TWTW - well, the week that was

Mon - Wed I was off, but not much in the way of rest. Monday I headed back to Philly and got some Christmas stuff happening and errands run and chinese food for dinner. Tuesday the funeral services for my oldest friend's dad, a great man who used to lift me over the fence at three, four, five years old to play as our yards butted up against each other. Jen's family has always been so great to me, and I am sending all the love to them as they are hurting over this huge loss. I hightailed it back to the shore Tuesday to prep for Thanksgiving, running my final errands Wednesday morning to the grocery store and two corner stores to pick up. MFD arrived with Gus and Billy in the afternoon, and my brother and Aub and the kids shortly after. I prepped compound butter, had salad for dinner, and caught the sunset. 

Thursday Banger sunrise to start the day before prep work started. MFD was on stuffing and gravy, I was on turkey and sweet potatoes, Aubrey was on mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, Stephen was on kid games, entertainment, and sommelier. We took a beach walk while the turkey was in the oven and had snacks. Sam the bird (named by Lola) was out by 2:30 and we ate and lolled around for the rest of the day. 

Friday Dad & Carol arrived by about 8, and we set right to the turkey cookie decorating event...after Aubrey figured out how to make them stand up LOL. MFD was a late entry but he did his also during a break in his program. We took a family beach walk but didn't last long due to the wind. I dropped my brother off at Xfinity for the Flyers game and came back to do the art kits Cici got from my friend's studio Shades of Orange - they come pre-drawn with paint, buttons, and instructions you can follow or go on your own. You just need some glue. Christmas-themed and not. They make great gifts and support a small business! Mine is the pug, and Lola added a sweater to it. We bundled up to kick off the holiday season with my favorite tradition - Santa on the top of City Hall. We came back and ate Aubrey's delicious lasagna for dinner with salad and watched Big. 

Saturday Meat-heavy breakfast is how we rolled. Stephen, Aubrey, Dad, & Carol went to the Cape May Zoo with the kids. I cleaned up and read. Carol, Aubrey, Lola and I did some small business Saturday shopping on Asbury Ave. with traditional chocolate covered marshmallows on the way home. I was glad for the mask outside at that point as it was freezing and it's a great face warmer. App and leftover general chaos and Clifford the Big Red Dog movie to close out the day.

Sunday We painted some shells, Aubrey ordered us breakfast from Deadend Bakehouse, and we visited the North Street Tree to leave out shells and admire others. It was beautiful so we lingered a little on the jetty. MFD headed back to Philly with Gus and Billy. After a playground interlude, Aubrey made nachos, I used leftovers for brie bites, and we put out leftover snacks for the Eagles game. Aubrey and my brother left with the kids in late afternoon, I took the dogs to the beach for sunset, and I watched Hallmark movies with Carol and Dad until I threw in the towel a little after 8.

Thankful for another great holiday weekend with the fam at the shore. I hope your weekend was great, however you spent it. 

Happy Hanukkah wishes to my Jewish friends!

Staring down the last two days of November, I'm trying to think about what I want the last month of my year to look like. 

Have a good one! 

TWTW - the one with Mom

Friday MFD did a big clean in the morning as there was sawdust everywhere after the doors got installed. Like, everywhere. And it keeps coming back. Mom and Rich arrived in the afternoon and then went out to do shore things while I finished work. Michelle and Amelia stopped by, and we hung upstairs with Mom & Rich when they got back. 

Saturday Mom and Rich did donuts and beach and boards walk while we got some stuff done around the house. I got a bunch of stuff listed on the local Buy Nothing group and all except one thing was picked up. I love seeing things go to use for others that still have life in them and I don't have the patience to sell most things. I also dropped a book off at the library and lots of cardboard to the recycling center. Mom and I hit Asbury to support some small businesses - I got a new frock at a new boutique occupying the same real estate as my old favorite Blue Lotus that is no longer there. I also got beach tags for the season and we had lunch out! At Hooked on Breakfast. It was good. We relaxed on the porch as MFD was on his Bass Pro Shops odyssey and Rich was on a bike ride. 

