Deck men

Have I mentioned that they're back? Surely you jest, Em-i-lis, you might be thinking. I wish I were. The stainer did such a poor job the first time around that he had to come back. He's sanding again but yesterday when he stripped the boards, he spilled the cleaning agent over the sides and now we have streak marks. I hope he knows that no matter how long this takes, he's going to have to do it correctly. Like my mamma always said, "If you're going to do something, do it right the first time, or you'll have to do it again."

What a day- good, great, fun, exhausting, wine

I swear to you that joining the gym was a great decision on behalf on my psyche. Whee! And I gotta say that the negotiating was empowering. A dear reader, Courtney, encouraged me to run, not walk, from the gym after the encouragement to be dishonest, and I totally hear you. If this weren't a high-end-type place AND I didn't think she was just trying to be cool, I would have. But her behavior actually made me feel ever ballsier so I think it's going to work out. Seeing Jack's former teacher, now Oliver's teacher, was just so awesome. She and her co-teachers are such warm, wonderful women, and I'm really looking forward to a great year. Oliver was so excited, and I think Jack loved visiting his old haunt.

Went to the playground for a while, read 9 books, went out to dinner, saw some old friends and the boys were in bed at 5:55p. I am not kidding. Oliver was up at 4am and Jack and I were up for an hour during the night. So, they are pooped and sleeping soundly. I will too.

For now, I'm enjoying some yummy wine and gearing up to caramelize the fennel -and some oranges!- in Ouzo, toss up a celeriac remoulade and figure out some sort of protein- maybe farmers market sausages for T and a salmon burger for me? Making salmon burgers is SO easy. Have y'all done this? Using a meat grinder, or a nice sharp knife, grind/finely dice best-quality salmon. Put it in a bowl with spinach (either defrosted or, if fresh, wilted), salt, pepper, and a solid dose of feta cheese. Grill or freeze. Delish!