Chaia DC taco lunch, palmiers & eclairs too

Per the usual, Ol and I went to the farmers market this morning. His plan was to hit Bonaparte in search of eclairs and/or raspberry palmiers and then, if neither were available, make our way to Pleasant Pops for a chongos popsicle. Last resort should that be a strike-out was to finish the marshmallow/gum drop creation Jack made yesterday at Spring Fest, despite the fact that it languished in the car overnight and had been held by at least four different pairs of hands before that. I felt options A, B and C were far superior, but Ol seemed thrilled by any that came about. In luck, we found both eclairs AND palmiers so, naturally, bought both. While Mr. ate his palmier, I took a bit of the eclair, walked him by EcoFriendly Foods for ham hocks and tasso (red beans & rice a'coming), then down a few stalls for baby beets and some lovely carrots (by then Ol had finished the palmier so switched to a carrot) and finally down to Chaia for a taco plate for my lunch.

We sat down in the grass to sup and then felt it was such a beautiful day that we'd best finish that eclair while relaxing. Very, very satisfying.

Kinda snoozy Saturday

We've been both busy and lazy today: Tae Kwon Do and Ikea alongside lazing about in the yard and watching Myth Busters. I can deal with this mix! From the second I woke up this morning -5am! Thanks a lot you stinking cat!- I knew I had to make muffins. Had to have them. So I browned some butter and made strawberry muffins with just a hint of cardamom. While at Tae Kwon Do, Jack was seized with a yen for salted salmon-stuffed onigiri (Japanese rice balls) so after class we went a got the makings for it. Thank god it's something other than pesto pasta- his study of Japan in school is prompting all kinds of goodness and various interests.

Ol and I enjoyed salads with greens just plucked from our VegTrug, and I spent a nice while in the chaise lounge pretending to read but really just watching cat-on-a-leash pounce around and snapping pictures. I am thrilled that a bird family has made a nest under our deck. It's very shabby-chic, yes?

The past 24 and a risotto

Last night, some middle-aged dude in an Infiniti rear-ended me as we both attempted to exit the miserable parking lot of the Whole Foods on River Road. He hit me hard, really hard, and my neck and shoulders have not been thankful recipients since. My bumper looked fine, so I hope it actually is thus. I just didn't have the energy to deal with another hassle, especially of the automotive type. Hoping another good night of sleep will relax my platysmal muscles and let me forget this irritation. Today was a whirlwind of meetings, phone calls, drop-offs, pick-ups and I built a desk for Ol's room. Until three days ago, he had a retro kitchen in that spot. It was full of pot holders and ingredients, special pans and accouterments; my darling little sous. But then he said, "Mom, I have work to do. I need a desk." And really, what could I say? He's a man with a plan, so today we built a desk.

And then he asked for a rolling chair, and I said "No" because A) it's excessive and B) rolling chairs don't work on carpet, and then we were at a Mom- 5yo impasse, and I gave up for a few hours. Bygones.

T got home, put the boys to bed, and I started in on a risotto idea on which I'd been noodling all day: corn, corn stock, ramps, walnuts and pecorino. It wasn't amazing but it was solid and new; I've been terribly bored lately, just waiting impatiently for the season to actually change so that new ingredients will be at my disposal. I simply must shut the door on certain things for a while -oranges, apples, mushrooms- so that when they inevitably roll around again, I can greet them eagerly, like a long-lost friend.