Sweet Taste of Summer

Last year we canned salsa and I learned that coring tomatoes is one of my least favorite activities. So, instead, we are making fresh salsa for ourselves this summer. Yum. And I succeeded in NOT getting jalapeno juice anywhere on my face or under my fingernails today, which was quite a bonus, as that tends to burn for at least 20 minutes.

We also made a splurge today and got raw honey for toast. YUM. It was sort of pricey, but will last forever and was, upon first taste, decidedly worthwhile. We followed that purchase with a happy-hour beer, although I got a hard cider and was rewarded with a) delicious flavor and b) a free pint glass! Win-win. 

But undoubtedly the best part of the weekend was our deep-clean, which transformed several parts of our apartment from utter disaster zones to organized and cozy spaces. It is a relief to have a clean closet and a larger dresser for clothes -- both were overflowing. We also got a new bookshelf (a small one) and got rid of a dusty TV stand, replacing it with our antique cedar chest (which was formerly packed into the closet). As a result, the TV is less pronounced in the living room, and we've added more books (though I thought that impossible!), making it a much warmer space, in my view. SB was skeptical of the need for several of these changes, but is thrilled with the outcome. Woohoo!

Next week, SB is back to school! No students yet, but the beginning of a transition back into full-out work mode. He's certainly made the most of his summer, though, taking 30 mile bike rides almost every day. The man LOVES to bike and has so much endurance! It is admirable and my measly attempts at running for exercise pale in comparison to his daily marathons. Ah well. Maybe next week...

New Michael Chabon

If you like Michael Chabon, or have yet to be exposed to his very particular writing style, check out a preview of his new novel, Telegraph Avenue, via NPR. I LOVE this author. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Final Solution, The Yiddish Policeman's Union, Manhood For Amateurs -- I love, love, love them all. Very quirky, intellectual, humorous. Delightful word choices.

Speaking of word choices, this is a poem that I ran across semi-recently and enjoyed. It was particularly interesting to read it to myself, then to listen to E. E. Cummings read it aloud. His annunciation is a pleasure to hear. If you want to listen to him read it, click here.

As freedom is a breakfast food

E. E. Cummings

as freedom is a breakfast food

or truth can live with right and wrong

or molehills are from mountains made

—long enough and just so long

will being pay the rent of seem

and genius please the talent gang

and water most encourage flame

as hat racks into peach trees grow

or hopes dance best on bald men’s hair

and every finger is a toe

and any courage is a fear

—long enough and just so long

will the impure think all things pure

and hornets wail by children stung

or as the seeing are the blind

and robins never welcome spring

nor flat folk prove their world is round

nor dingsters die at break of dong

and common’s rare and millstones float

—long enough and just so long

tomorrow will not be too late

worms are the words but joy’s the voice

down shall go which and up come who

breasts will be breasts thighs will be thighs

deeds cannot dream what dreams can do

—time is a tree(this life one leaf)

but love is the sky and I am for you

just so long and long enough

Pickles o' Plenty

We're off to dinner with SB's folks, but here are a few photos of our pickle extravaganza! We ended up making three variations of bread & butter pickles (five pints of each):

"UK" - brown sugar and cider vinegar substituted for granulated sugar and white vinegar + ground ginger

"Irish Zest" -  horseradish and fresh ginger

"Garlic" - one clove added to each pint

We also made what was supposed to be two pints of refrigerated zesty pickles to hold us over until the rest are ready to eat, but we were just shy of two pints and had to go with one. In two weeks, it will be a nice little preview of what will follow a month or so later.

Bonus picture - Cricket soaking up the sun!

Home Sweet Home

After virtually two straight weeks of travel, I am home. Other than a long weekend for a (fabulous) wedding in early October, we have nothing on the calendar for the rest of the year. It feels GREAT. Despite the fact that all of my trips were full of fun and friends and new experiences, I am happy to be back. 

The best part was spending time with my two best friends, who I don't see as often as I'd like, and then returning feeling recharged and renewed, centered, by the experience of being with each of them. We naturally engaged in very meaningful conversations where I was able to share a lot of thoughts that have been swirling around in my mind. And their feedback gave me a stronger sense of self, because we know each other so well and because I so value their perspectives. Anyway, I'm having a hard time articulating it, but there is something indescribably special about time spent with a best friend.