Typhoid on the trail

I got to go to Utah last week, and among the flurry of exciting activities, I took a little ride along the Oregon Trail.

I actually had no idea that our little bike ride around the lake had anything to do with the Oregon Trail, nor did I read the sign well enough to know if we were really on the trail or just somewhere near it. Regardless, I loved thinking back to the days of floppy disks, computer labs, hunting buffalo, and dysentery in elementary school.

No worries, we all made it through the trail healthy and alive.

Gone

It's gone. I'm kind of sad, and kind of relieved. The impetus for the demise of the blanket fort is the expected arrival of the new roommate and her new couch. Don't blame her, it was time, and I must say the living room was in desperate need of some vacuuming.

Doesn't it look like Christmas morning, post Grinch?

This is the pile of laundry that I am maybe half way through completing......

And now my living room is back to normal. I just sat in there this morning taking it in. The fort was really only up for three and a half months, but the room as it was looks a bit foreign to me now. I just hope watching the food network is still as much fun.

Hey Batter Batter Batter

Only at this baseball game is the sight of a seersucker suit a common occurrence.

It's the annual congressional baseball game. What a great way to see a bunch of middle aged politicians run around in the dirt!

The fort

The blanket fort is coming down this weekend. It's been up for more than 100 days, and it's time for the magic to end.

Happy 4th

It's been a busy weekend, and now I'm stuck in traffic with a bunch of country music lovers. I'll survive this bit, and watching the fireworks from the top of the watergate building was totally worth it (shredding party to follow).

There was a parade and a balloon.

There was a lot of food.

There was clogging.

And, there were fireworks!

Farewell Party

My sweet roommate Lisa is leaving today for a fun adventure in England. I'm really going to miss having her around, so we had a little going away party for her last night.

Pasta Putanesce (with real anchovies)

A beautiful caprese salad made by Miss E

And Pavlova- a meringue dessert that I'd never really heard of before, but must admit was pretty tasty. Incidentally, it was inspired by a Russian ballerina but invented in New Zealand.

And it makes a very nice birthday dessert since Lisa's b-day was on Wednesday.

Good Luck Lisa!!