Summer so far

As we headed into the new fiscal year at my dayjob, I learned my hours were to be reduced to 32/week. I think everyone feared this news would be upsetting -- but I can't stop smiling.

I'd been secretly hoping to go 80% at some point. Imagine what I could do with one extra day a week...read a book, watch The Price is Right, bake pies, freeze popsicles, brine pickles, swim in the lake...

All of these scream summer to me. The kind of summers I used to cherish -- no work, no school, just long stretches of sun and fun and none to do.

So far, I've done a pretty good job (though the first few weeks were filled with several errands and daytime appointments as I eased in). I hope to find more of this in my future:

Yogurt popsicles from Orangette; I fell instantly in love with these last summer during a Delancey pre-opening party and dear Molly has finally posted the recipe

And this:

Mom's favorite Lemon Supreme cake, dolled up something fierce for a fancy bday with sugared violets from my backyard

Perhaps more road trips on I-90 E, with a swing through Cle Elum/Roslyn (Pioneer Coffee Co. + Dairy Queen are requisite pit stops):

  

Also hoping to spend many an afternoon lazing in the backyard under a canopy, a light breeze lapping my hair as I drift in and out of sleep between chapters in a good book. I've just finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet-- lovely!

Up next, I'm thinking of:
My Life in France
The Great Gatsby
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

What do you recommend?

Also, still need to find a hammock...