Thursday Thoughts - Pass me some of that patriotism

1. And a hotdog, macaroni salad, corn on the cob, and soft serve ice cream, too. There. Now you know my weekend menu. I will also be trotting out all of my red, white, and blue lounge attire.

2. SCOTUS decision week, in which they delivered the most significant abortion rights decision in many years. The Court ruled in favor of Whole Women's Health, declaring HB-2 (which passed in 2013 despite Wendy Davis' towering filibuster, closing nearly half of the 41 clinics in Texas) unconstitutional. This means abortion remains legal in theory AND in practice. Not just in theory, which is what HB-2 sought to do. I think a lot of people think the right to choose is iron clad. It's not. It's been eaten away at in the 40 some years since Roe. Pay attention. If vaginas shot bullets this wouldn't be an issue.

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3. Do you know how much laundry you have to catch up on when your dryer has been broken? A lot. Most of my spare time this week has been devoted to that.

4. I think we all want to be understood in certain scenarios. It's important to know the difference between that and living a life designed to gain the approval of others, which is a different type of understanding. That, you really don't need. If you are happy, self sufficient, and not a danger to yourself or others, it's okay to live the life you want even if no one gets it...you have to be fierce with yourself and listen to your gut. At the end of the day, your voice is the one that matters.

5. I love these words on why one should write in The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. I finished that last night. The next Show Us Your Books is July 13. No new episode of the Armchair Librarians this week, Jana and I will catch you next week when we'll be discussing The Nest.

6. I often get quizzed on my iced coffee making method. You can find that post here. I just got these new bags thanks to a tip from Mare. Probably the easiest I've worked with to date.

7. Dinner with the lovely sisters Melissa & Stephanie 1 and Alex at Villa di Roma on Tuesday night. The food was so good. I ate so many carbs that I was still full Wednesday morning.

8. Got fresh for the weekend. Toes are OPI Big Apple Red for America's birthday.

9. E-card of the week.

10. I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend celebrating America's birthday. If you drink don't drive and if you drive don't drink. Also, leave the fireworks to the pros. Jill is here tomorrow giving you her sunless tanner insider info, so I'll see you back here Tuesday for TWTW. Catch me on Instagram this weekend, and catch Jill there too because we will be rendezvousing at some point.  

Toodles, yankee doodles.

the pre-Halloween weekend that was

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread baked while wearing polka dot pajama pants and a Dirty Dancing tee. 

Come to mama.

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Spinach dip for Saturday

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Extra crispy Ellio's pizza and a gasping snorting fit of laughter while watching Parks & Rec.

"Jerry, did you eat farts for lunch?"

Proving once again that farts are always funny. 

And so is Parks & Rec.

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Pasta-less lasagna.

I'd omit the italian seasoning next time. Make sure you salt the ground turkey.
It came out of the oven watery, so drain it and you'll be good to go.

Hearty and healthy. 

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Sunday soup made on Saturday: veggie beef barley.

Just like Mom Mom used to make. 

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I had to use tomato paste, and had a bunch left over.
I froze it in tablespoon size portions using the ever handy ice cube tray.

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Happily cleaning up from a productive Friday night in the kitchen at 11:30 p.m. 

Times have changed.

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Cutest boys ever.

Friday night issues: I picked a huge fat tick off of Geege, 

and Gus had a toenail issue so he was up all night. 

Which meant I was up all night.

\MFD had to take him to the vet on Saturday, and he was weird the rest of the weekend. My poor boy.

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Saturday morning's coffee was so so necessary.

If you're in Philly, head to Mugshots for yours!

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Bath & Body Works has the perfect size candles for my Buddah candle holder. 

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Changing pictures in frames to the back drop of
Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, The Good Wife, and college football.

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A trip to Redner's for some gallons of water, pimentos and pumpkin.
Why do people load up on perishable items before storms? I saw a man with four cartons of eggs.
I got water because one of my greatest fears is to be without water when I need a drink.
If you see me sitting in my house, there will always be a glass next to me.
Agua issues.

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Halloween prep.
I was ready for a full 45 minutes before MFD was ready.
This is nothing out of the ordinary in our house.
Thanks to my mother and father-in-law for staying over with the dogs!
We were Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Tasteless, I know.

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Good times at Jill & Frank's Annual Halloween Party.
I enjoyed one million swedish fish vodka drinks, there were fabulous dips to be had, I Hate Dead Rabbits was the required firepit saying, MFD wore different costumes in his unique way, and the party was a lot of fun like it is every year.
I went to bed smelling like fire pit smoke and singing Kenny's original composition in my head.

