Orzo Salad

Yesterday was my birthday. I celebrated by hanging out with my two favorite boys (one little, one big) and doing nothing special, in particular. We ran some errands and picked up salmon to grill for dinner. We found a home for my new-to-me compost bin that is close enough to the back door for me to get to, even in the winter, but not so close that we can smell it doing its job. It was a stress-free, completely relaxed, productive day.  It was a perfect way to begin a new year.

Salad of the Summer

I am pretty sure someone messed with my calendar this summer and sucked out all the restful, lazy, classic summer moments one should have. Instead, it seems to be filled with unending travel, unbearable heat, and all-around busyness.  How can it possibly be August?! During the rare still moments I get these days, I'm pretty sure I'm sleeping. Food preparation in our house is at a minimum, and the grill is our best friend (except when we've forgotten to refill the propane tank).  We've been gravitating towards salads and cold grilled veggies to get us through the hot days, along with ice cream and gin and tonics.