When it Rains... It Pours

Baltimore is a great place to live. One of things I have liked the most this summer is the rain. It doesn't just rain here, it pours! Its like nothing I have ever seen, seen on a regular basis, that is. It goes something like this...

The clouds change. (Living downtown with buildings right next to each other makes it a little hard to see the great-big sky sometimes, but the light in our apartment changes and you know its coming.) It begins with a slight sprinkle which lasts about 15 seconds and then WHAM! Its like the clouds open right up and pour out everything they've got. It lasts a long time too. Its not like a normal cloudburst where it rains for 5 minutes and then slows to a sprinkle again. No, no. It unleashes copious amounts of rain for 30 minutes or more and then - done.

A few weeks back, we had the Elders over for dinner and as we were going down to the car for Jon to take them home, the cycle started. The clouds changed and within a very short time it was pouring. I really don't know what came over me, but I suddenly had the urge to get soaking wet.

Ingrid - I missed you so so much. I knew you would be out there with me, stomping in the puddles, dancing with arms wide open.

(I apologize for the wet t-shirt like pics that follow. If you are easily offended, do not continue reading.)
As it was, Sis was the only taker. Initially she couldn't believe what I was doing, but she came around and we spent a good 40 minutes in a torrential downpour. The alley behind our house was streaming with ankle deep rainwater. We were, quite literally, soaked to the skins. She kept turning to me saying, "Mom this is the best time of my life! I want to remember this forever."

When E arrived home with Jon he came out and played bringing Jack along. It just kept on raining and raining and raining. I have to say, it was one of the most carefree things I have done in ages. I felt like a kid again. And when all was said and done, after warm showers and clean jammies, my kids went to bed with smiles on their faces and loads of new memories in their precious brains.

A Little Favor

My sister in Cincy sent this to me. Pretty funny. I like to think that one day that could be me hosting a garden club meeting at my home in Italy or Greece. Bunch of crazy old ladies.

Thought I'd share it with all of you.

Hi MY BEST FRIEND!!! It's that time of the year again." I need a small favor... if it's not too much trouble. I wouldn't ask this if you were not such a good friend. I'm going away on vacation, and I need a friend to come over to water my plants while I'm gone. The plants are mostly geraniums and begonias. In the hot weather they'll probably only need water twice a day. I'll be gone only 21 days. I've attached a photo for your reference. I'll send you a post card OK? Thanks so much.

P.S. The ladder is in the garage.

Presto! Pesto

It's that time of year again. Basil is growing aplenty in my small garden and that means pesto in this house.
Last nights' dinner was simple and scrumptious. Multi-grain pasta with homemade pesto topped with parmesan. I wish I could afford real Parmigiano-Reggiano, but alas...

I made enough for dinner + more for the rest of the week.

Here's the pesto recipe:

2 cups fresh basil, rinsed

1/4 cup pinenuts

1/4 cup parm. cheese

couple tsp. of lemon juice

1 glove garlic

Throw above in a food processor and blend. While mixing, add oil until smooth, maybe a minute.

1/4 cup olive oil

kosher salt and ground pepper

Combine with cooked pasta, s&p to taste, top with more cheese. Enjoy! Couldn't be simpler.

(I like to add more cheese and nuts in the mix. Just a personal preference.)

I just love its beautiful bright green color. (This pic, courtesy of my phone, doesn't do it justice.)