217

Rainbow chard and pine nut alfredo, served over linguine. Because Dean has a gift for saying, "you know what would taste good?", and being right.


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

216

You know you have a friend in the maintenance department when you get a bouquet cinched with a zip tie....

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

215

We're back to playing a family game after dinner -- Dominion, which I highly recommend.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

214

I wasn't home to see this bloom this morning, but am thankful to have caught this moment before the first morning glory of the season took its bow.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

213

There are people in the world with the patience to plant dahlias, and dig them up each fall to overwinter inside, and then replant them in the spring. I am in awe.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

212

The boss, who is not prone to flights-of-fancy nor indulgences generally, suggested we all pile into my car after lunch and go get ice cream. Which we did. She even paid on the company credit card.  Farewell, July!


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

211

Plans. Lots and lots of plans.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

210

Groundhog day.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

209

Sunset on a gift of a Friday. I get sprung from work at 1:00 on summer Fridays, and try to spend the afternoons outside to show my appreciation.


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

208

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

207

I realize that this has been the best summer yet for our garden, here at what we still call "the new house" although we've been here 5 years. Plants are not merely hanging in, but they are bursting out -- spreading, blooming, reaching. We haven't had long stretches of unbearable heat, we've gotten pretty regular rain, and Dean's helped so much with planting and checking on things and pulling weeds here and there. I've already got plans for next year, and even for quiet mornings this fall.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

206

Thirds

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205

This recipe, now officially Ken's favorite thing. And yes, I will admit that I was inspired to get my bake on by this.


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

204

The kind of afternoon you wish could just last forever.


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

203

At the airport, here to retrieve Dean from his Nicaraguan adventures, and a reprise of yesterday's artwork greets me! If you ever find yourself at Logan Airport in Boston with time to spare, it is worth it to explore the walkways that connect Terminal B to the other terminals -- all the most wonderful sea creatures in brilliant mosaics on the floors. If I ever win the lottery and can have custom floors in my home....

(All this and a happy, healthy Dean bubbling over with stories to tell, with sadness that his adventure has ended and with thorough delight to be home home home.)

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.