Celebrate because Mouse and Boyfriend are going to see fambly, which is like "family" multiplied by lots more people and located in the South. We are going to eat okra, look at lightning bugs. Maybe Boyfriend will see his first junebug clicking about. We are going to hug large, ample women, who will feed us egg pie and chess cake and give us grief about being too skinny.

I am going to show him towns (consumed by kudzu), sprouting bean hay, and rotted barns full of spiders and ghosts. I'm going to show him the white stag and teach him how to breathe air heavier than silk in the late summer night.

AND, we are going to see Mouse's Mom, who made all this possible with frequent flier miles. (Thanks, Mom!) See you Monday. It's a short adventure. xo

Mouse is over the moon! A lovely package came in the mail yesterday from Rachel of Heart of Light. Inside were goodies like you wouldn't believe: dear, hand-embroidered "eat" napkins, a meal planner with perforated grocery lists, and the most darling headband in this delicious, steely gray...Thank you, Rachel!

By the way, similar goodies are for sale at Rachel's Etsy shop, so you nice mice can stop by and score some for yourselves!

Funny signs from our beach.
"No diving by earless jackrabbits."
"No swimming near giant number sevens."

Things Mouse ate in celebration of Boyfriend's birthday this weekend:

1. Mushroom-Stilton galette
2. Giant pea shoot salad
3. Oats with butter, brown sugar, almonds, dried blueberries and cranberries
4. Giant half-pound burger on pretzel roll
5. Sweet-potato french fries in aioli sauce
6. Hummus sandwiches
7. Egg sandwich with bacon, tomato, thyme, and Gorgonzola
8. More bacon
9. Red velvet birthday cake
10. Carrot cupcake
11. Guacamole and quesadillas
12. Chicken and artichoke paella
13. Tapas
a. goat cheese with tomato sauce
b. tortilla espanola with aioli
c. dates wrapped in bacon
d. papas bravas
e. salty roasted green peppers
f. calamari sauteed with herbs
g. braised lamb and couscous
h. roasted garlicky eggplant
i. mushrooms stuffed with cheese
j. chicken and peppers
k. shrimp thing
14. Omelet with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and dill
15. Leftover tapas
16. Lemon squares
17. Leftover birthday cake

Giant happy Mouse.