Adrift

Adrift is a word that kind of describes me lately - I've been 'floating freely' through the days and enjoying it.

Since we got back from Manzanita, I have embraced not having any commitments with the kids. We've been lounging in pj's, doing coloring, painting, reading, swimming, and attempted letterboxing - what fun! We're fortunate enough to have some cool friends who share their kid adventures and have come to quickly love this suggested scavenger hunting thing. It gets us on new trails, the kids all love it, and it's just good fun. It's a thing that happens all over the country, cool stuff. Learn more about it here: http://www.letterboxing.org/.

I have been cooking lately - always a happy place for me. Made some yummy beef vindaloo, major grey chicken, pulau and cucumber raita last night and we shared dinner with some cool pals who are remodeling their kitchen this summer. For the locals who read this - yes, these are all recipes I have made several times since taking a cooking class at Shamiana's. I just love being in the kitchen - I have a love of food, cooking, and sharing a meal with friends.

Maybe I need to make this more of a priority and we can invite some friends over to share a 'not in my normal repertoire of cooking' type-meal from our kitchen and toast a glass of wine to the good stuff in life. Hmmm.....it would be kind of fun to start a dinner club or something like that.

We're heading out to Chicago on Wednesday. We are mostly packed, just a few things left to do. Got the kids clothes, airplane and car entertainment ready to go, which takes longer to do than one might think.

Reason for the trip: The 2nd Schulz Fest Family reunion. We are flying into Chicago and then we're meeting in Dubuque, IA for some waterpark fun and hope to explore a neighboring historical town, Galena, IL. We've even printed some letterboxing spots to discover in Dubuque!! We'll then head back towards the city to have some fun in Chicago and visit with my brother and his family. The Lincoln Park Zoo, a ride on the 'el' and hopefully Millennium Park are some of the spots we hope to get to in our adventure to the Midwest.

Our trips to Chicago are always fun, filled with lots of laughs and are always over before we know it. I'm looking forward to it and hoping when we get back home I can go right back into being adrift in the summer with my family.

Until then.....we're lounging around this morning, doing a little cooking for a wonderful dinner with great friends tonight, and that is about it. As for Monday & Tuesday, I'm hanging onto the drifting mentality and we have no plans. Love that.