When Rich got back we went to the beach and it was lovely down there. As we were sitting there I was like is that Michelle? Her and Amelia were standing right in front of us. I texted her and we were LOLing all night. Mom got chips and shrimp from Ike's for dinner and we hung out for a while before her and Rich hit the boards and I lay down to finish my book. 

Sunday Running on about 4.5 hours of sleep due to Gus moving around a lot and a trail of turds, I took my mom up to Corson's Inlet to go shelling. Not a great selection of shells, but a wonderful dramatic performance by the sky. 

We came back and slugged around. MFD and I did some hanging and moving wall stuff around and reorganizing storage on the third floor which devolved into me screaming about the patriarchy. He went to get a haircut and look at furniture and I met Mom and Rich at the beach. It was hot AF and then cold AF when the wind changed. Regardless of weather it was so awesome to see the return of beach season, people gathering together, and a feeling that was much much lighter than any May 2020 feelings. Get vaccinated! Let's go!

We came back to the house and Mom and Rich left for home. I read and rested and had ice cream for lunch in the afternoon. Mark and Sarah and Harry arrived around 8. We tried the Wawa burgers and fries at 9 pm. The burgers are surprisingly good. 

So happy to see some sort of livable world again - science is amazing. Thanks to everyone doing something wonderful for the world and caring about the health of others by getting vaccinated.

I also met my new shore neighbors and am relieved that they are nice and laid back people. Good neighbors are always important, but when you're running a seasonal rental, it's extra for those few months. 

TWTW - the one that feels like old times

Friday I was up and working early to dip out around 10 and see a chiropractor. Post-appointment was instant euphoria, as very few things feel better about a back that was out being back in place. I should have gone the weekend before and just kept aggravating it. I got OPC at Drip N Scoop & my first Bungalow Bowl of the year on the way back. MFD did a late lunch of crescent rolls made with leftover Easter ham and cooper sharp cheese. Delicious.

After work we watched Thunder Force and ordered pizza and salad from Randazzo's. I started The Four Winds and stayed up until 1 to finish it. 

Saturday Started way too fucking early for having been up past 1. Thanks dogs. We were moving by 6 am. They were back to sleep immediately, but we were not. I showered and walked to my hardware store, then came back and scraped and sanded paint off the metal flashings on the upstairs porch and spray painted them. In previous times, I would really want a mask to wear during the job and not have one. NO WORRIES, I HAVE PLENTY. That is a literal band aid just so the metal can't be seen, they need to be replaced. Salt air destroys everything outdoors. I painted my toes (Essie suits you well, which I think is a great color for toes) and lay with the old dogs while they were drying. I also measured the bathroom floor, cleaned up on the main floor, went to Foglio's and ordered new for the small bathroom, picked up a chair and yard sign for Philly at Hearth & Sole, and replaced my rusted out wind chime that came with the house with a new glass one at Handlaget. It always feels best when I can buy what I need from small businesses.

MFD did a "soft clean" (his term) of the downstairs porch, and I took the best friends to the south end of the island for a long, foggy walk and some shelling for a few hours. I came back to see him set up for a solo driveway party. We sat outside listening to music, Michelle stopped by to pick up chairs, and then MFD went up and got Angelo's steaks as it's their opening weekend and they are a solid favorite - my favorite pizza in Ocean City. We were completely assed out at night. I started and stopped another book and MFD went fishing. That's about it. 

Sunday I was packed up and on the road back to Philly by 10. I even creeped on my own flowers. I have very few spring buds left. Thanks asshole squirrels. Every year I say oh I will remember to replant then I don't. It's fine. I unpacked outdoor cushions, broke down boxes, started laundry, went to pick up a table from FB Marketplace to replace the bathroom one at the shore that I've been looking for a replacement for for a few years, picked up a ceiling fan and storage boxes, got a few groceries, and purged the shit out of the upstairs - two bedrooms and linen closet. I got rid of three bags of trash, set aside three bags of donations, a bookcase, a king box spring, a chest my dad made in senior year woodshop (that's going to my brother), two nightstands, and the king bed frame will go next week. We also got rid of a queen bed and box spring, dresser, and two lamps. The twin mattress and bed frame in the basement are going too. I carried more shit down the stairs too, and took all the photos off the walls. Our floors are getting refinished up there half and half - the steps, two rooms, and hallway first, then the two smaller rooms. This way we don't have to move all the furniture out of the house/downstairs and can just cram shit into two rooms. We planned to do these floors over 10 fucking years ago when we moved in. Getting to it. I also think I'm switching our bedrooms and we'll paint our old bedroom. The coral color I picked in there a few years ago is a fucking disaster, and that ceiling needs to be painted anyway. The trim too as Bruce has destroyed it barking at his backyard friends like a fucking lunatic. 

I made pork tenderloin, quickbread from a Pampered Chef mix, and broccoli for dinner. I pulled frozen veggie meat sauce out of the freezer for tonight. 

A weekend that was solidly in forward motion and leaves me a little tired Monday morning feels like old times. Not totally like old old times, because I absolutely never would have rested until all shit was done. 

Still, it's fitting, as today is two weeks since my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine so I am fully vaccinated. Please remember you are not fully vaccinated in the science sense the day you get your second shot - you are only fully vaccinated in the social media sense. And in all cases, continue to mask up in public as you do not know who is vaccinated or not. Please sign up and get vaccinated when you are eligible. Also why is there such a cross over between people who scream about small businesses being hurt and people who scream they are not getting the vaccine? You're hurting them more now by refusing to vaccinate. 

Anyway. 

Show Us Your Books is tomorrow! 

TWTW - the year of dip has begun

Friday Was a good day despite me waking up on the wrong side of the bed. I got a manicure at lunch for the first time in a year I think, killed it at work, my new phone came, hopped a train a little after 4 and saved $31 using Target Circle plus got a $10 gift card, came home to dinner made, washed my overly dirty hair, and chilled the F out. I watched the Taylor Swift documentary on Netflix. It was interesting to see a young celebrity deal with the expectation of women to be nice and quiet. Also I forgot how fucking terrible Kanye was at the VMAs. 

Saturday I made power breakfast muffins and we piddled around then headed to Fishtown for the grand opening of Harriett's Bookshop at 258 E. Girard Ave. Local friends, check it out. It's a new, small, black woman owned business. These are my buys, MFD got two books too. We tried to get something to eat in Fishtown but our time was limited so we attempted Three Monkeys which was a half hour wait and said fuck it and went to Redhouse Bagels before popping in to Aldi to pick up a few things. 

MFD headed out almost as soon as we got home, and I did laundry and read before setting up my Imbolc altar, and making some lemon poppy seed muffins, salad, salmon, rice, and brussels sprouts for dinner. I set MFD to untangling a mess of three necklaces before he went out, and I finished a book and fell asleep at 1:30.

Sunday I was not asleep long before I heard the old dog crying. He had pooped his way down the stairs and around the first floor, so I was up at the ass crack cleaning that up. MFD joined me and then it took a while but we both went back to sleep until about 10. I did some work work then weekly food prep. The nail photo is why I do my nails myself. Not even three full days. Not my ideal start to a day, sleeping in feels like wasting the day to me, but it was necessary and I rallied.

Dip making for the super bowl. We're all here for the dips, right? This is my self proclaimed Year of Dip. Dip #1 of the year was a chive/mascarpone/bacon dip for which I used Giada's recipe. It was good - I added two additional pieces of bacon, and I'd add two more the next time which would double the amount of bacon in the initial recipe. Dip #2 of the year was a crockpot jumbo lump crab dip that I got from a coworker and is much different than my usual hot crab dip recipe and method. I also made wings but we care more about the dips, right? Also let's get it out of the way from the start that dips photograph terribly but taste delicious.

We went to Frank & Amanda's for the super bowl through the first three quarters. The half time show was awesome with over 40 ladies out there killing it, the company was great, and I ate too much. And I painted my nails in the back room with the younger girls since i felt the need to remove Friday’s nail salon chipped polish LOL. 

