1. doors open | 2. lamplight companion | 3. TS Andrea | 4. National Donut Day | 5. Really, really the last day of school | 6. Donut holes | 7. Strawberries | 8. My mom's double boiler | 9. Garden Center = Neel's happy place  | 10. Room rearrang… — 1. doors open | 2. lamplight companion | 3. TS Andrea | 4. National Donut Day | 5. Really, really the last day of school | 6. Donut holes | 7. Strawberries | 8. My mom's double boiler | 9. Garden Center = Neel's happy place | 10. Room rearrange | 11. Windows open | 12. Cal goes campaigning | 13. Tabletop | 14. Dessert | 15. Tabletop | 16. New view | 17. Violet by our side | 18. Sunday Breakfast | 19. A little shopping | 20. Norfolk Southern | 21. Evening poolside

I had a moment on Sunday afternoon after we'd been running around all day when I thought, Summer, we're doing it wrong. But then we had dinner at the pool Sunday night and dessert with our neighbors, and I felt better. We might get the hang of it after all.

Tropical Storm Andrea was a bit of a bust around here, which is a good thing I suppose, but Callum and I both like just a wee bit more excitement out of our storms. No worries, though! The Atlantic Hurricane season runs through November and seems to be lasting longer each year. (No major destruction, please. Just enough to make us stock up on Twizzlers and wine, pleaseandthankyou.) Fortunately, the rain was light enough to allow us to head out to school so the boys (Cal and our neighbors) could pick up their grades. Now the year really IS done. And the best part? When I surprised them by pulling into the KrispyKreme parking lot. How can three teenage boys not know it's National Donut Day? Seriously.

We had some friends for dinner Saturday night, so I got up early and made dessert. While I was working downstairs, I could hear the rumble of things moving around above me (in our bedroom). In typical Neel fashion, he took a barely mentioned idea (rearranging our bedroom) and forged ahead (he rearranged our bedroom). It's all good. Back to where we had it when we first moved it, and the room feels bigger and more full of light. I only woke up disoriented one time Saturday night!

We ended up not doing the dumplings. Just couldn't muster the energy for some reason, and it was such a nice evening that it was more pleasant to sit outside with our cocktails and appetizers while Neel (and Thea Turbo McFatty) managed the grill. And about that dessert? This one's a keeper, people. Not too difficult, but the presentation makes it look like you slaved for hours. Perfect for a warm summer night.

I may have done a little shopping on Sunday. I feel a little closer to having the clothes we need for the trip, but my biggest coup was a pink trench coat at Eddie Bauer that I got for half off. London, you can't beat me now! Still, I came home tired and footsore and feeling like I hadn't done the weekend (or summer yet) quite right. So I threw together some wraps and we headed straight to the pool. Dinner there as the sun was going down and our neighbors came and went was just what I needed to remember, Oh yeah, it's summer. We know how to do this. I still can't quite believe there's no homework or getting up early. That's about the best feeling in the world, isn't it?