Spring Inventory

I have not been reading. That is unless Vanity Fair counts. I'm still trying to finish the books I took on my last two trips. I'm halfway through both and the Leaning Tower of Pisa stack on my bedside table has been reshelved. I think it was causing me major anxiety.

 

 I know the problem is I've been watching too much. I have become not my parents, but my grandparents. I watch several hours of news every night and then have to switch to something light lest I lay awake into the wee hours worrying. I think it's telling that Dark and Evil are more soothing than the nightly news. Sunday night we look forward to AFHV. We is Mike, Hazel and I. She loves Dog Park. Top Chef is in Wisconsin this season and it's been fun to see our state in such a positive national spotlight.

If music is on these days it's likely country, or if I'm alone Taylor Swift. Otherwise, I'm listening to birdsong, my new wind chimes and the neighborhood sounds of lawnmowers whirring and children laughing. A family with six kids moved behind us and they're loving their new yard. Ted and Meryl arrived home from their latest European adventure Friday night and we stayed up late listening to stories from the Amalfi Coast and the streets of London. They made pasta and fresh mozzarella and drank the local wine. They hiked along the coast above the Tyrrhenian Sea, and then they saw two shows in London. That's my kinda vacay.

 

 

I'm enjoying working in the yard. It's so satisfying to plant things and watch them grow. I am learning that less is more as I have a lot of thinning out to do. I was disappointed because it's looking so pretty and I wanted to entertain outdoors this weekend, but Mother Nature had other plans. And knowing that we have the whole summer ahead of us to entertain in the aire libre.

I am also enjoying spending time with Lily. She's enjoying a couple weeks of downtime after slaying her semester...again! She's Iron-man training and bonding with Gus. 

I'm loving an afternoon of theatre with my step-mom. We saw and LOVED Moulin Rouge last weekend. I'm also loving fresh lilacs from my neighbor's yard, my little patio herb garden, competitive family NYT puzzling with our morning coffees, when Lily cooks the most amazing Margherita paninis for dinner, tomatoes that taste like the sun, Aeperol Spritz Margaritas and Lemonade Mimosas, finally a pedicure and the prettiest pink toes, Dreamsicle ice cream, red lipstick, the orioles in my yard, my dad's Choriqueso and guac, my Synoshi. Family dinners after which we linger long around the dining room table. The way Hazel and Gus have finally bonded and how they make our house a home. This life.

 

 

It will be a summer of cooking and eating with the kids home and the price of going out prohibitive on a regular basis. Fresh. Yesterday's watermelon was perfect and the grapes have been so sweet and crisp. Lots of chicken now that Lil's, our pollotarian, is home, and more square meals. Cheese and crackers cannot be dinner with two Iron-people in the house. I discovered I sort of love arugula now. I've been making any number of very thin crust pizzas and topping them with an arugula salad. Custard because, well, summer. Quick breads because, well, I won't throw out a single berry. The below Blueberry Almond loaf is a family fave.

I'm thinking about what kind of summer we'll have. The violence has already ticked up. With the Republican National Convention coming this summer and the election this fall, I expect there to be more volatility. All the negative energy and emotion is not productive.

I'm wanting peace. Here, there, everywhere. Just enough. Not too much, unless we're talking joy, love, wisdom, generosity, kindness.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Ted called very early this morning to show me the view of the Amalfi Coast. I didn't mind...it was that stunning. Today they're taking a cooking course.  Pasta, fresh Mozz and Tiramisu are on the menu. I think he's on my vacation.

My guy coming with me to my favorite nursery where I get my beloved streptocarpella plants. I was going to cut back on my annuals this year because it just seems to be a wise choice. Just like everything else, flowers have sky rocketed. But then I saw some window boxes last week and somehow they ended up in my cart. I couldn't stop thinking about them. Yeah, so two carts worth of flowers and now I need to get planting so I can enjoy my yard this summer. I plan to stay put and spend lots of time there.

We have so many new neighbors and slowly we're meeting them. I love when young families move into the neighborhood and remind me of 20 years ago when we made Casa Wags our home.

An almost full house.

When I find pictures I didn't take on my phone.

Us.

Political rallies.

