weekending

while the weekend didn't get off to a great start, it turned out to be a pretty good one.

mike and i went for a sweaty walk early saturday afternoon and then we headed to the lake for the rest of the day.

the kids had other plans and declined the offer to join us for an overnight jaunt.

this is life with two teenagers.

two responsible, accountable teenagers.
or else they'd be left no choice.

the mosquitoes were voracious, but the water was lovely in the most refreshing way.

we alternated between bathing in deet and then washing it off in the lake.

and then eventually we gave up and headed for the house just as the crescent moon was on the rise.

the mosquitoes followed us.

my brother was excited to serve us a new burger.

it's topped with carmelized onions and mertz cheese.

very delicious and rich.

after dinner we got into costume (hats) for a couple games of pig.

no money was exchanged.

after friends left with their 6 month old baby, we stayed around the table singing and scheming.

it was a fun impromptu gathering.

mike and i went for a morning swim sunday.

it didn't last long because the bugs were just as bad.

when we got home, the house was still standing and the cats and kids were fed.

ted and i had a date to have his senior pictures taken at the audubon center late afternoon.

the setting and the time of day ensured mosquitoes would be a problem,

but they didn't stop us from getting some amazing shots.

the photographer declared ted a natural and the light magical.

she assured us that it will be impossible to chose a favorite.

he was a good sport, wore what i asked him to and smiled when prompted.

sunday supper was hot italians and a smorgasbord of peppers from the yard and from farmers markets.

i put together a raw tomato sauce and served it over angel hair pasta as a side.

the simple combination of fresh tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper was bright and delicious especially topped with fresh Parm and chopped basil from the yard.

the kids cleared the table and cleaned the dishes without prompting.

after coming together for a lovely dinner, the kids retired to the corners of the house to do homework or watch football.

mike and i stayed awake for a single episode of ozark.

i was in bed early and slept soundly after an extraordinary ordinary weekend...the best kind in my opinion.

filled with family time and simple fun.

(i managed to escape with only 6-7 bites too!)