S'meaches!

A few days ago, some friends and I were at Astro Boy's place - attempting to finish a project for work - when Astro Boy started to work on his own little project in the kitchen.  

Naturally, I no longer had much patience for work and went to see what he was up to.

He was cutting peaches, breaking chocolate, cracking graham crackers, and arranging marshmallows.  

He was organizing the necessary ingredients for

S'MEACHES

{s'mores + peaches}

A few months ago, Three wrote a post featuring a video about this intriguing treat and I soon became obsessed with the idea of eating them. 

Well, after finally partaking in these scrumptious munchies, I can say that the obsession was completely merited.  

They. are. so. good. 

New rules for how to have a worthwhile summer life:

1. Watch this video.

 2. Make s'meaches.

3. Watch this video.

4. Repeat step 2.

Married Life

"So how's married life?"

This has become the most frequent salutation used to greet me in recent weeks. Yet as often as I hear it--which is a lot--I can't seem to put my finger on an appropriate response. You see, "married life" is lovely, but after four years together, it's not too different from pre-married life. The thing is, before we got married, life was wonderful. I was in love, I gained a new comfort in my own skin, I felt safe yet challenged on a daily basis. In short, I was the happiest I've ever been. And that is why we got married.

So here we are, a  month in and none of those things have changed. The things that have changed are more or less minor (more minor: We wear rings and exchange an increased number of sappy texts? less minor: Dr. P gets to be in family pictures now!) So, I guess the appropriate answer to that question I keep hearing is this: Married life is life. And life is really, really good.

Birthdays and My Top 5+1 True Stories About Them

True Story: When I was eight, I had a camping birthday party.  We went up to the mountains with some of my best friends and family.  In the morning, One dressed up as a mountain nymph and my cake floated down the creek.  It was awesome. 

True Story: I spent my 18th birthday eve in an inconsolable fit of tears that time was stripping me of my well-earned childhood.  I felt I had never done anything to deserve the fate of becoming a grown up.  It was just too much.  

True Story: I lived in Florence during the hottest summer on record -- at least to that point.  They don't really "do" air conditioning there and we'd had 40 consecutive days over 95 degrees.  You get used to it, but it was starting to take a toll.  That week, there was a fire the next hill over from us.  They got it under control, but the heat was simply out of hand.  The night before my birthday, I said a little prayer.  It went something like, "I am so grateful to live here and to be singing and doing what I love, but if there is any way possible we could have some rain, that would be the best birthday present ever."

The next morning, I awoke to a cool rain.  Which was also awesome. As was my midnight party, led by Z, Momo, Three, Four and Five

True Story: Last birthday, I doubted I would make it to this birthday.  

True Story: We've had another record breaking heat wave this year, but this time it's in DC.  Saturday, the heatwave broke again, with mists of rain and lovely, Seattle-like weather.  It was the perfect accouterments to lovely celebrations by Mr. Two, Three, Dulcia, Mimo, Brother L, and Eurry.

True Story: I made it to this birthday which is a miracle.  Thanks to all of you who prayed and thought and willed me to get here.   Things have changed from when I was 18... aka, I really like my birthdays now!

From Top to Bottom: Fire Station on NJ Ave. By Art and Soul; Druid Hill Park; Baltimore Botanical Gardens; Hamden Candy Store: Me and Yoni (can you find me?); Spoils; Best Girl Store EVER (Shoes &Chocolate. Need I say more?); Cute shoes; Cafe Hon; Bowties and boy things; Thanks for coming back to town Daniella.  We are a little worried.  You've changed a LOT since leaving for Australia. I think we need to talk.; Unexpected visitor 2; rain for my birthday.

Bliss

Last week, the babes and I stowed away on an impromptu work trip to Orange County. Mr. One worked long hours, and it was generally a poorly planned, last minute adventure that left a wake of unfinished business back home. 

Totally, totally worth it.



Odds

Going to United Artists' midnight showing of Batman in theater #4 doesn't mean I deserve to live more than someone who saw Century Cinemas' midnight showing of Batman in theater #9. My belly twists to think of those enduring a desperate reality of bullets and smoke whilst 10 miles away, my cola-filled bladder distracted me from its manufactured counterpart on screen. They died. I didn't. It's a fearsome and terrible befuddlement. My heart wrenches for those who love the injured or dead. I can only pray they'll receive more mollifying comfort than that conceivable by me.


http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21118201/unknown-number-people-shot-at-aurora-movie-theater

With love, from lunch or Food Says The Darndest Things!!

My friend W came over for lunch the other day.  We've known one another since I came to DC like the best friends, I think we drive one another crazy sometimes.  Nonetheless, she is a really amazing friend; she's always there when I need her most.  We've been busy but we finally got to sit down to chat.  I made some sandwiches and a quick, summer salad with arugula, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, greek olives and a lemon dressing (SO good!).  I set it all out on a plate and look what I saw?  Not the highest quality picture, but I think it's darn cute -- especially for a friend I love so much!! 

I've got a special date. . .

I'm really sorry to all of our friggatriskaidekaphobic readers.


Today must be really hard for you.