on the coast

The last time I spent a July 4th weekend in Wilmington, it was the summer of our move to Indiana.  I'll be leaving North Carolina for Indy for the second time in a few short weeks, so it only seemed appropriate that I drive down to Wilmington for the holiday.

There's been jumping in the backyard.

Followed by a nap.

Lindsey singing in the car.

And some quality time on the swing in the shade.

~RLM

a girl and her baguette

Yesterday, I bought a loaf of bread for the first time in nine months.

I was craving the simple lunches of hot European summers; the baguette sandwiches, fresh fruit, and icy chocolate milkshakes that comforted sweltering Greek afternoons.  We've got our own heat wave going on here in NC, and the buttery crunch of a Whole Foods baguette was merely the first step in recreating yet another favorite memory of hellasgood times.

Thick slices of herbed turkey, a handful of delicious white nectarines, a glass bottle of local chocolate milk, and a tiny pint of organic bourbon vanilla gelato also found their way into my basket, along with a long, thick loaf of french bread.

Lunch yesterday was blissful, after a few hot hours melting in the sun at the pool.  A creamy barely-chocolate millkshake, sliced fruit, and a tiny sandwich - turkey nestled between slices of baguette slathered with salted butter.  Perfection.

And then this morning, for breakfast, toast drizzled with local honey, accompanying my cup of tea.  Just like all those mornings in Athens the first two years, when bread with honey was our poor girl breakfast strategy.  A loaf of fresh bread from the bakery down the street was $0.50, while the honey came in tiny bottles from an old man in the mountains. 

I've decided. If I can't be in Greece, I can at least try to enjoy the things I'm able to recreate at home.  Now if I could only find Coke in glass bottles, I'd be set.

~RLM

swell

Woke up early, to beat the heat, and the crowds at the state farmer's market.

Did a bit of jumpity in the parking lot, in my overalls.

Felt good to be up before most of the college parts of the city. At 9am the streets are deserted on a Saturday morning.

Came home with the most awesome tiny yellow tomatoes.

And beautiful red romas, another quart of blueberries, two pounds of peaches, plus five ears of corn.

All for $10.

The heat index peaked around 110 today, so I didn't venture out again.  Instead, I settled in with some reading, while the tomatoes roasted in the oven, bubbling into a wonderful sauce.  The peaches went into a brown buttered cobbler, to wake me up before classes this next week.

Its still study central around here, but I needed a bit of a break. A few hours in the kitchen, being productive in an entirely more fulfilling manner, and I'm feeling much better about tackling the last of this week's work...and am now running off to write another paper.

~RLM

a nice summer...sweater?

It is currently 65 degrees and rainy outside, perfect weather for the debut of a recent handknit.  I was hoping this would see more sundress + cute sandal action, but it seems that chilly morning art history lectures may be more realistic for the time being.

I finished knitting this over a month ago but never got around to weaving in the ends.  Seeing that the forecast for today was going to be cold and wet (again), I sat down last night to finish things up.

The pattern is Liesl by the incredibly talented Ysolda (of Ishbel design fame).  It was a fast and easy knit, considering there are no sleeves and the feather and fan stitch is simple to memorize.  Everything I could hope for in a cute accessory.  The Malabrigo worsted was once meant for the February Lady Sweater that never happened.  I *love* this shade of blue and thankfully have enough yarn left in the stash for a long-sleeved cardigan Liesl that will be perfect for an Indiana autumn.

On Ravelry

~RLM

** I'm writing this from the art history section of the library (note yesterday's face down photo), where I have claimed a carrel overlooking the parking lot.  I am not allowed to leave this space until I have finished the assignment we have due tomorrow. It could be awhile. **

face down tuesday

Last week, on the heels of bench Monday and lacking 365 inspiration, one of my flickr tweeps came up with the brilliant idea of facedown Tuesday.

Which is how I ended up sprawled on the floor of the Meredith library at noon on a Tuesday.

Coming off a stressful morning - my 2.4 mile commute took 45 minutes due to the road outside my apartment being flooded by the early monsoon - and a three hour lecture, lying face down in the art history section only seemed appropriate.

The fact that this photo will probably be the highlight of my week is a clear indicator that I am, in fact, losing it.

~RLM

two mondays

Summer school began last Monday. I haven't had much of a life since then.

My week was a hectic blur of early morning classes, hundreds of pages of readings, and crashing into sleep at 10pm each evening.

This week doesn't promise much better. I spent the weekend writing a take home exam, with just a tiny escape Saturday morning to the farmer's market. I broke out my stash of summer skirts this morning.  It feels good to have that familiar flounce around my ankles. 

I'm thinking a siesta will become a necessary part of each day.  In Athens, mesimerianos was the savior of a sweltering afternoon, and in these intensive summer sessions, they may be the only way I survive.

~RLM