–

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We had a good time. Our kids were elsewhere (California, Pennsylvania, & Colorado) so it was just the two of us.

With the show in Essex opening on Friday, we drove down early to avoid the traffic, and went for a walk along the Connecticut River, followed by fabulous sandwiches at the Cooking Company. (I had that amazing grilled cheese stuffed with caramelized onions, and that’s where I saw that terrific sign on the public bulletin board.) Then we headed off to the show.

Saturday morning early, I met a friend for breakfast, and then James and I headed to the Farmer’s Market for the first time this year. The first tomatoes were gorgeous, and we love chatting with the farmers there. I worked the rest of Saturday but made some good meals: the one above with fresh wild salmon from Costco with sweet potatoes and salad, and later, Apple Cauliflower Pistachio Salad and spinach artichoke dip. That scrumptious raspberry bar came from the Farmer’s Market.

Sunday, I walked before church, and after church, nine of us went out to lunch together, sitting outside under umbrellas in lovely weather. Then Sunday afternoon James and I met friends at Ferris Acre Creamery for fabulous ice cream, after which I headed home to make food for the potluck game night we went to Sunday evening. I made my Roasted Vegetable Salad to take there, but this time put blueberries in.

At that lovely and fun event there was a huge vat of delicious guacamole (which I was more focused on devouring than photographing), and the roasted veggies shown below. That family has an enormous great dane that wants to sit on laps like he is a puppy and reportedly wears pajamas to bed at night!

On Monday July 4, we watched the 51st annual Firecracker race run past, while we ate our breakfast on the porch. We then headed out to Huntington State Park for a long hike on the trails there that we have never done. The woods and lakes were peaceful and vibrant, and we were surrounded by the song of the thrush, which I particularly enjoyed. After a holiday indulgence of an amazing BLT made with those incredible Farmer’s Market tomatoes, we went to our Quarry swimming hole to chill out and relax together.

It seemed like we did a whole lot of eating this weekend, but were surrounded by friends of all varieties from several different corners of our life, as well as beautiful weather and each other. I am very grateful.

–