Donald J Trump. I left this event feeling hopeful for the first time about our Democracy. I keep my politics close to my vest, but I cannot do that with what is at stake with this election. For those of you who say he is a horrible person, I ask you to really look at the kind of man Joe Biden is. How has he amassed the incredible wealth he has as a career politician? Is our Democracy protected by weaponizing the DOJ? I thought kangaroo courts only existed in Banana Republics. Hmmm do some research and I guarantee it will open your eyes. Why are we spending trillions of dollars fighting other country's wars and allowing unfettered access at our borders. Do you know that the crime rate in numerous central American countries is at record lows? They're sending all their criminals here. This should scare you. Why are we paying off student loans instead of addressing the real problem: the insane cost of higher education? My mom sacrificed to put me through college. I sacrificed to do the same for my children. That debt doesn't disappear into thin air. We will all be paying for it along with our double digit inflation. Do I think Donald Trump is a saint? No, he's a flawed man, but a brilliant leader. I will vote for the President who will keep this country safe, respected, wealthy, free. Joe Biden is not even running this country. Ask yourself who is? And sit with the real fact that Kamala, the hyena, will likely assume the presidency at some point if Biden is re-elected. Now that, that is terrifying

Pizza three ways for dinner with Jess: Chicken Ranch, Gyro and always Margherita. And Gus who is just waiting for us to leave the room because he'd like to try them all.

 

Moulin Rouge Sunday. I've never seen it so I'm especially looking forward to the show and time with Judy.

weekending

The longer I'm away from this space, the harder it is to come back. I think it's because I'm linear in nature and get easily overwhelmed with picking the story back up where I left off when where I left off was so many stories ago. This blog details the days of my life, and well, I don't like missing pieces.

The most noteworthy event this past weekend was UW-Madison graduation. Ted earned his Master of Accounting and Meryl graduated from the School of Journalism. At Ted's request, the weekend really was all about Meryl. He had all the fanfare last year when he graduated from the Business School. He was a perfect gentleman and did not want to steal a single lumen of Meryl's spotlight. I am proud of both of them. We'll be having a little celebration for Ted at a date yet to be determined.

We drove up early Friday morning to join Meryl's family for brunch at her place. It was our first time meeting her mother. I liked her the minute she greeted me with a hug. She was warm and witty and we had many good conversations and quite a few laughs. We are both tickled with their pairing. Her brother and sister-in-law who flew in from London for the occasion were just as welcoming. We already knew and loved her dad. It's funny, but I could tell that Ted was nervous for the parents to meet. That added to my nerves, but it was all for nothing because the day could not have gone any better. Even Ted agreed.

The J School graduation was more intimate than the whole stadium shebang. Meryl walked across the stage when her name was called and we could actually see her. I know she could hear us cowbells and all. A former TA and fellow graduate (PhD) spoke so highly of Meryl and the way she connects to people. All people. She prophesied that Meryl will be famous some day. It doesn't take much to convince me of that although I think she's just perfectly happy telling people's stories. Ordinary people.

The graduates arrived in London very early this morning. They will spend a few days there and then head to the Amalfi Coast for a few more. It is a last hurray before entering the "real" world. Meryl starts her job at month's end reporting for a Madison station and Ted is hoping to study for and pass all 4 CPA exams before he starts his job at PWC after Labor Day.

After a long stretch of days and nights of celebrating, they came home for a night before jet setting off to Europe. We sat around the island catching up before sending them off on more adventures. Roots and wings baby.

I had one of the nicest Mother's Days I can remember. It was chill. We extended a rather impromptu invite to my mother-in-law to join us for brunch. She accepted. Mike made his homemade hash browns and Lily surprised me with a delicious (and very looksy) Flourless Chocolate Cake on the coolest cake stand ever. I made Eggs Benedict and a salad topped with sautéed goat cheese that I'm still thinking about. We had a couple lemonade mimosas that I'm quite sure will be on repeat this summer. Think light and refreshing. And after out delicious brunch we retired to the patio on what was the loveliest of lovely days.

 

Sunday I didn't dwell on the fact that I'm unmothered. I miss my mom every single day, but I felt very blessed not beleaguered. There are just too many good things happening in my life right now that I'm choosing joy and happiness over melancholy or nostalgia. I'm shining a light on the little things that remind me of how lucky I am to be alive. There are always challenges, disappointments, burdens, but I'm shushing them right now. Sometimes that's easier said than done, but when the days are long and my daughter is home and the birds sing and the flowers reach for the sun, it's pretty easy.

