Snippets of the weekend 7.5.2022

Salad, pet store, finishing a book in the dark. To the shore Saturday morning for turnover - all the bedding and laundry, mirror fixed. Watermelon bedspreads make me happy, like notes from fam.

Back to Philly to shower and pack up and head upstate to the peace of the lake at Lori's - a solid six hours in the car on Saturday but worth it to do turnover in person and make it to the lake.

Reflections. Super low dew point. Sunshine. Nice skies. Signature purple. Lots of books, some good, some passed on. Porch time. Relaxing. Relaxing. Relaxing. Watching new boat drivers. Laughter. 

Dog heaven. Dirt rolling, swimming, panting, sunning, snoozing, eating.

Blue skies, sun dappled everything, breakfast hotdogs, Montrose, vendors on the green, flowers, dips, pickle hummus, fireworks, time with one of my most cherished people. The promise of America and the reality of America chafing with several mass shootings on July 4 and many white women feeling for the first time an infringement on their rights that Black, Native, and marginalized people in general and women in particular have felt for centuries. 

And, lest I forget ever, a shore hot water heater that gave up the ghost on July 4, 2022. Emergency service, expensive AF repair. Thankfully MFD had not yet left for Monday parades and could stay down and be the man on the scene. 

TWTW - the no dayer

Friday I worked until 6:30 and we ate out inside a restaurant for what was my second time since March 2020. I packed a bunch of shit for the weekend and fell out around 12:30.

Saturday Up at 6:15 and out of bed at 7. I changed the sheets, loaded the car, and we were on our way to the shore by 8, gassing up along the way. We talked to our departing guest for a long time and then they were late leaving, but we still did everything we needed to do before and after our cleaning crew left and got back on the road by 12 to make it back to Philly by 1:15. We picked MFD’s car up from getting inspected, I picked up soft pretzels, and after yelling because we have extremely different leaving for a trip styles and keys lost, we were headed north by 3:15. We drove through every storm hitting the area and arrived at the lake by about 6. Notice my stuff and dog stuff all ready by the door in the top middle and MFD's entire life emptied out of his car not prepared at all to leave. These were taken at the same time and his clothes were not yet packed LOL

We drove through every storm hitting the area and arrived at the lake by about 6. Lori and I got groceries and I put in four hours of work work. I showered and read until 11:30.

Sunday I was up at 5 but not out of bed until 6:30. I worked from 7-11a and 5-9p. Nothing says the Fourth of July like Capitalism! In between we got more groceries and whiled the afternoon away outside with dogs and books. I painted my nails. We were outside all the live long day and the weather was absolutely perfect. Jack grilled and we had a delicious Fourth meal on the new bar on the deck. The entire renovation is just fabulous. MFD went out fishing in the kayak and at night him and Jack went out on the boat. We saw fireworks from couches and from bed after I got out of the shower. And Gus walked into the lake three freaking times requiring three separate drying off periods of which he was not a fan.

Monday Lori and I left at 8:15 for the Montrose  Festival on the Green and to stop in a few small shops. I love this little town. It always feels like the promise of America to me - a place for the community to gather, dotted with a square of small businesses. We can live up to this promise for everyone. We just have to choose to.

I worked a full day even though we were closed in observance of the Fourth. Deadlines are a B. At least I had a picturesque setting in which to work. MFD fished and swam and we set out for home at 7:30 and were back in Philly before 10. 

I am usually driving but got to take drive pictures this time. Pennsylvania is beautiful, and I love the Endless Mountains region. I'm glad Lori & Jack live there or I probably would not have been so many places in Bradford & Susquehanna counties. 

I should have brought my second screen, and I was going to. If I had we probably would have stayed through my deadline Wednesday LOL. It is beautiful and quiet and relaxing and we all love it there, especially the dogs. Thanks to Lori for always welcoming all of us, dogs included, into her spaces. It was a wonderful weekend and we're trying to figure out when to return this summer. 

Show Us Your Books is a week from today!

TWTW - the one at the lake

Thursday night I had a work event. When I got home at 8:30 Mom and Debbie were at my house and we loaded up the dogs and headed almost three hours to the lake. Bruce had no idea the lake was there and was running like a loon and went in in the dark. He swam himself out as I was shucking off my shoes and cardigan to go in after him.

Despite going to bed after 1, Gus was up by 6 and we kicked off the weekend. Melissa arrived around 6 Friday and we had sunrises, sunsets, rain, sun, thunder, lightening. Weather ran the gamut.

It's so nice to spend a weekend doing fuck all with people I love. We read, napped, talked, walked, played a hilarious game of Cards Against Humanity and Golden Girls Monopoly that we shit out on early, ate, drank, lounged, and relaxed together. It's so nice to do that with your people far away from real life. I love this annual girls weekend at the lake. It would not have been possible for me without Michelle and Danielle at the shore doing turnover and taking care of shit that crops up always on Michelle's watch. LOL and THANK YOU!

The dogs had the best time as always at Treat Lady's. They were catered to and coddled, always on a lap or being fed fruit or chips or hoovering up food that was dropped. Gus got dipped in the lake and Bruce went in again on Friday: jumped in and went under and swam out. I might have a dog who swims. They napped in the shade and lived their best lives.

Sunday when I got home I did laundry and went to Sam's then off to Dad & Carol's for Carol's birthday dinner. Happy birthday Carol! Lola Jean and Baby Stephen were the stars of the show of course. My Dad isn't doing too bad after knee replacement last week. We stopped by to see MFD's parents too, completing the Langhorne circuit for the night.

Weekly food prep - not on the weekend, but it is happening. Tonight I'll be making scrambled eggs with broccoli and I picked up a rotisserie chicken at Sam's to kick off dinners. I'm also making a huge vat of veggie meat sauce later in the week to freeze and to share.

