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.

 

weekending

I saw a single, scrawny patch of snow on my way to work this morning. Friday's inches melted away. That is spring snow for you. Here one day and gone before it sullies. It's actually behaving like spring now. The temperatures are erratic, but more seasonal, and it rained most of the day. Daffodils are adding color to our landscape. My iris are coming up prolifically. I had to replace a bird feeder because our resident red squirrel, Fiery Red, chewed through the one that lasted all winter while he slept. When I say all, I mean 10 weeks give or take.

The days are getting longer and soon life will be busier. That's all the permission I need to lean into stillness. Truth is I wanted to write laziness or sloth, but I'm working on positivity so I won't. This weekend was languid in the best of ways. Deliberate. Decadent. Divine. We stayed up late watching movies and slept in. Mike made his homemade hash browns and I made scrambled eggs and we actually ate breakfast albeit at lunchtime. We rallied to celebrate my brother's birthday Saturday night and I'm so grateful we did because he is someone to be celebrated. My sil invited us to Ca'Luchenza for a special night of good food and company. I'm pretty sure when I go back I'll be content with an order of focaccia, a cup of brodo, a shared order of the pasta du juor and a visit from the Amaro cart. 

I feel like I'm on spring break. I'm getting pictures and updates from the kids. She is having fun in Seaside sleeping in a little casita with her girlfriend. The rest of the family is in the main house. He is living large in a 9 person villa he's sharing with 4 others on Oahu. Mike and I are good at home with Hazel and Gus.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

A snow day. It started to snow big, fat flakes just as I was going to bed shortly after midnight. I knew it continued through dark because of how quiet this morning was. There is a palpably peaceful, insular feeling about inches of snow.

 

Lily was home long enough to do some laundry, pack for spring break and have a home-cooked meal. Chicken Souvalki and Lemon Potatoes and Crumbl Cookies were a good send-off. She's on her way to Florida.

Jess accepted an impromptu invitation to join us. We had so much food because Teddy and crew were going to spend the night at Casa Wags before leaving for Hawaii, but Mother Nature had other plans. It was a good pivot.

He's on his way to O'Hare right now and will be in Oahu before tomorrow.

Someone has been snuggling more with me.

And also getting along better with his sister. I guess he's growing up.

Hazel and Gus turned 4 and they wore their party props for exactly 4 seconds...long enough for a blurry photo or two.

 

A GNO with Candace and the Duchess of Coolsville. Rickie Lee played a single set of many of my favorites in an intimate setting at Turner Hall. It was such a great night with two of my best girls. Once she came on stage, I put my camera away and just basked in the experience.

Mike and Lils had a dad/daughter date of their own. They golfed at Missing Links, got Qdoba and then watched The Walking Dead.

Jodie Foster. I have recently appreciated her roles as Diana Nyad and Detective Danvers. 

My favorite co-worker.

 St Paddy's Day spirit and pops of color.

weekending

Today was a good day for a Monday. A Monday after a long, full, red and green weekend cheering on our Wisconsin Badgers and celebrating our Irish roots. Bucky gave us three good games and two exciting wins. I think I perfected my corned beef. I made one Saturday and then another Sunday. I'm a fan of oven cooking: an hour per pound at 350 degrees and then a quick broil. The longer the meat can rest, the better. I also made Shepherd's Pie that was my favorite ever. We all licked our bowls clean. A batch of Guinness Brownies is a definite, decadent make again.

I cut out of work early to meet Mike for Friday's game. It was a great afternoon for a day date with my guy and our team. I was shocked he wanted to watch with me because I am a neophyte when it comes to college basketball or really basketball period. Turns out that I enjoy it and always time with him.

Saturday we met Pete and Sue for happy hour at St Paul's after the Badger win. The four of us haven't been together since Zihua. That meant we had a mountain of catching up to do. Dinner was at Casa Wags. I love cooking for them because they are always so appreciative and gracious and such fun. They approved of the St Paddy's day spread that also included melt in your mouth cabbage sautéed in Irish butter and a traditional loaf of soda bread.

What can I say...I wanted all the usual suspects and so I made them even though it was a bit overkill on the starch. It worked perfectly too because my brother and sister-in-law came for some On Wisconsin and a little slainte Sunday and I just carried on the theme. The Reubens were ridiculous and I sent them home with two Shepherd's Pies for the week even though I really wanted to keep them. That's how much I love them!