Things to Read - Book Reviews from a Budding Kindergartner

The Arlington library system is hosting a summer reading program for kids this summer. If a child reads and reviews at least 10 books he/she wins a prize (click here for more info). P's "reviews" amuse me.



The Gruffalo - I liked it because the mouse was really smart and he tricked everybody - it was really cool.



Animation Magic - It was really good, it teached [taught] me how they make movies, they have a lot of cool stuff.



The Magic School Bus: Inside The Human Body - It was good and funny. I learned that blood doesn't really look like the blood in books.



The Stranger - It was medium, I kind of liked it and I kind of didn't. I liked the little girl but the book was weird.



Otto: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear - It was good, I liked the bear but the little boys made me sad, though I liked that his friend came back.



The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - I liked it A LOT because it was so adventurous and because the boy broke the witch's wand so everybody would stop turning to stone.



King Hugo's Huge Ego - It was good because he learned to be nice. and I liked the smart girl.



Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad -I liked it because they had a playdate and they played a lot of different games.

Places to Go (Vacation) - New Orleans, Part II - Swamp Tour & Plantation Tour

So for reasons I'm still trying to work out, I thought spending the morning on a swamp sounded like a great idea. After all, we don't have swamps in Northern Virginia. Plus, I wanted to see the bayou, probably because I've watched Princess and the Frog SO MANY times. On the tour I discovered that tight spaces full of quicksand-like mud and baby alligators sort of freak me out. Now I know.

Apparently, tons of people live off the grid in the New Orleans' wetlands, surviving on alligators, wild hog, fish, and other various wildlife. Who knew? As I'm sort of obsessed with off the grid life, I find this interesting, though it's hard to learn about the details as swamp people don't write as many books as hippies from Brooklyn who just bought a farm.



I also learned that TLC makes a whole show called Swamp People, most people on our tour were huge fans of said show, they kept yelling "GET THE GATOR!!" at the top of their lungs. I kid you not. Don't worry - no alligators were harmed, Captain Bob just fed them large amounts of marshmallows and raw chicken.



After the swamp tour, we decided to switch gears (plus, we only had the rental car for one day) and tour the Laura plantation. So creepy to think anyone ever thought slavery was morally acceptable. The tour, however, was really interesting. Lots of info on the family that used to live there and daily life in the late 1800s - from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

Things to Make - Gazpacho with Goat Cheese

This is my go-to summer recipe. It's super easy and sort of addictive in hot weather.

INGREDIENTS:

1 red or yellow bell pepper
1 medium onion
1 large cucumber or 2 small ones
5-7 medium tomatoes
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt
Goat Cheese

Liquify the veggies in a blender or food processor. Mix in the lemon juice and salt to taste. Refrigerate until cold. Spoon into bowls. Top with goat cheese crumbles.
________________

What do you like to eat during summer heat waves?

Places to Go (Vacation) - A House in the Garden District (New Orleans, LA)

A few months ago, at F's grade school auction, we "won" five nights at an 125 year old house in New Orleans' garden district. At the time, I didn't know much about the garden district or New Orleans in general (I'd only been once before, with my mom when I was in my twenties, and we had a great time), but I really needed a vacation, so I bid. and bid. okay, basically i stood in front of the table assuring that nobody outbid me.

Finally, school ended, Dan's parents offered to take the kids, and Dan and I boarded a plane. BY OURSELVES!! Luckily, the house (which you can also check out and rent here) was in a fabulous location - right off Magazine Street (which is full of indy boutiques and restaurants) and only a few blocks from the St. Charles street car (which takes you right to the french quarter).

Without the kids everything seemed so QUIET. I had forgotten quiet like that even exists. For the first two days I played music nonstop to block it out. Then we adjusted. And relaxed. And drank tons of new, exciting cocktails while listening to live jazz. And I took photos, because that's what I do.

Happy Monday everyone!!



The house had a great little porch - perfect for a game of cards and a cold glass of wine. People watching in New Orleans is a whole new level of entertainment.

Things to Do - Contemplate the Wonder of Electricity

Sorry about the lack of posts lately. We spent a week on vacation and upon returning home we lost power for two days/three nights (just like millions of other families). So we camped out with friends and family as the kids reveled in nightly "sleepovers" with playmates and cousins. And, despite several moments of frustration, the whole experience ended up being pretty fun - I finally saw multiple episodes of Girls (which is hysterically funny and almost too realistic a reminder of what it feels like to be 20-something), I ate a ton of meat from "happy animals" (which had been stored in our rapidly defrosting freezer), I drank glass after glass of champagne, I read two books, I watched F finally conquer the diving board, and I basically relaxed.

Usually spontaneity and I do not get along, but under adverse circumstances, we can work well together.

RANDOM LINKS:

*Can't stop listening to this mellow summer mix.

*Crochet playgrounds.

*I know the 4th of July is over, but I love this easy fireworks craft.

*Is farm lit the new chick lit?

*Donut hole skewers. Yum.