Sophia's Third Birthday

Sophia is three today! She is turning into this amazing little girl who loves her big sister, loves to figure out how things work, loves to "help", and is very, very snuggly.

She was 6 pounds and 13 oz when she was born. Her skin was dry and flaky and pale and she had perfect oval doll-like fingernails. She seemed to smile at me once she came out of the water--she had a water birth--and then proceeded to cry and cry until she settled in and became very pink.



Please pardon my appearance. I had been up since 1 AM and had Sophia at 6:22 AM. The real contractions didn't really start for a while, either. I called my friend Ame to meet us at the hospital at about 3:20 AM and I wasn't even sure that this was It. I woke up my Mom and Ellen Aim, who were also with us. I found out in about an hour that, yes, this was most definitely It. I was 5 cm dilated when I got to the hospital and I think that was about 3:45. Mom took care of Fiona, who was 2 3/4 at the time and she basically played in the play room and checked in and out. She managed to get there when Sophia was pushed out. She, of course, had a diaper that needed changing right before that point. She doesn't remember much about Sophia's birth except these things: the treat bag we packed for her and the noise I made. Oh, she remembers the little extra bed made up on the floor of our hospital room. Short and sweet is the way to go for labor, I have to say. It sure is intense, though. Thank goodness I could use Doug for squeezing and whatever else I did during labor. I don't really remember much except I was definitely not happy.

That memory is fading, unfortunately, but we have lots of pictures and video of that time and the most precious written account of it by Ame, who was there for the birth (and who just had a baby girl of her own on the 14th! Another amazing baby girl!), that always makes me cry.




Here she is with her older sister and we have been so amazed how great they are together. We really have a complete family.





The last one was taken last week. Happy birthday, sweet Sophia!

We Now Return to our Programming

The view from the "upper playground" at school.

Sorry about the, uh, small delay there. Over a month, but who's counting?

School has been going well for Fiona. She has been making friends and having fun. She was tested on her reading ability and she is reading at 3rd grade level. I dropped her off today at school--normally Doug does this, but he is in Boston--and she didn't want me to leave. She didn't even want to play on the playground. That is apparently not the norm, so I hope everything is okay. Maybe it's just Monday. Maybe it's because Sobo is here and we might have too much fun this morning. Then again, Sobo has been here since last Wednesday. Fiona's other bottom tooth is still there and I have no idea why. It is hanging by what must be the most tenacious root ever. She plays with it all the time. It makes me a little green to watch, so I try not to.

Sophia is doing well and turns three Thursday. I can't wait. I have cake to make. The oven is still not working, so unfortunately I may have to buy it. That would be easier, but not really as special (to me anyway). I think we need balloons. It will just be a family party. She does this thing now where if you catch her doing something she isn't supposed to do, or even if you just ask her not to do something, she will shush you (by looking at you, putting her finger to her lips and going "shhhhhh!"). And then continue doing her forbidden activity. As if you would just be quiet she could do whatever she wanted to.

We have been apple picking with Fiona's class at Liberty Orchard, which is such a cute place. The trees are short, so the kids can easily pick them. We now have lots of apples. Her class made applesauce (and I volunteer in her class with Sophia every Thursday, so I got to help!). The trees are really awesome this year. It was so warm for a while--I mean, seriously, warm. 80s Fahrenheit. It was great. It's not warm anymore. I think I need to buckle down and buy Fiona's coat and two pairs of snow boots. Ugh.

Both girls are now sleeping in their own beds...Sophia has a cool new bed that is just like Fiona's--from Flexa...and Doug and I have our own room once again! Actually, it isn't uncommon for Sophia to wake up at night and it also is not uncommon for them to join us in the morning. It's just nice to be able to have some time with one's spouse again. Alone. Speaking of my handsome spouse, he is also volunteering at Fiona's school. He was "Zero the Hero" in his cape and outfit. Every 10th, 20th, etc day of school they have a special zero treat (healthy..or healthy-ish I should say) and on the 20th day, Zero the Hero (Doug) paid a visit! It was so cute and I have pictures. Well, actually, I don't quite have them yet, but I will. Other parents can volunteer, so it won't be just him. Anyway, Fiona kept insisting he was her dad, and he kept saying Nope, I'm Zero the Hero. She was really confused and wary ("But you LOOK like my dad! You SMELL like my dad!") and wouldn't get in the pictures with him and the class at first. Finally he took her in the hall and said, yes, I'm your dad, but I have to keep my identity a secret. All was well.

Quiz Time

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

This Made Me Laugh

So we get this rather thick Parent & Student Handbook during last night's orientation. This is perhaps a taste of what we are getting into. From the handbook:

Parking:
The Visitor (that's us, dropping her off and picking her up) parking area is in the front of the building. We are aware that there is not enough space. However, visitors must use this space. Do not park, double park or block traffic in front of the building or in the staff parking lot at anytime.

The road leading up to the school has several signs instructing you not to park there at certain times...essentially when school is in session.

Guess how many spaces are in the front of the school?

FOUR.

One handicapped.

I don't know why it went so smoothly this morning, but it did. Maybe a lot of kids take the bus. I know some walk. We'd walk, but we are just a little too far away. I can't just drop her off, either. For kindergarten, you have to walk them up. I actually like that, but I wonder where I will be putting the car while I take Sophia to go get her sister. Doug gets to drop her off, which is a much busier time than lunch time.

On the First Day of Kindergarten...

She had a good day and got a sticker for being a good helper. Even though it is just a half day, they have the option to have lunch there. Of course she wants to eat lunch there. She brought her lunch and later I overheard her tell her dad on the phone that she was the only one who brought a "cold lunch" (as opposed to buying it; she had hot miso soup and onigiri and a fruit leather). We looked at the menu and she is even saying she will eat all her salad on salad day. Hmmm. Well, we'll see.

She learned a song about peanut butter and grape jelly and their first field trip will be picking apples!

Time on Your Hands?

Or not?

Let me introduce you to Boomshine.

Dr Who Reads Aladdin

I am indebted to my sister Alex, for pointing out Ford Galaxy of Stories to me. This week, Tom Baker is reading Aladdin. He was the best Dr Who. You may disagree with me, but you would be wrong. Although the new series is pretty awesome.

Anywho, these stories are really well done and often have a twist to them. Fiona enjoys listening to them quite a bit. She also likes StoryNory, Odds Bodkin (especially the Little Proto trilogy), and Jim Weiss (She is into Greek Myths because of Jim Weiss).

I'm Not Scared!

So while we were in Burlington, eating pungent things and drinking evil corporate autumnal goodness, we went to Borders. Sophia lit upon a book with an owl on the cover, and she said she wanted me to read the owl book. The owl book is I'm Not Scared by Jonathan Allen, and it is very cute. I read it twice and we bought the book. Sophia has repeatedly been saying "I'm scared" in various situations. I'm not even sure she exactly knows what it means. She is definitely imitating Fiona (who, in addition to potions and nightlights and dragon protectors, now has a net over her bed). She also imitates "My stomach hurts".

We read it at least six times tonight and, so far, it is fun to read, even over and over.

I may have to find a copy of I'm Not Cute!. These days, if you tell Sophia she is cute, or beautiful, she says, "I'm NOT cute! I'm NOT beautiful". Then she will say, "I'm just Ee-aa" (her nickname). Yesterday she said, "I'm just a girl".

If I kiss her, she says, "No kisses!" If I hug her, she says, "No! No hugs!"

Then later I am treated to how a bull would hug. She runs at me, headfirst, and crushes into me with her head, then wraps her arms around me.

Sweet and Pungent

Pungent, there's a fabulous word. Pungent as in Sweet and Pungent Walnuts, from A Single Pebble. That is one of my favorites, along with the Mock Eel. Yes, my friends, we went today, taking along the girls. It wasn't exactly a roaring success, but it didn't suck, either. Sophia didn't eat anything at all and Fiona only ate tea, rice, and pork...but! she tried everything! This is huge! So when we went by Starbucks (I know, I know, evil coffee empire) because my sister Alex so kindly informed me that they have the Pumpkin Spice Latte again (there is no Starbucks anywhere near where I live, so this is a special treat...otherwise I would find myself frittering away our disposable income, I'm sure), I bought them each a slice of pumpkin bread. Hey, it probably has pumpkin in it, right? What's better for you than pumpkin? Hell if I know.

Fiona's teacher and the other kindergarten teacher came for a home visit, and Fiona immediately showed them in and, without pause, took them to her room, and showed them her dragon books, her dinosaur bone puzzles, her calico critter house, and Sweety and Pippi. Everyone loves those parakeets. She didn't seem too interested in learning more about class or the school or anything else. Her teacher asked her a question as Fiona was rummaging in her jewelry box, and Fiona said, completely in her own world, "Look at this beautiful ring I found!". She took quite readily to her teachers and even gave her teacher a hug. At this point, there are only 12 kids in her class. Only 4 of them are boys.

Sophia started Kindermusic today, and we went as a family. The teacher was especially pleased to see Fiona as Fiona has been going since before she started walking and Fiona really likes this teacher. Sophia stayed glued to Doug unless she was dancing and twirling and running around. She seemed to enjoy the class. One of these Kindermusic songs is a little too catchy and it has been in my head for about 4 years. Fiona heard it again today and she remarked to me, as if she were slightly perplexed, that she couldn't seem to get it out of her head. I told her it was, unfortunately, normal.

Interesting

Dining & Wine
Edible Films With Superpowers
By KIM SEVERSON
Published: August 29, 2007

Scientists in a handful of labs around the country are coating foods with an invisible film to protect them from mold and pathogens and increase their shelf life.

Potions Master

So now that Fiona sleeps in her own bed, she doesn't really have someone to snuggle into if she has a nightmare. Well, she will still wake us (Doug) up, and we (he) will tuck her back into bed. One night, she had this nightmare where all these people were walking their dogs. She and I were walking, too, but without a dog (probably because we don't have one). We looked down and saw a dog leg. I said, "Oh, I didn't know bats ate dogs!". Everyone was very scared and ran away with their dogs.

I think I've got that right. Every time I think I understand, I don't and she shrieks at me in exasperation. Mommy is really. slow.

So, I think it was after that dream that Doug ran downstairs and got his bottled Gulf of Mexico. See, he had this sexy little bottle full of ocean water that he saved from a special trip; this is before we had met. So this is bottled Gulf o' Mexico aged over a decade. If you are like me, and certain that strange flesh-eating bacteria are probably thriving in the bottle by this time, let me assure you that all is well. He brings it to her and tells her it is a special potion that will keep away bats. It is clear that it isn't a potion you drink, you just have it. It worked. She carried it with her everywhere. We took it to Maine. She poured it out into the Atlantic Ocean and took a little Atlantic with her home.

Now the Atlantic has been colored red and glitter added (actually, I am not entirely sure it's still the ocean water). She decided on the way home that she wants to make potions and sell them in her potion shop. She is trying to figure out a way to do this without ocean water. She wants to make potions to keep away all types of scary creatures.

Our Trip to Maine

First of all, I am happy to say I found the veggie chips that I loved (look at the comments section, actually) so much in the box lunch you get at Gesine's. I found it at the Hanover co-op, but you can, of course, get them online. They aren't oily, they are very crispy, and they are very flavorful. I wonder if they dehydrate them a bit first, then fry them? I don't know how they do it.

Last week, we drove to Portland, Maine to stay for a couple of nights. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express which was okay, but a bit overpriced. It was one of the cheapest chain hotels I could find in that area, though. Perhaps it is so high because it is a popular time of year to go to Maine. I can't say I recommend it. The bed is comfy and the people are very nice and helpful, but the pool! The pool was really dirty. We didn't let the girls go in and they had been looking forward to some swimming time. We did the pool right before leaving, so it wasn't really something we could ask them to fix. Maybe I would have if Sophia hadn't had an accident right in the middle of the comfy bed (which I told them about and Doug left a note on the spot saying "here").

We didn't really spend our time in Portland except to eat at some chain restaurants like On The Border (which I found satisfying...especially the margarita) and Uno (which we've never been in before, just like On The Border, and it was okay...Doug's turn for a margarita, which was very good, but was also $8.99!). We were staying across from a mall, of all things, and we wandered in there and I found the only bra from Victoria's Secret that fits me, from the Intimissimi line from Italy. I had thought they only had it at big, major stores, and only a few in the US. I guess Maine is one of them? Who knew? Vermont is definitely not one of those stores. I can actually get a fun little bra in size ONE. I tried a two, and I can see now I am definitely a ONE. But it fits. Plus they were on sale, so I had to buy two. Everything else in that store can reduce me to tears of frustration.

The next day we had planned to go to a blueberry festival/fair in Union. After seeing that it was at least another hour north, as was the botanical garden and train museum, we decided to go south along the coast and go beach hopping and tide pool exploring.

We went to York Beach and Fort Foster. It was a fabulous choice. (Can you tell we put off researching this trip until the last minute?) We didn't even make it to York's Wild Kingdom Zoo, but maybe next time. Next time, I want to stay in that area instead of Portland. Portland is fine, but York was more of the sort of thing we were interested in for this trip.

We also found the Kittery outlet stores, purely by chance, which we would have totally ignored except Doug declared he saw a Hanna Andersson outlet. I just love Hanna Andersson, so I turned the car around (a bit to Doug's chagrin) and we braved the crowds. I wanted to find Fiona a coat, but they didn't have anything like that. I did end up getting each girl a new dress and leggings. I'm glad we actually had a chance to try things on instead of going by measurements and ordering online, because I saw they are in the next size up already. They are both between sizes right now (Fiona is 110/120 and Sophia 90/100). We escaped as soon as that was done.

On the way back, we had to stop at Len Libby candies, both for the homemade candies and the chocolate moose (there are also chocolate bear cubs).

I recommend the blueberry malt balls (I have a thing for malt balls). We haven't tried everything yet. Trying to pace ourselves. Oh, both the maple caramel corn and the blueberry caramel corn are divine. There are lots of samples to help you choose.

We returned to the Children's Museum of Portland, which is a really awesome place for the kids. They had a great time, although Sophia mostly wanted to press the buttons for the video of sea creatures.


It's good to be back home, but I can't wait to go back. One of these times, I'm getting a damn lobster roll.

That's a Great Toy!...For Me to Poop On.

Yesterday we went to the Champlain Valley Fair, which is always fun. Apparently a good day to go is Monday, early. It was very easy to get a front row seat for the Pig Racing. They loved this. The person calling out the names of the pigs and the winner picks a child, one out of each of four sections, to be the section's "cheerleader". If their pig wins, they get a prize, which, as far as I could see, was a pig on a key chain. This is the first time Fiona has either caught on to this or been interested and she wanted to be picked. She did get picked, but her pig didn't win. Being the total saps that we are, when it was announced you could buy a pig on a key chain for $2, we said okay.

Well. It's not just any pig on a key chain. It's a pooping pig on a key chain. And it's eyes pop out when you squeeze it. This is better than the egg coming out of the rubber chicken. At least we knew what we were getting with the chicken.

And get this. The poop? Is sticky. It's just all sorts of classy. It is the hot toy of the moment around here.

So, moving right along (ahem), we had a great time at the fair. Maple Creemies (yes, it's spelled that way) and mini doughnuts and fresh lemonade to be had.


Sophia's favorite, pony riding, also done. She didn't scream and cry this year when it was time to stop.

Sophia didn't get a pig and was distraught over this, so we decided to stop by this awesome toy store, Jamie Two-Coats' in Shelburne. We ended up getting Sophia this:

for her room, which is now underway. We're just waiting for the bed to get here...dum de dum de dum...
Both girls are crazy about this thing. I have a sheet clipped to it with big wooden clips

and it seems to be a place for Fiona's favorite books (about dragons and princesses), Dandra's lair, and also a place for unicorn play. In Sophia's room. I'm glad Sophia loves playing with Fiona!

Sunday Adventures

There it is. Or was. The tooth that is now a $5 garnet dragon gem.



There's our wounded Sophia. She looks a lot better actually. The swelling is all gone.

We went to the Shelburne Museum today and it was a sparkling day. We had a great time. But then we tried to do too much, I suppose, and went to the Flying Pig Bookstore, which looked awesome, but as Fiona had a major tantrum, we left immediately. We tried for a quick trip to Cheese Trader and Wine Sellers, but like many places in Vermont, they are closed on Sundays. It was not meant to be. She slept the whole way home, which is very unusual. On the way to Shelburne Museum, we ate lunch at Chef Leu's House, which is a Chinese restaurant nearby we have never tried before. It always looked rather empty. I have no idea why. The eggplant in garlic sauce special was excellent. We also had pork and green beans and chicken and broccoli. Both were great. Sophia ate rice and broccoli and Fiona had rice with pork and green beans. Everyone had tea. They both did very well there. I'm sure we'll go again. Next time I will order more adventurous dishes and/or more specials. I feel like I can even try the seafood here.

