Some Happy Scribbles...

childlike fun, in-law-approved recipes, summer books and tunes!

Hello everyone!

We had an uneventful week around here until I tested positive for Covid this morning, which resulted in a flurry of emails and texts, as well as tests for the rest of the family, who are all symptom-free and negative (so far!).

I’ve just got a scratchy throat and slightly achy chest, and will spend the next few days in my bedroom, with the two dogs to keep me company, and an ambitious goal to get some serious writing done. We’ll see how that goes - having Covid is distracting!

Before I go on, I want to acknowledge the grim, senseless tragedies that occurred in America this week. I know we’re all figuring out how to feel and react, and while I would never presume to tell anyone what to do, I didn’t want to send a lighthearted email about happy moments and ignore the fact that for many people, this week has brought only unimaginable grief and pain.

With lots of love to you,
Amelia

Childlike Fun!

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

Something I can’t stop thinking – and smiling – about, was last weekend’s “parent field day” at my son’s school, which I will admit, I was skeptical about in advance. But when a bunch of adults in our 30’s and 40’s convened on a hot and sunny afternoon to don team t-shirts and compete in a variety of races (sack, egg and spoon, hamster wheel, AND three-legged); throw balls at the head of school to propel him into a dunk tank, and generally act like overgrown kids, something truly magical happened: we had pure, unadulterated, old-fashioned FUN!

There was no point being self-conscious because we all looked ridiculous: being silly was the order of the day. Cheering, whooping, and clapping wholeheartedly for our teammates (and ruthlessly heckling our opponents) was joyous. I felt young, at least until the next day, when I woke up with sore legs and a hoarse throat.

As I reflected on this, I happened upon not one, but two, pieces in the NY Times this week on (much) older people living their best lives: runners over 90 and “grandfluencers;” who advise that to stay engaged in life, we should keep moving, do what we love, and don’t be afraid to look silly: I’m inspired!

Novel Line Up

I’m nearly finished Book Lovers by Emily Henry, which is fast-paced and full of satisfying twists, so have been looking around for new reads. Up next for me is “Olympus, Texas” by Stacey Swann and “This Time Tomorrow” by Emma Straub.

I heard about Olympus, Texas on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast (episode below - skip to the end to hear this author). Emma Straub’s conversation with Terri Gross on NPR convinced me to check out her book, even though I typically don’t like time-travel stories…

Mother-in-Law Approved Recipes

My wonderful in-laws, Bud and Susie, came to stay with us last weekend, which meant I got to cook for them!

They (and the kids) loved this Mediterranean salad with hummus from Cook Like a Pro by Ina Garten, which is actually half-dip / half salad. It’s pictured below with toasted tortillas, but we served it with regular corn chips. In addition to being delicious, it’s fast, cheap, and easy.

Now that the parsley is flourishing in my herb garden again, I’ve started making chimichurri to add to fish, chicken, steak, and grilled veggies.

Sometimes when I’m lazy, I put it on a bowl of rice for lunch. I love it so much I could eat it with a spoon! Here’s the recipe I use to make 3/4 cup which will keep in the fridge for at least a week.

Chimichurri

3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup parsley leaves and stems
½ cup fresh oregano leaves *sometimes I skip the oregano and use more parsley
½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

On a cutting board, smash and coarsely chop the garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash the mixture using the side of your knife until a coarse paste forms. Move the paste to the side of the cutting board, then chop the parsley and oregano together with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Combine the garlic paste and the chopped herbs and chop and mash until the herbs are bruised and fragrant. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the red-pepper flakes, black pepper, vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil; stir to combine.

This Year’s Early Summer Anthem

We love a good summer anthem around our house, Jim especially.

There are so many great ones, and they’re all happiness-inducing. Well, maybe not quite all - who can forget the never-ending summer of Call Me Maybe…?!

One of my summer party favorites is “Raise Your Glass” by Pink. Best line: “Don’t be fancy, just get dancey.”

And as we start to get closer to proper summer weather here, I’m loving “Sunroof” by Nicky Youre to get in the mood for long, lazy, days and hot summer nights!

Viewing Plans!

And finally, Teddy has been counting down to the release of the latest season of Stranger Things (it’s out today!) and I’m looking forward to seeing the new Top Gun movie at the cinema - when I’m out of isolation! I should have plenty of time to rewatch the original over these next few days while I’m home…