Lost the will last night...on tap for today

As I was happily crafting Batman birthday invitations last night around 6, I realized I had absolutely no will to cook. Enthusiastically, we called in take-out from Rosa Mexicano, a restaurant I have really enjoyed in NYC but whose transition to DC just doesn't seem to have worked. This was our second and last order, if I have anything to do with it. Bummer! The veggie enchiladas were so tasteless and odd that I couldn't manage more than a few bites. And $14 for guacamole -the amount seemed equivalent to that from 1 avocado- is highway robbery. The salsas are primarily heat rather than flavor and spice, and this shows a damning lack of finesse and capability. After this unsatisfactory dinner, we finished watching Martha Marcy May Marlene, a definitely disturbing but well-done film. Despite the subject matter and eeriness of many of the characters, I did enjoy and would recommend seeing it. Elizabeth Olsen -she the healthy-weight sister of MK and Ash- was very good. The ending won't make you feel terribly fulfilled regarding any good sense of closure, but I think that's the whole point. What is really happening? Whose viewpoint is accurate?

This afternoon, the boys are going to the annual work picnic for their grandfather's firm. This cannot come a moment too soon. Percy woke me up at 5:15 this morning- a bad enough time when it's one of the kids doing the waking, but the dog? I love Percy but I don't want to do anything with him at that time of day. Suffice it to say that I've never quite gotten back on track and frankly, I just feel annoyed as get-out right now. I'm tired. Oliver now talks as much as does Jack and continues to be superbly "two" even though he's three. Jack is fever-free but has a terrible sore throat and as he tends towards the dramatic anyway, he and sick really make for quite a situation. This house needs to be dusted with a major dose of chill, and I'm guardedly hopeful that the boys leaving for a few hours will turn things around.

While they're away, I'm going to do some more canning; today, it's apricot-peach-almond jam, one of my faves. Just look at these beauties. Aah!

Fitful Friday, canning seminar registration

Bad news first: Poor Jack just feels awful. He asked me to sleep with him last night, so we tucked ourselves into our basement guest room where it's cold, dark and comfy. He was up on and off all night, and I felt like I was in bed with a squirmy, boiling hot water bottle. In total, I think we got no more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep, and so we all took it slowly this morning! Good news: He is such a sweet little boy and has been so good despite feeling so lousy. I just hope he's all better for his last day of school on Monday.

More good news: The rhubarb cherry crumble I made last night is awesome. It's equally good cold, and I've been snacking on it all day. Recipe is posted!

Tonight I'm going to make a grilled radicchio dish with anchovy breadcrumbs that I've been having a serious yen for. It's a Molly Wizenberg recipe and is scrumptious. That will not totally satiate Tom, so I'll think of something else too. Tomorrow night we're having pals over for dinner but will be getting 2Amy's take-out. I can never get over how much I love that joint. Some friends and I took our graduating little ones (Ol) there for a celebratory lunch on Wednesday, and I swear we were positively orgasmic. Oh, mon dieu.

Registration is now open for my canning seminar at Strosniders which will be on July 14, from 9-10am. Click here if you're interested in attending! I can't wait!

Stuff

I was just searching for a book on space shuttles on amazon. Autocorrect did not correct my inadvertent input of "space shittles"- what?? I chuckled to myself!

Today I'm going to make some pickled garlic scapes- do y'all know what these are? They're the long, snakey tops that grow out of garlic bulbs, they've got a short season and are edible and yummy. I bought a couple bunches at the FM last Sunday and just came across some more at Whole Foods. Nice. Anyway, I'm going to pickle them- think I can get a pint or two out of the amount I've got.

I also need to get going on some Batman birthday invitations and wrap my head around the fact that we are putting the children in the car for a nearly 7 hour drive to the beach next week (please send me good vibes; I do not have a good feeling about this). The last time we were in the car all together for more than 25 minutes -seriously- was a family trip to Philly 2+ years ago. It was beyond hellfire and damnation. Both kids screamed their heads off, to no one in particular but then at each other, for about 90% of each to-from drive. Tom and I felt like we were being forced to listen to fingernails on a chalkboard + heavy metal in a claustrophobically small compartment for entirely too long. We were psychotic and on-edge but at least now we are armed with iPads.