It's hot! Gorgeous! The boys are at school!

I got to sleep in the basement last night (read: soundly) and woke up to homemade birthday cards and chocolate chip pancakes. Awesome! A dear friend came over for some quality gal time -awesome- and I've been in the yard gardening and watering happily and quietly since she left. Look at these peonies gone wild! We went out to dinner last night with a great group of friends. My entree was not terribly memorable despite the inclusion of sunchokes and a ramp sauce- both those ingredients are some of my faves- but the app of smoked trout with celery-apple remoulade was lovely. You just cannot go wrong with remoulade sauce. Oh mon dieu. It is perfection! Anyway, as we went out last night, I'm going to cook tonight even though it's my birthday: ramp-asparagus-pea risotto is on the menu, and I'm very much looking forward to it. I'm feeling like I simply must make a French Silk pie as well...