Grateful Sunday

Today I give thanks for...

 LOFO. Last one up last night and first one up this morning. This is how I prefer it. Knowing my family is tucked in and safe, I can enjoy a little quiet time in my sleeping house and then when I'm the earliest riser, I can greet the new day just as peacefully.

I expect the rest of the family soon. Today we have big plans to go strawberry picking and surprisingly this is Ted driven. I'd be happy to stop at the farm when we're at the lake next weekend and stock up on already picked, but my 19 1/2 year old son wants to spend time with me, so I'm up for just about anything.

We're going to the lake next weekend. It'll be the first time I've been in Lake Michigan since last fall. I'm looking forward to beach time, family time, my brother's fireworks.

I'm feeling a little excited about reading again. During quarantine, defying reason, I only made it through 2 1/2 books. Now that 1/2 book has been causing me problems so it's going back to the library. I've had it since March, and I have a new stack waiting for me that I will pack up for next weekend.

A work weekend. Mike and I helped my aunt and uncle Friday night. He moved heavy stuff. I helped clean. Being a part of the process of shedding 30 years of living in one place with lots of space has been inspiring. Yesterday we attacked the basement. We could open up a Nerf gun store. I cleared out most of the residuals from childhood, but Mike couldn't get me to budge on the bins of picture books or some of the classics like Lincoln Logs, Legos, Lily's American Dolls and Ted's Star Wars collection that once belonged to my brother. I'm going to be the fun Grandma. Then we headed out to the garage and did an impressive job in purging and organizing. Nothing feels better.

We toasted the L&L Inn one last time. It's a happysad time. This wasn't my house, but I did a lot of living in it. Their journey begins now. That's the happy. This was their plan. It's their choice. Godspeed.

We're just saying goodbye to the house...not the memories made there.

Old pictures. My aunt and I went through stacks of old pictures. I'm posting this one for Jess. Happy Birthday weekend! We will celebrate soon.

I visited the Farmer's Market last week for the first time. It's still slim pickings, but worth the stop for the early snap pea, strawberry and lettuce crops. The pint of berries never made it to the fridge.

TJ Maxx treasures. I always find something I have to have.

My day lilies are blooming right on schedule. It's always right around July 4th that they show their bright blooms. My hydrangea are also starting to flower. My front yard is presently a pretty post card.

My favorite (and Mike's) salad right now: the wedge. It's all about the dressing which I make from scratch with the herbs in my yard.

this couch hog.

Saturday night movie night. I chose. Please don't pay $19.99 to rent You Should Have Left. It had such potential and I love Kevin Bacon, but it was a total disappointment. Last week we watched The Big Sick. That was good and why I was allowed to pick again. It was also free.

Apres storm.

  

I'm on my way for a walk on this beautiful sunny day.

Weekending

Father's Day weekend was a winner. It started with my friend Sue and a bottle of wine on the patio Thursday night. We've been friends for decades, but I feel like we've grown even closer in the past few months, and I'm happy for that. We've been closing the office on Friday since we reopened. The 4 day 20 hour work week is a good one, but I'm hoping things pick up to where we are a little more frenetic. Still, I'll enjoy this extra time, these extra days while they last. The weekend was front-end loaded with errands and chores and then finished off with fun.

We celebrated Mike's Dad Saturday with a late afternoon pool party/bbq. It's the first time we've spent quality time with the family since Christmas. It was good to catch up with everyone and to share a meal. My brother in law's ribs were finger licking good...some of the best I've ever had. I made a giant bowl of my favorite pasta salad. Think tortellini, kalamatas, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozz, pesto, pine nuts and a balsamic reduction. I didn't have room, but I had to try my mother in law's eclairs. They reminded me of my childhood...of sweet trays at Temple Shalom.

Sunday morning I was up early so I could prepare Father's Day breakfast for my guy. I was inspired by an easy egg dish I saw on the Food Network the day before. Think eggs, a splash of cream and whatever toppings you fancy, but definitely cheese, sous vied in ramekins. With a slice of nutty whole grain toast, it was a company worthy, but it was just us. The boys left to golf with Grandpa and Uncle B Bone. It's a Dad's Day tradition: the E's versus the W's. The W's won by a single stroke. Lily drove the ladies to Grandma and Grandpa's for a post-round bbq. My dad grilled everything. It was a meatapalooza. I brought a pan of mac & cheese. Mike declared it the best ever. We sat on the deck and enjoyed the sights and sounds of life on the edge of the woods and being together, finally. Lily also drove us home. We take advantage of our designated and enthusiastic driver.

