Hi, friends.  I’m staring down the barrel of what is going to be a very busy and stressful week around these parts – three filings due Friday, plus meetings out of the office and finishing up a bunch of things that I have let linger and can’t let linger anymore.  It’s a good thing I have the quintessential summer weekend to look back on!  On Saturday morning, I took Nugget to get his summer haircut, then we stopped by Duck Donuts to surprise Daddy and Peanut.  We barely had time to shovel the donuts down before we were out the door again, headed to Butler’s Orchard in Maryland to meet up with friends for blueberry-picking.  (We’ve picked blueberries and apples with these friends a few times, so we all took a vote and decided we are the official pick-your-own crew.)  On Sunday, we headed into the city around midday for Daddy’s Father’s Day gift – a baseball game at Nationals Park!  I’m on a mission to make the family into Nats fans.  It was a lot of fun!  The kids ate an alarming amount of ballpark food, Teddy Roosevelt won the Presidents’ Race, and we got to clap and cheer for the hometown team, which is always good times.  We didn’t make it through the whole game (and the Nats lost, anyway) but it was a successful outing and we’ll definitely do it again.  The weekend wasn’t all home runs and blueberry pie – there was a lot of bickering, some yelling, and the house is trashed.  Still, I think what I’m going to remember is the smiles on the kids’ faces as they plucked sun-warmed blueberries from the bush and stuffed their faces with ballpark cotton candy.

Reading.  The reading continues to be slow without Metro commutes.  (I’m trying to remember how I kept up my reading pace in Buffalo, where I always drove to work.  I’ve gotten used to my cushy public transportation ride.)  I spent most of the week over Unmarriageable – two P&P adaptations in a month, who dis?  The weekend was devoted to Dear Pen Pal as I continue my re-read of the Mother-Daughter Book Club series.  (So delightful.)  I have a couple of pressing library deadlines this week, so next up will be The Library Book.  Looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about…

Watching.  Well, I watched several innings of the Nationals vs. the Braves this weekend, which was a lot of fun.  I’d forgotten how much I enjoy going to the ballpark.  Steve and I agreed that we need to get a babysitter and go back for an evening game one of these days.

Listening.  I’ve made it through all of my back episodes of Speak Up for the Ocean Blue!  I’d downloaded about fifty of them when I first found the podcast, so this is an achievement.  Still on an ocean kick, I’m now working my way through my (much shorter) backlog of A-Pod…Cast for Killer Whales, and after that, will probably move on to Whale Scout.  I’m definitely on a whale jag, but what else is new?

Moving.  Much less movement this past week, unfortunately.  Work was really crazy as I tried to make progress on a few pressing things, and that got in the way of gym time and weekday runs.  I have another busy week coming up, but am hoping to still make time for at least a few workouts.  I did get in some gardening, which is a surprisingly good workout – especially those weeding squats.

Making.  Not much making, either – unsurprising for such a busy week.  I didn’t do any food prep or, really, even any cooking.  I did make herb chains for a garden blessing at sunset on Litha, so that’s something!

Blogging.  Lots of fun stuff coming up for you!  I’ve got a garden update on Wednesday and a fun ballpark recap on Friday.  Next week, since it’s a holiday week, I’m skipping the usual Monday reading post and rounding up my Fourth of July pictures through the years – there has been some growing!  Wonder what kind of picture I’ll get this year?  As for the rest of the week, business as usual – I’ll have my June reading round-up on Wednesday and my garden tasks for July on Friday.

Loving.  One of my favorite Instagram follows is London-based blogger Miranda Mills, who shares beautifully curated posts on her Miranda’s Notebook and Miranda’s Bookcase feeds.  She’s currently on vacation in NYC and has made it her mission to find every charming and/or floral corner of the city.  I love New York City, but I’ve been there so many times that I sometimes forget about its charms.  Seeing it through Miranda’s eyes has been such a treat, and has me craving a weekend trip up to the Big Apple.

Asking.  What are you reading this week?