weekend recap, may 20
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 06:44AM 
1. family portrait | 2. nice view | 3. storm moves in | 4. hike time | 5. countdown | 6. friday night not-takeout | 7. - 9. rainy saturday | 10. hitting lesson | 11. neighborhood lovelies | 12. weekend reading | 13. - 15. watching over Miss Violet | 16. strawberry fields | 17. pimms | 18. spoons | 19. latin | 20. garden center | 21. sunday work | 22. kitchen beauty | 23. gifts from friends | 24. frittata
I have to start our weekend recap way back on Thursday night and brag on Neel just a little bit. He was inducted into a medical honor society (despite not being a physician) along with several other colleagues and some members of the graduating class where he teaches. He was chosen by the students as a sign of their respect for him, and we're so proud of him. We all went to the dinner and it was so lovely to have all these young men and women come up to us and sing Neel's praises (although now we have to live with him!), and really, really good for Callum to see all of these super-smart, super high achieving medical students about to embark to places far and wide for exciting residencies.
Neel spent all day Saturday at graduation and apparently that was less fun.
Got my absolutely necessary weekly hike in with my friend Tracy on Friday. She means the world to me and these hikes do too. She'll be in California for the summer, and I'm not sure what I'll do without her. Drag Cal out there maybe. It just won't be the same! As I was driving home, I felt strangely energized, so I swung into the grocery store and grabbed the stuff to make us scallops for dinner. Scallops are one of my favorites, and they intimidate the hell out of me (I know, I know). But you know? I did okay. I'd definitely do these again, and they'll get better with tweaking. While Neel was at graduation, Cal went hitting and I went grocery magazine shopping. Home runs this month, for both.
We found some strawberries in the front yard and I'm drinking Pimms (for research) and a friend of Callum's came over for some mad wicked games of Spoons. It was a pretty lovely Saturday night.
We worked and played on Sunday. Homework winding up, computer work and yard work ramping up. Callum had to look up 161 vocabulary words for his science class, and that felt like a lot so we let him do them in front of a baseball game and The Bad News Bears.
And things seem to be changing for our Violet. We knew it was inevitable, so we're watching this happen with both sadness and acceptance, I guess. It's nothing major, just some behavioral and physical shifts. Neel's going to chat with our vet to see if there's anything we can do for her, especially since he has to go out of town this week. We want to be sure she stays comfortable more than anything, and I keep telling her to let me know. Right now her tail is still wagging and her eyes are still bright, and that's all we're going to focus on.
So hold our little girl in the light, and hold my boy in the light too. Cross your fingers that as you're reading this his braces are coming OFF!
Reader Comments (8)
That's so exciting that Cal is having his braces off, that will be such a relief for him.
And what is Pimms research for exactly??
Poor V :(
So much to say about this post as it is chock full of highs and lows. YAY, Callum. Can't wait to see that stunning braces free smile. YAY, Neel! Did his head grow three sizes that day?!? You know summer always goes by too fast so you'll be hiking again before you know it. Frittata...we were on the same wavelength there... ours was asparagus and ricotta with a siracha aioli...what was yours? And, Violet, I am so sorry. I think dogs know and they start to say their goodbyes and all you can do is be present for her.
I'm constantly holding miss V in the light, don't you worry about that. She is such a sweet soul, it's hard not to. I'm surprised you are intimidated by scallops! That doesn't seem like you at all. I've made them once I think, but I inevitably over-cook them because I hate when the insides taste slimy at all. The first time I ever had scallops was at a wedding with my dad, the butlered hors d'oeuvres were bacon wrapped scallops and I was just housing them like candy, thinking it was potatoes. Probably not a testament to the quality of the cooking or the scallops themselves, but my dad had to point out that it was scallops. Ahem. xo
your scallop dinner looks so yummy! I happen to love them too (fried - not fried not so much). So exciting for Cal getting his braces off. I bet that is going to feel wonderful and look smashing. I need to get some put on someday because my bite has shifted over the years. But I just think kids are tougher, it sounds so torturous to me.
Sorry to hear about Miss Violet :( Keep her comfy and I will keep her (and you all) in my thoughts. xoxo
Awww...so many good things in this post and then the news about Violet. I will continue to send good thoughts. How lucky she is to have you in her life and for your family to care SO much for her. Sweet pup.
Congrats to Neel and to Callum! Woohoo!
I, too, am intimidated by scallops...they are so easy to overcook!
As far as hiking goes...I am all in for that on friday mornings (after 10 am when I drop Kona off to daycare)...since I usually take the day off from running to prepare for a long run on Saturday morning. So, hit me up, why don't you?
Hugs!
Liz
Congratulations to Neel! I can understand why you would want to brag on him. I'm reading Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and there's a whole chapter in the book about mentors - Attracting a good mentor and how to be a good mentor. I'm thinking Neel perfectly fits the latter.
Well, good on you for making scallops. I do love them, yet I've never had enough courage to cook them myself. They do require a bit of skill, right? Catching them at just the precise moment so they don't overcook. I bet yours were delicious.
Yay to Callum getting his braces off!! Just in time for summer. Speaking of summer, we've got wonderful hiking trails out here. Just saying.
PS~Shining so much light on V. xo
Yay Neel!! That is such an honour.
Oh Lauren... Sadness, and acceptance. Sending you love dear friend... and hoping that Violet is comfortable xx
Congrats to Neel and my heart goes out to all of you for Miss Violet. And Cal sure does look handsome without his braces!