22 Days Later

You know that sheepish feeling you get when you forget someone's birthday and drag your feet about calling because you feel guilty?

I feel like I forgot your birthday.  Or at least Blogger's birthday (thank goodness for Twitter).  I have hopes of catching up with the 365 Days project, but the more days that pass the easier it is to say maybe tomorrow...

So, maybe tomorrow?

But for today, let's play a little catch up.  And then I'm coming to your blog to catch up, because I miss you.

I have been spending time with my sweet little kitties, which includes taking some road trips to the bf's (the car ride is equally painful for all of us). Ollie has spent his summer lounging on cool surfaces (that is not his beer, by the way) and Josie never tires of having her little nose rubbed.

Earlier this month I had my niece over for a sleepover.  We ate ice cream, did crafts, went to the movies, and played chess (in what alternate universe does a 7 year old teach me how to play chess?).  We also played a long game of hide and seek which, in a three room apartment, is not as scintillating as you might imagine. She finally crashed at 1am, though my energy was zapped by 10pm.

Last weekend the bf and I took a day trip to the Carolina coast, which was fabulous.  The air was warm, salty, sticky, and breezy.  The seagulls were vocal, persistent, and ravenous.  The water was choppy and the beach was crowded.  It was divine.

Check out Little Miss Handstand there on the left.  She'd be a good fit on Dance Moms.

The bf brought home some crabs for dinner, but I had no part in that because I became too attached. Especially with Mr. One-Claw (RIP).

I have been spending a little (emphasis on little) more time in the kitchen this summer.  My favorite: Real Simple had a recipe for tomatoes and cheese on a puff pastry sheet and I just had to try it.  Whoa.  So delicious.

And last but certainly not least, I have been spending time with this guy.  My guy.

He deploys in a few weeks.  It's hard for a stubborn redhead to admit there's nothing I can say or do to keep him here, keep him safe, and keep him with me, but I am so looking forward to our time together before then.  And, fortunately, he is in the 99th percentile for Male Telephone Conversationalists, which will help while he's away.

And what have you been up to?  What has been your  favorite thing about summer so far?