End of Summer

We have had the most interesting weather the past few days here. Usually at this point in August, the temperature is averaging 100 degrees, and we're cringing at the mere thought of longsleeves or sweaters. But with all the rain and cool weather we've had, fall is seeming more and more like an imminent possibility. Four inches of rain fell overnight in Oklahoma City; in other parts, we actually had 11 inches! 

This evening, as I stepped out to get the mail, there was a cool mist and everything felt so fresh and clean. I'm ready to curl up in a sweater with a good book. I grabbed the camera and shot a few photos of the trees in the front yard. The bark is completely saturated with water and the greens just pop against all of that bark and moss.
Yesterday, my nephew Matthew called and wondered if he could come over to hang out with Jude. I had just gotten home from the grocery store, and was happy to have him come hang out. Matthew will start the third grade tomorrow and is a gourmet cook in the making, and I love to make stuff with him. A couple of years ago at Thanksgiving, he helped me make the yummiest apple pie. I know he has great potential for big things and even bigger ideas. For dinner, we made spicy chicken strips with corn and smashed potatoes (individual Yukon gold potatoes: boiled, and then smooshed and then baked with cheese, chives, bacon, butter, etc. SOOOO good). For dessert, there was a YUM chocolate chip cookie bar recipe.

Jude was totally enthralled with his cousin and could not take his eyes off of him. We are so lucky to have such wonderful boys in our family for Jude to look up to. I am realizing more and more what an influence that older kids can have for little ones, even at this early age. 

So today, I got to hang out with Matthew's older brother Benjamin. Ben is starting the fifth grade tomorrow, and wanted to spend the last evening of summer freedom with us, and I was happy to oblige him. I cannot tell you what a joy these boys are! Anyway, with the rain and all, we ended up going to Barnes & Noble to look at books. Like Matthew, Ben is really good with Jude, and -- like with Matthew -- Jude was enthralled with his older cousin. When we came home, I made chicken fried rice while the boys ate crackers (above). Here's Matthew (below) with Jude on Monday night. Aren't they sweet?
Here's the beginnings of the chicken fried rice (below). It's one of my favorite things to make and is an easy crowd pleaser. Ben made us some delicious peanut butter cookies. We laughed that they were inadvertently vegan PB cookies ... because an egg was forgotten in the mix. :)  Oh well, they were still really delicious!

With all the rainy-ness, I went out the other night and shot some photos outside. In my college photography class, I really enjoyed learning how to shoot outside in the dark. You can get some really interesting results. It was one of my favorite projects... Anyway, I'd like to start trying some different things in my photos, but this was a start. 


Finally, a few photos of family silliness. Jude sure loves his daddy, and so do I!

Summer Magic

Summer is creeping on by, and we are enjoying the not-yet-100-degree temperatures here. I love this time of year; summer in Oklahoma is characterized by high heat, the sounds of cicadas in the late afternoon sun, and vibrant sunsets. 

At this time of year, I always think of the old Disney movie Summer Magic with Hayley Mills of original Parent Trap fame. When I was little and I'd go to my Grandmother's house, we would watch old movies, and this was one of our favorites. Lovely Burl Ives co-stars, and there's lots of great songs and a little romance to boot. I think of the scene where they're sitting out on the porch at dusk, the mother in a rocking chair, everybody just feeling lazy in the summer heat... it's just a feel-good, summery kind of movie and it makes me think of my own family, sitting outside until it's too dark to see, by the pool, everyone all warm and sunkissed from a day of swimming. I think of the feeling of walking in a wet swimsuit, wrapped up in a towel, and opening the door into the kitchen when the air-conditioning hits you full-force. Run, run, run to a hot shower!
Anyways, I digress... not much to report here, but we're just enjoying each other, and enjoying Jude. He is a busy, busy boy and definitely on the move. The other night, we were giggling at him because his feet were popping out through these PJs (above). He looked like such a little urchin.

Summer is also inspirational when it comes to trying new recipes. My new favorite is from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food: baked polenta fries. They were SO easy and SO delicious. You've got to try them! It's a new fave here at our house. I paired them with baked parmesan chicken that was also delicious and super-easy.
Tonight, Jude took  us on a crawling tour of the house. He crawled further than ever today, and he is just thrilled with himself and his new ability. This means that I am constantly on the run w/ the new Swiffer Vac, trying to suck up any wandering rolie polies, dust bunnies, or wayward Cheerios that might be in his path. Because inevitably, they will all end up in his mouth. We've already fished tree bark and particle board (don't ask) out of his mouth in the past few days.  

This might be the bark about to be consumed (above).

When Simon came home from work tonight, I had dinner awaiting out on our lovely patio. It's the first time we've ever had dinner out on our new table (shocking, I know). We have got to do this more often, despite the flies and mosquitos. Jude was nearby, playing on his blanket, trying to eat more tree bark and grass. It was so beautiful outside... just an idyllic evening.

 

The blueberries were particularly good tonight.

Whoops, here he is going into the powder bath. So much to explore!

Domestic scene: Simon at the counter in the kitchen while Jude makes his way into the laundry room.

And he's off again - around the bend!

This is the face of determination: he is going to get the dust pan next to the refrigerator.

Bye!