Summer 2015: Here and Now

Well, that was an unintended, REALLY LONG break from blogging. And my last entry really was a bit of a downer, yes?

Quite a bit has happened since I last blogged (we bought a house! I began and ended my first year return to the world of high school teaching! Amelia began and finished first grade! Darryl ran races like he's Forrest Gump! Darryl and I went to the Rose Bowl! We all went to Baton Rouge for Spring Break! and more! so much more!), and the truth is, if I had taken the mindset that I needed to recap all that, then I would never blog again, because OVERWHELMING. So I am just going to start with the Here and Now.

Literally, right now, I am sitting on our screened-in back porch, drinking coffee. This is pretty much going to be my morning routine this summer.

(Dear Neighbor, it is way too early to be running your lawn mower. Thank you.)

This screened-in porch is about 85% of the reason I loved this house when we saw it (I love other things about it, too, of course), and this past weekend, I have been reading and napping on this porch like it's my job. Granted, I realize that in a few weeks (heck, maybe even as soon as next week), it is going to be too hot to be out here any time after 7 a.m., but I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

Also, at the beginning of summer, my domestic goddess-ness comes out in full force, as though I am apologizing for the lack of home-cooked meals I've produced in the last six weeks. (Don't judge unless you are a teacher who knows what the post-Spring-Break school year is like. It is both a marathon AND a sprint.) And after watching several Barefoot Contessa cooking shows yesterday, I have never been more inspired to make pesto in my life. I'll keep you posted.

Also, Here and Now, Darryl is showing off his mad carpentry skills (that I was not aware he had) by building some built-in bookcases on both sides of our fireplace. Amelia is assisting at times.

I'm looking forward to the summer days ahead. We have a few things on the agenda -- a family trip to Lake Tahoe, a trip for me to visit my parents for a few days, a possible girls' trip with my friend Rebecca -- but other than that, my plans include the pool, reading, and catching up on some TV. (I think The Good Wife is going to be my official "binge-watch" show of Summer 2015.)

(Technically, I'm not completely finished with school. I have post-planning this week. Womp womp.)

I'm hoping that my blogging mojo will continue, but if not, maybe I will at least blog again before Amelia graduates from high school. Just kidding...I think. :-)