Snippets of the weekend 10.3.2022

I spent the weekend with my BFF Kim and her fam in Massachusetts. I got to walk my goddaughter to and from school on Friday, and we did a lot of lounging and cooking for the freezer and eating. It was a nice chill fall weekend that was actually borderline chilly temp-wise Sunday. 

It was grand until the shit weather drive from PHL airport back to northeast Philly. Poor visibility! At this age, who needs it.

If you are new to batch or freezer cooking, some easy ways to start: pluck a rotisserie and shred or chop the meat to freeze and throw in future dishes, then use the carcasses to make bone broth and base a soup off of that (I did chicken and rice this weekend); pulled pork - spice rub only so it can be used for carnitas or doused in BBQ for pulled pork sandwiches - when you liberate it from the freezer, you can crisp it up by throwing it under the broiler for a few; turchicken (mix ground turkey and ground chicken, it helps with the blah turkey flavor) and ground beef - brown and freeze plain for use in future dishes or do what I did here and season for use in tacos or enchiladas; chili; french dip sandwiches

Happy happy birthday to my fabulous niece Lola yesterday. 

In addition to snippets here, I've been doing weekending reels on Instagram if you are interested. 

Hope yours was good!

Snippets of the weekend: 7.18.2022

Friday off after a traumatic and late Thursday night of a snaked drain, poop smell, discovery of a former plumber's left behind snake head and cable in drain pipe, an encounter with princesses on the boardwalk, four hours with a plumber in our small apartment, and Police Academy. Jersey tomato and Italian glaze season (with portobello mushrooms is chef's kiss). Beach day with Kim, Steve, and Libby. Guests left on Friday so we could take our time with turnover. Boardwalk rides and cheesesteaks and goodbyes after a week with a good amount of time together!  

For the love of god, as requested in listings and house manual and now on toilets, do not flush wipes. None are flushable in a 122 year old house and actually none are flushable period. Fucked off to the North End. Went under water for the first time in the season. Salads and sofa city at night.

Impromptu trip to Lewes to spend the day with Dad and Carol and Stephen and Aubrey and the kids. Bubbles, water balloon fights, barbies, indoor pool time, said hello to Denny and Fran and Ashley and Jon and the girls, some grape devil drink, salmon and fresh corn from the corn man, no sunset on the way home but a lovely ferry experience anyway, both ways. 

In addition to snippets here, I've taken to doing weekending reels on Instagram if you are interested. 

TWTW - the one away in MA

Friday My alarm went off at the inhospitable time of 5:15. I was sitting in dead stop traffic on 95 by 6:20 after hitting snooze a few times, showering, and getting a DD iced; and had done my before 9 am Friday tasks and sat my ass on a plane by 8:35. Steve picked me up from the airport and I worked the afternoon at Kim's dining room table until she got home from work. We spent the late afternoon and early evening outside with wine, a nice breeze, and late day sun, then moved inside to freaking delicious Sicilian pizza and couch. I was asleep right before 11.

Saturday Started with barbies, coffee, selfies with emotive faces on demand, and crawling my big old ass in and out of a play castle. Kim and I took Libby to soccer and it was gorgeous out but freaking hot. Kim and I were together on September 11 in 2001 and not ever since. We met Kelly for a ladies who lunch late lunch at Earl's in Somerville and it was perfect. I hadn't seen Kelly in way too long, and the temps were just right for sitting outside with 407 different drinks, apps, and a hot chicken sandwich. We ran through CVS then headed home for couch and just being. It's a gift to sit around with each other as adults who live about seven hours apart. We never need to actually do anything, that is the doing.

Sunday All good things must come to an end. Breakfast was a delicious ham egg and cheese on an english muffin and Kim's sweet potato hashbrowns. It was time to leave before I knew it and I was deposited back at the airport at 11ish, got back to my car in Philly before 3, and to the shore by 4, encountering many assholes along the way who either forgot how to act in public or never knew how to act in public. It's been a long time since I did an asshole post since I have not been around a ton of people but I have quite a few entries amassed now. Anyhoo I put stuff away in the apartment, MFD arrived with the animals, I hit ACME, salads for dinner, some cleaning upstairs when last guests (returning long weekenders) for the year left at 8. 

