The Weekend Re-Boot

We had a pretty low key weekend which is code for me spending much of it plopped and propped on the couch resting my ankle.  Slow and steady wins the boot race, right? 

I missed the monthly share your shelf book link up this month, so thought today I'd combine the weekend recap with my June books reviews. I didn't read as much in the month of June as I would have liked, but we were busy going and doing and that was fun too. 

Fun of course until I learned I'd been walking on a fracture, but I'm on the road to recovery now. 

So first the weekend...

Friday I rested. I was going to meet two college friends for lunch but then I remembered I'm not driving, so they came here. It was nice, and afterwards we sat on the porch for a few hours catching up and making plans. I didn't think to take a picture. 

Hubs and I did make a delicious pasta for dinner, all from memory-ha. Our collective memory I should say. He'd seen the recipe online somewhere and was certain he'd sent it to me, but I went through all the many, many, many things he sends me and couldn't find it. 

Anyway it was simple and I think we were close to correct. It was basically garlic, onion, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, shrimp, and a diced red chili with tagliatelle, which I didn't have so we used Fettucine. It was all topped with freshly grated parm and tasted so good. Definitely got the spice from the chili but we like spicy. 

Saturday I rested. Some. Hubs made us breakfast on the griddle (bacon and eggs) and he carried everything up and down the stairs so I didn't have to. Once we'd eaten he got the grill ready and some ribs prepped for smoking. 

Daughter1's hubs was on call this weekend so she came over late morning to swim in the lake with her kiddos. I made one trip to the dock and one trip back to dry land. It was hot and the lake felt good. Hubs got the paddle boards out and the boys (and little miss too) had a grand time paddling around the cove. 

It goes without saying I did not paddle board. 

We had lunch then they went back to their house and I returned to the couch. We had the most delicious ribs for dinner...

Afterwards we popped over to Daughter1's house for dessert. We brought them ribs and they treated us to their fantastic homemade peach ice cream. It was so yummy hubs and I decided to put peach picking on our to do list this week. Depending on the orchard set up it might be more peach buying but we'll see. 

We came home and watched a couple more episodes of our current show-Department Q. Hubs thought it got off to a slow start, but he's hooked now too. Maybe not hooked, but he's watching. I'm hooked. 

Sunday we went to church, then out to breakfast with the kids and their momma. My son-in-law was still on call, which on a weekend pretty much means you'll be operating. We came home and I propped my leg up once more.  Sunday night we finished Department Q-it's so good. Hubs agrees. It's a little raw, lots of language, and pretty intense, but I recommend and hope there's a season 2 in the works. 

And look at me now...ten paragraphs talking about pretty much nothing. It's my superpower. Let's change topic and talk books. Here's what I read in June-

1. Drunkish: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving Alcohol by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

This was our July book club selection and a different sort of read for us. This is a candid account of one woman 'breaking up' with alcohol for good. After spending a lifetime wrestling with the question of whether or not she's a real alcoholic, one night brings Stefanie close to the edge of losing it all. The event wakes her up and she decides she doesn't need to hit actual rock bottom before deciding to stop drinking. She wants a better life and if sobriety is what gets her there she's all in.   

I don't like to rate a memoir, as it's someone's personal story. That being said, this wasn't a bad read, there's language (she comes from the world of stand up comedy), and I admire someone who admits and confronts a difficult problem.  

2. The Favorites by Layne Fargo

Childhood friends Katerina Shaw and Heath Rocha rise through the ranks of ice dancing to become Olympic stars. Their tumultuous relationship is fueled by love, ambition, and a desire to flee from their painful shared past. An incident at the Olympics ends their partnership, and then a documentary ten years later forces Kat to confront the past and tell her side of the story. 

The story is told in a documentary interview style format, with multiple characters talking about Katerina's and Heath's careers ten years after the Olympics. Initially I wasn't sure I would like the format, but ended up loving it. In this case it definitely worked, and I think helped the story along. 

I kinda loved this one and also kinda didn't. I found the world of skating interesting and really fun to read about. I'd never given a lot of thought to ice dancing and feel like the author really did her homework here. I think she captured the drive, focus, and ambition Olympic athletes in any sport must have and the story moved.  That being said, I think maybe I'm just a little too old for the 'coming of age' storyline when that's the focus. This one teetered on too much of that for me, but it also had enough of the skating-competition/friendship piece to keep me reading. 

