TWTW - the one where love is all around us

Let me cut right to the chase - I came home to poop on the dining room table on Friday. Yes, you read that correctly, We all got Bruced and i has to restrain myself from setting the table on fire. I have literally never. MFD is going down if he leaves a dining room chair out again. Once I collected myself from seeing a pile of turds on my table, I quickly changed and we headed to the wedding of our neighbor. Congrats Dana & Mike!! It was a fun night and we met nice people. And since it was literally around the corner from our house, I got two loads of laundry done before I fell out around midnight.

Saturday I woke up to pouring rain so I finished laundry, watched the Royal Wedding replay, and finished a book. I also packed for the shore, ran and unloaded the dishwasher, picked up around the house, blah blah blah.

Our oven was supposed to get fixed but we found an even bigger problem with it. While that was going down, I picked up very local honey to help with allergies, got flowers at Home Depot and planted them, and returned something to Target where I ran into Stephen & Aubrey and the best niece and nephew ever. I've sucked at maintaining my flowers the past two years so I cut back and added two more perennials so hopefully that helps. We still need some mulch and hanging plants but at least the bed is done. Oh and I'm not typically one to comment on this but WTH is with the price of gas right now?

Saturday night was Gail's engagement party in Rose's awesome house in the middle of nowhere. Such a gorgeous old home and a really lovely area about an hour away from us. I am extremely happy for Gail and Shawn and we had fun reminiscing about the day they got together at Crystal's bachelorette party. It was great to see everyone and catch up. And and and you guys there was a fucking hotdog bar. It was like I died and went to heaven. 

Sunday we headed to the shore to get our last push done before Memorial Day. This doesn't mean all the work is done, but it means what needs to be done before anyone comes in is taken care of. The stuff that will be done after is the stuff that will be nice to have done but not necessary. The day we do this is always an ass breaking day. In the middle of it when everything is torn apart and seems like it will not be put back together, l like to take a break to sit downstairs with my dogs while I curse softly to myself. Today included moving all beds and cleaning under them, moving couches and cleaning under them, cleaning blinds and baseboards (pro-tip: use dryer sheets for baseboards), tightening hooks, adding hooks, touch up paint, spackling the closet for paint later this week, cleaning all window AC units and installing the ones not in the windows, removing all extraneous blankets and personal shit, dealing with weeds, putting the porch furniture out, taking the living room rug outside and beating it, and removing the old pink cabinet and putting the new one in. I was originally going to paint that pink after Memorial Day but decided not to because I like it in the room as is. I'm going to paint a bench in the kitchen pink instead. I need my bright pink furniture in there. I still need to paint the closet, touch up paint in one more room, paint some trim, put the games back, more weeding, make shower cleaner, and make hand soap. I'm tired in advance. 

But around 5 I had to sit down and be done. We biked the boards and had dinner at Hula Grill, which we can never get into in season. 

We hit the beach and did not beat the rain home. I love when a storm is coming in and the sky is split all over so there's different light everywhere you turn. 

We watched Jersey Shore Family Reunion and I painted my nails (Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Cherry Fast) and toes (Wet n Wild megalast I Red a Good Book) even though more painting is in this week’s forecast. After the rain we walked the dogs to get ice cream. It was still humid AF but gorgeous.

Weekly food prep: I am so back and forth this week between here and Philly, I did nothing. So basically eating out of the freezer or english muffins or eggs or cheese and crackers. I'm already thinking about my Memorial Day weekend menu. 

How was your weekend?

TWTW - the one of unseasonable warmth

Every year I kick myself because I am walking by the Army and Navy bands during load out because I've missed the Army Navy Pep Rally that takes place right next to my office. Not this year! The bands were great and the energy was high. 

Friday night was my office Christmas party at Barbuzzo. The food and service was excellent. I am always hunting down private rooms in Center City that can do a cocktail reception for 50 people. This was a huge winner of a venue. 

My original weekend plan included being a hermit on Saturday and peeking my head out of the house Sunday, but the warmer temperatures enticed us to the shore instead. I was down the shore by 10 on Saturday morning. I hit the discount bookstore and Bennie's Bread while waiting for MFD, then we all hit the beach. It was insanely nice for December 12. I left him fishing and did some cleaning upstairs in the house.