I always love going up to visit my Boston fam. Thanks to Kim & Libby & Steve! I cannot believe Libby is five. So smart and silly and funny and wonderful. Kim and Steve are of course those things too LOL. Until next time.

This is the N95 mask I used to travel and it was super comfortable if anyone is in the market. It's not top of the line/medical grade but it served my purposes and was great for my claustrophobia that is exacerbated on planes. 

Show Us Your Books is tomorrow! See you back here for that. 

TWTW - entering into August

Friday It was a hellfire day like olden times where I was out of the house by 7 and in my office by 8:15 to have a full printer issue up against a hard copy deliverable deadline. FedEx Office saved the day, I made the deadline, and managed to fit in an acupuncture appointment I was sorely in need of. I did miss my homebound train by three minutes and since they're only running on the hour, I waited an hour and got home after 7. I pan fried some salmon to go with leftover potatoes and cauliflower and put some of the stuff in the house to right before falling into a dead sleep around 11. 

Saturday I was up by 7, MFD was out of the house with all dogs by 9:15 to do shore turnover, and I did some cleaning and putting away, laundry, vacuuming, nail painting, etc. I even cleared the dining room table. My parents arrived to stay for a few days, and I left for Melissa's. Kim was down with Libby visiting her parents and her and set up a date with Melissa and Zo. The timing was perfect, the weather was perfect, and it was so nice to sit around and do nothing but talk and laugh and eat Melissa's delicious food and drink beer slower than her grandmother (LOLOLOL). I went to bed around 11:30. 

Sunday I stayed in bed until close to 9 and it was freaking amazing to get a deep solid sleep with no dogs and no time to get up. We had coffee and bagels and watched Libby's programs before I headed down to the shore. I stopped at the produce store and the library before heading to my house. It was a weird weather day, so we sat on the porch and took a few walks, I read a book, tomato sandwiches for dinner, and the remaining episodes of Dr. Death at night.

This week is free from external deadlines for the first time in I am not sure how long, and I plan to be balanced as a motherfucker with work and personal life. 

Happy happy birthday to Evan today! Anyone needing photography for corporate ( in studio or on location, headshots/web photo updates, events, openings, announcements, project documentation, product shots, catalogs, etc), wedding, engagement, kid pics, family photos, you name it, Evan does it via Evan Leslie Images, primarily in PA, NJ, and DE. 

TWTW - the one in MA

Friday I worked from home before flying up to Boston to visit my BFF Kim, her husband, and my goddaughter. Steve fetched me from the airport, I got 42897 stylings of Libby photos, we had delicious takeout dinner in and lounged on couches which is my ideal Friday night. 

Saturday Kim and I hit DD and Target to kick off the day, then Steve brought home bagels and we devoured them on sight. We did some of the afternoon at a waterfront playground in Charlestown before having lunch at Pier Six. The food, wine, views, coloring book action, and company were delicious. Quiet time before hitting a four year old birthday party and we were in our pajamas on the couch with wine immediately after. I finished a book before falling asleep. Oh and at the party we split a piece of the absolute best ice cream cake I have ever had in my life from Meletharb. Thank you, parents of child I do not know.

Sunday Kim & Libby took me to the airport for my 10 am flight, where I started a new book. I was in my living room in Philly by 12:30. We went to Barnes & Noble for a book signing of The Spirit Projector by a local author/friend from high school, Kelly Deeny (you can buy her book on Book Baby, Amazon, Barnes & Noble) and saw a few other friends from high school as well. We popped into PetSmart after where I wanted to adopt a shelter cat and MFD wanted parakeets and left with nothing. Pier One up there is going out of business so we stopped in there and got a new dining room table to replace our 11 year old one. MFD went to work for a little and I cycled laundry, did some food prep, unpacked.

We went to Sakura for dinner with a Christmas gift card from my bonus grandparents Ruth & Pete. I finished out the night sussing out paint colors for the dining room here and hallway at the shore, did a salt face mask (so unsatisfying to have no mask color), and painted my nails (OPI Cajun Shrimp).

