Happenings...

Summer has arrived at our house.

I'm happy to report that we are all adjusting just fine to the no-school schedule.

Right now I'm enjoying...

Staying up, late into the night.

I no longer have to fight my owl ways.

Taking a picture in proper, natural light.

What a difference.

Having a dog with a new summer cut.

She also got the mother of all baths and is now de-funked.

The family cheers.

Finding a suitcase for summer travel.

I feel like such a grown-up. Until this point, I've only had a duffel bag or laundry basket.

The sound and smell of meat grilling outside.

It makes me swoon.

Daily swims.

The slight hint of chlorine, the splashing, the warm (meaning, blazing hot) sun, afternoon popsicles, the beginnings of a summer tan...

Pure bliss.

I might add that nightswimming is pretty blissful in its own right.

Wearing a swimsuit.

All. Day. Long.

I know when I've cooked dinner, eaten dinner, and cleaned the kitchen, all while wearing my suit, that summer is here.

Added perk: my nemesis, Laundry, is not quite so onerous.

Grilled fruit.

Peaches, specifically.

If you have never grilled a peach, do it. It enhances the flavor tenfold.

The only problem: being disciplined enough to eat the other items on your plate.

Those summer sunsets.

They never get old.

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In other news, I'm not posting a menu this week. Things are up in the air with travel plans and such. If I make anything noteworthy, I'll be sure to share.

Also, I had the great honor of being interviewed for the Ten On Ten project! I was very taken aback, being new to the Ten On Ten scene.

Mind you, this is my first interview not performed by myself or a potential employer. I want to thank the Ten On Ten crew for their kind words.

You can find the interview here.

I promise, I won't become a diva.

And if you haven't joined the Ten On Ten challenge, June 10th is soon approaching. Get those cameras out and start clicking!

Here's hoping your summer is off to a fan-tabulous start.

What summer happenings are you enjoying?

Taking time to remember.

Thank you, to those that inspire, protect, fight, and defend.

This & That

A little of this, a bit of that...all found here and there.

Growing in the backyard.

Rapid boil on the stovetop.

Since polishing this off, there has been nothing sinful to sneak.

A quiet night.

Soaking.

Evening light.

Daddy's girl.

Eat your vegetables.

Making more jewelry.

Fresh lemonade sounds nice.

Taking a dip.

A touch of color.

Forget apples, my students bring fresh, homegrown tomatoes.

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The school year is officially over.

And I am over the moon.

We are slowing down. Anxious to get into our summer routine.

More time to enjoy this and that found here and there.

I'm From Podunk

This time next week I will be in New York City.

The Mr. will be there for business and was asked to bring an assistant. I'm going to be doing the assisting.

Score.

I have never been to New York City. In fact, I haven't been on a plane since 2000.

I *so* feel like I'm a girl from *Podunk.

So I'm enlisting your help, Blog Land. I want your NYC suggestions.

*Places to eat.

Nothing too expensive. You know, those great "little finds" that aren't necessarily in the travel guides...but should be.

*Breakfast spots.

We are big breakfast eaters when away from home. Usually we will have a big breakfast which keeps us going until dinner with maybe a small snack in between.

*Music venues.

I have wild visions of catching a live show by a great band while visiting a city far from home. I'd like to know if it's possible.

*Things we must see, things to skip.

We don't have much time in The City. We arrive on Thursday morning and leave Sunday afternoon. And we have to squeeze some work in there sometime.

What is a *must*. It can be something out of the norm. It can be something the average tourist might not think of or even know about.

*How to get around.

Obviously we won't have a car. What's the best way to get from point A to point B?

Remember, I'm from Podunk. And I'm scared of getting lost.

*Shopping.

What markets, thrift shops, and funky little stores would you suggest?

I don't want to do a ton of shopping. That's not really my thing.

But I'd like to find an area to walk, window shop, people watch, and drink a hot tea while sharing some sort of baked treat.

And find some small trinket to keep as a memento.

Something I know I want to attend is this craft fair in Brooklyn. If you know Brooklyn "hot spots", do share.

Thank you, peeps.

I'm depending on you to be my tour guide.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

♥,
A Girl From Podunk

*This just so happens to be my childhood nickname, given to me by my Mema & Papa.

**The artwork is a recent piece by The Boy. It's a watercolor of the Twin Towers made with little dots of paint. He explained that the sun was starting to set and that one of the buildings was covered in shadows. The subway is beneath the buildings.

Metal Works

I covet my home.

Really. I worry that since I hold it so dear, one day it will burn to ash.

I knew this house was meant for me before I even stepped foot inside.

As perfect as I find my house, there has always been one glaring eye sore.

Those big white columns.

The house was built in '53. Those columns are the opposite of mid-century cool.

Obviously, they were added at a later date, for what reason I'm not sure.

We always knew we would replace them with something more authentic. Something that would take our home back to its classic era.

Enter our metal artist friend, John Holt.

We explained what we were looking for, showed him some examples, and let him do the rest.

One night while The Offspring were away, we made a visit to his studio.

It was like entering an alternate universe.

Standing there surrounded by strange sculptures, weathered tools, pieces of metal, and white hot sparks, I came to a realization: I don't need to worry about The Boy running off to join the circus.

I need to worry about The Boy running off to live in a metal shop.

And I need to worry about The Girl running off to bat her big blue eyes at an artist.

Pray for me now.

Those white columns are gone.

They have been replaced with pieces of sculpture created by a true artist.

And now our house is mid-century bad ass.

Battle: Flip-Flop

I adore flip-flops.

