Farmers market, class, sleepover, class, hike, dinner

/

My Canning 101 class originally scheduled for yesterday morning was moved, because of that insane deluge, to today. It was such a terrific, energetic group of people, and I couldn't have enjoyed myself more. Thanks to all who came! Peach-apricot-almond jam, y'all!

Just before that, T and I made our way to the Bethesda Farmers Market because I was in dire need of some feta and an ash boulé from Stonyman Cheese. Both are off-the-hook good, and off-the-hook expensive. I urged T to go peruse other stalls while I settled up. Gah.

Anyway, we also came across the most vivid eggplant and okra, tomatoes and favas. One thing was prettier than the next and it's probably best I had to get to my class. I left T with a list and now look forward to cooking with all this gorgeousness this week.

We also came across some artisanal tonic and grenadine and, wholly convinced by the perfect packaging, bought a bottle of each. As the clock struck 6 tonight, I made myself a Jack Rose with the grenadine. Che bella!

a Jack Rose- totally appealing, yes?

a Jack Rose- totally appealing, yes?

Meanwhile, Oliver returned from his terrifically fun sleepover, and Jack was just arriving at Old Rag with Tom's dad. They were planning to hike up the front and down the back, an 11-mile trek, in preparation for an awesome hiking trip out west later this summer.

Oliver invited us to play Hangman with him which, because he is an early reader, is hysterically limited. "A water," for example. Or, not surprisingly, "Poop." "Jack, Mom, Dad" was a clean one while "A poop water" and "A poop in water" were a bit more scatalogical and mysterious.

Then my writing group met, and Jack came home, and Ol and I planted herbs, and the boys went to bed, and T and I grilled a pizza and dined al fresco, and now we are calling it rest time. Deservedly so.

It is a remarkable gift to have children and then, when possible, to part with them for spells of time. Everyone had fun and was rejuvenated during our brief stint away from each other.

And, our cucumbers are going gangbusters!!

Upchucking rainbows, bye bye kids, delicious meal

/

I was so high all day yesterday following the Supreme Court's decision that ALL can marry. My heart and mind were suffused with pride, thrill, a deep sense of justice served, and rivers of teary love. This ruling is truly momentous, and I felt like my parents must have when the Berlin Wall came down, that they'd just witnessed a sea change that would change the course of the future.

My social media feeds looked like I'd vomited rainbows all over them. One friend said that it was awfully hard to keep up with me, but I just couldn't stop sharing and cheering and spreading the love. I mean, just look at this image. The message this sends to our country and the world cannot be underestimated.

I spent a little time reading negative reactions to the marriage equality decision, but they were so ugly and pathetic and on the wrong side of history that I happily closed shop on them. They are neither here nor there anymore, and rightfully so. As I've always said about abortion too, if you don't like it, don't do it, but don't take away the rights of others to choose for themselves.

It was also thrilling for me to share the news with the boys as I picked each up at camp. We have always been open about their absolute right to love anyone they choose and about our support for same sex marriage. But to tell them that our country had finally chosen fairness and equality over bigotry was really something special.

Isn't this a spectacular photograph? Storm's coming. -courtesy of capital weather gang

Isn't this a spectacular photograph? Storm's coming. -courtesy of capital weather gang

As night crept in, so too did a storm that has rained down upon us since. The kids were up early today, and Tom and I were terribly sick of them by about 9 am. I mean, they set new records of obnoxious, gross, insufferable behavior, and to be stuck inside with them? My god.

Jack was wearing a man's tee-shirt that said Autobahn on the front; he resembled some kind of street urchin. He was finally willing to put on pants when I insisted they come to the market with me, a trip I knew would be a sure hell, but I was desperate to get them outside. By this point, Oliver was wearing a size 2-4 astronaut costume which comes up to his knees, and they were both dirty since they'd been lolling about on the floor for hours, screeching about farts and butts and all manner of hole. 

People these are the types of days during which I find it hard to appreciate them. #truth

On days like these, I love Nutmeg even more than usual. He is so quiet and independent and tidy.

The nut cleans his toes.

The nut cleans his toes.

The incredible luck is that both boys are now gone: Oliver at a sleepover with a friend, and Jack at Tom's parents' as he's going on a lengthy hike tomorrow with Topta (which is what he's always called Tom's Dad as early on he couldn't say Grandpa. I love "Topta.")

Tom and I are celebrating by staying in and eating well and watching Real Time from last night. I made the chicken korma recipe from the May 3 New York Times Magazine, a watermelon and arugula salad with goat cheese, and a plum tart. Duh. 'Tis the season. 

chicken korma

chicken korma

Tom is now test-flying (and crashing) the drone he bought Jack for his birthday. We have not yet given Jack this drone, and I keep hearing, "Uh-oh," "Hmm...," "That's not good." Put the toy away, Dad! #menareboys