Weekly food prep: Breakfast is yogurt with granola and a side of cantaloupe. Lunches are hard boiled eggs with bell peppers, carrots, cheese, olives. Snacks are oranges. Dinner is salad salad salad and we'll start with baked chicken thighs that I'm making Monday night. I'm not sure what will be after that, possibly pasta.

Birthday month has begun.

TWTW - the one with the framily

Thursday I was supposed to be off but alas I had to work. I still met Kim for coffee and a breakfast sandwich, and after work visited my mother in law, then met Kim & Steve & Libby on the boards. We had fun, Libby is a riot, and I always wish we lived closer. I got very little sleep Wednesday night so I was BEAT by the time I got home. 

Friday I was also supposed to be off and while I did a little work I was finished by 9:30. Hallelujah and amen! MFD was gone fishing with Steve and Kim's brother and nephew, so I read on the porch for a while, cleaned up a little, changed the sheets, and hit the beach. The breeze was great, I started a new book, and the people watching was superb. I got a quick shower and walked the dogs, then ran errands via bike and visited with Kim and fam on the porch for a few more hours before biking back home. MFD and I and the dogs were all exhausted so we just couched it. He snoozed and watched Law & Order and I read. 

Saturday dawned early - I heard our guests leaving around 4 for their flight, and we got up around 5 to walk the dogs. I spent some zen time alone on the beach, had coffee on the porch with the dogs, and we did turnover up in the house. We also took a super not relaxing bike ride, which will be my last weekend ride in season on the boardwalk after 8 am. 

By 11 we were off to Corson's Inlet for MFD to fish. I had to pee in the wild (where I'm pointing) but it was fine, FINE, and I finished my book. 

Home to shower, walk the dogs, visit MFD's mom, and then meet Frank, Amanda, and The Diva on the boards. It was packed. At the end of the night MFD and I ended up walking home off the boards so we didn't have to fight the crowds. I fell into bed at 11 and just passed out after walking the dogs. 

Sunday MFD did the morning dog walk so I slept in until 6:30 then had some porch time. He went to a meeting and fished and I attempted to seal a small leak for our guests upstairs until I can get a plumber in. After that I hit the beach for two hours to read before coming home, walking dogs, cleaning up and packing up, and hitting the road.  I started 1039489084 loads of laundry (last week's guests were from FL so I let them use our sheets) and had dinner at my mom's which was great because then I didn't have to make it. Also here's a photo of Mae's snaggle tooth just because.

Weekly food prep: Last week I freaking ate ramen and PBJ because I didn't cook on Monday night. I was only home two nights so whatever but seriously I need to cook Monday night. I have leftover macaroni salad from the weekend so I'm hoping to do something quick like baked or air fryer-ed chicken and sauteed squash. Breakfasts are breakfast burritos. Lunches are leftovers until I need to make another meal.

Have I mentioned my framily has awesome kids? They do. So nice to get to spend time with them this weekend as well as their parents, who I of course love forever. 

Happy birthday to Frank today - Frank's annual birthday blog is coming at you on Friday!

TWTW - the one with the godmothering

Friday morning found me running on less than five hours of sleep. After a quick unpack/repack and painting my janky ass vacation nails, I was on the road to the airport by 11:30. The 25 minute trip took an hour including a very near accident. I followed this joy with a pat down and luggage search. I was tired and hangry, which is my danger zone. Then a snarky lady wanted to huff and puff at me because my book was on a seat I did not know she was occupying. No problem, I moved my book immediately. Her and her boyfriend (who did not tell me she was sitting there) then made we'll talk about a lot of things later statements and gestured to me. I guess they were hoping I wasn't looking or wouldn't respond if I was? Wrong on both counts. I will hand you your ass in public, loudly, and not care. Toodleoo, majafackahs. All was well once I arrived in Boston though and met my darling Libby, hung out with Kim and her mom, and had a fabulous steak kebab meal courtesy of Steve. I slept like the dead and regret nothing.

Saturday was a slow and easy day. We were ladies who lunched at Zuzu's Cafe in Wakefield followed by a short walk around Lake Quannapowitt. The company was wonderful, as was the food, and Zuzu's was definitely owned by someone in my tribe. 

