Okra, plums, ricotta, bacon, wild children

The boys and I returned to the Dupont farmers market yesterday for the first time in way too long. I don't think I've ever missed so many summer Sundays there. They sampled everything and enjoyed a Pleasant Pops fix while I ate three, hot-off-the-press market tacos from Chaia. These were, and always are, spectacular; an amazing, satisfying breakfast to be sure.

the market taco trio from Chaia: carrots, mushrooms, okra/corn

We returned home laden with bags: Italian plums; okra; tomatillos; tomatoes; rhubarb; and extra popsicles for the freezer. Last night, to top some steaks, I made a roasted tomatillo, sweet pepper and habanero salsa, and today, I've stewed up ricotta and smothered okra and will soon make a plum tart.

Isn't everything gorgeous?

Italian prune and president plums

smothered okra

This morning, Ol returned home from a terrific slumber party in typical fashion: wild-eyed, over-tired, Tasmanian devil'ish. He and Jack proceeded to beat the tar out of each other for hours on end -happily for the most part- before crashing at 3pm. It will be so great for them to get back to school and a routine. I'm looking forward to it too.

Baseball season picked up again today, and Jack looked so handsome in his new white pants: he's a twig of epic proportion, and I adore him. He and Tom's dad are flying to Colorado tomorrow for a hiking trip up Mt. Ebert, "the tallest 14er" as I've just learned. 

Off to eat. Hope you are all well and enjoying this last day of August.

huh?

Chaia DC taco lunch, palmiers & eclairs too

Per the usual, Ol and I went to the farmers market this morning. His plan was to hit Bonaparte in search of eclairs and/or raspberry palmiers and then, if neither were available, make our way to Pleasant Pops for a chongos popsicle. Last resort should that be a strike-out was to finish the marshmallow/gum drop creation Jack made yesterday at Spring Fest, despite the fact that it languished in the car overnight and had been held by at least four different pairs of hands before that. I felt options A, B and C were far superior, but Ol seemed thrilled by any that came about. In luck, we found both eclairs AND palmiers so, naturally, bought both. While Mr. ate his palmier, I took a bit of the eclair, walked him by EcoFriendly Foods for ham hocks and tasso (red beans & rice a'coming), then down a few stalls for baby beets and some lovely carrots (by then Ol had finished the palmier so switched to a carrot) and finally down to Chaia for a taco plate for my lunch.

We sat down in the grass to sup and then felt it was such a beautiful day that we'd best finish that eclair while relaxing. Very, very satisfying.