Tonight’s kitchen victory: salade Niçoise, a royal pain in the ass but so good.

Walked to U Village this afternoon (2h15m). (Actually to Zoka, but same thing.)

Meghan dealt with the handyman contractor this week to install a screen door for our patio door. It is so great.

The bambina has gone to a “hiking and berry picking” class all week. Tonight we had some of her raspberries in a green salad with a red wine / apple cider vinaigrette.

Not sure what to read next: There’s new Neal Stephenson, and Empress of Forever briefly touched its hat to Gene Wolfe, but I’m not sure I want either the commitment or to read another old white dude right now, but I also don’t have anything else lined up.

the Bambina: [stretching for a thing she dropped]

me: Do you want a hand?

the Bambina [picking it up]: No thanks. I’m a strong, independent woman.

This afternoon’s kitchen victory: smoking bacon with Amy and Dave and Meghan.

Went to Mom’s with the family for strawberry shortcake.

Empress of Forever was really good. It took a left turn at chapter 3, then fell into a structure so superficially standard that I didn’t notice the very interesting thing Gladstone was doing until about halfway through. Another book I’ll be thinking about in the next weeks.

The dude got braces today, and he is Not Happy.

Now starting Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone.

Hiked a bit above Paradise with Meghan and a pair of acquaintances.

Tonight’s kitchen victory: trying to decide between the yellow and pink sauces at Big Chickie with Amy and Dave and the family.

This afternoon’s kitchen victory: curing bacon with Amy and Dave and Meghan.

Ritz & Escoffier was fascinating, a little chatty and gossipy but perhaps that’s appropriate for the subject matter. I wasn’t aware how much those two shaped the modern hotel and restaurant businesses.