rinse and repeat

It's been an action-packed summer for sure.

Bookend trips to the gulf to visit my dad, wedding celebrations across the country, end-of-year school plays on the west coast, concerts on the mountain, rodeos, baby showers, a trio of littles' birthdays, mini-solo-staycations atop nearby canyons, a seaside reunion with college roommates, and the very exciting arrival of our newest granddaughter!

Through this whirlwind season, I've had a steady sidekick: my two-year-old grandson, Peter. It's been a real joy living so close to my youngest daughter and her growing family.  

Most afternoons, you'll find me with Mr. Zippy—one of the busiest boys I've ever encountered. Filling the hours between school pickup and bath time has certainly kept me on my toes.

Thankfully, Pete and I have found our rhythm. And at the top of our daily routine? The carwash!

Way back when, I signed up for unlimited carwashes. I figured I'd go two or three times a month. But Peter's fascination with the cosmic soap, the strands of "witch's hair," and the big spinning brushes has turned our visits into a daily occurrence. We've developed sound effects for each component, and the big moose sporting a silly shirt never fails to thrill as we enter and leave.

Peter would happily go several times a day if allowed, but I convinced him that the carwash sleeps in late and must go to bed very early. As we drive by on our way to other adventures, we call out, "Goodnight, carwash! See you tomorrow, moose!"

The recipes that served me best this busy summer fell into three categories: make-ahead dishes that warmed the soul, quick weeknight wins that beat takeout, and grab-and-go options for when dinnertime kept slipping further away.

Banana bread is perfect for those mornings when breakfast needed to happen now, and sweet enough to double as an afternoon snack for a certain toddler.

Shrimp fried rice is a better-than-takeout dinner that comes together in minutes. This became my go-to on nights when energy was low, but everyone still needed real food.

Herby cottage cheese dip provides healthier sustenance when proper meals kept getting postponed. Paired with veggies or crackers, this kept me going through long afternoons of toddler wrangling.

I loved my summer with Peter—the adventures, the chaos, the daily carwash ritual that somehow became the highlight of both our days.

Now we're driving off into a new season in the cleanest car in Utah. See you tomorrow, moose!

Summer, frame by frame…