Thank god it's 5:00 here...

As you probably surmised, something was seriously wrong with Em-i-lis today. Server problems. Again.Enormously frustrating, T managed to migrate my site remotely from our failed home server to a host. We still have total control but cannot restore the past week's posts until we return to DC on Monday night. So, my heartiest apologies if you were planning to make radish fritters, pistachio yogurt or any of the other yummies I've written about and posted lately.

Today was another hot one on the bayou. Tons of extended family came over, and the little cousins all had a blast: water balloons, water guns, spy games, watermelon, burgers, lemonade and so on. I made a blackberry pie, sweet potato fries, and a huge green salad and enjoyed seeing everyone. Having not made up for all the sleep lost during last night's attempted camp-out, the boys were, by 3p, full-scale, on-the-edge, I-don't-like-them-right-now whiner heads.

Despite the crushing heat of mid-afternoon, I dragged the kids out for a walk with my dad. Jack turned back, but Ol, Dad and I persevered. Here are just a couple shots- a magnolia in bloom, and Poppy and Ol in front of some Spanish moss. When 5:30p struck, I opened some wine, and thankfully, my parents took over through bedtime. Amen!

Appetizers and drinks, camp-out in the works

Due to a deal made of staying up late, eating by a campfire and camping out under the stars, the boys acquiesced and napped today. It was much needed, and they have been darling ever since. As promised, we lit a fire in my parents’ fire pit and cooked beans and hot dogs over it. I made a cactus paddle/tomatillo salad, and both J and O swear that they now ”loooove cactus.” They were in hogs’ heaven and made up cowboy names for everyone: Jack= Texas Fire; Mom= Maxine; Dad= Pardner; Oliver= Jake; T= Slim John; me= Priscilla/Prissy.  Following dinner, we made s’mores, and really it’s true: everything tasted good when cooked over a fire! We’d made Aperol Spritzes and poured wine, and all just seemed good in the world. Unfortunately, the tree house in which they’d so diligently set up camp had about 2000 bees living on its exterior walls, so that situation is TBD. In any case, they’re running circles in the yard under the stars and having a grand time.

Off to class, mujadarra on the horizon for anniversary

Y'all, I could not be more thrilled. The reviews of the food from yesterday's baby shower were superlative, and I feel incredibly happy, proud and fulfilled. I've got another large luncheon coming up next week, and some neat opportunities with local businesses in the works. Happy Monday to me. :) I'm off to my photography class soon, thank god. Homework was to focus on motion while setting your aperture, ISO and shutter speed manually. A fun challenge but it's hard to keep it all straight while trying to freeze your subject in a great shot. Oliver was a very willing participant, and although some of the pics are blurry, they are dear. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to some rigorous feedback and a review of all we learned last week.

Tomorrow is my and T's 8 year anniversary, a decade since we met. I am also feeling incredibly proud in the old marriage department because not only is marriage tough, but marriage + kids is a massive challenge, and I think we've done an excellent job, by and large. I do wish he weren't leaving town tomorrow, but I am excited that some girlfriends are coming over to drink champagne with me. I'm going to make a big pot of mujadarra, that beyond yummy caramelized onion, lentil and rice dish served with a spiced yogurt. Oh nelly, I can taste it now.

Off to class but first I must snarf some dinner. My least favorite way to eat. AAAh!