Flip of the Switch

It might be September, but we still have several weeks of summer ahead. Temperatures aside, my state of mind is already changing. It's back to school for Lily and back to life and reality for the rest of us. We moved her into her new place Friday and she attended her first football game that night. Classes start Wednesday. Ted starts his job on Friday. He is finally unpacked at my insistence after being home all summer.

The White Whale made it's final voyage packed to the gills. We're retiring her. The move went smoothly and we left Lily unpacked in her adorable new apartment. Think green and gray. She's working on being a minimalist, and I'd say she made baby steps in that direction. She lobbied unsuccessfully for Gus, but I cannot blame a girl for trying.

 

Saturday we shopped at Glorioso's for Ted and Meryl's Pasta Dinner and then made a coffee stop at Collectivo to fuel them up for their afternoon of chefing with Frank crooning in the background. It was THE most beautiful day and it was a FUN night. They had a big pot of sauce simmering away on the stove and they made enough dough that we each got our own piece to knead and then turn into noodles. I was impressed by their skills and the outcome. We ended up with a smaller than expected group, but a full table nonetheless. We sat around the table long enough to make room for dessert. And to finish our dago red...open another. We went through a Lambrusco, a Montepulciano, a Sangiovese and a Chianti. Teryl absolutely nailed the tiramisu, but everyone especially enjoyed the macerated berries and cream for the light ending they delivered. I love a dinner party, that my kids can and love to cook and they value the art of breaking bread.

I was inspired by their lovely dinner to make a breakfast pizza for Sunday brunch. It is definitely a make again and often.

The rest of the weekend was rather low-key by choice. In between episodes of The Bear, I organized the mess that is the basement as best I could, napped, started to make Sunday gravy, but Mike took over and it was another delicious comfort meal. He simmered it all day with his seared ribs until they were fall off the bone and we made some more pasta. I generally just took it easy. I tried not to feel too guilty because this weekend will be another full stretch of days. Good and full stretch of days.