tulip tip emerging

I finished up the soup that I had started for Potters early in the day. Potage Bonne Femme, something my Mom made often, with leeks from the garden. The leeks this year were pretty small and there was only about half as much as we needed, but they still made a tasty soup.

Somehow, Ray and I got going pretty early. He made a fire to take the chill off and we had breakfast in good time. The pears I bought before the dessert night are nice and ripe now and delicious in yogurt, with homemade bread toasted and good peanut butter from EarthFare. Plus a sprinkle of cinnamon on the yogurt and fruit. We had our walk and Ray was working on something on the computer up until he had to rush off for class at almost 11. It was pleasant to have him around, except that he was stressed.

Since I had such an early breakfast, I was ready for lunch before 11:30. There was leftover chicken and squash souffle--just nothing green. Then I ate a little rice pudding, still left from last Friday.

Sunset at the Ridge

I was back on the computer when my Dad called. He came for some potage and chicken and then spent several hours outside. I worked in the garden for about an hour myself--and I can feel it in my back this morning! Darn. There is a lot more to do. At the rate of an hour a day, I won't get it all done. Thank goodness I have my Dad!

The welcoming Community Center at dusk

It was mostly sunny and very warm all day--over 70. I had the windows open much of the afternoon. My Dad was tired but happy when he went home a little after 5. I was making ratatouille for the Kenney Ridge potluck. I left it a little too late, but it was surprisingly easy and delicious. As it turns out, I had bought eggplant, zucchini, and peppers on sale at Kroger, all $1/lb. Cut them up, saute in olive oil with salt and pepper, and bam! It's surprisingly yummy--I think the freshness of the ingredients was important.

I had been planning on driving to feed the pigs and then going to the potluck, but when I came out with the pot of ratatouille, the car was of course gone, since Ray had it. So I walked to the community center and leflt the food and walked on to Karen's to feed the pigs. It was still very warm, but windy and felt like a storm was coming.

new doors on the kitchen pass-through

At potluck, I had fun with my young friends, playing Junior Monopoly and War with Soli, and lots of complicated pretend games with Adah. I think her parents are sort of puzzled but happy that other people should enjoy their children. Not just me; others hold the baby and Adah can easily boss around more than one person. Soli usually brings his skates and helmet and pads and begs people to come watch him skate, which they do. There are other people here whose children have grown and gone. We enjoy spending time with them and letting them go home with Jay and Cori to put to bed!

Home by 9, we watched a little TV. Molli and I talked on Skype, going over the wedding list. It is surprising how many people have not returned their RSVP cards, although I had four yesterday. My cousin Norman is coming from the West Coast! We were reviewing the status of the ones we haven't received and getting a range of the number of people coming. Adrian prefers a smaller wedding and we are trying to keep it to 100, although Molli and I prefer to say, "everybody come on!"

It was a little after 10 when we went to bed and I slept well, except for waking briefly at 3. Maybe the dog was barking.