A Day Off

E and I now have a tradition--each school year we take one "vacation day" to go do fun things together. This year we hung out on campus for most of the day. Here are a few of the highlights: playing at the park, going to a musuem, bowling at the Union, swimming at the campus rec center, and eating at a delicious cafe. It was a great day.

My Boy Homie

This is my little boy, Homie. "Homie" is the name he came with. The police of a nearby small town took Homie into custody after he was found living with a homeless man. The man was carrying him around in a plastic grocery bag and Homie was apparently in pretty bad shape. From there he went into a foster home connected with a shelter, and that's where we came into the picture. A few months prior to our adoption of Homie we had unexpectedly lost our little gray cat, Pickles, due to a sudden and virulent strain of pneumonia (which he did not have until he was taken to the vet for a urinary issue--three days after he was taken to the vet he was dead of pneumonia--none of our other 5 cats got it, which leads me to believe he picked it up at the vet's office where he stayed the weekend). So a few months after Pickles' death I spotted this adorable gray cat on PetFinder and saw that he lived within driving distance from me. There was just something about his photo and his story that really connected with me and off we went. He has since proven himself to be a fine addition to our family. He is my faithful shadow, following me from room to room. He's also a "foot attacker" if you happen to move your feet around under the bed covers when he is within pouncing range. He's one of the few cats I've ever known who "smiles."

I took Pickles' death hard, probably because he was so young and it was so unexpected. I truly believe that I was meant to find Homie. He helped me heal. I've often wondered, though, about the homeless man who was his first owner. Where is he now? Was he bereft to have Homie taken from him? I hope he is O.K., wherever he is...

Strawberry Peach Crisp

Tonight's dessert--Strawberry Peach Crisp, made with fresh strawberry's from our local farmers' market. I used the recipe found here http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Strawberry-Crisp-115590
I added some cut up canned peaches when I discovered that I was a bit short on strawberries. Super yummy with some vanilla ice cream!

Sunday Snapshot

Buddies

Seven and a Half

Heaven on a Slice of Bread

I know it's almost summer when I can start fixing this sandwich regularly. It is not for the dainty, as it invariably drips tomato juice and pesto. A small price to pay, however, for the taste that follows.

Take a crusty baguette or loaf of fresh bread. Not too crusty; you don't want to cut your mouth on the crust edges! If it's fat, cut thick slices. If it's skinny, slice lengthwise. Spread with a layer of cream cheese followed by a layer of pesto. Lay slices of fresh tomato (preferably from the garden or the Farmers' Market) on top. Sprinkle with pepper and parmesan. Put the open-face sandwiches on a cookie sheet and pop into a toaster oven (I suppose a broiler on a regular oven would also work). Bake just until the parmesan begins to melt and bubble. Take them out and try not to burn your mouth as you eat them because you can't wait until they cool down. Have a big napkin or paper towels handy to mop up the juices that will run down your face. Lick your fingers well when finished. YUM!

Sorry there's no photo--I was to hungry to photograph today's sandwiches before I ate them. I'll try to be more patient next time, for your sake.