Currently - September '21

I always have a hard time writing these introductions, especially in pandemic times. While we're just getting into September, the fun part of summer already feels like a long time ago, before and during our trip to Arizona in July. August weather was a mix of three times the average amount of rain and sweltering hot days, and Keizo and I have both been quite busy at work, an energy sapping combination that will hopefully diminish a little as the weather becomes more tolerable. On a brighter note, here's what I've been up to "currently:"

End of summer peach and mixed berry crumble, pre-crumble topping

beginning - to think about all things fall, including birthday plans, pumpkin picking, pumpkin-flavored baked goods, making chili, drinking spiked cider, wearing flannel shirts, etc. etc.

ending - China Rich Girlfriend, book two of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. Such a welcome escape from the news cycle of late, and a good reason to go back to the library soon. 

loving - the sudden, yet very welcome shift in the weather. After a hot and steamy August, September has begun with clear blue skies and refreshing cool breezes. 

picking - updated photos of my niece to display on the fridge. To make it look more cohesive, I made 0, 1, 2 month etc. magnets and cleared off some of the other things that had accumulated over the summer. Pretty happy with the end result!

posting - a letter in the mail to my long-time friend and pen pal Stephanie. We met in 3rd grade and still mostly keep in touch the old fashioned way!

Best of August

• Pool day with the cousins - Simple summer fun; so glad we fit it in before all the pools started closing for the season.
• Back to the office (sort of) - One week I went in 3 times, but the last two weeks I've only made it in one day each. Maybe there would be more incentive if more people were there, but it's nearly as quiet as my own house. Speaking of my house though, it is rather nice to come back to after a day spent somewhere else! 
• Saturday bike rides - The past four weekends we've done 25ish, 30ish, 40ish and 50ish mile rides as we build up to 100 miles. It's a little hard to imagine a ride twice as long as yesterday's; hopefully it will be on a route with fewer intersections and city traffic.