They are my favorite form of footwear.

I would wear them every warm weather day, if I could.

Technically, I'm not supposed to wear flip-flops to school. It is the one rule I openly break.

You see, we can wear open-toed shoes. But they have to have flowers or jewels or some other kind of shoe bling attached.

I am not one to wear fancy flip-flops. I don't do faux diamonds, patent leather roses, or macramé.

Shocking, I know.

I've flown under the radar all year. But then, a few weeks ago, the higher-ups decided to start cracking down.

Not to go down without a fight, I quickly fancied up my plain Old Navy brand.

I had to make do with what I had on hand. Kindergarten teachers always have construction paper, glitter glue, and yarn.

The elements of shoe bling.

I enjoy the chess game. So the next day I took it up a notch.

I attached some crocheted flowers. They were even coordinated with my outfit.

Recycled yarn version.

Pom-poms.

Tiny granny squares.

I was short on time. A couple pieces of ribbon would have to do.

These are supposed to be three-petaled flowers. They look more like blobs.

But they served their purpose.

Battle: Flip-Flop.

Victory.

Everyone Likes It But Me...

I am stealing this from Tammie. She stole it from someone too. And that person stole it as well. If you are so inclined to lift it, no one will mind.

When compiling my own list I came to a realization: I have reached a point of being so far out of the loop, that I'm not 100% sure exactly what folks are really into and if I actually like it or not.

That being said, I was able to come up with a few notable mentions.

*Television.

Don't ask me what's on the boob tube. I know the names of some shows. But I watch none of them.

If our television is on you will find the news, basketball, football, or the occasional car or cooking show.

That's how we roll.

*Yoga.

I've done it.

I wanted to like it. I tried to like it. But it does nothing for me.

I find it beyond boring.

It doesn't seem like exercise to me. More like uncomfortable meditation.

*Cheesecake.

I'm a freak. I don't see what all the hubbub is about.

It's not that I don't think it tastes good...but not *that* good.

I can think of a multitude of desserts that come before cheesecake in the sweet indulgences-pecking order.

*Facials.

Everyone swears by these. The benefits, the relaxing qualities.

Meh.

I've had a couple. I never felt like I left with a face all aglow, but instead, just plain greasy.

And then I broke-out a few days later. I don't care to pay top dollar for zits.

*Abercrombie & Fitch.

I've never actually gone in one of these stores. I can barely walk past one in the mall.

What is up with that overwhelming scent that it emits? It smells like a taxi driver wearing cheap cologne.

It might have the greatest, best fitting merchandise on the market, but the odor alone will cause me to cover my mouth and quickly walk past their door.

Business fail.

*Twitter.

I'm on Twitter. I don't know why.

Facebook fulfills all my social networking needs. And they don't have character limits of 140.

*Lady Gaga.

Not much to say about this one.

I find myself enjoying those parodying her much more than the Lady herself.

I refuse to believe that getting older has anything to do with my opinion.

*Cruises.

All those episodes of The Love Boat did not properly brainwash me.

I have no desire to pay lots of money only to be trapped on a boat with a bunch of strangers, eating all day, sleeping in a tiny room on an uncomfortable bed, contracting some intestinal virus.

Really. I'll pass.

*80's fashion trends making a comeback.

Maybe this trend has already passed.

If it has, I celebrate my ignorance.

So, what makes you a misanthrope where pop culture is concerned?

Please share. It's so liberating.

What's For Dinner?

It's my last week of kitchen detail while school is in session. Can I get an "amen"?

In my mind, this week is a formality. Although it's one of the busiest of the school year, the light at the end of the tunnel is looming large. To get us to Friday, I will be making...

Sunday: shrimp, stir-fry vegetables & edamame, spicy cabbage, brown rice

Monday: grilled rosemary chicken, corn on the cob, spinach salad

Tuesday: Greek pasta

Wednesday: tacos, black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: hamburgers, oven fries

Saturday: grilled BBQ chicken, grilled vegetable salad w/ feta, fresh tomatoes

I haven't even thought about baking. Like I said, it's a busy week. A request was made by The Boy's room mom to bring more Ooey-Gooey Brownies for the last day of school. I told you they would make you a rock star. I'm thinking I'll just get a box of popsicles or some cones for ice cream to eat here at home. It's much easier and always a hit with The Offspring.

This weekend has been lovely, in an odd sort of way. One of those weekends that you expect to be a dud but turns out just the opposite.

The Boy spent the weekend with Gramma for a belated birthday celebration. Life minus one kid is amazingly...easy. And quiet. Especially if The Boy is the one that's missing, God love him.

I played masseuse on Friday evening. The Mr. threw-out his back at work and was in need of a little TLC. I was a good wifey and obliged. Believe me, he milked it for all it was worth.

I awoke the next day and went in for a summer cut and color. And when I stepped on the scale it was showing a lower number than before. I have three more pounds to go to get to my summer goal. All those breakfasts of yogurt and cottage cheese are paying off. That and not having even a bite of bread, pasta, sugar, or wine...all the fun stuff.

The Mr.'s back was better by Saturday evening so we enjoyed an "almost" date night by going out for Mexican food at our favorite place. We shared some fajitas. I ate some carbs and enjoyed a margarita that can cure all of life's woes. We returned home to listen to music, read magazines on the couch, and stay up much too late watching You Tube and other internet distractions.

You know it was a good Saturday when you are still laughing on Sunday.

And *that* will get me through this last week of school. The last week of the toughest school year I've ever experienced.

Do you have something to smile about this week? If not, the day isn't over yet.