Which was followed by talking, listening, and laughing.
A lot of it.
A handful of images captured throughout the day...
The morning and afternoon were spent spiffing-up the house. Then we had some good friends over for dinner.
Friends that you can stand in the kitchen noshing on chips and salsa while a steady stream of conversation flows.
It's nice.
We can discuss the musical progression of The Mountain Goats while pausing to scold a child. Numbers for tattoo artists are exchanged along with private contractors. The merits of a sealed concrete floor are considered along with a shared disdain for granite counter tops.
It's a perfect blend of old school with the here-and-now.
Adulthood makes this common blend harder and harder to find. So we are considering starting a commune of like-minded souls.
If you count the pictures carefully, you'll notice there are eleven instead of ten.
1 stick unsalted butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup dried apricots, chopped 1/4 cup apricot jam 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (optional) pinch of salt 3/4 cup all purpose flour
Heat oven to 350*. Grease an 8x8 pan.
Melt the butter. Transfer to a large bowl and beat in the sugar until smooth. Then add the egg and almond extract, jam, apricots, and chopped almonds (if using).
Add the salt and gradually add the flour. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until just barely set in the middle, about 20-25 minutes. Cool on a rack before cutting.
I found this recipe via the Mark Bittman iPhone app I linked to here. It is an all-purpose bar recipe. You could add just about any sort of mix-in.
I haven't embarked on any significant crafty endeavors.
The Offspring are the only ones being creative these days.
Anyway, their work blows doors on mine.
This has been such a strange summer...
Motivation is not part of my vocabulary.
I have been so very...lazy.
The clean laundry sits in the basket and reaches perilous heights.
Dishes are left in the sink.
Grocery shopping is put off until "tomorrow".
I have declared it to be Commando Night because we are out of clean underwear.
My plants silently shriek for water.
Trust me...the list goes on.
This is not my usual modusoperandi.
I read this at Tree Fall a couple days ago: "It's all go around here at the moment...Which is exactly when I find the ideas flow the fastest. The more you have to do, the more you want to do."
That must be my problem: There is less I have to do, so there is less I want to do.
I don't want to cut out patterns. Or measure fabric. Or organize the pantry. Or start making Christmas gifts. Or clean every nook and cranny in the fridge. Or whipstitch a million granny squares.
Or...anything really.
I just want to be.
The funny thing is...I'm OK with it. I'm not fighting this strange feeling of not giving a rat's ass.
For the first time in a loooong time, I'm relaxed.
It has been a full three months since I posted about all the random odds and ends that bring a ray of sunshine to my day.
Needless to say, my list has grown to great lengths. Feel free to get a drink. A little snack. Make yourself comfortable.
Current goodness includes:
*Tomato salad.
It is such a simple mix of tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh basil, and either feta or goat cheese. Drizzle it with a bit of balsamic and you have a meal of deliciousness.
*Vinaigrettes.
Since we are on the topic of salad-type foods, I'll add these to the list.
Quick and simple. Minimal ingredients.
The possibilities are endless.
*A summer tan.
Probably the thing I dig most right now.
*Light colored nail polish.
It looks great against tanned, summer skin.
But the best part? It doesn't show chips. This is important when wearing flip-flops everyday.
The movie is really good, as I'm sure you've heard. It was worth the high ticket price.
But what I'm really loving is how The Offspring are playing together. They have pooled their money and bought a few of the Toy Story action figures. They combine these with their other toys and will play a la "Andy" for hours.
Play together...without fussing.
Thank you, Disney.
Proof of the Toy Story magic can be seen here...
*The Boy.
This year he spent his own money to get The Girl a birthday gift. There was no prompting involved. It was all his idea.
He knew how much she loved Cowgirl Jessie in the movie and bought her a Jessie doll.
It took over half the money he had been saving, but he did it with a smile.
Their newest album was released in May. It has been in heavy rotation.
But this is still my favorite...
*These tank tops from Target.
I think they are perfect. They aren't too tight. The straps aren't too skinny. They are the perfect length.
I have six of them. Each a different color.
However, I don't have a link. Target is not cooperating on this one. They are a Mossimo brand tank and cost less than $10. Look for the little buttons at the neckline.
I don't watch a lot of television. But this show has put a strange spell on me.
I'm both disgusted and enamored.
Most of the foods featured are ones I would never eat, much less eat in mass quantities.
Yet, there is a part of me that gets hungry and starts having the oddest cravings: ginormous hamburgers, hotter than Hell wings, bigger than my head pancakes, six large milkshakes in one sitting.
The cooking apps available leave a lot to be desired, in my opinion. I have the Whole Foods app and the Martha Stewart app, but beyond that...meh.
I hesitated because it costs a whopping $4.99 to download, and I am a total cheapskate when it comes to iPhone apps. But I took the plunge and am so glad I did.
If you are a fan of Mark Bittman's cookbooks, then download without fear.
*Hats.
The Mr. says I have a "hat head". He swears that I can wear any hat and make it look good.
I don't know about that, but I do like hats. I just never wear them. I don't know why.
I'm a little nuts for this band right now. I listened to their album for five hours straight the other day. I tried to put on something else...but couldn't.
I find it to be one of those rare finds that I can listen to in its entirety.
I'd go on about how smitten I am...but I'm trying to play it cool.
I won't mention how I'm a Facebook fan, following them on Twitter, stalked them on Daytrotter, and googled them to hell. Nope. Not mentioning any of that.
If you go to the above link you can listen to a few of their tunes. One Red Thread blows me away.
*Driving a stick.
We have had an automatic for a few years. It has been lame.
The Mr. got fed up with being lame. I'm so glad.
I was afraid I wouldn't remember how to drive a manual. I shouldn't have.
Lordy, it's fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And there you have it.
A laundry list of delights to keep me smiling until the next installment.
What simple pleasures are bringing a smile to your face?
July 10th.
Buttering.
Stowing.
Shining.
Scrubbing.
Sitting.
Vacuuming.
Stacking.
Cutting.
Showering.
Eating.
Drinking...
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