Summer Eats

I'm still studying away and have been successfully staying off the computer as of late.  But, it's been tough.  I have so many things I want to write about right now! 

So far, I'm feeling really confident with my recertification prep.  Historically, a score of 67% or so is considered passing and I'm now consistently scoring in the mid-80s on practice tests.  When I started, I was scoring about 67%.  It feels really good to have the information coming back easily.

We've had a great first couple weeks of summer.  Bedtimes have stretched later.  Afternoon naps come easily.  Mornings have a different, more relaxed tone. I still get up early but am enjoying the quietness of the house.  I feed Goose and the cats and sip coffee and eat toast while reading a bit.  The children and Andrew get up sometime later.  Breakfasts for them have evolved from the hurriedly eaten granola bar to hot bowls of slow-cooked oatmeal with fresh fruit or eggs with homemade bread toast.  Summertimes are so nice all around.

Our cruise friends, Kha and Ivy came for a weekend recently.  We got to meet Kha's sweet husband and her adorable baby bump.  They are the kind of friends that no matter how infrequently you see them, you can pick up where you let off.  Effortlessly.  It was a great weekend.

We're now in the thick of swim season and the children are essentially living at the pool.  Alice recently enjoyed a week of soccer camp.  Jack is going to Roanoke College's basketball camp soon and Clara will be attending art camp.  Andrew's mom and dad have been here for a couple of days and we've really enjoyed seeing them.

Our beach trip is around the corner and our summer eating is in full force.  Our garden is being quite generous right now.  Raddishes, squash, tomotoes, beans, lettuce, jalapenos, cucumbers, onions.  I love seeing the children popping onions or tomatoes in their mouths while they are out playing. 

Every summer, it seems I develop a seasonal obsession or two.  Last year it was watermelon.  I ate at least one every two days.  The year before it was sliced cucumbers and radishes soaked in apple cider vinegar with fresh cracked black pepper.  Couldn't get enough.

This year, I have three obsessions.

1.

baby greens +
sliced onions +
freshly grated parmagiano regiano
tossed with balsamic vinegar and white truffle oil

2.

Jack's salsa, hot (from Kroger's prepared food section) +
chopped fresh peaches (preferably from SC, thanks Kha!)+
a handful of chopped cilantro from my deck pot
eaten with tortilla chips or, better yet, a spoon

3.

fresh shucked corn, grilled +
painted with half mayo and half sour cream, both light +
rolled in freshly grated parmagiano regiano +
sprinkled with chili powder +
and drizzled with fresh lime juice
(recent Southern Living recipe)

Mmmmmmm....

(Back to the grind.)