Family Meets in the Summer Heat

This morning we needed to be out of the house by 8:30 a.m. to make it in time for the twins' swim meet. Compared to Kris and Kim, we arrived woefully unprepared--no hats, no water. That would prove to be a mistake as the day got hotter. We were in for a scorcher!

Oak Hills Swim Meet

Oak Hills Swim Meet

Maeve and Nora each competed four times--some individual races, others relays. It was great fun to cheer them on. Since this was the last meet of the season, the goal was to try to beat the pool record. That meant even some of the parents were jumping in to race, which the kids seemed to enjoy most of all.

Since we had left early, there had been no time to get our steps in, so when Amelia said there was a large gap in between the twins' heats, we agreed it was the perfect time for a walk. You didn't have to tell us twice. I had already picked out a few Little Free Libraries as walking destinations. 

Amelia mentioned that in Oregon, the idea of Little Free Libraries has expanded into something even bigger. Some have expanded into Little Free Pantries, offering canned or dry goods or hygiene items. Others have taken on creative twists--stocked with craft kits, toys or even recipe cards. What a great example of community spirit and resourcefulness!

A Clever Little Free Library

We nearly missed this one, tucked off to the side of a yard. What made it clever was the way they separated children's books from adult books. They even offered free bookmarks!

Segregated Little Free Library

By this time of the day, it was getting awfully toasty outside and without water we were in jeopardy. Thankfully, it was a perfect day in a perfect neighborhood for either a lemonade stand or a garage sale! 

For those who have never heard of a garage sale, it is when a homeowner opens their garage, sets up tables and puts out household items for sale. They usually advertise by putting up posters in the neighborhood or sometimes even in the local paper. Then people come by, look through your things and pay you cash on the spot. Though likely now, you could pay by Venmo or PayPal. But back in the day, it was cash only.

Garage Sale

Luckily, nearby was the cutest little girl selling donuts and cold bottled water. I could have hugged her. I wish I could have taken a photo--she was so adorable in her little donut clerk hat--but I thought her dad might think it odd. 

Swimming Pool Library

Back at the pool, cousin Sara asked if we'd checked out the library next door. It wasn't on the map, but there it was--a great little library right in the pool lot!

Swimming pool library

The sun was merciless at this point, climbing to nearly 100℉ (37℃). We alternated between cheering the girls on and hiding in the shade until the meet wrapped up and it was time for lunch.

Lunch at Laughing Planet

We ended up at Laughing Planet, a fresh and tasty spot I'd happily return to. 

  • I had the Bollywood Bowl: grilled chicken breast, roasted cauliflower, curry-roasted chickpeas, garlic green beans, broccoli, spinach and yams on a bed of brown rice.

Bollywood Bowl 
  • Ira went for the Korean BBQ Bowl: braised beef, extra broccoli, cilantro-lime slaw, quick-pickled cucumbers, toasted sesame seeds and Korean BBQ sauce on top of brown rice. 
With lunch behind us, we headed back home, took a quick walk through the neighborhood to hit our step count, then freshened up before the evening's family get-together at Uncle Kirk and Gabby's. 

Evening with Family

This time, we got to meet Bear, who had traveled all the way from Florida. He looks like a smaller version of Benji, don't you think?

"Bear"

Kim's dog, Pearl was on her best behavior, and I managed to get a sweet shot of her too.

"Pearl"

Kirk and Gaby served two lasagnas (one turkey, one beef). along with garlic bread and salad. They teased us, apologizing for the lasagna as if it might not meet "our standards." Of course, that was silly--it was delicious! Just different. You could call it American-style lasagna, not quite Italian, but every bit as comforting.

Later, cousin Julia arrived with her dog Kava, adding a bit of canine chaos to the evening.  It was great to catch up with her. She's currently working on a project in Sequoia National Park--of all places!--updating employee living quarters. Small world, since that was our next destination.

Kava

The night wrapped up with cake and candles for Russ. Gabby bought a mango passionfruit cake--light, airy, and not too sweet. A perfect finish.

Sunday: More Family, More Food

The next morning, I slept in while Ira was picking fresh blackberries for dessert. Later, he joined Russ on a grocery run (with a Capriotti's lunch stop), while Kris and I finished leftovers. Kris also baked a blackberry crumble that made the kitchen smell amazing.

For dinner, Russ planned to grill salmon he'd recently caught, but worried there wouldn't be enough grill space for all seventeen of us. Kris prepared a backup baked salmon dish, plus cheesy potatoes.  

Salmon on the grill

When she thought those might not be enough either, Kim and Wendy brought more. She also picked fresh green beans from her garden at the last minute--a wise choice, since they disappeared instantly. 

It was still too hot to eat outdoors, so we set up tables inside, just like Thanksgiving. After another round of stories and laughter, dessert was Kris's blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Sweet and tart, warm and cold--the perfect combination. 

Farewells

By the end of the evening, it was time to say goodbye. Our Texan and Floridian relatives headed off to visit the third sibling who couldn't make it this time. We wished Hannah luck as her parents were dropping her off at Berkeley to begin graduate school.

Everyone left with full hearts after a weekend of swimming, stories, and family ties--grateful for the time together and hopeful for the future. 

Family, food, and summer heat--this weekend had it all.

A dopo!












 

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