Random Strangeness

The girls have been back to school for about a week now.  So far, things seem to be going well - we are managing to get off in the mornings without the prerequisite craziness that became the norm last year.  Homework is getting done for the most part.  Between JP and myself, we are getting the girls to and from their after school activities on time.  Whew!

L has Algebra this year.  3 years ago, when J took Algebra, she was spending 2-3 hours nightly on homework.  It was a BAD year from a Math standpoint, but I've already blogged about that and moved on.  L has been spending at least 2 hours nightly "doing Algebra homework."  The quotes are meant to imply that she is not actually focusing on the homework.  I'm convinced that it wouldn't take her as long if she could focus!

JP recently bought a couple of Echo Dots and rigged them up in different rooms of the house.  It has been kind of fun asking Alexa questions, playing games, and having her play songs on a whim.  Last night, she started playing Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" out of the blue.  Tonight she says she isn't connected, all the while playing music from Pandora.  Perhaps Alexa is ill?

At work today, I moved into my 6th office space since December.  I am on my own again, which has been kinda nice.  I will move again in a few weeks, and this should be my permanent office.  I will be sharing with one of the NPs at that time.

My garden, which has normally been my pride and joy, has been quite an embarrassment this year.  It is more weeds than anything.  My 2 beds of corn grew a total of about 20 stalks, but at least we'll get a taste.  The tomatoes are producing well, and I have been making and canning pasta sauce about twice a week for the past 3 weeks.

We have also been eating a lot of tomatoes.  On Tuesday we had Pasta with Pesto alla Trapanese.  On Wednesday, we had tomato pie.  Tonight we had the Trapanese again because we like it so much!

The makings of my pesto:  cherry tomatoes, pine nuts,
garlic, purple & green basil & one pepperoncini.

JP has been reading a book recently about eating insects.  He informed me last night that Tomato Horn Worms are edible and delicious.  They creep me out, and I decline to even try one, thanks anyway.  Check out this person's post about it:   http://www.greatlakespermaculture.org/?p=260.

That is enough random strangeness for one post.  I must go and be productive!

Back to the Books

As has been our tradition for the past several years, we took another week of vacation at the 11th hour right before school started back in session.

We spent part of a day at Meadowcroft, where we threw the atlatl and tomahawk, visited a one room schoolhouse and blacksmith shop from the 19th century, and the rockshelter that housed early humans 16,000 years ago.

L was the only one who actually
 hit the target with her tomahawk

Later, we travelled East to visit JP's sister and BIL outside of Philadelphia.  The girls and I went into the city for an afternoon - walked through China Town, and the historic district in Philly, and bought items for dinner at the Italian Market.

The last few days were spent in back to school shopping and last minute doctor appointments.  L had her first middle school soccer practice on Wednesday, and both girls were up bright and early for school on Thursday.

We have had a wonderfully relaxing weekend, full of good food (homemade pasta and fresh sauce; salted caramel praline ice cream; apple pie with chocolate, caramel and bourbon; curry soup) and rest.

I spent several hours working in the garden, and a little time working in my flower bed.  I will discuss that more at another time, but I did manage to pick this little bouquet.

Blooming now:  zinnias, mums, Russian sage, mint

L has her first soccer game on Tuesday, so more photos to come.  I hope you are enjoying your transitions to Fall as well.