sleep until noon

realize that after days of storms and horrible weather, the sun is shining and it is gorgeous outside

go to a park by a lake, armed with food, blankets, and frisbees

have friends show up to share the food, blankets, and frisbees

let 4 hours go by without worrying about anything except making sure that everyone has had enough watermelon

leave the park as the sun is setting, bathing the House of Worship in golden light

thank you.

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I had the opportunity to volunteer at the 4th Annual Baha’i Choral Music Festival in May. It was wonderful to see so many people at the House of Worship. I was manning the main entrance for both performances, so I got to see everyone.

A number of my dear friends went on the Voices of Baha tour in India in June. Imagine 120 singers from around the world, traveling around India in the heat of summer just to sing! Seeing the photos and video made me wish I was with them.

I purchased my copy of The Baha’i Gardens by my friend Marco Abrar a few weeks ago, and received a copy of this gorgeous book soon after. It is a coffee table book that I think everyone should have. It has beautiful photos of the Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa & Akka, Israel, and it nearly brought tears to my eyes as I looked through the pages and remembered my time there.

Speaking of photobooks, you should definitely pre-order Hasten Forth, a photobook that takes you on a journey of Haifa and Akka, by my Haifa companions (and lovely friends) Ginous Alford and Anis Mungapen.  I can’t WAIT until my copy arrives!

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When I was little, I loved bleu cheese salad dressing.  If ever given a choice, I would choose that.  I don’t know why, especially because I find it rather revolting now (especially since it usually contains gluten).

Most salad dressings are too thick, contain ingredients that make me sick, or are just unhealthy.  I have never been a “salad for a meal” type of person.  I’ll throw down some steak and potatoes with no hesitation.  But in the summer I often have a craving for something lighter. What to do?

The other day I noticed that my glass bottle of olive oil had about 1 cup of oil left in it.  I removed the plastic insert at the opening of the bottle, and added:

1/2 cup of lemon juice
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Then I shook it up. I now have homemade dressing that I keep in my fridge, and I love it.
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Over the last few years, I’ve just picked up whatever Persian tea was easily accessible. My mother tends to mix her own tea, but I don’t have the skills for that. Recently I received some Anisa Tea as a gift, and was stunned to taste something like the tea that is served in Haifa.  The one I like is the “Persian Tradition” blend, of course.

Do you have a particular kind of tea or flavor of tea that you really love?

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I really needed a weekend of nothing.  It feels good.

Things to be happy about, a list:
-summer and all that it implies
-friendship & family
-dustless surfaces
-orange-blueberry muffins
-breakfast on a slow Sunday morning
-fireworks on the beach
-books
-having an occupation
-finding my writing inspiration again
-local stores that I can walk to

Happy 30 years, and hoping for 30 even more wonderful years. I love you!

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