MFD and I walked to Vittorio's for dinner. Open year round, the service was friendly and the food wasn't bad. Does your husband use street meters to adjust his back? No? Okay. 

After we hung a few things in the efficiency, MFD went fishing and I put stuff away. The pictures and mirror on the right were going to go above the couch, but now fishing rods are going there instead because I am in the running for the wife of the year award. If you're wondering why everything is so high, it's because the ceilings are so low down there. 

Sunday morning's sunrise was a dud...which is why I always like to go 10-15 minutes early because that's my favorite light, and the sky tends to light up even if it is too cloudy on the horizon to see the sun pop over it. Top: pre-show, bottom, sunrise time. Go early! It pays.

MFD was out late fishing and declined to join me at the Sunrise Cafe for breakfast. I had a good cup of coffee and a porkroll, egg, and cooper sharp on a kaiser. It's a cheery little spot just two blocks from our house. 

I cleaned up the efficiency, took another stroll on the beach in short sleeves and bare feet - in New Jersey! On December 13! then headed home. Aunt Carrie and Uncle Jim stopped by with an awesome flip flop wreath and Amazon gift card. On the ride home from the shore, I was thinking about how I wanted to get a flip flop wreath in the spring - total kismet! I took some clothes that I purged last week to Goodwill, went to the grocery store, rode around with the sunroof open, and wrapped some gifts. 

Weekly food prep: breakfast burritos from the freezer for breakfast, salads for lunch; bananas and bell peppers for snacks; poop soup and baked sweet potato slices for the dogs; dinner from the freezer as well - stuffed pepper soup, frozen stuffed shells. In case you couldn't tell, it's time to clear out the freezer a little. We did grill baked potatoes and steaks Sunday because it was 70 degrees...how could you not?

Other Sunday things: freaking laundry. Home sheets and shore sheets, home towels and shore towels. And reading. Lots of reading all weekend. 

This was our first solo trip to the shore that didn't involve a lot of work and a large to do list. We got to go to the beach and out to eat together. It still doesn't feel real that we are part timers down there now. I feel like it's a dream and someone's going to wake me up soon. After the kitchen counters get installed next week, we'll take pics and put it up to rent.

And that's that for me. How was your weekend?

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Yo quiero taco cup

I had to make something for Aubrey's baby shower that was an app - not a dip. I love apps and am drawn to individual ones and I'm always looking for something a little different to do. Enter these cute taco cups

Ingredients - this made about 90 taco cups and I used leftovers for taco night later in the week. Ole, mofos

1.5 lb ground turkey, beef, or chicken (I used turkey)
2 packets of taco seasoning (or equivalent of homemade seasoning)
grape tomatoes, sliced
sliced black olives
finely shredded cheddar
sour cream
Scoops tortilla chips - I used multigrain and regular

Directions

Brown your meat. Add taco mix according to directions (drain meat, add mix and a little bit of water, let it simmer for a bit).

Let meat cool.

Fill scoops with a bit of meat. Top them with some cheese. Add a dollop of sour cream - I like to use a little piper. Even though you have to keep filling it, it was the easiest way for me to do it.

Top with tomato and black olive and serve.

I would not make these ahead of time. An hour or so before serving is good. I've seen people use salsa, but it soaks the chip a little and makes them soggy. They're totally fine to serve at room temperature. If I wasn't transporting these, I probably would've added a little lettuce to these too. I didn't know how they'd survive the ride.

What's your favorite single serve app?

TWTW - the one with the Flag Day

Don't pass out, but I actually went out Friday night. Debbie and I met my parents, Kate, and their friends at Crossing Vineyards Winery for their Summer Wine & Music series. The Fabulous Greaseband played and the people there were very serious about dancing - the dance floor was packed the entire time. I'm not one to cut a rug, but it was a very nice setting, great company, excellent people watching, and a lot of swamp ass. It was hot you guys. On the way home Debbie & I pushed every button in the car because I have no idea how to operate one thing in Brenda Walsh. I guess I'd better learn.

Saturday I decided to take MFD's new car (Dylan McKay - I totally convinced him to name it that) out on my errands since, you know, I can't drive a car for the first time in the dark. It's a thing I have. I went out and got in the car and had to go back in and get him to help me five minutes later. I couldn't figure out how to get it in gear. If you're counting, that would make me 0 for 2 on the cars this weekend. WTF & LOL. Anyway, I went to the Farmer's Market and Sam's. At market I got dog treats, snap peas, portabello mushrooms, cukes, yellow squash, mint, and cherries. When I got home I did weights and laundry, then sat out back with los perros and read for a few hours.

