Dream with Our Eyes Open

 Given that Edrehasiver VII became known as the Winter Emperor, I’m not shocked that we don’t have much info about how Midsummer is celebrated in the Ethuveraz (Elflands) in the first book.

But after some searching, I’m saddened to report that there’s nothing in the entire Cemeteries of Amalo on the subject either.  In fact, The Grief of Stones has not a single mention of the word “summer,” and the other two only mention it in reference to things like the summer homes of the nobility.

I’m trying to come up with something for a project, and so far I’ve only come up with fireworks and summer fruits like strawberries and plums.   I imagine that there are various agriculture-related  activities in rural areas among commoners (for example, bonfires rather than fireworks), but does anyone else have any inspirations for Summernight activities among the nobility?

I meant not to buy too much, to spare my recently recovered sore back (which was re-tenderized in a different way last Friday, when I slipped while walking in Spring Park and landed on my back along the edge of a landscape timber... ), but I failed. It's the height of summer-y produce and I lost control:

Peaches, pluots, cherries, blueberries, arugula, red tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, cherry tomatoes in several colors, a tiny cantaloupe, basil, scallions, goat feta cheese crumbles (for salad), plain cheese curds, and macaroons (because they are wheat-free).

Have just returned from back-to-back outdoor social events featuring mass quantities of food. Am covered with sweat, sunscreen, and (on my ankles) bug bites, and am much too well fed.

Party A featured mainly cold foods, including slices of sandwich wraps, salads, cold meats, and fruit, followed by ice cream and very nice lemon poundcake. Party B featured flame-grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, spicy pork ribs, veggie crudites, and potato and cucumber salads, followed by strawberry and peach shortcakes and smillaraaq's very evil chocolate brownies.

I am in a food-induced stupor.