weekending in pictures

Life

My alarm got me up at 6:30 this morning. Lil asked me to be her wake-up back-up in case one of her two alarms failed to rouse her. She had to be at the golf course to teach lessons at 9. I obviously didn't have my glasses on when I set my alarm and for a brief moment I was grateful to be woken. I was dreaming about moving Teddy into the dorms. Everyone had already moved in. We were a week late and he was already behind. I couldn't stop crying. Sobbing. My heart actually hurt while I rested waiting to fall back to sleep. I didn't know how I could leave him there with those strangers in a strange pace. I didn't know how he would take care of all the things that needed to be straightened out.

And on that note, he has made a decision....we have a future Badger in the house! I couldn't be happier. I'm pleased because Madison has an excellent business school and it's only 90 minutes away. Mike and I tried so hard for the last several months not to pressure him into a decision, but he knew our thoughts on his future. Then he was golfing this week and something one of the mother's of one of his opponents said actually helped him gain clarity. She and I were Gamma Phis together at Madison. Here's to sisterhood and Bucky!

Ted had quite a week on course and field. He shot first place scores in two conference meets this week and he pitched a complete game for the win the other night. He hasn't pitched much this year, but he proved to the team that he hasn't lost his touch or his speed. The rallying cry is Teddy loves sports! That he does.

Lily had a more frustrating experience at the ball park. Her team cannot get it together. She played so strong at short and carried then team at both defense and offense. They left so many girls stranded that I lost count. I feel her frustration because she works hard and she cares. I have a strong feeling that she'll be playing varsity next year and that should be much better. It's not necessarily about winning for her, but she does take the game and her job on the field seriously.

Mike and I were at another ballpark last night. We were first row for Billy Joel's only midwest show on this tour. I'm forever spoiled by these tickets my brother scored. Sweet seats! My dad arranged for the limo, which was a smart and stylish way to travel. Further spoiled. All in all it was a great night and a long walk down memory lane. He played most of the songs I wanted to hear and he still puts on a solid show at 69. I'm glad I got to see him with my dad and my brother. Billy's music showed up steadily while I was growing up. Every song is a memory...a samskara. Only the Good Die Young reminds me of my mom and not just because she did just that. I sang that one for her...a not so silent nod. I was glad Mike made it back from the bathroom in time to sing the end of Scenes of an Italian Restaurant with me. That one reminds me of him.

Tonight we are hosting our friends for a graduation party planning session. That's the next big thing on the purview. After an beautiful spring week, we have snow in our forecast. Just how much is a point of speculation, but any accumulating snow at this point as the tender plants are coming out of the ground and the trees are heavy with buds, is too much. I felt a pang of sadness as I admired my neighbors magnolia tree yesterday. I just turned the heat back on. The cats are again curled up side by side after a week of spreading out and seeking space. It will be a good day for preparing a nice meal and a few festive ideas for our graduates.  

weekending

we had a busy day of shopping and prepping friday.

we made time for a walk too and that was a highlight of the day.

it's a family tradition to go out for dinner on good friday.

this year it was just me and mike.

the kids had other plans, and we're getting rather used to that.

we went to one of our favorite restaurants and had a delicious dinner...a fun time.

scallops for me and carbonara for him.

gorgonzola gnocchi to share.

lemoncellos for dessert.

then we stopped on the way home for a night cap.

it was nice to be out.

saturday i was busy in the kitchen much of the day.

i made dough for quiche.

i have a confession...

i'm a baker and i don't always do that.

i definitely will from here on out.

i made homemade cinnamon buns for ted and kielbasa for lily.

mike made his famous deviled eggs and i tried a new salad that was a hit.

i made my grandma's cucumber sandwiches because i always think of her this time of year.

mike spent the day doing major work in the yard.

he picked up a rack of ribs for dinner too.

that was all it took to ensure that the kids join us for dinner.

they were ridiculously good.

sunday we headed to mass before hosting brunch for the family.

last week's solemnity was replaced by joyful celebration.

i was singing christ is risen all day,

that mood carried us through the rest of the day spent with family.

i think everyone had a fun time and left full.

i feel like i'm living in a flower shop this week.

everyone came bearing beautiful plants.

i pretty much only took pictures of the food...

