Saturday, August 16, 2008

Backyard Lunch and Going Places

We don't have a garden anymore. The entire yard (front, back, side) has become a jungle which would probably engulf the house if we didn't do the bare minimum once in a while and cut this or that back. It is awful, but we will work on the yard next year. We do still have some herbs and tomatoes hidden in the overgrowth. I ventured out, machete in hand, to my backyard to find ingredients for lunch. I was able to get enough tomatoes and basil to make VeganYumYum's Super Quick Tomato Basil Cream Pasta and it was super easy, super quick, and super good. I used udon noodles instead of whole wheat since I was out of any spaghettish pasta. I garnished it with the basil leaves she suggested and some kalamata olives (because really what dish isn't better with kalamata olives?). It was different, but just as good as her Cappellini in Fresh Tomato Cream Sauce which I loved to make last year about this time when fresh tomatoes were abundant.

It was a beautiful day today and I am sorely disappointed that I missed the Market at the Square. Things just didn't fall together this morning as I had hoped. Rob was supposed to be in Chicago with the boys while I stayed home to get things done (read - have a relaxing weekend organizing, socializing, and enjoying time with just Josie), but Parker came down with the 24 - 48 hour bug Dema had earlier this week. I needed to get out of the house this morning with Josie, but didn't get going until it was a little too late for me to feel like going to the farmers' market so I walked downtown with Josie in the Ergo to mail a package for Tribal Life (read - escape from the fussy males in my house). While downtown, I strolled around enjoying the Festival of Arts, feeling more than slightly guilty that Parker was not with me. He was looking forward to the Festival of Arts and really enjoys it, but he was not feeling up to going this year even though he was in town. I indulged in an iced soy decaf latte with mint (something I've been enjoying way too often lately thanks to my husband who seem determined to try share his addiction to coffee with me) from Aroma and enjoyed the beautiful weather, art, music, and my little girl.

On the walk home, I stopped at Westside Park to let her get out of the carrier and play, but it was awful. There was trash everywhere so I pushed her in the swings for a bit and left. The park was so littered that I will be contacting the park district. It is sad, but I decided not to let the park ruin my mood. It was a lovely time.

Josie has four teeth as of today and we have decided she is officially walking. She walked across our living room tonight and was very proud of herself. She still will crawl, but choses to use walking as a means of transport more and more. It is all going by much too quickly. My last baby is now a toddler.

2 comments:

Stef said...

Wow, does your day sound perfect. How nice to just stroll with Josie! Toddlerhood comes too darn fast, I want my baby back, and Josie must be stopped from walking! We should have our babies for at least 2 years, and they can slowly enter toddlerhood and beyond. These early years should go so much slower, give us time to just fill them with love and keep them in their bliss filled bubbles. Or give us time to make the world a bliss filled bubble for us all. I hope those boy's tummies straighten up, they can't let summer go by on the loo. Give them all kisses from me. Oh, call the park district, every hour if you have to, trash in the park is just disgusting and sad. I know how you feel.

VeganLinda said...

I agree, I know human babies are completely dependent on their parents for much longer than most animals, but it is not long enough in my book. LOL The boys are feeling better and the park is cleaned up. All is well with the world..except I don't know when we will have another free weekend again. We really do need to get up to Chicago. I don't think we'll be able to until the end of Sept. now. :-(