We just finished another busy weekend, so busy in fact that I had to meet Jonathan today after lunch to go get an espresso together at the med school cafe. I was literally falling asleep at my desk!!! I guess 5.5 mile runs are still a challenge for me. Well, that and non-stop cleaning and cooking all day to host a cookout lab party for 22 students, lab assistants, Wash U collaborators and their cute kids and significant others. Though I don't consider myself a talented host, I have enjoyed welcoming these folks over to our home 3-4 times a year and gradually getting to know them better. And I do like cooking and cleaning and decorating, really ;)

We refinished our deck just in time.  It was SO helpful to have a deadline and now we get to enjoy it all summer long! — We refinished our deck just in time. It was SO helpful to have a deadline and now we get to enjoy it all summer long!

Yes, those are 3-D brain coasters.  Nerd alert!! — Yes, those are 3-D brain coasters. Nerd alert!!

Needed a new colorful tablerunner for spring!

Vegan blueberry lime "cheesecake" experiment.  It looks prettier than it tastes... — Vegan blueberry lime "cheesecake" experiment. It looks prettier than it tastes...

I'm afraid I didn't actually take any photos during the party itself. There rarely seems to be an opportunity for that. But it was a blast. The burgers didn't burn, the sky was clear, the basil lemonade (and beer) was flowing, and the kids running around were irresistibly cute. My kind of party :). I feel like we get a tiny bit better at this large scale entertaining thing every time.

I guess we should start planning the summer party soon. Yikes.

Hopebench