School starts Monday.

And I am

NOT

Ready.

The classroom is not set up. My student books are not caught up. I've got loads to do.

But that's not it....

It has been way to much fun to enjoy cooking dinner. I'm afraid I'm going to miss my free time. Time I got to use to play, and visit, and to get started planning our ward Christmas party. I'm not sure I'll ever want to give up mornings at home, and breakfasts with David.

But I am ready to teach. And to learn (patience mostly). I'm ready to serve. Because that, after all is what I do for a living. And you know what....I love my job.

So good bye summer. See you next year.

Wish me luck.

Therapy

Our garden is blowing up.

There is a cantaloupe vine in our neighbors yard.

The beans are taller than the fence.

The basil is claiming a whole corner.

The carrots look like dill (which is much bigger than carrot tops).

And the cucumbers have been producing for months.

But don't feel too bad for us...we've made pickles (5 jars), and tomato relishes (another 5 masons), and enjoyed little bowls of whatever i picked drizzled with oil or vinegar, or completely bare. I have to say I could get used to this. And the best part is that this is Florida, so I've got all year (basically) to grow.

Next will be the Squash.

And some peas.

And definitely some okra.

There is something so theraputic for me about dirty hands. And seeing something grow. And no one can argue that eating something clean and fresh isn't good for the soul.

Weekend au spectacular

You MUST start this recipe with a terrible day of work on Friday. Terrible days typically include: grumpy bosses; rained out water days, and subsequently angry children; and in this case a sustained bite (broken skin and all) to an area we'll call my 'lower abdomen', but in reality was in a place I was embarrassed to even show my husband).

Once the terrible work day is over simmer in the car for about the distance to the South Stake center and youth conference '09. By the time you get there you should be able to peel the stress filled day (but not the bite mark) away with little effort.

Add :
a best friend
300 youth
some tunes- in this case "Bad to the bone", and a couple Vanilla Ice classics.
a heaping plate of a taco salad for dinner
an always delightful chat with Major Babe, followed immediately a hug that smells on you all night
and a pinch of an awkward moment when a youth hits on you at the dance.

At this point in the recipe, it's important to make some phone calls, and hurry back to Jacksonville to catch up with it's newest residents and their (and my) fabulous family.

*Keep an eye on the bite- any redness or swelling should be seen by a doctor (don't worry, I skipped this step).

Add:

Olive Garden appetizers
The sweetest niece and nephew you can find
A wonderful father, accompanied by a fabulous sister and brother in law.
And if you have it-another super cute sister and her also super cute roommate.

Let that marinate over night.

Then add:

A perfect morning
Your new favorite arts market (under a bridge)
Turkey sandwiches on croissants
A successful move of two girls things into their 1st apartment
A tearful good bye

Again let it marinate over night, then add:

A cantaloupe from the garden, and dad's oh-so-yummy omelette's
Church in an old ward, filled with old friends.
A baby blessing for the besties firstborn
Fathers blessings, and an apartment dedication
And another tearful goodbye.

*the bite will now be ready to be ignored. Don't worry, the worst part is over.

There it is, my weekend spectacular recipe. What ingredients did you use for yours?