The rest of the day was filled with playing on the floor and finishing The Hate U Give (read it, I did, in less than 24 hours). I also placed my Amazon Fresh grocery order and tried to get my poop in a pile for the week ahead. Libby is sassy and smart. She makes me laugh and I love her. She growls and it is hilarious. 

Sunday I ate myself silly at a lovely pre-Baptism brunch at Kim & Steve's before heading off to the church to assume the official godmother role. The Priest had a great personality and a penchant for being short and sweet, always appreciated in the heat. 

It was time to say goodbye too soon, and my ass was deposited at the airport by 2:45. And this is one of the reasons I dislike Starbucks. It's not that hard, Starbucks. It's not hard at all. I was also sad that Boston, the home of DD, did not have one near my gate. 

Reunion number two with los perros by 7:15, food ordered and delivered by 8:15, and groceries arrived by 8:30. Weekly food prep: breakfasts are scrambled eggs with green onions and cheese with a tiny broccoli topper; three days of lunches are turkey kielbasa with cheese inside over colorful cauliflower and/or broccoli; snacks are strawberries, peaches, and cucumbers; dinners will be some type of chicken thighs meal. That was supposed to be lunch but they arrived frozen and I don't have time to pussyfoot around with frozen poultry at 8:30 on a Sunday night.

First day back in the office in two weeks. This should be fun. And awaaaay we go.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

TWTW - the one with New England

Way back before spring even started, I booked a flight to Boston to see my BFF Kim. I lost sight of the trip in the coming months, and then it was here before I knew it. I sort of love when that happens. I hopped a train from work to the airport and was in Boston in what seemed like minutes. Who buys a mug of their own town at the airport before they even leave the city? That would be me.

There's nothing like the comfort of old friends, is there? The ease of being around each other, the lively conversations punctuated by comfortable silences, the joy in doing absolutely nothing together. Laura and I have been friends for 26 years and Kim and I for 23, and it's been well over 10 years since any of us lived in even close to the same zip code. Not more than a day goes by without me talking to them via text and email but we don't see each other face to face often so when we can, I absolutely love it. Friday we just shot the shit at Kim & Steve's. Saturday morning we fueled up with DD and headed up to Ogunquit, Maine. What a cute town. After getting more coffee, we walked about a mile along the Marginal Way. 

The coast of Maine is rugged and beautiful. It seems to have it all - endless sky, ocean, beach, greenery, and rock. 

We came out of the Marginal Way into Perkins Cove and were leisurely ladies who lunch at Jackie Too's. The food and views were excellent as was the company, of course. I knocked a 40 before 40 off of my list - eat a lobster roll in Maine. Three cheers for best friends who support your weird list quests. It was excellent. I've had lobster rolls before but Maine's are famous for a reason. The Seadog blueberry wheat beer (brewed in Maine) and the blueberry pie made with local blueberries were the cherries on top...in addition to the salt scrub we all tried in the bathroom and had to have that Laura then had to repackage on my behalf so I could take it on the plane. She was doing hers and knowing me as she does knew I would not have the patience for such things. 

We strolled around Perkins Cove, in and out of shops and checking out the boats. 

We also dipped leisurely in and out of shops back in the center of town. I totally enjoyed the tempo of this town - laid back, a little funky and arty, and just beautiful. Quite picturesque. I could not believe the flowers everywhere and all of the color. 

After a thoroughly enjoyable day on the Maine coast, we headed back to Mass to check out Kim & Steve's new house before digging into some Italian at Pomodoro in Brookline. We tired our asses out and ended the night with relaxing and Step Brothers, which I have never seen and which I found to be hilarious. I need to see it uncut like immediately. 

All good things must come to an end. I was home by two on Sunday and spent the afternoon inside with the dogs, away from the hellacious humidity. MFD got me flowers from the Farmers' Market since that was his errand this weekend. We had hoagies for a late lunch and I did a bunch of unpacking and hausfrauing and setting the house to rights. 

Weekly food prep: scrambled eggs with green onion and cheese and power breakfast muffins for breakfast; salads and leftovers for lunches; baby carrots, bananas, and greek yogurt for snacks; tomato and red onion salad, baked chicken leg quarters (I was going to grill them but Sunday was melt your skin off hot), salads, and enchiladas for dinners. 

I truly loved this weekend. What about you?

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending