Good things in July

Kari, whose blog I've been enjoying for some time, has the tradition of posting at the end of every month a list of good things that happened that month, at least one for every day. I thought it would be fun to give that a try.

1 - Went to see Jersey Boys with Rachel -- a blast.
2 - Today I discovered four zuchinis on my zuchini plants, each about 4 inches long. They'd been hiding under the leaves.
3 - The Presidents' Banquet
4 - The Railway Children at Waterloo Station with Anthony and Rachel and Anthony's parents
5 - I felt sad and homesick today and Anthony cheered me up. Also Helen came round in the evening and we had a nice long chat that lasted until well after midnight. Good thing she was staying over!
6 - Anthony and I drew up a monthly budget. Not exactly fun, but good. Like eating spinach.
7 - Long walk on the Heath this afternoon by myself. Time to ponder, breathe deeply, and enjoy the flowers.
8 - Today I wrote the long abstract for my D.Phil. (Who ever heard of a 2500-word abstract?) This was the remaining part of project I was most dreading, and it felt great to have it behind me.
9 - I harvested the first zuchini from the garden and used it on a delicious vegetarian pizza. Also discovered that zuchinis are nice to eat raw.
10 - Restful Saturday. Watched Forrest Gump with Anthony.
11 - Restful Sunday. The weather was beautiful, so Anthony and I walked to Kenwood Park.
12 - Had a really productive day chasing up thesis references at the British Library
13 - Really struggled to work today -- my head ached and the words just wouldn't come. Spent the evening recovering with Yes, Minister.
14 - Our first organic vegetable box came today!
15 - We ate the first blueberries from our own blueberry bushes.
16 - I blitzed my thesis -- made a list of everything that really needed to be done and did it.
17 - Anthony finished his corporate finance course. I don't know how he does it -- 11-hour working days and a part-time master's on the side. I am very proud of him.
18 - Finished a job application. Anthony formatted my thesis.
19 - Submitted my D.Phil.!!!
20 - Enjoyed one of the nicest summer desserts ever -- frozen yogurt topped with our own blueberries.
21 - Made cookies for Anthony. With all the D.Phil. drama, it had been several weeks since he'd had any.
22 - Cleaned the kitchen. Thoroughly. Not fun, but very satisfying.
23 - Productive day of research on my next project -- the economics of eminent domain.
24 - Anthony and I began reviewing our Latin together.
25 - Cream tea with people from church.
26 - Got the idea for how to design an experimental study on eminent domain.
27 - Made souffle for the first time.
28 - Agreed to a new (paid!) research project on the origins of the Fatal Accidents Act of 1846. It's really nice to be earning again!
29 - Got tickets for The Nutcracker in December -- I've never seen a ballet before. And it didn't blow the new budget!
30 - Made souffle for the second time because Anthony liked it so much. Vanilla almond this time.
31 - Watched Good Will Hunting. Great film. It reminded me a little of The Dead Poets Society. I think it was the combination of Robin Williams as life-changing teacher/father figure and longish floppy hairstyles from both Robert Sean Leonard and Matt Damon. Thanks to Emily and Rachel for the recommendation.

August here we come!