weekend recap, june 10

1. doors open | 2. lamplight companion | 3. TS Andrea | 4. National Donut Day | 5. Really, really the last day of school | 6. Donut holes | 7. Strawberries | 8. My mom's double boiler | 9. Garden Center = Neel's happy place  | 10. Room rearrange | 11. Windows open | 12. Cal goes campaigning | 13. Tabletop | 14. Dessert | 15. Tabletop | 16. New view | 17. Violet by our side | 18. Sunday Breakfast | 19. A little shopping | 20. Norfolk Southern | 21. Evening poolside

I had a moment on Sunday afternoon after we'd been running around all day when I thought, Summer, we're doing it wrong.  But then we had dinner at the pool Sunday night and dessert with our neighbors, and I felt better. We might get the hang of it after all.

Tropical Storm Andrea was a bit of a bust around here, which is a good thing I suppose, but Callum and I both like just a wee bit more excitement out of our storms. No worries, though! The Atlantic Hurricane season runs through November and seems to be lasting longer each year. (No major destruction, please. Just enough to make us stock up on Twizzlers and wine, pleaseandthankyou.) Fortunately, the rain was light enough to allow us to head out to school so the boys (Cal and our neighbors) could pick up their grades. Now the year really IS done. And the best part? When I surprised them by pulling into the KrispyKreme parking lot. How can three teenage boys not know it's National Donut Day? Seriously. 

We had some friends for dinner Saturday night, so I got up early and made dessert. While I was working downstairs, I could hear the rumble of things moving around above me (in our bedroom). In typical Neel fashion, he took a barely mentioned idea (rearranging our bedroom) and forged ahead (he rearranged our bedroom). It's all good. Back to where we had it when we first moved it, and the room feels bigger and more full of light. I only woke up disoriented one time Saturday night!

We ended up not doing the dumplings. Just couldn't muster the energy for some reason, and it was such a nice evening that it was more pleasant to sit outside with our cocktails and appetizers while Neel (and Thea Turbo McFatty) managed the grill. And about that dessert? This one's a keeper, people. Not too difficult, but the presentation makes it look like you slaved for hours. Perfect for a warm summer night.

I may have done a little shopping on Sunday. I feel a little closer to having the clothes we need for the trip, but my biggest coup was a pink trench coat at Eddie Bauer that I got for half off. London, you can't beat me now! Still, I came home tired and footsore and feeling like I hadn't done the weekend (or summer yet) quite right. So I threw together some wraps and we headed straight to the pool. Dinner there as the sun was going down and our neighbors came and went was just what I needed to remember, Oh yeah, it's summer. We know how to do this. I still can't quite believe there's no homework or getting up early. That's about the best feeling in the world, isn't it?

five things, june 7 edition

 1. I think I can't believe that we're kicking off summer vacation under a tropical storm warning. If you know me at all, you know I get a secret thrill out of this (I love me some hurricane tracking.), but where are our beach days? Where is our trip to the pool? All in good time, I'm sure, but in the meantime, you can find me here and wringing out my sneakers.

2. I think I've been frazzled and vaguely unproductive all week. Me no likey. Cal's exam schedule totally threw me off (dismissal at 11AM can do that to me), and I've never been completely sure what day it was. I know it's going to take us awhile to get into the rhythm of summer vacation (post Tropical Storm Andrea), but I need to be able to pull out of my mini-funk. Any suggestions?

3. I think I need to get my act in gear about a lot of things including this trip we have coming up. The things we have to get ready, I can't even. Can someone step in and take care of me, please? Scattered. How pathetic is that.

4. I think I know we need to do a summer bucket list. We've done them in the past, and even though we rarely cross everything off the list (!), it's a good way to frame all the things we want to do. Like bike rides. And ice cream. And beach trips. We joined our local pool (after years of much debate), and I anticipate many days and evenings there as well. I'll be working a lot this summer, but at fun stuff mostly. Summer should be fun mostly, shouldn't it?

5. I think I'll have things more in hand next week. Fingers crossed. Once the rain moves out (And wouldn't you know, Callum has to pick up his exam grades, so we have to drive in this mess today.), we have a nice weekend planned. What are you guys up to? We have a quiet night tonight but dinner with some friends tomorrow. We were going to grill chicken, but now Neel and I are leaning toward a dumpling-making party. What do you think, Jackie? Fun/no fun? We haven't done one in ages, and it's kind of like dinner theater! And on Sunday I might go shopping! Because, really the most important thing I can do to get ready to leave the country and meet my friends in London is get some new clothes.