Have you ever felt this?

Sometimes we just do things that don't make sense.

Since David and I moved to Rome, we sometimes walk to the grocery store closest to us. Most of the time, it's for essentials like beer and cookie dough, and a stroll can be a nice way to end the day. Today, however, I was just feeling cooped up and hungry, so I decide, despite the look of the ominous sky, it was time for a walk. 

Have you ever experienced summer rain that feels like relief? I'm not talking about when it's been dry and blisteringly hot outside, but the other kind of pre-storm that feels pregnant with moisture and pressure. Like a lid on a jar that just won't give in, just won't, and then suddenly, it does.

It's the kind of rain that makes the whole world feel wet, and the raindrops sound and feel more like a water balloon ambush. This was the kind of rain that started coming down just as I decided to walk to the grocery store. It ran every where, and it was so all at once that the ground couldn't lap it up quick enough. Little puddles were quickly big puddles, and the rain kept coming so hard and fast that soon I wasn't sure what was bouncing off the ground and what was falling from the sky. At first I tried to cover up with my rain jacket, but soon the world was so wet and soggy that the wispy pieces of hair that escaped my jacket were dewy cobwebs across my face. So, I pulled down my hood and bathed in it. 

It wasn't a cold and refreshing rain, but a steamy one that tasted like the green, summery June it frolicked with. In those minutes, I time-travelled. I no longer worked at a college, paid a mortgage, or cared whether the laundry was put away. I was approximately 9, freckled, and free. 

And then it was over. The grocery store's fluorescent lights and motion-censored doors released an attack of cold air, and I came to my senses, dripping. A large, middle-aged woman at a nearby check-out counter let out a cackle and hollered over, "Honey, you pick the wr-awww-ng tiiime to walk." "Yes, yes, I did mumbled back," trying to stifle my grin. I had definitely not picked the wrong time to walk. 

As I began to walk back, pretty waterlogged and now carrying groceries, the novelty of the moment began to wear off, that is, until I saw three children sitting at the end of their driveway sprawled out in the nastiest of puddles. One had a cup and was dumping the water on the other, and they were singing. I waved and yelled, "Y'all having fun?" "YEAH!" They yelled in unison. "Me too," I replied.

From somewhere came giggling, and I looked up at the house to see two mothers huddled in the front door, witnessing all the glee. I waved and they waved back.

And now I sit here, not sure what to make of this moment, but knowing I want to capture it before it's swallowed up as a yesterday. And I know if I say or think too much, it might start sounding like some sappy, made-up country song. But I will say this, it's been a really strange and really beautiful summer afternoon.

2 Recipes Worth Trying:

I admit it. I'm a summer snob. I love the heat, the clothes, the outdoor activities, but most of all, I LOVE summer food. And now that I'm not studying myself to sleep anymore, I've had some time to "play with my food." I tore these two recipes out of REAL SIMPLE magazine awhile back, and let me tell ya - if you're looking for some yummy summertime meals, these will hit the spot:

Ravioli With Apples and Walnuts

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 20m | Total Time: 20m

Ingredients

• 1 pound cheese ravioli 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 crisp apple (I like Gala), cut into matchsticks
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

Directions

• Cook the ravioli according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the apple, parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Spoon over the ravioli and sprinkle with the Parmesan.

SPICY CHICKEN COUSCOUS SALAD!
Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 25m
Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin (PREPARE FOR SERIOUS COOKING SMELLS!!)
• "   "kosher salt and black pepper
• 3⁄4 cup couscous
• 3/4 pound cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
• 1/4 pound snap peas, thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup torn fresh basil (DON'T SKIMP HERE, use fresh!!)
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (you can cheat here though)

Directions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with the paprika, cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
2. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board.
3. Meanwhile, place the couscous in a large bowl. Add 1 cup hot tap water, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
4. Add the tomatoes, snap peas, basil, lemon zest and juice, remaining oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to couscous. Toss to combine.
5. Slice the chicken and serve with the couscous

Hope y'all enjoy these meals as much as we have.  They are both EASY and delicious. And by the way, sorry for the lack of blogging. Because it's summer, I'm going, I'm traveling, and I'm outside, so the computer falls to the wayside - probably a healthy thing. HAPPY EATING!