Day 123 & 124: Switchel Season, School Garden Visit

Day 123 and 124: It has been really really hot. Heat index over 100. Thursday (123) Jeremy decided he needed to put the rafters and decking on the kids' playhouse, so he sweated through his shirt and pants getting that project done. The kids and I hid in the relatively cool house (the AC working its hardest kept it in the low 80s) and worked and piddled. My contribution to his efforts was to mix him up a jug of switchel to keep him hydrated, and then retreat to the air conditioned house to hide from the oppressive heat. 

The kids and I went to the pool while Jeremy did evening chores. Taiya has gotten so comfortable putting her whole head under water that she's started teaching herself tricks. By the end of the day she was doing backward somersaults and cannonballs. 

Thursday night we had an incredibly satisfying meal of bratwurst, potatoes, and grilled summer squash. I have learned a new trick - cooking potatoes on the "Steam" setting of the Instant Pot. It is so fast and doesn't heat up the house. It works for white or sweet potatoes, and is so helpful for summer cooking! 

Friday morning we went to the school garden to get the ingredients we would need for next week's "Summer Camp." I signed the kids up for a week of one-hour cooking classes taught by their school's FoodCorps member Tara. It will be held over Zoom, and it will be Taiya and William's first Zoom class. At the garden we had to gather ingredients and supplies (apron, cutting board, knife, recipes) to be ready for the first class on Monday. Taiya was not thrilled about having to leave the house, but we all got there eventually, and Tara guided them through the garden, collecting all the ingredients they would need for the week. She showed them how to pick the veggies and herbs without hurting the plant, explained to them how tomatoes ripen, and was such a great teacher, breaking things down into simple steps, helping Taiya pronounce words on the recipes she was trying to read - it reminded me how amazing elementary school teachers are. It made me hope against hope that they will be able to attend school in the fall. We're still in the "we'll see" phase of decision-making on that front.  

When we went to the pool in the afternoon, Aunt Kathy came out with a little present for Taiya. It was a tiny doll bathing suit. Kathy beckoned me over and whispered, "I don't have anything for William, but I got this from Amazon and just thought Taiya needed to have it in the summertime. Will it be okay to give it to her?" I thought William would be able to handle that, and sure enough he didn't even blink an eye. Taiya was beside herself with glee at this new acquisition for her doll. "Aunt Kathy just made my day!"

Pupusas with ground beef, avocado, salsa, and cilantro 
for dinner.