Picking juneberries, that's what I did on my lunchbreak today. The woman sans the curlers stood out the building's door across the street from where I was. She watched me with hawk eyes and I felt that she wanted me to see her watching me. I simply ignored her. I know she was wondering what I do with these berries. I left so many more berries in the trees.

My Zachary loves to eat these berries (half-frozen) as they are

He also loves these in smoothies

After our meeting at work yesterday, I dropped by a Chinese store across the street from the school where we met. I bought a bunch of water spinach (kangkong) and a pound of malabar spinach (alugbati). and a bag of dried shitaaki mushrooms. As soon as I got home, I picked the leaves out of the stems and stood them up in a glass with a little bit of water. I am lettng this stems to root out before I'll stick them in pots. I could use more free greens this summer from these stems and not have to go back to the store. In the afternoon, some of us went to John Bowne High School to look at some goals we could use for next year's work. The school has a bird room with all sorts of noisy and one talking birds. Three really exotic-looking iguana and a beautiful box turtle also graced this mini-zoo, right in the building. We also visited the school's farm. I did not think that some young people in NY and at this time would be interested in agriculture as to even take it as part of their career choice. We stopped by under a mulberry tree and helped ourselves to the juicy berries hanging by our heads. At home, Zach and I sat on the porch to (intentionally) appreciate our plants and flowers. The roses are emitting a faint sweet rosy smell. Zachary began to make up a song about how he loves his "parents" to the tune of It's a Wonderful World. He sang it slowly enough so that he could have time to think of the words he made up. Then he went back inside and got a book to read me. My Zachary is my delight.

water spinach
sauteed in garlic, ginger and soysauce

malabar spinach
steamed, then put together with fresh tomatoes, onions, vinegar and anchovy sauce

I sit on the steps of the porch and I smell a faint rosy smell

I had  dinner all by myself, while Steve and Zachary attended a jumping/bouncing party. As soon as they left, I boiled water and dropped some dumplings for dinner. I am seizing this two-hour respite for "me time". Just to be quiet and enjoy some delicious solitude. I do have a mountain of clean laundry to fold and dirty laundry to wash. And I need to unload the dishwasher of clean plates and utensils. The bed sheets need to be changed. These "glorious" housechores are waiting for me, BUT, FIRST, I will have a quiet, take-my-time dinner all to myself.

I set a table for one and ate dinner leisurely

Sometimes it's just sooo nice to eat alone, being mindful of the peace and quiet, and of every bite without  being interrupted by anything or anyone. What bliss! (It's called ME-time)

are ten dumplings too much?
I did finish them all...how embarassing!

chicken and veggie dumpling dipped in my  forever favorite  spicy homemade hot cilantro sauce with sauteed lentil (that I sprouted in my kitchen)

a bowl of blueberry granita for dessert

granita looks good in egg holders 

I really enjoy my weekends at home. I feel like I am out for most of my waking moments while at work during the week and so on weekends, I relish just staying home and enjoying some peace and quiet. Steve has been working on additional credits the past weekends so it's just Zachary and myself.  I keep Zachary busy with things to do from reading to writing to arts and craft and building legos while I do some relaxation.  Summer vacation is just around the corner, I'm giddy with excitement!

Peonies do not last long so after thoroughly enjoying them in the garden for a few days,  I make sure I cut some for my table. I cut two yesterday, and today I cut three since weather forecast is rainy for tonight and tomorrow. They are so fragile, their petals easily fall off .

I look at them  and I go...."aahhhh..."

This is why I grow flowers so I can cut some for my table

For Zach's lunch, I made spaghetti with olives and basil from my garden.
The string of hearts I hung for our pre-Valentine dinner last February....I didn't take it off because it looks kinda sweet hanging there.

I had fried dried anchovy craving again which I ate, doused with vinegar and fishsauce and  brown rice and lettuce from the garden.

I cannot wait for summer vacation----MAN! will I HANG OUT and relax!

I love my green birdhouse, do you see it?

I could sit here forever and just stare at space.....ahhh
(Zach took this picture)