Lily has big things going on too. She's amazing! She finished out the semester with all As. Right now she's in the thick of training for the Ironman. In fact, before I was even thinking of getting up, she biked 25 miles this morning. She's also working on her study abroad application. She hopes to be in Spain spring semester and she's already dreaming of all the places she'll go. Teddy's infected her with the travel bug for which going, doing, seeing is the only cure. It's a good ailment to have when you're approaching 20 and your whole life is in front of you. She starts her job at the end of this month. Until then, she's the Gus whisperer. As you can see...he's quite fine with that and Hazel... she's coming around.

 

Oh...Hey

I don't usually or ever blog on a Saturday night, but since the urge has escaped me lately, I thought I'd oblige now that it's here. Nothing profound...just life. It's already been a very good and full weekend. Tonight we are Netflix and couching it. We are in the midst of the German thriller Dark. It is fantastic and mind-bending and thought provoking. It's a series I'll re-watch at some point because I expect to understand it better the second time around. And it's no surprise that I traveled through time in my dream last night. I wonder where I'll go tonight.

We ushered in the weekend with Candace. She came for happy hour and it was so so good to catch up. She let me know that it's been a month since we were together at the Rickie Lee Jones concert. Time flies. She came with our favorite funky brie with bleu cheese. A bottle of wine later and we were mostly caught up.

Since we had snacks for dinner, we woke up hungry. Mike's cheesy egg muffins were the perfect quick breakfast to give us fuel for the day. We took advantage of the beautiful day to continue spring clean-up in the yard. Mike cut the lawn for the second time in a week. We got just enough done to say yes when my brother and sil stopped by for happy hour. I put together a pizza using the cheese orphans and stray Italian meat charcuterie in the deli drawer. A quick balsamic dressed vinaigrette for the baby arugula for the top was perfection. This is going to be my go to crowd pleaser this summer. There are 101 iterations. That's a lot of happy hours. 

The skies are rumbling. Storms are on the way. I'm glad that they held off until dark. Today was Crazy Legs and Mifflin Street Days in Madison so the kids were out and about. It was fun to get random pix throughout the day. Lily will be home this time next week. I'm looking forward to it.

weekending

 

I saw my first chipmunk of the season this morning. I'm surprised he slept so long because it's been such a mild winter and early spring. We spent a good part of the weekend in the yard and filled all of our yard waste bins to the brim. When they're picked up Friday, we'll fill them again. We have yet to touch the back yard. It feels so good to tend to the yard and to get things done. It's not time for flowers yet, but soon.

There were so many neighbors out and about. We met the couple who bought the house across the street. They had good juju and were friendly. I know they'll be a nice addition to our simpatico block. The warm weather brought out new neighbors behind us as well, but we've yet to meet them.

As a reward for our labor, we decided a movie and pizza date was in order. Civil War really unnerved me until I read about it Sunday morning.  With a little context, I am thinking about it differently. Any movie that makes me think, is not all bad.

Sunday we were back at it so it was a mostly productive weekend although there's always more where that came from. Peppered in was an impromptu dinner with Jess to celebrate the boss you know what she is. She just accepted a new job with a new company. So beyond excited for her. Also we had a little happy hour with my brother. It was good to catch up and to see him on the mend.

At the end of the weekend, we threw some burgers on the grill and I made potato salad. It's not something in my wheelhouse, but I threw together the usual suspects and it was D-licious. I had some Yukon gold stragglers and with the price of groceries these days, I'm hell-bent on not wasting food. 

At least one of the kids will be home for the summer. I have a feeling Teddy will be splitting his time between Meryl Madison and Milwaukee as he takes on the CPA before joining corporate America in mid-August. Lils is chomping at the bit to return to Casa Wags. She's over school and ready for a change of pace and scenery. I'm looking forward to the same.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Spring inspiring some overdue projects although I not at all grateful that we had to take down the 3 majestic pines that towered over the yard. Ted once climbed to the top of one of those trees and I thought I was going to have to call the fire department to get him down. They were especially beautiful after snowstorms and they were home to many birds and critters as well as the resting place of a gazillion baseballs and golf balls.

