Muffin debates, vanishing chips, flossing, and cicadas (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

It’s almost June, and the strawberries and blueberries are just begging to be gobbled up. I bought some of each to bake into muffins. I always want to make strawberry muffins, but others around here seem to prefer blueberry. In the interest of keeping everyone—including Mom—happy, I made both.

Yum and yum.

Here is the muffin recipe, which works with whichever berries. I even made it with diced apple once and added some cinnamon.

~2~

I’ve been assembling a package of goodies to send to some graduating cousins out of town.

I thought I had mentioned this to most of my housemates, but I walked into the living room the other day and found someone eating the Crab Chips that were reserved for our secret surprise package.

Who can blame him? Crab Chips are delicious. And I probably hadn’t communicated my plans clearly enough.

At least the Berger Cookies are still intact—for now. (Ominous music begins…)

~3~

I’ve been trying to catch up on all the medical things we didn’t do during the pandemic, and it’s amazing how many appointments we’ve had. I took the boys to the dentist this week, and I was running between their two rooms, trying to keep up with both of them.

As I popped into our one son’s room, he was getting a lecture on how to brush better. Then I popped into the other room, and his brother was hearing about how to floss more frequently.

Has anyone—adult or child—ever started flossing more after a flossing lecture? I feel like there must be some better way to motivate people.

~4~

This morning when I got up, I couldn’t hear the cicadas singing. I think they might have finished singing in our area. I know the noise from the trees is loud and some people find it disturbing.

But I am a little sentimental about the cicadas’ visit since I can remember their past visits, and their last visit was the year of our wedding (though they were long gone by September). Thinking in 17-year increments is interesting.

It will be so strange when they are gone. It’s hard to believe I’ll be 61 when they come again. Our sons will be 28 and 30. Yikes.

~5~

I invited a few friends to my deck this week, and I was so excited to host. The time together exceeded all my expectations, which were rather high.

It was so wonderful and very healing to be back together in person.

I know many people have been seeing friends and family through the pandemic, but my world has been fairly small until recently, with a few exceptions.

Being able to gather with people in a normal way feels like a beautiful gift.

~6~

One of my friends brought me a bouquet of peonies, and they are so lovely.

We have peonies in our yard, but they are just starting to bud—and when they bloom, I wouldn’t dare bring them inside. They are always covered with ants, which is fine outside, but not as wonderful on my dining room table.

But these are perfect, and they are opening a little more every day.

They are such a beautiful pink color. And somehow no one seems to be allergic to them.

~7~

We even had our first real playdate since the start of COVID this weekend, and it was beautiful to see the children pick right up where they left off. I asked the children to wear masks while inside, and everyone happily complied. They were just so happy to be together.

During the playdate, which my fifth grader tells me should be called a “get together” rather than “playdate,” we introduced our first guests to our pet finches. I didn’t realize what a big milestone that would be for us, but it was so exciting!

We’ve had Ron and Hermione for almost a full year, but we’ve never introduced them to anyone in person. And their children, Bart and Lisa, have never met a single person besides us—unless you count cousins they’ve met over FaceTime or Zoom.

Somehow, I don’t think that’s the same, especially when you’re a finch.

Read more quick takes at Kelly’s blog, This Ain’t the Lyceum.

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