We lost internet for a few days after that derecho came through here last week. Surprisingly enough, our neighborhood fared really well in that – no huge trees down, no crushed houses, and power was back on Saturday morning at 7 am. I’m convinced it’s from the karma we’ve built up over the years of ALWAYS being the last neighborhood to get power, always being the worst hit neighborhood in the entire area, time after time after time. Most of us walked around all weekend pinching ourselves wondering how the heck we got off so lucky this time.
Spending a few days offline pre-mini-vacation was a good way to get prepped for a few more days offline while we hit the lake with friends for the Fourth of July. It was a great trip, always a good time with the Smileys. I have a few hundred photos to sort through and post, but as we are only home for a few short hours before hitting the road again, it will have to wait until next week.
Waiting for me when we got in this afternoon were a few packages, much to the dismay of Edie. Thanks Lesa for the book, I am looking forward to reading it. I also got my new copy of “Joy of Pickling” so I can return Melissa’s. And, excitement upon excitement, I got an advance copy of a dear childhood friend’s first novel to be published in October, which I am about to go sit down with inbetween laundry cycles and repacking the car. You will definitely be hearing more about that in the coming months.
I finally can shout from the rooftops about the little project I spent most of June working on. The Hook’s Restaurant Week Special Section is on local newstands as of today. I did some Q&A’s with local chefs, collected some recipes, wrote an article to go along with it and even snapped some photos along the way. Pretty darn tooting exciting. I wanted to keep pretty mum about it until it was all said and done and in my hot little hands. When I went to their office last week to proof read a draft, I was ecstatic when I saw they had used some of my photos too. I definitely think it might be time to upgrade from my point and shoot to a real camera.
Oh, and those pickled peaches I made last week? They are good. A little sweet, a little sour, a little spicy from the ginger and cinnamon. I will be making more. Edie thinks a pickled peach pie is something we are definitely are going to have to try and I think she’s onto something…..
Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers 
Congratulations on the fine special section! The link worked great so I could see your work.
Glad you got the book and hope you like it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Congratulations! I'll look for it when I pick up my copy of the Hook.
Glad you fared well through the storm. My folks are still out of power!
Mmmmm Pickled peach pie? Sounds like it could be pretty tasty.
YAY for getting a “bye” from the storm's wrath. I'm glad your summer progressed uninterrupted.
Great article Becky! Well done! Are you going to be pickling shrimp or anything Asian style in your class? We love pickled shrimp and ginger over here with cold beer. I'll have to do some up for you soon!!