MB's potato salad never disappoints

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I considered getting creative with the potatoes tonight but ultimately went back to a classic: Mark Bittman's potato salad for grown-ups. It is so darn good and satisfying every single time. The only change I make is to steam my spuds rather than boil them. The dressing is perfect, with nary a drop of mayo in sight. Just olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, capers, shallots and parsley. Marvelous! I also had some Seeduction bread (a great loaf from Whole Foods) and more of the carrot-harissa salad. Y'all should have seen O's face earlier today. I was snacking on the carrots, and he asked for a bite. I said, "Ol, this is kinda spicy," and he said, "sometimes I like spicy fings." OK! True enough. The kid loves salsa, and bitter is right up his alley so I gave him a relatively harissa-free carrot. Y'all, he started flapping his hands to beat sixty and said "I like it but I need some bubble water." Bless his heart. Not even three and asking for seltzer to calm a chili-peppered tongue. He did not want a second bite.

On a completely random, trashy-town note, why do I find USWeekly such fun to read? It is just beyond gross for the most part. The dramatization is unreal, and why are some folks famous when they haven't actually done anything besides get pregnant and/or a lot of plastic surgery before turning 25? Hmm. Is this escapism pure and simple? Perhaps. And nothing wrong with that because right before bed, Ol pooped in his undies and it about made me die. Not a small poop friends, a really big one at a really isn't-this-day-done-yet kinda time. Me, oh my.

Aah

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This morning has been pure luxury! Nearly four hours alone to work, think and just enjoy the beautiful day. Dog walked, 24 scones made, three real letters finally written, yard watered, energy restored, lunch being enjoyed. Yesterday at the farmers' market (thinking about just calling this FM from here on out), the boys asked to get their favorite "marble cheese" from the cheese lady. The marbling comes from ash, and it just kills me to see them with blackened fingers, chowing down, happy and loving it. Great palates, boys! While there, I tasted a new cheese, a sheep's milk with paprika. It was lovely so I bought some of that too. We also came across mâche which I think is the cutest little green and is making a nice base, in addition to an arugula mix, for my salad today. The sweetness of the pears and grapes are nice counterpoints to the spiciness of the harissa in the carrots and the pepperiness of the arugula. Yum!