A Day in the Life

Have you ever had a perfect day in which you found complete bliss in all things comfortable and familiar? Yesterday was one of those days. I love slow, easy, late-summer Sundays and yesterday we started our day with breakfast at Manna Cafe, where we ran into our friend Phyllis. Ivy showed Phyllis many of her tricks and then we drove a mile north up Sherman Ave. to the Northside Farmers Market (even though we live in a city with what many consider the best & largest farmers market in the country, we prefer the smaller Northside and Eastside markets). Ivy helped us pick out eggplants and peppers and charmed the farmers with her animal sounds.

Ivy woke up from her afternoon nap and played with her daddy while I made a lovely and luscious ratatouille. (The recipe comes from the book, A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg - check out the recipe for Roasted Eggplant Ratatouille on page 124 and please tell me that this is the best ratatouille that you've ever made and eaten, too.) Ivy is a great eater and gobbled up every last spoonful of her ratatouille and chunks of baguette. She also presented us with signs that she's going to be a great cook and helper in the kitchen.

After dinner we sprawled in the living room and, after a few moments of angelic rest, Ivy ditched the halo . . .

. . . and attempted a swan dive from the loveseat.

Our day was a perfect one and we all went to bed early and content. Kevin and I are on vacation this week and we look forward to many more moments of family bliss.