Endless Summer

What a crazy, fun-filled stay-at-home week it's been -- the perfect time to ensure a jam packed summer. Below is my summer fun list, created months ago and edited along the way. I wonder if I'll have time to cross everything else off this weekend?

Make sun tea • Pick berries • Swing in a hammock • Go on picnic • Make pesto from the garden • Host a crafternoon • Make laundry detergent • Make sun prints • Grow a vegetable garden • Make a skirt • Pick wildflowers • Go for a night swim • Make sidewalk paint • Go to a farmer’s market • Do some Mad Science • See a play at Zilker Park • Make popsicles • Dine al fresco • See the ocean • Read a summer book • Turn of the internet for a whole weekend • Make peach muffins • BBQ • Blow a dandelion • Watch a parade • Read K a chapter book • Make Mason jar mugs • Roast s'mores • Go roller skating • Start dance class • Go back to Kiddie Acres • Hear the Symphony in the park • Swim in Deep Eddy • Crochet a blanket • Plan K's 5th (handmade) birthday party • Go on an Austin Duck Tour

... In the Kitchen...

Slow melt popsicles
Would have been so wonderful
When my fridge cut out

***

Catchin' Some (micro)Waves

image courtesy of Digest This blog, which includes facts about microwave safety

"Energy officials are urging the public to conserve power -- especially from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. when demand is highest. Cordova suggests people refrain from washing clothes or doing dishes during those times. Moreover, he recommends folks cook dinner in the microwave -- instead of their stove or oven -- to avoid filling their homes with heat."

This summer, Central Texas has been experiencing record heat and record energy usage. And this is what they come up with? "Use the microwave folks!" (Ironically, I left this post for a few minutes to get a cup of HOT coffee from HEAT-generating coffee maker and we had a brown out! Seriously?!)

Pencils and paper and pens, oh my!

School supplies always make me feel better. Walgreens has already begun their back-to-school, buy two get one free sale. Someone's going to have to restrain me when Kennedy needs school supplies for Kindergarten....

Jimmy Cracked Corn, and I Don't Care

My neighbor is a chef at our grocery store’s cooking demonstration area and he let me sample his dish du jour – chicken sausage with mozzarella and basil served with a Southwest black bean and corn salad. I’ve actually had both of these before, but they were never THIS good.

I had to make that salad. I took a short cut (at his suggestion) and bought the store’s freshly prepared pico de gayo to substitute for the tomato, onion, cilantro. It comes in a little tub in the prepared veggies section at HEB. Choose MILD, not hot. Also, I did not use 1/2 the bottle of the dressing. As a matter of fact, I don't think I even used 1/4 of the bottle. I drizzled enough that there was some pooling at the bottom of the bowl to marinade it. Next time, and there WILL be a next time, I'll have to measure.

...and away we go

To escape the heat advisory yesterday, we opted out of Sea World and into the comforts of a cool, dark movie theater. It was Kennedy's first movie-going experience and what a thrill it was. Just driving up to the mololithic suburban 14-screen theater was as exciting as seeing Shamu! Then there was the consession stand, the bag of popcorn as large as her torso, the ginormous movie displays (when did those things start taking up a football stadium? I remember when they were merely life-size.) The best part of the whole day had to be the darkened theater with lighted steps. Ah, yes, the steps. Lighted. She wanted to go all the way to the top she loved the steps so much. She finally decided on her seat -- the first one on the end, toward the back. So cute; so innocent. She was quiet and sat still for the whole movie, and gorged herself on the greasy popcorn. The film itself brought on a few laughs, as well as some cover-your-eyes moments for her. It also had the usual dose of morals and values. I doubt it would have been as good at home on DVD, but it sure beat melting into a concrete stadium seat that smells of fish and sunblock. I do hope that she forgets seeing the preview for Disney's new blockbuster -- The Princess and the Frog.....

Sand & Stardust

I always feel a little nostalgic for home during the summer months. The draw of the Sunshine State is as powerful as the memories I have made there. The blog Creature Comforts was just the inspiration I needed to post a collage interpretation of my imaginary trip home.

1. Dinner at Cafe Tu Tu Tango

2. Stapling a dollar bill to the wall and Pizza at the No Name Pub, Big Pine Key

3. Cocoa Beach

4. Stardust Cafe, coffee shop/video store/art space

5. Fireworks out at sea on my dad's boat

6. Friends