Summer Bounty

I went to the farmers market this weekend and scored some great produce including peaches - who knew VA grew peaches? - tomatoes and corn! My friend Susan came over for dinner featuring my farmer's market finds. I served a roast chicken with peach chutney (cut up the peaches and mix with a little onion, balsamic vinagar, salt and pepper and spread it around the chicken before putting it in the oven) corn on the cob and tomatoes. Yum. Susan brought an assortment of desserts from Whole Foods - my fav was the mini cannoli with jimmies (that's sprinkles for you Southerners).

Sunny Side Up

I took a great kayaking class on the Chesapeake today! The day started out a little rainy but we spent the morning under cover learning navigational skills and when it was time to go out on the water it was warm and sunny. We learned how to plan trips in open water, how to use a compass, read navigational charts, and how to account for tides and currents.
As we were paddling around I noticed some clever boat names. Some of my favorites: "Sunny Side Up," "Irish Wake," and "After Taxes."

No Glove, No Love

No Glove, No Love is the name of my work softball team. We play double-headers once a week. Tonight we played 'Industrial Strength' and won the first game but I had to leave a bit before the end of the second game to meet one of my friends for dinner, so I don't know how the second game turned out.
Our coach Larry is super-competitive, which I love, but some of my teammates get annoyed because they just want to have fun. My idea of fun is winning, or at least doing everything you can to try to win.
I ate dinner tonight at Chipotle with my friend Peg who just moved up to DC from Charleston. She is working as an athletic trainer at American U and has the women's soccer team this season. I definitely want to try and catch a game or two.

Marco.....Polo

It was quite the weekend! We kicked off festivities with a nice happy hour at the office. I really like the Sam Adams summer harvest brew...

On Saturday I visited my extended family in Warrenton Va. They have a beautiful home with an inviting pool in the backyard. I spent almost all day in the pool with the kids. We played Marco Polo, sharks and minnows, categories, and all the other pool favorites. Super fun. We then had a nice dinner of rosemary chicken and fresh vegetables.

Saturday night, back in DC, I went out to celebrate my friend Katherine's birthday at a mexican place in Ballston. I met some of her friends, one of whom is from Winder, GA, right outside of Athens! As luck would have it we know some of the same people. Small world.

Sunday I went to brunch at my friend Ana's apartment in Georgetown. She is such a good hostess! She served mimosas, souffle, salad with fresh figs, cucumbers and shrimp, and my friend Brooke contributed an apple pie for dessert. We walked around Georgetown for a while and Ana showed us all the bars where the Bush twins hang out. We then got pedicures...I picked OPI Pistol Packin' Pink. It's hot.

Sunday night I watched some NFL preseason and called it an early night.

Bourne Again

I can't wait to see the new Bourne movie - I hear its an action packed adventure! I also want to see the new Harry Potter and will probably see The Simpsons. I'm not a big Simpsons fan, but several of my friends are, so I will probably go. Another reason to go to movies...I am a huge fan of movie popcorn and fountain coke. I think I work out so much to compensate for my love of food that is not always healthy. Sigh.

It's hot as hell here in Va - the temperature thing in my car said 111 this afternoon. Yesterday I went running on the W&OD - a long trail that winds through northern Va, and I almost passed out. I may try to go again today but will probably end up in the cool gym on the elliptical followed by some weightlifting. Then I will go get a burrito and ruin it all.

Sweet, Sweet Summer

My friend Brooke's uncle sent her several ears of sweet Nebraska corn, and she was kind enough to share some with me!
Summer yields so many amazing vegetables, but corn may be my favorite. I'm going to serve this Nebraska corn with roast chicken and fresh tomatoes. I'm tempted to buy several ears from the local farmer's market and freeze it for the winter...but I can't think of winter right now.
I'm loving summer so much that I sleep with the windows open so I can hear the crickets and birds in the morning...maybe I should move to the country...