We rolled it after dark exhausted, but we perked up long enough to do our own Father's Day here at Casa Wags. Mike was pretty spoiled, but he so deserves it.

All I can say is that it was a much needed family filled weekend that felt very normal. And while I don't necessarily like that word, I'm at a loss for another. I feel like one of the good things to come out of this Corona craziness is a renewed appreciation for the extraordinary ordinary.

Evidence:

PS Ted was shooting at tin cans not squirrels.

Grateful Friday

It's been a good week. I woke up this morning lamenting the fact I've been absent here this week, yet I know it's a sign that these days have been full and plenteous...laden. I find it hard to write about life when I'm busy living, doing, creating, engaging. There were many times I felt compelled to expound: a quote from a podcast that struck a nerve, the bluebird that waited for me at the trail's end, the breeze that lulled me to sleep when I wasn't even tired, the dreams that stretched my mind and heart, the goodness, kindness and grace I've seen, felt, shared. These are the things that keep me going with renewed hope and aplomb. Yes, aplomb because I have a sense of surety that looking into the purview there is cause to be positive. That's something to be grateful for a hundred times over.

The other things I'm grateful for today are...

A text from Sue late yesterday afternoon suggesting we get together for happy hour. It was Friday for both of us and an absolutely gorgeous night. We shared a bottle of wine on the patio and caught up on the week past. 

Tigger is BMOP: big man of the patio.

My aunt and uncle have basically furnished Ted's first apartment. We went shopping in their sold house last weekend. Payment was a little sweat equity. It was a very good deal for us. I thought we were going to have to live with a sectional in our foyer until August, but the boys got the smaller pieces downstairs and the couch into the family room. It's not House Beautiful right now, but that's okay. Tigger claimed the couch right away. He spent the whole week on it. The rest of us take turns. It's incredibly comfy.

  

 Ted's started his job as a research intern Wednesday. He was up early, bed made, looking smart in his new Vineyard Vines shirt, making spinach and eggs and sipping the first coffee of his life. Years are minutes I tell you. I offered to steam his shirt mostly because I wanted to do something for him...to feel needed. He put in a full day at the office (wtf?) and came home mentally exhausted and most excited about his dual monitors and the fact that he's on the org chart. Then he went to the club to workout, joined us for dinner, went up the road to a neighbor's for a swim and then out with the boys to play some poker. This is the life of Ted. It's good. And this job is an amazing experience for him to drill down and see if this is what he really wants to do...to be...when he grows up.

Right now he's downstairs on a research meeting conference call. Then he's off to the beach with the boys. Balance. It's a good thing.

Lily and her friends have a nightly ritual of  Lake Michigan moonlight swimming. More like they run in and then they run out. It's still in the 60s. I see them enjoying a more traditional summer and I think that's such a good thing.

Softball starts (and ends) in July and then golf starts in August.

We had friends for dinner last Saturday. They both came with beautiful bouquets. One a stunning vase of orange roses, which just happen to be my favorite and the other a sweet bouquet of yellow roses and peonies also a fave of mine. I picked a bouquet of peonies from my yard earlier and bought some sunflower stems. The house looked and smelled like a flower shop all week and I loved it. I was spoiled in the sweetest way.

That chocolate cake. The secret ingredients are dutch cocoa. brandy and mayo. I took it to Linda who is recovering from surgery. It's her favorite.

A new kimono. It's really fun for summer.

Lunch with Alan at the club this week. It was a nice middle of the day, middle of the week treat. The Caesar salad was perfect.

Energy balls. I found a recipe on Dinner a Love Story for a simple, power packed treat. It's nut butter, pumpkin seeds, oats, dried cherries, sliced almonds, mini chocolate chips, honey and wheat germ. Everyone loves them.

My farmers market is open. I missed it this week, but I'll be there next Wednesday.

A beautiful week of open windows all day and night.

Celebrating fathers this weekend. In this family, we are all blessed in that department.

Today is my in-laws 55th wedding anniversary!

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

I'm just squeaking in here. It's 11:30. It's been a good, full day. I worked from home today after heading to the office the rest of the week...four days in a row. It was good to be back. Today it was good to be home.

Balance.

