Itemized list...

What to write, what to write. I feel like I'm hardly ever on the computer these days and I can't believe that a week has gone by since my last post. Stuff is happening but is there anything really exciting to write about...hmmm......

Well, this might not be exciting but here are a few thoughts...or items:

Item #1: I feel like summer is flying by much faster than I'd like it to. I had anticipated having my evenings free and clear to do whatever I wanted to... I was going to go for bike rides in the park (what park I'm not even sure since I've yet to go to one), read books while lying on my blanket out on the lawn (I must be in protest since I haven't even managed to read one book since finishing the semester), go for relaxing walks around campus on the walking path (I've tried this but I tend to get caught up in "oh, that needs weeding" or "I missed a patch of grass right there"), catch up on scrapbooking (yeah, right). My evenings are fairly free, but I find that I'm usually too exhausted to think creatively about what to do with them. So instead, I usually do the dishes, work in the garden for a while (which I do love), and then crash infront of the TV. The minute I stop moving I zonk out, which doesn't fair well for the relaxation part.

Item #2: Zucchini is such a satisfying thing to grow. In the last week and a bit I've picked 18 (I'm counting) and I've also been taking care of my friend's garden and been picking her zucchini. My roommate came across a winning zucchini cupcake recipe that I just have to share:
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Chocolate Zucchini Cupcake Recipe

1 1/2 cups (360 mL) brown sugar
1/4 cup (60 mL) melted butter
3/4 cup (180 mL) vegetable oil (hs note: I used unrefined, scented, all-natural coconut oil)
3 eggs
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
1/2 cup (120 mL) buttermilk
2 cups (480 mL) grated zucchini
1 cup (240 mL) chocolate chips
2 cups (480 mL) unbleached flour
1 cup (240 mL) cocoa, sifted
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt
2 tsp (10 mL) baking soda
1 tsp (5 mL) allspice
1 1/2 tsp (7.5 mL) cinnamon

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease large muffin pans and line with muffin cups.

In a medium bowl mix together the sugar, butter and oil. Beat in eggs, one at a time until well Incorporated. Stir in vanilla, buttermilk, zucchini and chocolate chips.

In a separate bowl mix together all of the dry ingredients. Add the liquid ingredients and mix until well combined. Spoon batter into large muffin pans. Bake in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, while preparing the icing (hs note: I made these without the icing, also - don't overcook them or you will lose all the moist goodness - you want them to look almost done in the oven - they will continue to cook for a few minutes after you pull them from the oven from the residual heat).

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Between Carrie and I, we've already made four batches of them (mostly to share)!

Item #3: Last Saturday Carrie and I went to the Shishewana Flea Market. It's the largest flea market in America's Midwest. We paroused for a few hours and only saw about a third of the booths. Like my friend Nate says, you can buy a lot of junk for not a lot of money! It was really interesting but I think we went on a day when both of us were too tired to be overly enthusiastic. Lunch at the Bluegate with two orders of chicken (the Amish really know how to serve up some amazing chicken--the best I've ever tasted!) helped to restore our energy for a trip to Yoder's department store which yielded me a t-shirt for mowing day (pictures to come at a later post) and a grocery shopping stop at the Amish bulk food store.

Item #4: Random photo of the wildflowers and the bench by the labyrinth.

Item #5: Putting a 2-year-old to bed was easier than I imagined. My roommate and I are babysitting our neighbour's daugher for five nights over the next two weeks. The first night we got her to sleep without protest* and she didn't wake up once! I think I can say that a good time was had by all and I hope all the nights go as smoothly as the first one did!

*The secret was waiting until way past her bedtime and then putting her in her stroller and walking until she fell asleep :-) I think being relaxed about it helped too.

Item #6: I need to make a confession...this summer I've gotten hooked on America's Got Talent. Gotta go...