Fiery Red most recently took up residence in the boughs. Today I spotted him in front on our Maple. I think he's relocated.

 

 

We'll do a little spring cleaning inside and outside this weekend and really that's all that's on our agenda.

It's too early to do any planting, but I'll pull out some spring decor and put out the new yard spinner I recently bought that I have the perfect spot for.

Godmother and Godson at the Memorial Union on a sunny Saturday.

 

Magnolia buds. A bustling, bursting campus.

Vicarious living. 

Loie was persistent with her knitting despite the fact that Gus kept her from making progress. She indulged his every whim.

I rigged up a play tower for the kit kats who had to be alone this week after so much attention. Gus jumped right in and on. Hazel is a little more discerning. They've been playing more together and it warms my mama heart.

Lils got the job! She will be the nanny for 2 girls this summer: a 6 and an 8 year old. I think she's going to enjoy the camp of two as opposed to the summer camp cast of characters.

 

This sexy quiche. It tastes as good as it looks.

                                                 

  Gus thinks the flowers are delicious too.

A new pink sweater. I'm back to feeling color.

 

Amber. I put it on the other morning and it made me happy all day long.

 

Open windows. 

The AAAaaaahhh woe woe woe of the mourning doves in the yard.

 

 

weekendings

Lately I've been forgetting to stop in here. It's been a weird, but wonderful couple of weeks. There was no Easter gathering. We skipped church because Lily returned from Seaside at midnight. I won't do that again, but I must confess that I haven't been going at all regularly. It's really not a good thing.

Good Friday we had lunch with my brother and then dinner with my MIL and BIL. I cannot tell you the last time I've eaten out for two meals in one day. Not doing that anytime soon even though both were lovely. Shopping Costco with my brother was a trip and seeing my MIL after her months long trip was long overdue. I have to admit that I felt sad. Mark's birthday was the 28th and he's been on my mind. My heart's been heavy. He'll be gone a year soon and I so miss his kind soul. His loss leaves a huge hole in the family.

We had a speedy visit with Miss Lil before we packed up the car with groceries and ready-made, homeade meals for both kiddos and headed back to Madison. Baking and cooking for them was my church this weekend. I hope God understands.

We arrived at Ted's before he did. He flew overnight from Hawaii and made it home shortly after we made it to Brooks Street. He and Meryl were tired from a fast, fabulous week and overnight travel, but we got to hear a little about their trip and see some stunning pictures before leaving them with a pasta dinner and time to re-calibrate for the week ahead. The re-entry they were none too excited about.

There's a month left of classes. He'll be a Masters of accounting, Meryl will get her degree in Journalism and Lily'll be a junior (or really a senior thanks to those AP classes she worked so hard for and are now on the way out because "fairness"). It's a challenging month too because spring fever is contagious and infectious. It's near impossible to remain focused and it's inevitable that melancholy will set in especially for the grads. Those lasts are tricky. Heck I feel it too and I'm 30 never your mind years removed.

I'm home all alone now, but my aunt came for a visit Wednesday and kept me very very busy in the best of ways. It was a visit that was organic and effortless. That's the best kind of guest. She's comfortable at Casa Wags and she fits right in. Nothing makes me happier than when people are comfortable in my home. Make yourself at home, help yourself, my house is your house are not just rote sayings. It's what I mean and want.

We had lots of time together and with others too. I think my favorite was Thursday night when she chopped all the fixings for a kitchen sink salad and I made a loaf of bread, and we ate while watching Top Chef, which is in my city this season. It was just a relaxed and ordinary night. The rest of our time was go go go and there were plenty of other highlights.

We visited with my parents over lunch and Teddy over a pizza and a pitcher of beer at Memorial Union. She got to see both of the kids' pads and meet some of their friends. It was a beautiful day for a walk around campus. We also went out with two of her oldest friends...friends I've known literally my entire life. My brother and SIL came for a visit Sunday afternoon and then Loie left at the crack you no what of dawn Monday morning. 

Mike left for a few days in Chicago Monday afternoon. I'm here with Hazel and Gus who are missing Mike and Loie. Hazel's been especially chatty and Gus has been waking me up in the middle of the night for snuggles. His little wet nose against mine usually does the trick and when that fails, he bites my sleeve (and sometimes my arm) to get me to pet him. I'm a sucker for his sweet face.