This morning I attempted to sleep in, but my body is so accustomed to my workday wakeup time of 5:15am that it's really not possible to do it properly. I usually can doze for another hour or two, but I never go back into a deep sleep, plus the dogs start stirring around and wanting their breakfast before long. I don't really mind, because I rarely stay up late. I guess it's probably a good thing to have such regular sleep habits.
For once I did most of my grocery shopping yesterday afternoon after work, so that's one less Saturday chore I have today. I do plan to go to a small local farm stand I just discovered recently for fresh vegetables and fruit. They've had wonderful heirloom tomatoes, fresh Romaine lettuce (locally grown lettuce is like gold right now with all the "diarrhea lettuce" making headlines around the country) and plenty of other goodies like sweet corn, peppers, summer and winter squash, and okra. For fruit they've had heirloom watermelons, plums, and even figs a few times. Last week, I bought a jar of pickled okra for the first time. I'd never tried it before but wanted to. I love all kinds of pickles, and I like okra in all its forms, so it's no surprise that I really liked it!
When I was at the grocery store yesterday I found some nice-looking raw green peanuts, so I bought two pounds. They're currently cooking in a large crock pot with plenty of water and salt. Fresh hot boiled peanuts are a real treat every once in a while. That probably sounds strange to at least 75% of you reading this! As far as I know only people here in the South eat them, but they're very, very tasty. Especially if you like salt! :)
Beyond going to the farm stand and making a simple supper later on, today is going to be for relaxing. The past couple of weeks at work have simply dragged even though I've been very busy. It's still hot here (although now more "ordinary" hot than "extreme heat wave" hot) and it continues to sap my energy and motivation. I'm craving crisp, cool days and chilly nights where I can finally shake off some of the torpor. September can't get here soon enough!
