Happy October!

September went out with a bang. It was quite overwhelming for me- I'm more than happy with just one social event a week, but we have been out and about since Thursday.

Thursday we went to hear Dan Savage speak about his It Gets Better Project. It was a funny, educational, heart breaking talk. I'll write more about it in my next post.

Friday we had dinner with some new and old friends. It was so nice to be at the end of September and still dining outside under the stars. Essie had more than his share of cookies, though, and even though he got sick the next morning, he didn't appear to feel sick at all. We were supposed to go to a bowling birthday party Sat afternoon, but had to cancel because I didn't want to take the chance that it was the flu and get everyone else sick, too.

Saturday, after stocking up on this week's veggies at the farmers' market, we took the boat out to a sandbar on the river. There was already a houseboat there with a bunch of guys hanging out and a couple of other people by a canoe when we arrived, but within five minutes of our pulling up to the beach, a dozen or so canoes and kayaks also pulled up, and suddenly there was a party- bluegrass music and all. They stayed for a couple of hours and then left us with the silence of the water once again. It was an unexpected, but welcome addition to the afternoon with friends.

Today we had a birthday party at a local park for Essie and Belalu's friend who turned 2. Belalu had received this sweet dress for her birthday last month from some friends of ours, and I was so happy the day was warm enough for her to wear it. I think it'll still fit her in the spring, but just in case...

It was such a great weekend. The weather was gorgeous, we were outside a ton, we got a lot of friends and family time, and I somehow still feel caught up with work and ready to start a new week. Hope your weekend was also wonderful!

Back in the Kitchen

Last week classes started and it felt like we dove into the middle of the semester. We ate either take-out or throw-it-on-the-grill stuff all week. I took advantage of the long weekend to re-set and get back into the kitchen. I love to make my food from scratch. If I had the time, I’d make everything from scratch. I think I was a pioneer girl in another life. Some of the things coming out the kitchen in the past few days: lots of bread- baguettes and little sandwich loaves, watermelon and lemonade sorbet, sweet corn ice cream with raspberry sauce, flapjacks (the British kind- sweet, syrupy oat bars). We went to the farmers’ market on Saturday morning and stocked up on yummy veggies and fruits, so we’ve been eating lots of those, too. The other night we had a whole dinner from the market or our garden: salad and leek and shitake mushroom frittata with roasted garlic to spread on the baguettes fresh out of the oven. I’m going to miss the market this winter.

I’ve spent this rainy Labor Day tending to domestic matters. The house is clean, the laundry’s done, lunches and dinners are prepped and/or planned for the week. I got behind my sewing machine this morning while Belalu napped and converted a dress whose top part I never loved into a skirt that I will now wear all the time. My latest knitting project, a warm wool pullover for me, has gotten some attention, too.

Last week took me by surprise, but this week I’m ready for it! I hope you also had a wonderful holiday weekend.

Left-over bread w/ Nutella and coffee the next morning: Essie couldn't wait :)

 

This Weekend

 

• Welcomed Juju home for the summer
• Took lots of stroller naps 
• Made cupcakes
• Played outside
• Got new shoes
• Tried out the neighbors' sprinkler
• Celebrated Father's Day with brunch

Saturday Mornings

I like routines and rituals. I also like to shake them up and break them here and there, but generally, routine is good. Especially with little ones. This past winter, Saturdays were "Doughnut Day." But once the Farmers Market opened in May, Saturdays have become "Farmers Market Day." The produce has finally started coming in and today I got beets, rainbow chard, shiitake mushrooms, and sugar snap peas. My favorite veggie ever. I eat them like others down potato chips. Just pop them in my mouth and savor their crunchy sweetness. These were the best I've had this season. I'll have to go back and get more on Wednesday. Sugar Snap Pea season is never long enough around here.

PS We spent the afternoon outside and discovered that our raspberries are starting to ripen. Belalu and Essie loved them. Snap peas and raspberries- what a great day!