Dinner at the Farm

Every year our friend and former colleague, Joan, hosts a very tasteful soirée at her farm about 30km north of our place. Joan teaches in Taipei, Taiwan and returns to Canada for the summer. Since she's been doing the China gig after her retirement from teaching, the only time we get to see Joan is when she has us to her gastronomic event. She puts out hors d'oeuvres for people to nosh on all afternoon - tepanade, patés, crudités, eggplant spread, hummus, etc. etc. For dinner, Joan serves gazpacho, cole slaw, leg of lamb, grilled vegetables and portobello mushrooms (pictured), garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing and the world's tastiest risotto.













There are usually about 40 people in attendance and we dine al fresco near the orchard.











Anyone celebrating a milestone birthday, a retirement or anniversary has dessert prepared in their honour. Here's Joan announcing the dessert menu:
























In preparation for this evening's feast I did a 1 hour BodyPump (weight-lifting) class this morning followed by 30 min. of cardio on the elliptical trainer. Tomorrow morning I'm hitting the gym in Bowmanville for a 9:30am Zumba class and will also do the 5:45pm class at the Oshawa Centre.