This was Lily's first week of summer vacation. She spent it with girlfriends going to the beach and jumping off the cliffs into a still very chilly Lake Michigan, going for coffee and lunch. long boarding and playing laser tag. She's at a sleepover tonight. The first in a very long time. She's already peeling. She's glowing. Summer suits her.

Ted is enjoying his last week of summer vacation. He starts his internship next week. He's excited. He came home from the golf course tonight, stayed long enough for dinner and now he's out playing poker for the fourth or fifth time this week. He's on a winning streak.

Dinner was a delish Chicken Milano. Friday is always pizza night at Casa Wags, but I had chicken that needed cooking. No one seemed too disappointed in the change of menu.

Teddy and Lily had a date for golf with Uncle B Bone and Aunt A last weekend. That is a perfect foursome.

Ted is the keeper of my Grandpa's old wooden driver. He asked my aunt if he could have it and she was happy to find it a home.

She's also setting him up nicely with lots of furniture for his apartment next year as they get rid of things before their move. Perfect timing.

We had our neighbors over last Friday for after dinner drinks. This is my new favorite entertaining gig. You put out a charcuterie board and keep the drinks flowing. It's super chill and we had lots of fun.

Saturday ended up being a very lazy day. I finally found late afternoon inspiration to replicate an endive and orange salad Ina made earlier. It is a definite make again. Endive and baby arugula tossed with toasted walnuts, chopped apple, and Roquefort dressed with the most refreshing orange vinaigrette. I took the liberty of adding a little bacon too. We rounded out the meal with T bones and roasted cauliflower. It was the only meal I ate all day, and it was all I needed.

My brother in law came for Sunday dinner. We haven't seen him since quarantine so it was good to catch up with him and on his kids. We have a fiance, a college graduate and a valedictorian.

Mexican fiesta at Casa Wags tomorrow. Friends and fajitas.

My hydrangeas have buds.

Lils and I finally made it to TJs this week. It was picked over, but we came home with a few treasures and a couple things we needed. Tigger was most excited for this new bath mat.

While I was walking this week, I noticed that the air was filled with the sweetest scents of lilac and phlox. It was intoxicating. Invigorating. Inspiring. I'm looking forward to hitting the trails this weekend.

When the whole family eats the dinner I cook. This bbq chicken skillet pizza is a real pleaser.

 This week's Tigger series...Cat napping.

A light at the end of the tunnel as Wisconsin's stay at home order expires.

It's perfect sleeping weather tonight.

Sweet dreams.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

A full last week of quarantine. I'm going back to work feeling like I made mostly good use of this time. A few projects, lots of family dinners and games, too many walks on the river trails to count. I'm caught up on sleep, I'm without a show to binge, I'm sick of cooking. It's time.

Our first shopping excursion aside from the grocery store. Lily and I went shopping for a new long board. It's her transportation and her entertainment this summer. She tried them all out and made a good choice.

Etsy. It's replaced my TJ Maxx fix. I browse and always find something I want. That being said, TJ is open now! Lils and I stood in line the other night, but it wasn't moving and the store was close to closing so we left. We'll probably go this weekend.

Patio herbs.

The stairs are all primed. They already look great. I cannot wait to see how they look once they are painted. I'm already questioning why we waited so long (15 years) to make such a small big change. Mike doesn't like hearing this because, of course, it means more projects.

The kids spent 24 hours at Windmill Beach with their aunt and uncle. The house was so quiet. I missed them. They swam in the 55 degree lake after doing yard work on the 90 degree day.

Mike and I had a movie night. Popcorn and Uncut Gems. The kids watched the same movie at the lake.

 Since Ted has been home, I've noticed that they seem closer. Sweeter to one another. That makes my mama heart swell.

Today is Lily's last day of school. She's a junior now!

She started behind the wheel this week. She should have her license before school starts.

Getting my car detailed. It was worth every single penny!

This sweet bouquet from my frister is still looking good and making me smile a week later.

Tigger is a real mama's boy lately. He follows me around like a puppy. He loves it best when we retire for an afternoon nap in my bed.

Twice baked sweet potatoes. I used Ina's recipe, but substituted the tallegio with fontina and went light on the thyme because a little goes a long way.

New orchids.

A showy storm this week. This morning I stayed in bed listening to the thunder and ignoring my snooze. Tigger approved.

Cotton candy clouds.

Peaceful protests.

We survived and even thrived during another week of quarantine.