Mandarin, Farm and Bakery. More Buggy Annoyance, Heat,

Going to my favourite Chinese buffet at the Mandarin - I am really hungry for their hot and sour soup, it is absolutely delicious. I enjoy most other things there too of course. Matt is very restrained and only eats one plate of food and some dessert. I am not nearly as good. Nor are our friends. They have just come back from the Dominican Republic so we will find out how their trip went. They, on the other hand, will get to hear about granddaughter Bethany. After lunch we plan to go to the asparagus farm, I froze so much, I am almost out. Also to the Rising Dough Bakery to get some Cornish Pasties. This time I have placed an order so I know they will be available. I have ordered some of their raisin scones. Delicious. I have been going there for a while and always understood they didn't take credit cards. On the phone, I discovered they do and have done so for 3 years. Always had to ensure I had cash before. Didn't know they had changed.

Went to exercise class and had our penultimate session on Stand Up to Falls. Also said goodbye to our trainer as she is moving on to something else. We met our new trainer today too. Seems a very nice young lady. Whilst I was at class, our Superintendent's wife and our Building Manager, called and handed Matt the list of stuff we have to do to prepare for the pest control people. The Manager was, I think, the guy who wrote me that condescending email from the other day. Today, he was totally unpleasant and condescending to Matt and when I came home, Matt was fuming. I don't know who they think they are these people, we are basically the ones paying their salaries. Without us tenants they wouldn't have jobs. I ended up writing to the owner of the Realtor who, unfortunately is semi retired I believe, but as I said to her, no-one else will listen to me. I was really teed off and nearly went downstairs to blast him, I knew he was still in the building. I didn't in the end. Probably just as well. I think I am going to have to hire a company to come in an help us prepare. It really is too much for us. Can't really afford to do this but if we don't, we will get the back lash from the Manager for not doing everything required. I am somewhat fed up with the whole business. We have already made a start. Took all our winter clothes and ran them through the dryers. We then packed them in suitcases and put them in our store room. Of course, just doing that cost $8. This whole business has been costing us a fortune. Anyway, enough of that.

Today it has been very warm here although not, thank goodness, as hot as it has been in certain parts

of the States, we have been hearing some horrific temperatures. I have hardly been outside although Matt had to go for his rescheduled stress test this afternoon. He said it was pretty hot out there. The building is not air conditioned so if you go into the corridors you kind of melt. Luckily we have air. One friend was saying she doesn't use her a/c because it is too drafty. But complains of the heat as well. I would go with the drafts if that was the case. Ours has been running almost non stop for a while. I have been hearing from some bloggers about it being too hot to even go into their pools. Now that is hot - I went in a hot tub a few times down in NC and actually found it pretty refreshing even on a very hot day.

If you like curry, this is a good recipe.

Asparagus with Curry Butter

2 tsp butter, melted

1 tsp curry powder (see Tip)
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely diced
1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1. Combine butter, curry powder, lemon juice and salt in a small bowl.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add asparagus and cook, stirring, until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir the curry butter into the asparagus; toss to coat.

Servings: 4
Yield: 1/2 cup each

Tip: Check the ingredient label on your brand of curry powder: if it has added salt (as some do), you may omit the salt in the recipe or salt to taste.

Source: Eating Well

Have a great day