Full Circle

by Mara @ What's For Dinner? on August 23, 2009

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A mere 11 weeks ago, I said goodbye to my students on the last day of school, eager for a busy and hot summer at camp. I was right about one thing: the summer was busy! We had only a few super hot days, and more days where the pool was closed because it was too cold out. It rained a ton, and we got to see 4 movies when the weather got really bad.

Now, the weather is just how I remember it being when I would head back down to college every fall… a slight bite in the air in the morning, warm sun in the afternoon, and cool evenings perfect for sitting on our roof drinking Boone’s… The change in the weather means only one thing: it’s time to go back to school. In some ways, I’m ready. It will be nice to spend time doing what I love doing, though I’ll miss the outdoor time I had all summer, as my classroom has no windows. Or air conditioning.

I did spend the last few days making the most of my time off. Friday, Adam and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for the day, and then I had dinner with my friend for her birthday. There were margaritas (of which I couldn’t get a picture), tableside-prepared guacamole, and the best enchiladas de mole I’ve ever had!

Then, Saturday I spent the day with Lizz and a few other people at the Bristol Renaissance Faire! Needless to say, it was amazing people-watching complete with amazing eats!! Some of the signs made me laugh:

But most of it was just delicious. Lizz and I shared an artichoke and turkey leg, and we got some crispy veggies for everyone to share:

That was one freaking hot turkey leg!! Delicious too!

Then yesterday evening we went to not one, but TWO birthday parties! At one, we were fed well, and at the other we drank well… let’s just say my tummy was mad at me this morning!

Today, I got to meet my friend Meghan’s adorable 12-week old baby boy, and even better, I got to hold him for a good 30 minutes!!! And speaking of babies, a HUGE congrats goes out to my good friend Amy and her husband who just had their second baby girl on Friday!

After breakfast, I did what any other teacher would do the day before the first day of meetings… I got my nails and toes done!

**warning toe picture ahead**

Yes, those are blue flowered toes and a sparkly French manicure!

When I got home from getting primped, it hit me: I only got 5 hours of sleep last night…and crap, we needed groceries. Luckily Adam, being the amazing fiancé he is, offered to pick up dinner. (I can’t even tell you all how nice it will be to come home from work and NOT be completely wiped out!) Just like on the first day of camp, tonight, on my last official night of summer, we got Chinese food.

We shared pot stickers:

I got a new favorite, chicken in garlic sauce which was SUPER spicy…and I loved it! I had a bit of brown rice with it too, and there’s enough for me to take for lunch tomorrow!

I’ve got a lovely full belly and I’m just about ready for bed. I can’t believe I have to get up for SCHOOL tomorrow!!

Thank you all so much for your compliments about my new header and layout… I’m glad to see my hard work paid off, and a thank you to ZestyCook for helping me out with some mystery text that wouldn’t go away. On a similar note, have you all seen Gina/fitnessista‘s new site? It’s fantastic, but apparently you need to resubscribe on google readers to get her new posts. You wouldn’t want to miss any of Gina’s amazing posts now would you??

I’m going to enjoy my last little bit of summer before I head to bed… have a great night all!