Jack was beyond excited about turning eight this morning. I was up at 5:30, and I know he was too because I saw his light, but he was so good and stayed in his room until 6:30 during which time I decorated and put out his gifts. In addition to various Poké-presents, he received many cards, some books and the programming software he recently used at camp to make...wait for it...a Pokémon-themed video game. Bless his obsessive heart. I gave him The Westing Game, one of my favorite childhood books, and we have already had such a blast reading the first few chapters. Did you ever read it? Delightful! Wonderful! Even as adults you'd enjoy it. Oliver really rose to the occasion today and willingly took his Advil so as to be "healthy" for a full 18 holes of mini-golf, a diner lunch and a trip to Target where he continued to be so vexed by the choices that he was again unable to spend the gift card he received eons ago. He did manage TWO holes-in-one, to all of our complete surprise, and to eat only sugar-products for the entire day. Alas. They are the cutest brothers!

I made a lovely dinner inspired by my desire to use some of the NM chiles in the ristra my friend, Laura, sent me a while back. I cooked down in my Lodge, some onions and garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, chicken broth and three rehydrated (and destemmed and largely deseeded) chiles; once that was all deliciously stewed, I pureed it in my blender and then poured it back over some cumin- and coriander-spiced turkey meatballs which I'd lightly pan-fried in ye olde Lodge and then nestled together. I covered, baked for 18, uncovered and cooked for two more, and we definitely enjoyed these!

Alongside, I had T grill some summer squash which I'd tossed with olive oil, cumin, coriander and lime juice; once done, I spooned in some lime-avocado crème fraîche sauce. Divine.