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Sunday morning I dropped MFD off at his mummer clubhouse.

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I decided to stop at Sam's since I have a business membership and few others would be there.
I did end up seeing my uncle in the parking lot, which was fun.
My small haul: healthy, healthy, healthy...and damn good.

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TV catch-up
Duck Dynasty. Roberts family, can I meet you? Pretty please?
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
Suburgatory

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Sunday dinner:
pimento cheese chicken, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.
If I'm making mashed potatoes on Sunday, they're loaded with butter and some sour cream.
Not the light version, in other words.
Thanks to Shelby at Big Hungry Shelby for the link to the pimento cheese baked chicken.

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Hurricane freezer prep: fill baggies with water and put them in the nooks and crannies in your freezer.
They'll freeze solid and if your power goes out, will help to keep your food cold longer.
Or they can be used in coolers. Thanks to Suzi for this tip last year around Irene time!
When the threat is over, let them thaw in the sink and reuse the bags.
MFD makes fun of me when I do this, but like everything else in life,
I like to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

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A notification from work that we'd be closed on Monday.
Working from home it is!

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Laundry, vacuuming, fresh sheets and a pre-bed shower.
Fresh sheets are heaven, I do declare.

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Revenge.
How can a show be this good?

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the weekend that was

Dear universe: please don't let Sandy be as bad as predictions, and pretty please let all the trees around our house remain intact and standing. AMEN HOLLER. 

Love you all like Emily loves Revenge. Stay safe this week if you're in the path of Frankenstorm.

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans, Five30three, and Join the Gossip for Weekend Update.

I'm a yankee doodle dandy

It's easy to point out many things that are wrong in this country, and what our government is or isn't doing that makes us angry. I'm sure many of us could gripe until the cows come home. 


Tomorrow isn't the day for that. July 4 is a day to appreciate what we have here, to celebrate the courage of our forefathers for securing our independence, to go swimming, to have a beer, to eat a hotdog, to wave a flag, and to watch some fireworks. 

Photo: anediblemosaic.com

Here are just a few of the things I love about my country and being an American. I hope you take some time over the Fourth to reflect on the things you love about America.

1. The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, Yankee Doodle - I am a true sucker for the patriotic songs. I will tear up without fail.

Photo: spiritof76dar.org

2. We're the home of the free because of the brave - the American armed forces have long been a source of pride for this country, heroes who provide defense and order and hope not only to us, but to people around the world.

3. Thanksgiving.

4. The hamburger. Cherry pie. Ice cream. Cobb Salad. Buffalo wings. Cheesesteaks. The almighty hotdog.

 "You look like the Fourth of July! Makes me want a hotdog real bad." 

                                                                           ~Legally Blonde II

Photo: imsuchateas.tumblr.com

5. That unique aura of Americanism. That pride. That America, FUCK YEAH attitude.

6. Disney World.

7. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

8. The Bill of Rights.

9. Baseball.

10. Our politicians may or may not be crooks who may or may not give a shit about us, that's always up for debate. Regardless of where you stand on that issue, we vote without fear of oppression or death. Many people on this planet are not so lucky.

11. Revolutionary War history. I love walking the streets in Philadelphia where so much risk was taken, so much put on the line for liberty. You can still feel the hope and fear of the founding fathers as they worked to declare our independence...and the strength of the women who were holding it together on their end.

12. College football on Saturdays. The Notre Dame Fight Song.

13.  The Brooklyn Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge (which I will see in person for the first time in just a few short weeks). The Seven Mile Bridge. Magnificent.

Photo: fla-keys.com

14. Our national motto - E Pluribus Unum - out of many; one.

15. When there is trouble, Americans come together. It doesn't matter what political table we sit at, we put it aside and take care of business. If there is an OH SHIT problem, you want Americans around.

Photo: ducksnarow.com

16. In this country, what you make of your life is up to you. No one is stopping you but yourself.

17. Lady Liberty.

18. The Rule of Law.

19. Bruce Springsteen. Rock-n-roll.

Photo: penetratingthevoid.blogspot.com

20. Our indomitable spirit and belief that our way of life should and will prevail. We may fall down seven times, but we will stand up eight.

Photo: abc-news.com

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.

                                  ~William Jefferson Clinton

Happy Fourth of July! Don't lose a finger setting off your fireworks. 

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.