They both had a great time finding dragons in the restaurant. Fiona declared that the gold dragon (which was a miniature boat) at the front desk was an Asian Lung dragon.

Parenting Rule #756: Always Have Wet Wipes in the Car.

Thanks to EllenAim for inspiring me to put my Simpsonized picture here (I just realized we are wearing the same outfit, how embarrassing!) and also thank you for the:



If only I were worthy! I agree with your award most wholeheartedly. Your blog is extremely entertaining. I also agree that Triana is most deserving.

It has been a rough few days. I shlepped the kids and a picnic lunch to an unknown playground at a school and we weren't there 15 minutes when, worried I left the car lights on, I dashed off to check the car, leaving my friend Jen in charge with the kids. Sophia noticed after a few moments and dashed after me, tripping and sliding on her face and shoulder across the asphalt (not the grass or the playground mulch, the asphalt. Of course). She had a very big upper lip, a very scraped and bloody nose, scraped shoulder, hand, and cheek. She was a total mess. I felt horrible. I had no wipes or tissues (I had just used them up, okay?). I borrowed some. She didn't even want to stop for a popsicle or ice cream. We went straight home and I found a lone popsicle in the freezer. I gave her Tylenol (she said her lip hurt). She looks much better now and is totally herself. I am still recovering.

For some reason, our source for big organic blueberries is not doing so well this year, so I buy what I can at the farmer's market and hope that next week she can bring me a case of them. I did get some blackberries, too, which aren't as nice as the ones I got in Utah, but Sophia adores them and will eat them rapidly and with great concentration. It is also cold. I am not sure it's even in the 70s anymore. Time to buy all that lovely snow gear, I fear.

The End of the Summer

So we finally find out that Fiona is in the morning Kindergarten class--not the afternoon one like I thought. Her class starts at 7:45. AM. It will be pitch black at 7:45 AM for a few months, you know. I feel trepidation about this. Fiona just said to me, "I know when to get up when I look at the window and the sun is up". Oh yes, that sounds quite natural. We are actually early risers here, but in the winter, it is just really dark here. I mean, I know it's not Alaska or the Netherlands or what have you, but it's dark in the winter. Well, I'm sure she'll get used to it...although I haven't really in the years we've been here.

Her teacher also patiently explained to me that, morning or afternoon, Fiona would be in some sort of "literary circle" and her reading encouraged (what my main concern was, as they did ask my preference for which class we wanted--afternoon--and they said they planned to have a reading circle in the afternoon, so that would work out nicely...you can see why I had concerns, but I guess since that conversation was in May, it was too far in the past to actually have any more relevance? I know, I know, things change, and I really have no idea what happens at the school during the summer. Or what happens at the school at all behind the scenes. Yet?)

So that all starts September 5th. We're squeezing in all the playdates we can, going to the circus this afternoon (feeling a little nervous about pulling that one off, I can tell you), going somewhere for a couple of days in the two weeks Doug is taking off after this week, going to the fair, and possibly going apple picking, but that may happen after school starts. I believe the swimming pools close this week. In fact, I think our town's pool closes...today. And we haven't been there all summer (we've been to other swimming pools and the river, but not that one!). The one time we tried to go, it thundered as soon as we got out of the car. That happened last year, too. Fiona has told me she wants to go to the beach (the lake) to use her inflatable boat and oars and vest before summer is over.

Things feel a bit frantic over here. At least we made it to the farmer's market to get the best, biggest blueberries I've ever seen anywhere! They are even "organic".

The above picture was taken by Sobo at River Run, a great place where we used to eat with our friends Annie, Eric, and Andrea before kids and while Annie, Andrea and I were at NECI. They used to just have breakfast and lunch, but now it's all three meals and I enjoyed my catfish and hushpuppy dinner with some local beer. The breakfasts were always just awesome. I'm so glad they have dinner now, too (not to mention a larger seating area!). It is also very child friendly (thank goodness as Sophia and Julia both had A Moment). They still only accept cash, but there is an ATM there near the bathroom. It wasn't working when we went.

