weekending

the labor day weekend seems so long ago.

i surmise that's because it's been an eventful week.

the kids are back to school...more on that later.

i am back to reality...more on that later too.

it really feels like fall here today.

it's a welcome relief from the oppressive heat and humidity that has been hanging out here.

friday night's first badger game of the season is further evidence of the season to come.

we watched the game with neighbors who are big time fans.

they rigged up a projector and a screen on their patio and i questioned aloud why they would ever go to a game again with this sweet set-up.

that was not a popular comment...see above.

saturday i woke early to another rainy, dreary day.

it inspired me to get busy in the kitchen, which was wise given that we had company coming for dinner.

lily shoppped and ted started his spanish and stats homework while mike and i chopped and cooked.

come to think of it the kids both spent their last weekend of summer vacation getting ready for school.

to lily that meant finding the perfect outfit for every day of the week.

for teddy that meant finishing the work that was assigned to him in june.

they both succeeded.

our farmer's market feast was a success as well.

i based the meal around the lovely produce i was unable to resist during my last couple visits.

things like plump eggplant, beautiful green zucchini, rosy radishes, juicy tomatoes, red haven peaches, and michigan blueberries.
(and just an aside to confess that it's impossible for me to list beautiful produce without using adjectives.)

mike treated us with his fall off the bone ribs.

more on the meal later.

what i want to focus on is the night.

why is the dinner party such a bygone?

it is so wonderful to cook for others, set the table and linger over good food, wine and conversation.

the kids both chose to join us.

and to be clear i gave them the choice.

after dinner, we had a little impromptu jam session that involved chair dancing.

ted was the dj and then he left to find his friends.

my friends don't have children, but they love mine.

the more people who are rooting for and supporting them the better i say.

sunday i was up early again and back at it in the kitchen.

we were headed to a bbq at my in-laws...a bbq we prompted.

i felt like i needed to make major contributions since we kind of invited ourselves over.

but...but they have the pool.

mike made what is now known as his patio salsa and it was a big hit.

i made my favorite greek panzanella and a pan of blueberry pie bars.

we grabbed a bottle of sangria and a six pack and were off sans kids.

teddy was still at his desk and lily was still at the mall.

we had a lovely afternoon and evening with the fam catching up, swimming in the rain and sharing good food.
swimming in the rain is underrated.

our niece is recently returned from a year in spain and it was good to see her and hear about her travels.

we were home early enough to watch a movie.

although chappaquiddick was so dull it put us to sleep.

that was okay because monday we planned to hit the ground running doing chores and prepping for the week ahead.

my guy washed my car in the rain (yes, another day of deluge) and even waxed it in the garage.

my brother and sil joined us for an early happy hour that lasted longer than any of us anticipated because it's been quite some time since we've seen them.

good thing i started the pizza dough and already had a pie ready because dinner was still much later than i was planning for this important night before.

our family of four gathered around the table for sunday dinner after dark.

we prayed for the year ahead and we toasted to the summer behind.

and then i was physically and emotionally exhausted so i went to bed after setting two alarms for monday's early morning.