   

 

 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

The day off today. Time together to take care of things for our Easter celebration Sunday.

We're hosting the families this year for a brunch. I'm looking forward to being together on what is forecasted to be a beautiful almost 70 degree day. I'm ignoring the cooler by the lake warnings.

The sun is shining this morning. After a gray, rainy week, I'm ready for a little light. The grass is green and the shoots are springing from the ground.

Dinner with girlfriends last night. We met at a pizza joint for dinner and drinks. I haven't had pizza since the start of Lent. It was such a treat. It was also a welcome night of conversation and catching up in the most pleasant of ways.

Ted had a golf meet Wednesday and Thursday at Whistling Straits and the Black Wolf Run Championship course. The weather wasn't ideal as is often the case in April in Wisconsin, but he shot well...88 and 78. He's at a golf lesson now.

Lily's games were all cancelled due to weather so they practiced instead. She also had extra time to make her 3D DNA model. Peanut and I were impressed.

I finished The Last Romantics this week. It was the first novel I've read in quite a long time where at the end I felt satisfied. I enjoyed the story, related to the characters, got a nugget or two about life which is to say I dogeared a few pages, I thought the writing was smart and that the ending was enough. I said as much on Instagram and Tara Conklin thanked me herself. I felt a little giddy.

This is one:

"I felt an ache not of nostalgia or grief but something between the two."

Next up is Sold on a Monday. It's our May book club selection. I've had my fill of historical fiction, but I'll give it the old college try.

A little birthday celebration for the boss this week. We had fruit instead of cake as most of us are on health kicks. He absolutely loved his Titleist Badger hat...wore it all day.

I'm off shortly to take Peanut to the vet. He's down to 12.5 pounds. He was 15 in the fall. I'm a little nervous, but also hopeful that we'll get some answers and treatment options as he still has a healthy appetite and the sweetest disposition so I have to think it's something metabolic and thus treatable. I honestly cannot even entertain anything else. He's sitting next to me right now. He's my buddy. My babycat.

Her babycat.

weekending

it appears that wash co is indeed ted's course.

he shot a 79 on saturday and took 10th out of almost 200 golfers.

it sure was a nice way to kick off the season and it put him in a most agreeable mood for the rest of the weekend.

he skipped prom.

"too expensive" he complained, but he didn't shell out a dime last year.

he wouldn't have this year either.
just sayin.'

he met up with all his friends later at an after party.

before leaving for the night, he inhaled a beautiful ny strip.

mike stopped at the butcher and that's what he came home with.

jess came for dinner and a game of scrabble.

it was lil's first match and i think she enjoyed it maybe just a little.
she won't admit it lest i seek her opposiion again.

sunday morning we attended palm sunday mass.

every year when we sing were you there, i lose it.

it started to snow soon after we returned home.

it continued into the night.

it was a wet and heavy snow that blanketed branches.
somehow it was perfect.

it was a good day for sunday things...

brunching and reading and napping and baking.

mike made a delicious omelette, i almost finished my book, i snoozed with peanut and then lils and i made mini french silk pies.

mike slow cooked country ribs all afternoon and i boiled some corn for sunday dinner.

it was a good weekend.

a little evidence...

All Good

I'm just stopping by. I had it in my mind to write this week. There were things that I wanted to say. Things that seemed important, but alas no post. Today I don't have anything weighty to write, but I have the urge. I mean it's Saturday morning. What possibly can be heavy or pressing?