3.  The Southern Trial (Joe Hennessey legal thriller #4) by Peter O'Mahoney

This is the fourth in a six-book series featuring Charleston lawyer Joe Hennessey. Hubs and I have listened to this series on Audible and we've both enjoyed all of the books to date. 

While I liked this one a lot, I thought the first three were better. This one wraps up a personal story line that's been running throughout, and while that was satisfying I missed the way he incorporated other cases into the previous books alongside the personal tale. 

I gave the first three in the series four stars, but this fourth book just three. Still a good read and I will happily read the last two in the series. 

4.  Speak To Me Of Home by Jeanine Cummins

Did you read American Dirt? I really liked it, and this book is by the same author. Enjoyed it a lot, but probably not quite as much as American Dirt. 

Speak To Me Of Home is the story of mothers and daughters, of three generations of Puerto Rican women whose family secrets are revealed as the story unfolds. Rafaela is the matriarch who left Puerto Rico for the midwest and the promise of a new life in the 1970's. We also meet Rafaela's daughter Ruth and Ruth's daughter Daisy, whose accident brings the three women together in Puerto Rico where those secrets come to light.  Themes of displacement, identity, prejudice, and the need to belong are all addressed in this touching story. 

I gave it four stars. There are multiple timelines happening, or maybe multiple multiple multiple timelines would be a more accurate description, and I did find that confusing at times. Hence the four stars as opposed to five. 

I missed the link up in June, but you can see what others read last month by visiting the host blogs listed here-

And for more weekend recap fun visit Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) to see what others have been up to. 

Have a great week everyone! 

Hey Y'all~It's Monday

Good morning friends. I hope your weekend was grand. Ours was busy and delightful. Delightfully busy I guess you could say. Did you watch the Derby? 

On Friday the 'kids' furniture was delivered to their new home. My son-in-law had to be in Charlotte all day for a medical thing (work, not illness) that was scheduled before they knew when the furniture was arriving, but we rally here. 

The in-laws picked up the grands first thing and took them back to their house for the weekend, then I went to my daughter's house to help with the unpacking. Hubs stayed at our house since we had scheduled a whole house clean for that day because...

Saturday we were having 32 people here for a Derby party.

We like it complicated. 

My daughter and I unwrapped at least 100 pieces of glassware, and managed to get most of the kitchen unboxed so the movers could take the empties and filler with them. I went to pick up lunch for everyone and got back to her house in the middle of a crazy hail storm. Insane! I was a little worried about my car but think it survived unscathed. 

My daughter's house is a mere four miles from my own house but hubs said we had all rain, zero hail. The lake can make the weather wonky (er). 

Meanwhile, at my house every nook, cranny, window, and corner was being dusted, mopped, wiped down, wiped off and vacuumed. These girls did the most fabulous job and there is nothing better on a Friday afternoon than walking into a sparkling clean house. We normally do it ourselves but given the timing of the move/party we decided to call in the professionals and it was worth every penny.

Friday night we checked out a newish place for dinner,  a distillery with a charming western vibe (the owners are former rodeo competitors). Hubs and I shared a salad and a pasta and both were delish. The 'kids' joined us as we were finishing up and my daughter and I split a chocolate dessert which was fun. 

For some reason the cake looks ginormous in this picture, but it was just a normal serving. We got home around 9 and hubs cranked up the Big Green Egg to start the BBQ we would be serving the next day. 

We had eighteen pounds of meat (three pork butts he'd seasoned that morning) and knew they would take about 16 hours to cook, cool, and shred. 

It's a whole big process which hubs manages like a boss. I'm just here for moral support and the end result- 

Saturday we were hosting a Derby party and the sky kept us guessing as to whether that would be indoors or out until pretty much the last minute. The plan was for outdoors, but we had some rain in the early part of the afternoon and the forecast wasn't the best. Our dining space is covered and so is the main seating area, but the grilling area is not and neither is the waterfall patio. 