Saturday afternoon we attended Jimmy & Jackie's annual Flag Day party, which was fun as always. The five of us in the photo below were also together 20 years ago on June 13 - we were on the football field graduating high school. Time flies, doesn't it?

Sunday morning I hung with the dogs, read, changed sheets, put away laundry, blah blah freaking blah hausfrau activities.

clearly the top photo is from Saturday when I was more presentable

Weekly food prep: egg muffins with broccoli & goat cheese and strawberries for breakfast; chicken and veggies for lunches; hard boiled eggs for MFD (see previous mentions of me being a nice wife); bell peppers and carrots for snacks; chicken and veggies and spinach stuffed portabello mushrooms for dinners.

Around 11 on Sunday we headed out for a weight bench, a mat, and a few polo shirts for MFD. It turned into a five freaking hour shopping trip with sax testing intermission. MFD typically does one large shopping trip a year and cripes it was a marathon. My feet hurt and the only sustenance I had was an iced coffee and a strawberry shortcake Good Humor bar. Hanger was in full effect and the man who tried to butt in front of us in line at Off Broadway Shoes got my wrath. If you think I won't call you out for butting in line, think again, asshole. MFD wanted to die. Annnd this is why I shop online.

Things I got this weekend - My coveted RBG shirt from Etsy, new barefoot Nikes, the softest sweatshirt ever from Polo, and a full zip men's sweater from Tommy Hilfiger. Winter stuff is cheap as hell right now.

At about 9:30 on Sunday night, we purged and reorganized MFD's clothes and shoes. In an unprecedented turn of events, my favorite hoarder let at least two drawers full of t-shirts go along with countless other things. I didn't get into bed until close to midnight and it took me a while to come down from the organizing high, but it was worth it. 

One more thing...this is why I never do my hair. We're windows down people whenever possible and I look like Cousin It in the car all the time. You don't bounce back from this.

I turned to look but it was gone.

I cannot put my finger on it now...

these weekends go by so fast, don't they?

Happy happy birthday to my BFF Michelle today. 

How was yours? Windows up or down? Did you catch my 900th post Saturday about dogs and summer heat? Yes, that's right...900 posts of me prattling on like this. Thanks for reading.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Hot apps! Get your hot apps here!

Yes, we've eaten a lot, haven't we? At this point I should be eating lettuce for eternity, but I'm not there just yet. I am off of the big meal right now though and digging apps only, which my mom had on Thursday night at her house. Here's what I brought with me, both are super easy:

Ingredients
2 - 8 oz packages of cream cheese
1 cup mayo
1.5 white sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp each of ground mustard, garlic salt, and salt
8-10 oz chopped jalapeno peppers (I buy the 12 oz jar and use 8 oz or 10 oz depending on how much heat I want. NOTE do not chop those bitches and touch anything near your face or eyes)
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Directions
Allow cream cheese to soften on the counter. When soft, mix cream cheese, mayo, one cup of cheddar, 1 cup of parmesan, jalapenos, and spices in a bowl.

Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and pour mixture into a baking dish. Top with another 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.

Mix the panko bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of parmesan in a small bowl and sprinkle over the dip.

Bake in a preheated 350 oven until the sides are bubbling and the cheese cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 30 minutes.

Serve with tortilla chips. Original recipe from Closet Cooking. 

Ingredients 

a big wedge or wheel of brie

Phyllo shells - at least two boxes of 15

jam of your choice

Directions

Cut brie into small pieces and put in phyllo shells. If you are travelling, put them right back into the boxes and assemble the rest at your destination.

Put a dab of your jam on top of each. Bake on a baking sheet out of the packaging in a 350 oven for six or seven minutes, until the cheese is melty. 

Boom. Two hot apps. Got any gatherings coming up?

Happy Friday! Although when you're off for nine days they all start to run together. We're headed out to see The Wolf of Wall Street this morning because we are 1. old and don't like crowds 2. cheap and don't want to pay $748 for a movie ticket at night.

Whatever you're doing, enjoy! And don't forget to consider joining me for a January Spending Freeze. All the cool kids are doing it. The Christmas-poor kids are doing it too.

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.