Just a Minute: July

traveling...We went on a few weekend trips this month. The first was down to Indianapolis, so that Nathan could play in a soccer tournament. Luckily, his team didn't do all that well on Sunday, so we were able to get back on the road long before the last team headed onto the pitch. While in Indy, I hung out with one of my favorite longtime friends who is 8-months along and helped entertain her son and met another good friend for lunch so I could meet her 6-month-old. Last weekend we headed to Texas. In July. A big group of family including my sisters, parents, a great uncle and 2nd and 3rd cousins, mosquitoes that blanketed you the moment you stepped outside, and a smack* of jellyfish all met at the beach for a long weekend. Against all the odds, (and despite sleeping on a pullout couch in the main room, where all the people and mosquitoes gathered), it was a good time. 

*Did you know a herd of jellyfish is called a smack? Me neither. I had to look it up. Also, just so you know, a group of flies are a business.

 

planning…This weekend I mentioned to Nathan that I'd like to start trying to eat less meat and up my vegetable intake (he's really good at eating tons of vegetables...of course he just eats tons in general). I just have a hard time thinking of good go-to meals that don't always include meat in them. I mentioned that I might get a couple of good cookbooks for inspiration. I have read some really good things about these two, so I've put in an order on Amazon.

reading…Just finished Treasure Island!!! The main character really reminded me of the narrating character, Ignatius, from A Confederacy of Dunces though she was a bit more likeable. I always have trouble with satires because the narrating characters are such blissfully awful people that they start to make me nervous that I am equally blissfully awful. It did have some moments that actually made me laugh out loud, and I am a tough nut when it comes to actual audible laughing while reading.

listening to…I just discovered Poliça and Of Monsters and Men, and I am basically listening to both of them on a continuous loop. Check out Lay Your Cards Out and Wandering Star by Poliça and Little Talks and King and Lionheart from Of Monsters and Men.



making...Bought some radishes from the farmer's market last weekend and decided to pickle them at about 7 pm on Sunday night. When the muse takes you, you just have to give in. Had to wait 24 hours until they were officially pickled, but they were pretty tasty last night. I think they'd be the perfect topping to a barbeque pork sandwich. I used a jalapeno in this recipe, and if I made it again, I'd add a second.

baking...This grilled flatbread recipe from Tartine was in a recent Bon Appetit magazine I read, and I've had it on my mind for awhile. I made the dough yesterday, and I'm planning to grill it tonight. My thought is to use some of the somewhat shriveled apricots and plums we have in our crisper, kale, and caramelized onions along with a leftover from Sunday night fig, mint, and basil sauce (from this dish) on top. We'll see how it turns out. Honestly, the sauce is so tasty I'd probably happily eat cardboard coated in it.