How to Dodge a Question

Fiona came up to me again (I swear I just sat down) and asked me if I remember that time we went to Sears at the mall and then saw Santa Claus and she asked him for a unicorn?

I said, yes, I remember that.

She said that was fun. I agreed.

Then she said, "This year I have some questions for him, though. I want to ask him if he really flies with the reindeer. What do you think, Mom? Do you think that's true? Do you think reindeers really fly?"

I said, "Well, what do you think?"

She said, "I don't really know. I'll ask him."

I said it's a very good question.

The Amuse Bouche of the Morning

So I'm sitting here suffering through cramps and drinking tea thinking it will do something and Fiona and Sophia come over and announce they want breakfast (who do they think I am?). I mention I (finally!) got some Seven in the Morning cereal (Kashi seven whole grain nugget cereal now...or something like that) and we have blueberries; would they like that? Fiona says yes and then says: "But first can I have...what is that word?...oh yes, can I have a kiss for an appetizer?"

Never Laugh at Live Dragons

Dragons. Brought to you by Dragonology (and the handbook), although the love of dragons was already there (her dragon friend Dandra sleeps by her head at night, a gift from Triana). Did I mention that earlier? Fiona is sleeping in her own room rather regularly now.

So that is where the tooth fairy came last night, because--ta da!--Fiona lost (well, pushed or took out as it was very loose--I didn't look because surprisingly, I can not stomach watching her move a loose tooth around in her mouth) her first tooth last night after tooth brushing. We put the astonishingly small tooth in the pillow and put it by hers (thank goodness it didn't have to be underneath). Instead of coins, Fiona got a garnet gem (value $5). Dragons love gems, you know. She has been trying to catch one for a few weeks now and apparently you can do this if you leave gems outside of their cave. Once he comes out, you sprinkle dragon dust on a mirror and show it to him. I believe there is a spell that goes with this.

Dragons are also not make-believe according to Fiona. She likes to go to the library and leave "gems" (these little gem-looking like things you can glue on to things if you want to be crafty) outside in places where it looks like a dragon lives. Once, she must have dropped one somewhere else mistakenly or something because it was gone when she walked back to look for it. She is sure the dragon took it. She did say she wouldn't use her garnet gem for the dragons, however.

She has just arrived and informed me that obviously the tooth fairy must be real, too, and I was wrong to say that fairies are make believe. Even mommies make mistakes.

Gesine

I have wanted to visit Gesine in ages. I either managed to go by when they were closed or I just didn't make it quite that far into Montpelier. Reading back through my blog, I see that I have wanted to visit since August 22, 2005. I can't believe it takes me 2 years to visit a bakery in the next town...a town I visit every single day (well, nearly). I guess I should mention here that I don't usually buy pastries and coffee and such. I can make it all myself (theoretically) and it's just so indulgent.

However, after tasting their chocolate (cocoa?) cookies and their flaky, voluptuously scented apples pies (they sell them every Friday) from a friend, I finally made it down there (and besides, Fiona's summer camp was on the way). While their macaroons (their signature item: maple, mocha, and lemon) are quite good (not coconut; they are the French style almond ones), what I fell in love with are the little things around the store. They have these delightful sunflower seeds that are coated with chocolate and a candy coating. The candy coating is done in these really vibrant appealing colors. They are just way too cute for words. They are just like these. The colors seem a bit different, but you get the idea.

Then, they have the requisite "French soda" (with cream if you like), but in flavors I have never seen before. Jasmine. Apricot. Pomegranate. Lavender. And my favorite, Violet. They seem to encourage you to experiment freely with all these syrup flavors (there are many more) and one of their suggestions is a Sweet Lavender Latte. I ordered one for Doug and I now have a new favorite. I have to say, I am all about floral flavors, although they can be overdone. I realize they aren't for everyone, but there are plenty of other flavors to try.

The staff is also really friendly and helpful (and because of this I bought way more than I intended to on my first trip...I came out with a bag o' pastries and a soda instead of "just a coffee"). I plan to go on a regular basis, as our finances allow, of course.


When Doug and I went to our wine dinner, we had some time to kill at the bookstore, where I finally bought The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. This is something else I have been meaning to do for ages. I only hope I can finish it before the last Harry Potter book comes out.

If only I could read it and spend the day at Gesine's.