Weekly food prep: Breakfast is scrambled eggs topped with broccoli that will get made tonight, no room in the fridge yesterday. Snacks are cucumbers and dip. Dinner is the broccoli/chicken/bacon dish I pulled from the freezer over leftover rice and chili with corn bread. The chili is loaded with veggies - red onion, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms. Salads on the side of both. Still working through those freezers. Lunches are leftovers or PB&J on Dave's bread.

How was yours? 

TWTW - the one with July

The safest time to leave for the shore the Friday of July 4 weekend? After 10:30 pm, which is, of course, after my preferred old lady bed time. By the time I got down and settled in bed, it was about 1 am and MFD arrived even later. The dogs did not approve either. I did manage to get a Target trip in Friday night.

Saturday I got up to see the sunrise at 4:50 only there was no sunrise. I went back to bed but was off all day sleep-wise. So after turnover work, I grabbed some shoe boxes, did a manicure (OPI Cha-Ching Cherry) and pedicure (Cajun Shrimp) and chilled with the dogs until about 3. Then I did some shopping down Asbury Ave.

I met Frank and Amanda, Brian and Michele and the kids up on the boards, which we trolled for about four hours doing rides and eating everything. MFD met us up there after fishing too. Between the afternoon shopping and the boardwalking I walked over five miles Saturday. I dropped dead into bed.

Sunday sunrise was awesome. I processed iced coffee and read in the morning, then we took refuge from the crowds at our beach down at 59th Street. The sun was hot, the water was cold, MFD fished, and I finished a book. We were beat after that, so we lounged at home and ate snacks for dinner.

MFD left around 11 on Sunday night. Monday I got some coffee and reading in at Drip N' Scoop, did some work, cleaned our apartment, packed up what I needed to take home for vacation, dropped off laundry and picked it up, dealt with the popo since someone was blocking my driveway, and drove around for over a half hour looking for parking after laundry pickup. It also took me over a half hour to get out of town. I love the shore, but not the week of the Fourth. I was happy to head home.

On the Fourth I spent time with the dogs, processed even more iced coffee, packed up, visited my uncle and cousin to meet their new dog/see my other cousin's dog/take their leftover crabs, picked up cookies from my Mom that she made for our trip, stopped to buy a stupid beach towel because I left most of mine at the shore, and picked up a few things at Giant for dinner.  I also cleaned out the pantry and fridge and we tag teamed cleaning up the yard when MFD got home from his Fourth mummery parades.

We could not motivate to pack, but we did it and most of the car was packed by 8. Then we settled in for hell fireworks night after giving Mae a benadryl.

 4 am vacation lift off. Let's do this. I don't find it easy to go away in the summer because I am mental about checking over the shore house before someone new checks in - I want it to be perfect. We are so lucky to have our BFF Michelle who is taking that on for us for two check ins. And I don't find it easy to go away ever without my dogs, but we are lucky to have Courtney the dog whisperer staying with them this week. Much gratitude and thanks to both of these women. It takes a village. I always say it and it's true - we'd be nowhere without a solid group of people around both of us.

I'll post if I feel like it, but you'll definitely see me here on Tuesday for Show Us Your Books.

As always, I'll be overusing my favorite form of social media - Instagram. Catch me there.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Local Love: Four things to know about this week

In Bucks County  
Check out this public facebook group on a 30 Day April Declutter Challenge / Sexual Assault Awareness Month - Select one item a day you no longer use or wear and donate the bag to NOVA Thrift Shop in Perkasie. All money raised will support victims of sexual assault and help provide prevention education programs in Bucks County. It's like raising $$ for a great cause just by getting rid of shit you don't use anymore. Donations are accepted daily. Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education, and prevention programs.

In Center City 

#SurpriseArtShow: A Pop-Up Public Art Exhibition in Center City until Monday, April 10, put together by Streets Dept. The art is in the windows so you can see it day or night. I pink puffy heart love happening upon street art, and I love when other people show me where they happen upon it. If you work in town, it's at 18th & Chestnut. We don't get a ton of these in the business district so I was pumped to come across it. I shared one from BLUR on my IG yesterday. I am big on supporting local artists and I own a few of her prints (this one and this one and I still want this one). All artists are linked in Street Dept's blog post and you can find their shops via those links. I must have this Divine Lorraine poster by Monica O in my next home.