The party was starting at 4:30 and at 4:15 we finally felt like it was safe to uncover the furniture and bring more chairs down to the lower patio. I put a six foot table there too so people could spread out. 

And they did. 

People were everywhere and it was so much fun! 

The new space worked out really well, comfortable and cozy and it felt exactly as we hoped it would feel. 

Hubs made his famous mint juleps and we put some red roses around and I have some fun little picks and table runners and a horse poster to add to the festivities. 

Everyone brought appetizers, salads, or desserts to go with the BBQ, which was one of hubs best...so good! 

The race itself is short but definitely lives up to its billing as the most exciting two minutes in sports. You know what our highlight was? About an hour before the party ended my daughter and her hubs walked in. 

Hubs said his heart leapt when he saw her from across the room, because it was just this unexpected moment we both were able to recognize as our new normal. We have never lived near enough for us to say, 'hey we're having a party, why don't you come?', and now we do. 

On Sunday hubs and I were supposed to drive over to TN to attend the funeral of a college friend. We hadn't been traveling long when we got a call that the service would need to be rescheduled due to a separate family emergency. Such a hard thing for these folks to navigate and I really feel for them. 

We turned around and stopped for breakfast at a place we like, then I changed into comfy clothes and watched movies and napped the afternoon away. Hubs was out getting the leaves off the driveway, moving chairs back where they belong, and carrying a table to the attic, but that's the hubs. 

I took the day off because a day off is sometimes needed, and today was that day.

I hope you had a nice weekend too. Hop over to the Hello Monday link up hosted by Holly and Sarah to add your own recap and see what others are sharing there too.

The Labor Day Weekend

Our Labor Day weekend was light on labor and big on fun, family, good food, and foul weather. We didn't let that foul weather dampen our spirits though, and it was the most fun-full Labor Day weekend we've had in a long time. 

Daughter1 and her two boys drove over on Friday from their Tennessee home. Her hubs was on call this weekend so he couldn't come with, and it was a long drive for her.  We all do what we must to have family time, and she's a trooper. 

Also, seven months pregnant so go her! 

They arrived about 6 PM and the grandboys hopped out of the car and asked to go swimming. Why not? We put on our bathing suits and cowabunga-d off the dock. 

Not the pregnant lady. She sat in a lounge chair and watched and everyone was happy. 

Daughter2 and her hubs and baby boy drove over from their Tennessee home on Saturday morning. It rained buckets but they arrived without incident. We oohed and ahhhed over baby boy and then hubs, my son-in-law and the mancub crossed 'swimming in the rain' off their bucket list. 

Oh and their chiahuahua learned he is in fact a water dog, much to everyone's surprise. 

The sky was so gray all weekend long and we had a tremendous amount of rain all weekend long, but no  thunder or lightning so we made the best of it. Swimming in the rain is how you make the best of it. 

Saturday night daughter1's in-laws, who live nearby,  joined us for dinner. As it happened our brother-in-law was traveling north from Florida and was also able to join us for dinner and stay the night. He hadn't met the newest little guy yet and doesn't get to see his nieces often, so this was a treat. 

Hubs grilled wings and brats and the in-laws brought everybody's favorite sweet potato cake for dessert. Since hubs celebrated a birthday on Thursday the boys added candles and helped him make a wish. 

On Sunday daughter2's in-laws drove over from their home to spend the night and celebrate daughter2's birthday. And see the grandbaby of course, but that goes without saying. Hubs and I really enjoy both sets of in-laws which is such a blessing.

Hubs and my son-in-law (along with their talented sous chef) grilled a ginormous brisket for our Sunday dinner-

They actually put it on the Green Egg the night before and spent at least another 24 hours discussing the finer points of grilling-ha! 

It was de-lish! I made a chocolate cake for the birthday girl and there were more candles and wishes and gifts. It was noisy and sweet and oh so special. 

Daughter1 and her crew left Monday morning for their ridunkulously long drive home. Goodbyes are always hard for sisters turned aunts.

Plus her six hour drive turned into more than nine hours and we just hope she'll come back lol. 

Daughter2's in-laws left a little bit later in the morning, and there was a miniscule break in the weather so we let baby boy have his first dip in the lake. It took longer to get him in the swim suit, hat, and life jacket than he lasted in the water, but it was super cute so that's something. 

