An Unusual, but Great Day

On a weekday I'm usually hard at work doing legal research, tending to the information needs of attorneys. Not last Thursday though. I watched my friend's children, Naomi and Lydia, and was hard at work tending to their needs. It was a great day, but up until Thursday, I was a bit baffled about what to do with them. I'm not usually out and about in the middle of the day, and never with children when I do have a day off. On the other hand, I was really looking forward to getting away from the office and doing something fun. And fun we had!

Unfortunately, it was a rainy day so we tailored our activities around the rain. We went shopping for fruit and yogurt for their snacks later in the day, watched the Princess Bride while working on a craft project, went to the park and had lunch during the only 3 hours it didn't rain, visited Target, played a game, worked on crafts some more, picked tomatoes on the balcony, and then it was time for me to take them back home.

They are really great girls and are the same distance apart in age as my sister, Ivy, and I are. Their sisterly bond reminded me of my own bond with my sister when we were their age - communication (they know exactly what each other is thinking, and Naomi never hesitates to explain what her younger sister needs or what Lydia's expressions mean. Something Ivy did for me growing up), and their willingness and limitations when it comes to playing together. I remember Ivy and I could play well together, but fighting was very common as well.

Fondue for Two

We celebrated Tom's birthday yesterday evening by enjoying some fondue, cold beers, and homemade dark chocolate cake. Since cooking doesn't come easily to me and I had been fretting over what to make for Tom's bday dinner, I was extremely relieved to have a simple meal. Tom whipped up four sauces for dipping: horseradish, tomato with a hint of tabasco (surprisingly delicious), egg, and garlic. ALL very good. I did, however, make him an AWESOME dark chocolate cake with butter creme icing. Baking, on the other hand, comes every easily to me.

I highly recommend this recipe for dark chocolate cake - not very sweet and extremely moist. I'll be making it again and again and again.

Fresh from Our Balcony Garden

Tom has kept a watchful eye, as always, on his his ever-growing floral and vegetable garden on our balcony. The cherry tomatoes are doing very well and ready for picking. He's also trying something new this year - pickling tomatoes. He made the recipe today and now has to let it rest for four weeks in the refrigerator. Look for a status update in four weeks.

A Typical Summer Dinner for Us

Tom and I enjoy lite fare when it's too hot and humid to cook. Below: smoked pork, brie, gorgonzola, cheddar cheese, avocado, lightly salted tomatoes, roasted pepper and garlic hummus, and freshly sliced sourdough bread. We alternate the meat and cheese selection and other garnishes to keep it tasty and interesting.

Weekend Randomness

What a great weekend this was!! Tom and I spent the weekend at my parent's home. While Ivy and I took some time to attend our cousin's housewarming party, Tom stayed behind to spend some quality time doing one of his favorite things - smoking meat using his Weber Bullet. I was told how great the meat turned out and even noticed leftovers on the counter, but was too full to enjoy some moist, tasty meat. Carter and I also played around with the video camera, mostly filming his new kitten, Gulliver, and ourselves jumping on the trampoline. I attached a short video of me jumping and the rain that fell early Sunday morning.