 Amberella - Goth Hearts series

Park Shortcut - When I'm walking from Chestnut to Market I always cut through the John F. Collins Park via the alley off 17th when I'm walking towards Chestnut or next to the bagel store when I'm walking towards Market. It's a tiny spot of serenity. Could we not all use some more serenity?

In Pennsylvania
Fairdistrictspa.com - Gerrymandering is bad for all of us, something politicians from both sides of the aisle actually agree on. Please read up on it and urge your local legislator to cosponsor and support SB22, a bipartisan constitutional amendment in PA to reform the rules. If you look at these two districts (I'm in the 13th), you can see how fucking crazy some of these districts are and it will be apparent that officials from both parties are picking and choosing the voters they represent and not allowing the voters to choose who represents them. This might not change who we put in office but it will change how they govern once they're there - they will have to reach across the aisle and truly represent all of us. They will also do a better job representing constituents because they won't be spanning multiple counties. This bill is in committee right now and it would do all of us much good to get on the phone with our reps to support it. Check out the Fair Districts PA site to learn more.

I might do this every once in a while for here in Philly/Bucks and Ocean City.

And of course today is Eva the Diva's birthday. Happy birthday girlfriend!

Until tomorrow then, mon frer.

TWTW - the one before vacation

On the way home Friday, I returned clothes I did not need for vacation before getting the dogs together and heading to the shore where I zoned out watching Hogan's Heroes.As you can tell from Gus, we were all pretty beat. Goodnight Irene.

Saturday dawned windy, cold, and rainy. I walked the dogs, put some stuff away around the house, then eased into the day with some coffee and reading until MFD and Joe were ready to go. We went to Jon & Patty's for breakfast, then I picked up Italian bread at Bennie's Bread and some groceries at Boyar's.

I took the dogs for a long walk on the beach. Gus was like a Goonie - running around like a loon, all THIS IS OUR TIME! Mae was a shivery limpy mess and ended up just sitting and waiting for me to come get her while the boys jackassed around. MFD and Joe came down to fish and I carried Mae in my jacket as we walked on and all around town. That killed my back. Even though it was cold and windy, it was a cool day to be on the beach. The sky and ocean looked great.

I picked up my custom piece from Peace of Wood, finished The Mothers (read it!), made a pot of spinach tortellini soup in the afternoon, ordered Christmas cards and labels, and spent the evening blogging and relaxing while MFD and Joe went out night fishing. I also started Safe With Me. 

We're holding off on a lot of maintenance at the shore right now - much of what needs to be done this off season is outdoors  - but we've changed or added some decor and we just got all the exterior windowsills capped. File under: a shit ton of money you needed to spend that no one will ever notice but it had to be done. I went through some of my Gamma's things last week and brought a few of her shore themed things down here like this ice bucket. This is her town, after all. We also added the lat/long sign and the anchor Tara made for us fits very nicely with MFD's boats. 

Sunday morning I went to see the sunrise. I wasn't going to, but I'm glad I did. It was cold but peaceful. I was totally alone as far as my eyes could see, and it was a good way to center myself before an insane week ahead. It was quiet with the waves gently lapping the shore because there was a sandbar with the break far out (see second crappy iPhone zoomed photo)

After walking the dogs, I had coffee while they lounged, then I cleaned two bathrooms and the kitchen, wiped down surfaces on the main floor and in the efficiency, and vacuumed and Swiffer'd both as well. I was back in Philadelphia with laundry going before 12:30.

My face and nails were hideous, so I did a quick face mask and 60 second manicure, showered, and packed my health and beauty aids and makeup for the trip. And of course I had to go to freaking Target for a few things. I stopped to see my brother and Aubrey and Lola on the way home and ordered a fatass feast for dinner. 

Food prep can go to hell this week. Breakfasts are breakfast burritos from the freezer and lunch is frozen spinach mac & cheese cups. We're winging dinner and I need to get some honey crisp apples for snacks. 

Last week of work before vacation and I've over-scheduled myself at night. Hold on to your pants. Hat? I like pants. 

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending