Summer of Love

Let's combine some things I love:

a. farms

b. fresh fruit

c. being outdoors

d. taking pictures

This list, although not a list of all my loves, (because that could go on for pages) makes for a day of happiness. So when Sheila suggested that we head out to a farm in Poolsville, MD to do some blackberry and peach picking, you know I was shouting yes!

The day had an ominous beginning-it POURED down rain. It poured down rain and the we sat in traffic. We forged on. We drive and drive, it rains and rains. Until we come upon the farm where the sky was blue and the sun was shining. Amen, that's what I'm talkin' about. The farm was beautiful, and as you can see the picking was good. I mean these are some of the best blackberries I have ever put in my mouth.

On our way home we took a detour and stopped to see a field of sunflowers. I mean a sunflower field the size of a football field. It was something straight out of Everything Is Illuminated.

Next mission: making use of the fruits of my labor. Blackberry and Peach cobbler here I come...

A Saturday Done Right

Sometimes a lazy Saturday can result in a whole lot of nothing. However, when it is 85 degrees without a bit of humidity in the middle of July, you better get your tush outside and do something. So I grabbed Kate and headed to one of my favorite places to rest and enjoy nature.

And the results were worth the effort. A little sunshine, a few photos (who am I kidding I took over 100) and this lazy Saturday had a purpose.

and that's how Saturday is done!

For Shame

There are only 3 reasons in which it is appropriate to buy an US Weekly (or other trashy magazine).



1. Travel. Great for plane rides or car trips.

2. 7th grade sleepovers (or 29 year old reenactments of 7th grade sleepovers)

3. Really bad days. (usually prompted by work or comments from your mother, okay maybe my mother)



Why did I buy one today? I am literally that bored. So bored that going to the grocery store was an exciting part of my day (okay, I always love going to the grocery store). So bored that when I spotted the promise of Jessica getting dumped by Tony and possibly getting back with Nick, and yet another Jon and Kate Plus 8 scandal, I caved.


I need to quickly read something with a reading level greater than 5th grade so I can redeem myself.

And, This is My Life.

My mother suggested to me that I look into Match.com and even though I asked her to stop she continued to plead her case for about 5 minutes or so.

I think that says it all.

Show A Little Love

So I was very lucky today to get to spend some time volunteering at the Arlington Food Assistance Center. I have to tell you I LOVED it! Our job was to go to the farmer's market and take any donations of unsold food. I was so incredibly impressed with how very generous the vendors were- a few of whom gave us upwards of 20 crates full of veggies. When all was said and done about 1,200+ pounds of food. We then took it back to the center and spent the rest of the afternoon sorting and bagging the vegetables into family sized portions. During the week families who have been referred to the center can come to shop for groceries. I think it was definitely a good reminder for me that my little Arlington bubble isn't all that Arlington is.

Final thoughts:
1. If you are looking for a place to volunteer, please check this place out.
2. In fact, just click on the above link and check it out.
3. Farmer's market farmers of Arlington, you are so awesome.

Someone Please...

explain to me why it is that people can not disciple their kids. I was in Target today buying a birthday gift for my nephew and there were kids everywhere-yelling. Now, as a teacher, I can handle the yelling kids. What I can not handle is the parents that do NOTHING to stop it. Case in point, I watched a child sit in his stroller and scream, AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS, for no less than 25 minutes. 25 minutes. 25 MINUTES! The mother just kept handing him toys and asking him if this was what he wanted. Really? Turn around and tell your kid to stop and if he doesn't remove him from the toy section and leave the store. Is this a hard conclusion to come to? I mean I came close to walking over to the child and telling him to shut it myself. The thing is these kids end up in my classroom a few years down the line and then they spend their days telling me no.

Get on board parents of the world. Do you hear me? Learn to tell your children "no" and "knock it off" and stop breeding little over indulged hellions.

On the plus side I made my first batch of summer sun tea. YAY for summer!

Ten Steps To A Perfect Holiday Weekend

Oh how I love a holiday weekend! I have always loved this holiday weekend in particular. There is just something about the 4th of July! People hanging out eating, drinking and being merry. Then of course there are the fireworks- it really just is such a happy holiday. So here is how I have a pretty fantastic holiday weekend:
1. Grab my new camera (who I have named Kate), some coffee to go and a friend (Kara) and head to Old Town to take some picture (a few samples above).
2. Head to a baseball game with a good friend (Mike). Bonus if, like this one, it is followed by fireworks. Bummer if, like this one, the home team loses.
3. Eat good food. Lots and lots of good food.
4. Watch the fireworks with good friends (Stacey,Ben, Mike,Meghan and Sarah) on the roof my apartment building while my drunk neighbors sing the Star Spangled Banner.
5. Eat apple pie like every good American should- make mine a la mode.

6. Cook a good breakfast for my friends. (and watch a little tennis history while we're at it)

7. Bake my very first angel food cake from scratch. Vow to never bake one out of a box again after I have tasted it.

8. Celebrate my roommate's birthday (Sarah) by heading out to Ray's The Steaks.

9. Order the Steak Diablo, (you'll thank me later) and enjoy some good laughs.

10. Head home with my friends (Grace, Sarah, Danny, Ellie, Kara and Chris) to enjoy some of the aforementioned cake with a little touch of strawberries and cool whip.

This weekend was the stuff good summers are made of. Further reminders that life is good!

London Heat Wave?

dude. it's like 85 here. I don't think so folks. But here is a little taste of what life will be like in the next 10-20 years without air-con. So I suggest working on it.