Boatloads of sushi

Sushi tastes so much better when you have great company. Friends from Evanston, Ill., took a little day trip to the wilderness of Beloit and were pleasantly (I'm hoping) surprised. Shogun, in Rockford, Ill., made quite an impression with its boatloads of scrumptious sushi, sashimi, dynamite scallops and teriyaki-drenched slices of chicken and beef. It was totally unexpected, as Rockford is basically in the middle of nowhere.

Finally, a taste of summer

This little guy wasn't enough for a salad, but it did taste like the sun. Aww, my baby tomato plant is all grown up ...

Market play

The local farmers market is great for dog-watching. Goldie almost put me in cute-overload. And she was just chewing on a sugar snap pea pod.

Speaking of furry fun, felted soap has made it north of the border! I have heard of the concept. I've seen it online and in magazines, but I've never had a chance to pet a felted bar of soap. It basically eliminates the need for a washcloth or pouf.

I would have tried some out, but I'm still going through the stash of soap I bought from The Flower Guy in Janesville. Thanks Karen Mahr, of Willow Creek Soaps, for bringing felted soap to the Beloit Farmers Market. And for someone who's been making soap for six months, she has quite the variety of all things bath-related.