Local friends, MFD is having a fundraising taco party in South Philly tonight. I'd love to see you even if we've never met face to face! You can buy tickets that start at $25 here. You can buy a ticket in support and not show too.

See y'all back here tomorrow for Show Us Your Books with me & Jana & our reading posse.

How was your weekend?

TWTW - the one with the peace and quiet

There's something about being by the water, something that slows the churning in your brain and replaces it with serenity and lollygagging.

There's also something about arriving at your aunt's lake house after midnight on a Friday with two adults and three dogs making a ruckus and being greeted with open arms.

There's something about spending time in a beautiful place with people you love, whether you're doing things together or just doing things separately in the same space.

There's something about a meal outside, where the steaks are reminiscent of the Old 96er and the grilled corn makes you want to eat it off the cob even though you never do that.

There's definitely something about taking eleventy billion photos of your dogs without anyone judging you. They take them for you instead.

Not to mention the reading of books and magazines, the snack spreads, the gelato, the swimming, the lounging, and the sitting by the water, the breeze skimming over limbs heavy and full of a drowsy summer afternoon...there is indeed something glorious about all of those things.

Then there is Sunday night, when you arrive home after battling traffic on the Northeast extension, and your husband goes to work and your dogs pass out snoring and you're left alone with the Sunday night blues and the brownies you brought home, which you eat for dinner instead of the buffalo chicken pasta salad you whipped together at 7 p.m.

There's also being grateful in hindsight that you left after 9 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. on Friday, because you got to do your weights, change your sheets, wash your towels, write a few blog posts, process your iced coffee in bulk, and paint your nails in Essie Madison Ave-hue, which Lori also did that night, three hours north. Kismet, no?

It was weird to write this blog post without using the first person. Try it. It's weird.

I can't sign off without wishing my great friend Jill a fabulous 30th birthday today. Cheers girlfriend! xoxo

What about you? Did you get any peace and quiet?

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

TWTW - the one with the girls at the lake

I am enormously lucky in the friend/framily department. Not only do I have my BFFs of 20+ years, but I also have my adult life BFFs like the ladies I spent this weekend with (missed you Michelle & Amanda)! Every summer we spend a dedicated weekend together. We used to go to the shore but now the new locale is Lori's lake house. We had a peaceful and relaxing weekend of just being, but just being together. No makeup, all lounge attire all the time, no showers aside from the lake for the majority of us until Sunday. LOL. Nap when you want, walk when you want, float when you want, eat when you want, drink when you want. It was glorious.

Thursday night I had awesome mail to open before I left - the newest Judy Blume from the Literary Ladies Book Club girls and library card and pug socks from Mod Cloth. Debbie and I set out at 6:30 and the dogs were total assholes the entire ride. After 15 minutes, I said good Lord I swear the ride feels like four hours already. Alas, it was not. Debbie wrangled Mae for the entire nearly three hour ride, and we arrived around 9:30, saw the blue moon, and promptly passed out.

My darling dearest Gus decided to get up at 4. I kept him at bay until 5, but then it was time to get up. Once I saw what waited outside, I wasn't too mad. Lori and I got the food and beer shopping out of the way early too, which was great.

Jenn and Melissa arrived before noon, and we set out to float. I got in the freaking lake without a wet suit or lake shoes, you guys. And I floated. And didn't mind it. We had the lake pretty much to ourselves Friday, and it was pretty sweet. Let me tell you paddling around out there is a bit of a workout. Good thing since Friday morning alone I ate swedish fish, a donut, and fried chicken. Yikes and also YOLO. And why yes, I do have video of Melissa threatening me for videoing as I laugh like a maniac after her new raft Big Pink deflated in the middle of the lake.

Boat rides happened both nights with Captain Lori at the helm.

Saturday morning we headed into Montrose for a little look around.

It was mimosa and gabbing o'clock when we got back.

We floated away the afternoon again. Hijinks include Jenn capsizing on a raft while holding her beer aloft, dockside food service, and Mae really getting into the spirit of girls' weekend and getting out on the lake with Auntie.

Lori got us pizza and we lazed around before spur of the moment deciding it was ice cream time. I went on this adventure in my pajamas, sans bra. If you like to judge people who go out in public in pajamas, look no further. The buck stops here. The summer fuck it phase continues.

Sunday morning there was fog rolling across the lake and it was awesome. I took eleventy billion photos. When it was clear, Jenn and I went for a canoe ride. My first and only time on a canoe was Memorial Day weekend but Sunday I was out there steering that shit like a boss. Thanks to Jack for the good lessons.

We made an exception for the boy dogs. They all had a blast, they love the lake house.

Lots of laughs, lots of floating, lots of talks, lots of flip flops, lots of beautiful lake views, and one majestic eagle. I love these ladies. Thanks so much to Lori for hosting.

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 heat. I meant to be super productive but was only about half successful - I made egg muffins for breakfasts, Sunday sauce/spaghetti/broccoli/garlic bread for dinner, and took out some chicken to thaw for the week.I have lunch plans Monday and Tuesday but will do salads the rest of the week. I ordered groceries, changed the sheets, washed sheets and towels, paid bills, and picked up a bit around the house. Boring hausfrau shit, you know.

I truly hope every one of you has the gift of friendship in your life. You can't top it.

I have to wish one of our best friends, Evan, a very happy birthday. He celebrated it yesterday. If you're looking for a photographer in the PA/NJ area, Evan's your guy. Check out the Evan Leslie Images web page here and facebook page here. Ev does a lot of weddings, maternity (he worked for a maternity magazine, he's the real deal), and kid shoots (he is phenomenal with kids) but I've had him do head shots for my firm and he's great at commercial work too. The consummate professional. Give him a ring.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending