Jerry's back!

Today was the perfect Northwest summer day - particularly exciting and surprising because they don't often happen before the 4th of July. It was 70 degrees, sunny, dry and clear. On days like today I can't imagine why anyone would want to live anywhere else. Mt. Rainier hovered to the south, the Olympic mountains were crystal clear, and the Cascades shimmered to the east.

We started our day like we do most Saturdays, with a trip to the University District farmer's market. We shopped our way along the line, picking up more ground beef from Olsen Farms because it seems we can't get enough of it (so juicy and flavorful - we only eat burgers at home!), honey from Tahuya River apiaries, a half flat of strawberries from McPhail berry farm (and we ate them all after dinner), and cherries from Martin Family Orchards. But it wasn't until we spied Jerry Pipitone in his custom apricot shirt that I felt sure that summer is finally here. It feels like ages since we last saw him. We bought a couple of pounds of firm rosy-hued Pipcots, and most of them were gone before we even got to the car. We drove home sticky with apricot juice and the windows wide open. It's summer in Seattle!