Palazzo No?

 So I have been waffling about these pants from Anthropologie for the last couple of weeks.  I love them.  I decide to buy them, finally.

I started envisioning how cool I would look in palazzo pants.  The fact that they are palazzo pants is the reason for the waffle.  However, I started to roll with it.

Now they are sold out.  I am super bummed.  How are y'all feeling about the resurgence of palazzo pants?

Surprises

Well, my return from the beach was rather exciting.

1) My Knock Out roses are blooming!

2) Construction began on the addition to the house.  I walked into our bedroom at midnight to find this, which is apparently helping hold up the house as they begin constructing a new roof.

 Which was rather disconcerting, as you can't close the bathroom door.  However, I am thrilled that so much progress was made while I was out of pocket.  The crew could not be nicer, and Buddy and Dell Harper are just loving all the action around these parts.

3) This is the most exciting in my book (Morgan would probably go with construction on our house for his excitement level).  Our family portrait session with AK was finished while I was gone, with a CD of the pictures waiting in my mailbox.  I'm sure y'all will get sick of my outfit in these pictures, because they will be making lots of appearances!

Oh, I just can't stop looking at them- aren't they just gorgeous?  AK did my bridal portraits (although not my wedding, since she was a bridesmaid), and I have not had the opportunity for her to formally take my picture since.  I told Morgan that I wanted this to be an annual Mother's Day gift.  He was rather bemused, as the boy does not like having his picture taken.  Anyway, I guess it's finally time to swap some profile pictures out for something a little more recent- laugh lines and all!

If you are looking for a photographer, AK is amazing.  She even corralled this crew- a feat in itself!

Also, I am so glad to have all my hard work on my containers immortalized.  The bugs got them while I was gone- they still look beautiful, just rather, um, chewed on.  Shaggy pansies and geraniums- thanks unknown bug.

Summer Salad

Now, I know this is completely obvious, but I just want to holler with delight when summer produce begins to arrive in the market.  While I am snatching up fresh corn and tomatoes, I am frantically scrolling the recipe compendium in my brain.  I settled on this one from Melissa Clark's "Cook This Now", which is a lovely read, as are all of her cookbooks.  After seeing how itty bitty she is, I even tracked down her diet book on Amazon.  It's yummy, and does not involve anything fat-free.

Anyway, this salad tastes like a bowl of summer.  I served it with fish and asparagus, but it would also make a lovely light lunch the next day.

Ingredients:

	1	large garlic clove
	¾	tsp. plus 1 pinch kosher salt, or to taste
	2	tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
	¼	tsp. freshly ground black pepper
	3	Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
	1½	cups Israeli couscous, preferably whole-wheat
	1	cup fresh corn kernels (from 1 large ear)
	2	large ripe tomatoes, diced
	4	oz. crumbled feta cheese
	2	Tbsp. heaping chopped fresh basil

1. Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife, mash the garlic and a pinch of salt to a paste. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic paste, lemon juice, remaining ¾ tsp. salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
2. Cook the couscous according to package instructions; add the corn for last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain well.
3. In a large bowl, combine the hot couscous-corn mixture, tomato, and vinaigrette. Let the couscous cool for about 10 minutes before gently folding in the feta and basil.

I doubled the tomato the recipe called for, and thinking back, I would maybe add even another tomato.  Speaking of, Dell Harper ate an entire Grainger County Tomato tonight for dinner.   Pool, tomatoes, and bare feet- my girl is ready for summertime.

Make this salad, grill a steak, and enjoy the lingering daylight- you will be ready for summer, too.