Ted left at 6:30 this morning for his first golf match of the season. I could tell he was excited and maybe a little nervous last night. He stayed in and that was the first clue. Well, except for running out last minute to get a battery for his range finder. No comment. He was going to make a stop for balls too, but I unceremoniously pulled a box out the secret closet. They were meant for his Easter basket - a tradition I was toying with skipping this year because there have been many purchases of sports equipment and sprees for the fashionista, but I knew deep down I wouldn't. I've been squirreling away little gifts for weeks. I may skip the candy though. Truthfully, I'll probably give them Easter baskets until they have children of their own.

Ted's early rising didn't wake me. Normally, I would set my alarm so I could a. make sure he was up and b. send him off with a sustaining meal, but I won't be calling to wake him in college, and the team had plans to stop for breakfast on the way to Washington County. It's Ted's course. It's the home of his personal best. No pressure. No great expectations either. It is cold and Kansas crazy windy today. Not ideal golf conditions.

Peanut woke me. He stood right on my chest and meowed in my face until I got out of bed. I was grateful he waited until 8 o' clock. All week I struggled with getting out of bed in the morning - 6:15 turned to 6:30 turned to 6:45 and that's pushing it, but Ted was home sick a couple days so I was down a breakfast and a lunch. He's feeling better and I'm glad. My kids don't get sick often and for that I'm grateful. Grateful for obvious reasons, but also because Ted is an insufferable sick person. I know he felt cruddy and he had to slow down, which is not in his nature, but he moaned and groaned about just wanting to die, and why has he been sick for so long, and when would he feel better. He sprawled out on the floor of my dressing room Thursday morning and I had to step over him to get ready for work. He just wanted me to see his pain and I did. What is a mother's job if not to take care and make better?

I came home a few hours later with a tureen of chicken noodle soup from the Jewish deli. He texted me while I was in line to also bring him dessert. I sensed he was starting to turn the corner. I was right. He ate half a corned beef sandwich, and I do believe he was coveting my half too. Then he polished off the better half of a thick slice of carrot cake. My mama heart was content to see him getting well and also to be able to make things a little better. Yes, I was thinking that I won't be able to do that next year. Sigh.

We didn't make any plans this weekend. The next two weekends will be full so it's good to take it easy. I have 50 pages of my book left, a stack waiting, a request for peanut butter cookies and another for French silk pie I'll likely indulge. Some spring cleaning is imminent. Laundry always. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. We will be present in our pew to hear the familiar story of the Lord's Passion. There will be Sunday dinner - a coming together at the end to gear up for the beginning. A new week. Holy week. Perhaps, a college decision. Work, school, practices and games, and preparations for an Easter brunch next weekend. All good.

This past week I kept hearing Annie Dillard's words,

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

so simple and so very true.

Grateful Friday

Today I Give Thanks for...

Mike and I just watched Life Itself. I cried a lot. Said "mmm mmm" a lot too. It was my pick, but my guy appreciated and even enjoyed it I think. I love movies that move me. This one was a mover.

I left work at 2 O' Clock, came home for a nap and then went to Lily's second soft ball game of the season. Today she was the triple threat: two triples, a double and a walk. It was great fun to watch.

Uncle B. Bone was there to cheer her on. He's loud and he's proud.

Ted's team is now 2 and 2.

#aprillove2019.  I needed an Instagram challenge.

Green smoothies. This is the secret: put a couple handfuls of spinach in a baggie with 5 strawberries or any berries you want to use up, and the juice of half a lemon. Freeze. Then blend with a cup of water and half a banana. This is the breakfast of champions.

This Hemingway quote:

"The world breaks everyone and afterward, many are strong at the broken places."

I haven't been reading much at all, but I can always find something of interest in the 

The New York Times Magazine.

New shampoo. I've been using some fancy shampoo that did nothing for my hair and then I pulled a sample out of a magazine and my hair was so happy and soft and shiny. It's Garnier Whole Blends. Go figure.

Pals.

Tigger's new spot. Ted's bed.

A new wool rug for the dining room. The boys love it. Me too.

Longer days.