 2 to 3 teaspoons vegetable filling in center of wrapper. Bring up the corners of the wrapper, pinching together to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. Place wontons in single layer on wire rack in baking pan sprayed with no stick cooking spray.


Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, turning halfway through baking time. Serve wontons with dipping sauce.

Cooking tip

Steamed Wontons: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add 12 of the wontons; cook 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Gradually add 1/4 cup water; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until filling is cooked through and water has evaporated. Remove wontons to serving platter; keep warm. Wipe skillet dry. Repeat 2 more batches with additional oil, wontons and water.




Have a great day
 

18 comments:

  1. You're on an asparagus kick! We get points for grocery shopping at our store, too--Kroger. I do online shopping mostly. I just put all my items in the online shopping cart, schedule a time, and go pick them up. The points we get are only good at their gas pumps, though...so I get all my gas there.

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    1. Happens to me at this time of year Stephanie. We are unable to do online shopping which is a pity in one way although I prefer to choose my own produce.

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  2. Wow you certainly made the best of your loyalty points. Grocery shopping is the bane of my existence. It's such a tedious task. Matt probably just wanted your delightful company, Jo.

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    1. Funny, I love grocery shopping Pinky. Clothes I hate shopping for. No he just didn't what sh*t for when he came back with the wrong thing LOL. I think this loyalty points thing is great, as I said, I have had several $100's worth since it started.

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  3. Those wontons are making my mouth water.

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    1. Me too JoJo and I had asparagus tonight too.

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  4. I like the point system for groceries; sounds like a good savings you did too. One of the stores we shopped at when we lived in San Diego area would keep track of what you bought and then would offer those items at cheaper prices; all you had to do was click and put it on their card. Took me less than 10 minutes to do it weekly when I got the email and saved lots of money :) Here at Wal-Mart, and I'm sure all over, they have their SavingsCatcher program that if they find a lower price at competitive stores, you get the different; they'll accumulate it through the year and then you can "cash out" whenever you want on a debit card type thing. Saved close to $70 last year just entering my weekly sales receipt from them. It all adds up :)

    bettu

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    1. Me too Betty. Been using it for a while now and have bought $100 worth for nothing several times. They too keep a track of what you buy and send you points offers each week based on your purchases. Didn't know WalMart did that Betty, not sure they do here, never heard of it before.

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  5. I'm waiting on 'The Fall of the Dagger' to arrive. Had to order it from the Book Depository when our local bookshop didn't even have it available for order. So much for shopping locally.

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    1. Assume you read the two previous books Helen. I love Glenda's writing. My favourite is still Havenstar though. Must admit I haven't been in a book store for a very long time.

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    2. Yes, I have read them both and I love her work, too. I love Havenstar but this series comes close to topping it I think.

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    3. Close, but it's still my favourite Helen.

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  6. Hi Jo - good for you for saving money via the points system. I'm glad the system came back up ... am enjoying looking at all the asparagus recipes ... and have bought some - but I eat it simply ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Yes, very useful Hilary. Amazing the crash affected so many stores. I eat my asparagus simply most of the time, but now and again try a different recipe.

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  7. I love the points at Zehrs! Yesterday, just shopping as I normally do, I got 14,000 points! I am already at over 131,000 and loving it:) I usually kept these points until Christmas and then use them. This gives more money for Christmas and other things that gone on at that time. Sounds like you had a good bowling day and that's great

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    1. Me too Birgit. You are right it is so easy to accumulate the points. I am impressed you save them til Christmas - I spend mine every time I get $100 worth. Don't spend a lot extra at Christmas these days I guess and I buy turkey breast and leg of pork at another store because Zehrs don't carry them. Yes it was a good bowling day. Let's hope the Summer League on Wednesday will be good too.

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  8. Did you try shutting the flash off? Sometimes that works for me.

    Wow, on your savings. Very cool.

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    1. Yes Ivy, but it was more that I couldn't get it straight.

      It is cool.

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