Peanut Butter Rules the Roost

Julia is back home and back into a routine of work and social activities. She has had dinner with Lia at Heritage India, ice cream with Jessie at Thomas Sweet, and dinner with Maddie and Maya. She has been helpful in taking care of the little piglet, Peanut Butter. He is a handful--always wanting to eat, poke holes in papers, and sit on your lap or computer--but also, he is three pounds of pure love. Look how he tries to help Julia brush her teeth, what a good boy.

I went to the Dupont Farmer's Market and got beef liver, soup bones, and a meat stick to try. Yum. They had already sold the beef tongue and oxtail before I arrived. Another farmer I had targeted was out of chicken feet! Yes, really. I'm not the only one trying to make an awesome bone broth, apparently. Lesson learned, the farmers told me to come early, right when it opens at 8:30am to get the good stuff.

 
 

New Hampshire, Great Basin National Park, and Traditional Food

Julia has had a busy two weeks. She went to New Hampshire to visit her family and enjoyed some cooler weather and fun activities. Then it was a brief stop-over in Columbus and a quick reconnection with Sarah before heading to Great Basin National Park. Julia had the pleasure of being totally disconnected from technology and immersed in climate research and nature. She hiked over 10 miles a day gathering data and conducting experiments. So proud of how she roughed it with minimal accommodations and managing her hair over the seven days with no washing. Impressive. It was a great opportunity and she made the most of it. This fall, she will use the data collected for an independent research project.

On the home front, Steven and I kept to our usual routine. I attended a cooking class on traditional foods--and have already made kraut, chicken stock, and chicken liver pate. I can't wait to make beef tongue; it was by far the yummiest dish of the weekend. Somehow Peanut Butter has survived without Julia; although, I have found him in her room on her bed alone several times. The best way to ensure he stays out of trouble is to put him under your shirt...yes, really.

Can't wait until Julia comes home!


 

Deep Creek Lake

We had such a nice time with the Sarrges, Meme, Emmie, and Chad at Deep Creek Lake. The weather was wonderful and the cousins had so much fun together. Lisa cooked delicious meals and Emmie treated us to dinner at Brenda's (Julia's gluten-free chicken pesto pic below). Julia also had breakfast with William and then William and Ethan at Arrowhead, traveling via jet ski of course. The floating mat was a hoot to watch. The kiddos played some shooting game; check out the pre-game pose. No one was (seriously) hurt. Thanks to the family for making it such a relaxing and chill time!