We spent the rest of the day relaxing on the porch (there will be a nap in my week somewhere!), made a shepherds pie with some of our leftover brisket, and then watched college football because it's that time again. 

We love a full house and having family and extended family here is a true labor of love. Hope your weekend was full of the people you love too. 

Super Fun

Weekends leave a little something to be desired these days, wouldn't you agree? Feels like we've been walking through sludge for a while now, and February isn't helping.  

We're mostly still doing a lot of nothing here and like most everyone we're tired of it. Bored with it. Ready to rejoin the party except there's still no party to rejoin. Which is why I blog about the weather and what's on the grill and the ongoing saga of our television service. 

We did have a very small snowfall Saturday night and that was a little bit exciting. Relatively speaking of course. Parts of the lake had more, but just a dusting here. 

Did you watch the Superbowl? We sorta kinda watched a snippet here and there, but honestly were not the least bit invested in the outcome. We have not watched a single NFL game this year because we are over the NFL, but I love Eric Church and wanted to see him sing the National Anthem. He's country and this was to be a duet with a more hip hop/R & B singer (Jazmine Sullivan) so I was nervous. I hate when singers mess with the anthem and the potential for that felt large with this combo. 

Course by the time we got the tv connected (!!!) team captains were already mid-field doing the coin toss and we missed it. 

Remember when something annoyed us and we'd just say 2020 and roll our eyes and everyone knew what we meant?  Saying 2021 is not nearly as satisfying. 

Anyway, I did go watch a clip of the anthem on youtube and based on comments I'd read was prepared not to like their version, but I actually loved it. They only messed with it a little, plus that sign language interpreter was fantastic and brought a big dose of happy to the whole thing. 

This boy loves my popcorn maker more than even I do and that's saying something. He watches this machine like a hawk-

 

In other Superbowl food news hubs decided to grill wings, a skill he has completely mastered-

We invited our next door neighbors over to share and ended up talking, laughing, not really watching the game, and playing pool until midnight. The girls won which isn't important but does feel worthy of a mention, and the whole evening was so much fun I forgot for a minute it wasn't a party. 

Remember fun? In 2021 I think we have to make our own. 

And so we do.

'Twas The Week Before Christmas

So what's everybody up to? Ha! There's only about a hundred things I should be doing, but I'm sipping coffee in a Christmas mug and blogging instead. Obviously you're here reading so I'm not the only one avoiding my to-dos. It all gets done, right?

We had my sister and brother-in-law out for a mini early Christmas dinner this past weekend. My niece and her boyfriend came too and Daughter2 minus her fiance who was in another city. Hubs got up at the crack of dawn (actually before the crack of dawn) to start the cooking so I got up at the pre-crack of dawn too.

The sun hasn't even begun to think about rising, but here we are out on the patio making BBQ magic happen. Hubs cooked a 10+ pound brisket on the Green Egg because when it comes to barbecuing he's a 'go big or go home' kind of chef.

It was out of this world good with a peppery crust outside and so tender you could cut it with a fork on the inside.

Did you come here to see what we ate this weekend?
I thought so.

Daughter2 made this scrumptious English Trifle for dessert which involved a home made almond pound cake, pears poached in honey and vanilla, fresh raspberries, creme anglaise, and whipped cream. It sounds heavy but was so light and delicious.

She and I enjoy hanging out in the kitchen together and while I've known for quite some time she is getting married in 129 days (not that anyone is counting) it kind of hit me this weekend how much I'll miss having my baker bride at home.

Not just because she bakes.

And technically she doesn't live with us, but she's been secretly moving in since October and I'm okay with that. Brides need their mommas y'all, and mommas need their baby girls.

Dads do too-

Speaking of sweet things...

Oh my stars! The little mancub was not too sure about Santa Claus this year. Eventually he settled in and as long as Santa didn't touch him or sit too close everything was a-ok. I'm pretty sure this is the real Santa because he knew just what to do-

And on that happy note I will leave you. The reason everything gets done is because someone does it. I mean those presents aren't going to wrap themselves so I guess that someone is me.

Merry week before Christmas everyone!