things that stay the same

my dad's visit went well. ella was very interested in poppy and what he was doing. though she's not inclined to let people other than j., momby, or myself pick her up or try to snuggle her. whenever anyone else tries she starts looking panicked and says "all done! all done!" i don't know if she thinks they are going to take her away from us or what. i guess that is just one of the things about not having a daycare baby. she's not used to other people being in her space.

but we had a good time. my dad and i got to take a long after-dinner walk on thursday night, and i took him all over ipswich. it's been so long since i've had my dad in my physical presence and all to myself, so it was really nice to connect with him. friday i worked two early hours and then was home the rest of the day. dad and i got elenora outside to play and took her down to the river to walk around. after dinner my dad and i headed to vt.

saturday my dad had people show up to help him pack, so i picked up some donuts, bagels and a box of joe to leave with them before i went out to breakfast with c. on my way to sugar and spice i stopped at a little country store and picked up muffalletta, greene's gourmet of vermont hot texas chipotle sauce, and some maple sugar candy for ella--things i can only get authentically in vt without paying for shipping and handling.

sugar and spice was the same as always. the huge sap buckets are already hanging off the maple trees around the property.

it's so comforting to have things that stay the same throughout your life.

i went from breakfast to a.'s house. i got my baby fix hanging out with her 1-and-a-half year old, naomi. we took the kids for a bike ride and made blondies and oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and did some grocery shopping. i don't know how she packs so much into each day and still finds time to sew all of her beautiful quilts and handbags.

for dinner i took dad to three tomatoes, where i had the same dish i ate there a couple years ago on my 1 year wedding anniversary: pan fried artichoke hearts with kalamata olives and penne pasta. and i had them pack up some lemon chifon cake, which is the same cake, made by the same woman, that i had as my wedding cake. mmmm. j. and i enjoyed a slice after i arrived home.