so hard

God bless those--and their families--who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Hope it's been a day filled with whatever means the most to you.

welcome to the jungle

My very indoor cats spend half their time staring longingly out the window--like they're somehow being tortured by having to live inside with me (get over it, gatos negros). So every now and then I leave the backdoor open for them to sniff the air, stare-down dragonflies, and creep around the yard--as if the St. Augustine grass is actually the Serengeti.

Some whisker shots from this lazy Saturday afternoon ....

blue bell summer berries

If binging on it is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Holy Cow from Brenham. They've done it again.

From the Blue Bell Ice Cream website:

Summer Berries - Brown Rim
A very berry-licious flavor! A refreshing, citrus ice cream mixed with strawberries, blueberries and swirls of raspberry and blackberry sauces.

If you're in The Great State (or any other lucky place where Blue Bell is sold), buy some. And drop a bunch o' berries on top. Bliss in a bowl.

heroes

Remembering those who paid the ultimate price in protecting our freedom.

Happy Memorial Day weekend.

benvenuto, black swallowtails!

When I moved from Houston to College Station a few years back, one of the things I missed most was our butterfly garden at the school where I taught. Watching it grow and flourish--seemingly daily--was a wonder. From beginning to end (not that there ever was an end), we dreamed, planned, purchased, planted, and nurtured the perfect home for countless caterpillars and butterflies (and more than a few aphids). I also developed a love, bordering on obsession, for caterpillars and butterflies.

When I arrived home from work about an hour ago I went through the usual routine: Kick off heels, open the mail, feed obnoxiously vocal cats, pour a glass of happiness, then head out back to water the plants.

That's when I saw them: BLACK SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLARS! On my Italian parsley! First one ... then two ... then three! I swear it felt like Christmas eve. There's something totally moving about knowing those plants out there are hosting some of the most amazing creatures alive. I'm hoping like hell they do their chrysalis boogie someplace close where I can find 'em.

My cup runneth over :).

The pot o' parsley, aka, "Swallowtail 'hood:"

The first visitor I spied:

Numbers two & three:

Tonight's house special: Italian parsley
Maybe in their new lives they'll pose for another photo session?

potenza!

I've sufficiently recovered from the travel day from hell; so I thought I'd turn around some of the lousy energy and recall a super restauarnt I enjoyed in Washington, DC: Potenza. I have yet to be disappointed with any eatery in The District; but Potenza offered the perfect antidote to a long and laborious day, filled with brain drain.

Approaching the bar, restaurant, & bakery from the street, the first scene you're likely to notice is the clearly adept culinary pros preparing Italian sandwiches--made to order--just off the patio. Folks walked right up to these guys, ordered their sammy, then took it to go. Love it! Not the greatest photos, but you get the idea:

The restaurant was packed inside, so we decided to eat at their bar. I'm typically not a "bar-eater," but the friendly and knowledgeable bartenders made doing so at Potenza a thoroughly satisfying experience. I actually think our bar dining ended up being more festive than what we'd have experienced had we chosen a table.

I enjoyed a couple of Bina Bellinis--a blend of white peaches, Italian Vodka and Prosecco (yum, right?) and Fusilli al Ragu d'Agnello--cork screw pasta with spring lamb, pine nuts, mint, and shaved bianco sardo cheese. Both were amazing.


Next time you're in D.C., check it out. It's good stuff.

i'm not leaving, on a jet plane

Apparently planes aren't allowed to fly when "an indicator light" comes on. Blah blah blah. The protocol, instead, is to force the passengers to sit on the runway for an hour, eventually circle the aircraft back to the gate, offer to play the in-flight movie early for all of the folks stuck on the now grounded bird, then finally de-board the plane, only to announce (after 2 additional hours) that the wait-time will be at least 6 more hours ... at least.

As I sit here in the Baltimore airport with nothing to do but stew in frustration, I decided to photographically capture the irritation that currently surrounds me. I'm sorry ... my once shiny-happy blog has recently become somewhat a bastion of negativity. In the meantime, I bring you: Hell, as seen from Gate D-14 at BWI.

The sign says "Houston." Don't be fooled. This crappy plane isn't going anywhere.
One of several of the wheelchairs a couple of passengers miraculously seemed to "need" once they found out that being confined to one automatically brings you to the front of the line.
My worthless Boarding Pass
Unhappy passengers, waiting in the unending and unhelpful line of unfriendly gate attendants.
These are our pilots. They look unfazed, right? I've figured out it's because there's a fun & restful place where pilots are allowed to hang-out during situations like this. Me? Not so much.

Next time I'm going to do what Texans do well: Ride a horse.

buenos monday

Back in the saddle again.

The students are all gone (at least 'til the summer session starts), which means: I scored very choice parking.

This morning's latte was exceptionally creamy.

After a nasty, miserable, stinky hiatus, the office AC is working.

I'm feeling recharged & rejuvenated.

Despite the impending prop planes/puddle jumpers in my all-too-near future, it's going to be a good week (and gosh darnit, people like me)!

sweet little egg hangout

Giada has used one of these guys in a few of her episodes, and I think it's darling (reminds me of the fab berry baskets I snagged at MySparrow a while back).

So this morning when I saw one on yet another Food Network show--at the risk of being too kitchen trendy--I had to have one for myself. Lo and behold, Bell'occhio carries them!

Can't wait for mine to arrive.

i miss you, blog

sign by Etsy seller, cinnamonandhill

Home.

For a few days, anyway.

I'm tired. And frustrated. And wanting. And missing my family.

It's all worth it, huh? Right now I'm feeling like it's not. And I have a lump in my throat. Wish I could blame it on hormones; but I don't think that's the case.

(talk about a pity party)

Going to make a gin & tonic, draw a hot bath, watch Lost, and close my eyes. I know I'm blessed; but sometimes it's really hard.

" ... and the wisdom to know the difference."

¡felicidades!