Jesse, so is it you I'm trying to be like, then??

Apparently? I dunno, I could still lie back down. I mean, I didn't get much sleep Friday night, but this is really ridiculous.

I am doing a bunch of laundry, including new sheets I bought a couple of weeks ago, so that's exciting.

We had an awesomely busy July 4th weekend with a houseful of guests. DH did some amazing experimental grilling recipes (the beef satay turned out YUMMY) and then followed up with a visit to our riverfront festival and a trip to two cheese factories.

Our fridge is stocked with cheese products and our guests are gone. We're still taking turns napping to recover.

FTR, the money we spent on the Little Tikes bouncy house was WELL SPENT.

I wrote the draft for the flight letter to my friend, and I'm exhausted - it's only about 170 words, but I had to take breaks in between.

I'm gonna miss her so much.

Aw, Shir. A letter to take with her is such a nice thing!

I came here to take a break from Wimbledon, not to find out how it's going--Fiona, I'm going to spoilerfont bits of your post.

I don't think that Fiona violated the spoiler policy. It was broadcast in the US right? How is it a spoiler?

I don't know how it is in US, but here giving a letter to take with you and read only when you're on the plane is almost a custom among friends. That, or small gifts, such a pad to write in your thoughts. When I traveled I also asked for mixtapes, and I also got a hamsa with the the Traveler's Prayer (Tfilat HaDerech) and my sign (Leo), which later became a part of my key chain (next to a "bugger this!" dog tag, I must add).

It's only until November or so, but I can just feel the distance when I'm thinking about it.

Oh well. Better finish it. I'll see her tomorrow.

Oh, I remember mixtapes! My BFF and I made a great one where we each did one side of a tape, with assorted commentary on our half.

Fasoulia (lamb and white bean stew) is on the stove.

Now I just have to decide what to do with the rest of the lamb:
1) lamb tagine with figs and apricots
2) lamb tagine with prunes and apricots
3) lamb tagine with prunes and almonds
4) seven-vegetable couscous

Thoughts? Sadly, all involve heading to the grocery store.

That's a charming custom, Shir, but not one I've run across here!

You know what I love about my backyard? That quite often the loudest thing I can hear are birds singing their little hearts out!

You know what I love about my backyard? That quite often the loudest thing I can hear are birds singing their little hearts out!

Yeah, as much as they drive me crazy, I'm going to be sad when I move into the "city" part of the city in a couple of months and I start hearing bums, not birds, out my window.