Friday is the new Thursday here

Friday might be the new Thursday for me here. Thursdays are always my most packed day and the chance of being prepared for a blog post on them is not realistic at this time, and we do like to deal in realism here.

First day of fall swooped in and ended with cooler temps and no humidity and we are here for it. Today is crisper than I'd like but we get what we get and we don't get upset. I hate heat, humidity, and bugs but love swimming in the ocean and longer days so summer is up in the ranks as I age. Last year for this door, the new one is on order and should be in by Thanksgiving.

My favorite season of all of course is the fall of the patriarchy, and that is year round. Solidarity ALWAYS with women who want choice in what to do with their bodies, if and when to have a child, what to wear, what not to wear, how to act, who to be, and the ability to live freely wearing and doing whatever they want without fear at any time of the day or night. Solidarity ALWAYS with those who live outside of the heteronormative in any and all ways constantly battling the patriarchy as well. Government, the state, the world, patriarchy, men, misguided religious fanatics pushing their religion on others, & other women gatekeeping patriarchy can all fuck off and stop telling people how to move around in this world and when. Let people fucking live and get a life of your own to worry about while you're at it

Yunizon Kickstarter on Sept 27!  Please take a minute to click through to the Kickstarter preview to see what Yunizon is about and please please consider showing up for them this Tuesday, September 27 by pledging to buy a pair or three of glasses and sharing the shit out of the kickstarter when it goes live so they can amass the amount of backers they need (follow them on instagram and facebook). The fit is great, the new collections are excitin, and I'd love to see them fully funded! Support a small women-owned business, of which one of my BFFs is co-owner. Congrats Kim & Bec & best of luck! All pics below are Yunizon's from their IG stories. Herc and Veros are unlocked options if they hit a certain fundraising goal so let's do this because I want Veros! I'm going to go for Amba and Andy on the kickstarter. 

12 years married on Sunday. 20 years together this year, although the top pic is from September 2003 because I can't find any from September 2002. Then of course September 2010 and this September. This concludes the anniversary post for this year (I typically do better ones, see here but we're not doing what we've always done just because we've always done it at the moment). I'll throw a reel together LOL. MFD's aunt and fam are upstairs in our shore house this weekend and Mom and Rich are in our apartment, so we're celebrating up here and making good use of some long-held gift cards. Anyway...we still out here.

Philly bathroom reno progresses. Our house in Philly is covered with a fine layer of dust but there's a tub in, walls base of walls and floor are in, electrical re-routed, plumbing done, light over shower installed, exhaust fan installed and vented out, HVAC re-routed out of the shower. And I have a car full of shit to return and may be popping in to use your shower if you are local to me. LOL I'll be home for about a week with no access to a shower. Knock knock, Motherfuckers!

Curiosity and the cat. Billy Hicks got into the access panel (which was off) behind the tub last night and was in the ceiling. He spent quite a bit of time in there, and after coming out to eat the tuna I used to lure him, he was intent on getting back in and pried the put back into place access panel away from the wall. I heard the crash and could get up there before he got back in since I had a basket in front of it. What a dick.

Grooming Day with Doggie Do's Mobile Salon Family via family, and they are great. Convenient and less stressful for the doggos, which is less stressful for you. Lower Bucks area peeps, they are accepting new clients! Support another small, women-owned biz, save yourself from dog bath and nail day, and visit them on the web here. Ben was rolling with happiness after his turn - he was first to set an example for Bruce, the Gretchen Wiener of the group.

Have a great weekend! Sticker from an artist via South Street Art Mart

Happy birthday to Jenny today and Amanda Sunday!

TWTW - the one with a good balance

Friday my motivation was scant but I struggled through. I painted my nails (Essie cashmere bathrobe, Essie no place like chrome, OPI Red), made salad and Aldi holiday shaped pizzas, and peaced the fuck out watching Great British Bake-off after a very fucking heavy news week while MFD put the Christmas stuff out.

Saturday MFD and I headed out for the day and it was so nice to be out in the world. We hit up Harriett’s Bookshop, had lunch at Martha Kensington, and stopped into a few places on Frankford Ave on the way back - Cake Life Bake Shop and Jeni’s ice cream. 

Harriett’s is black-woman owned, Martha’s requires vaccine cards and adds 20% to all checks so all employees are guaranteed $15, Cake Life is woman and trans-owned and has the freaking best slice of s’mores cake like I don’t Even like s’mores and I would bathe in the icing. I vibe with Jeni’s ownership. I voted freely with my wallet supporting small biz throughout the day and enjoyed being out and about in those areas of the city for the first time in a while.

We got into pajamas before 5 and camped out on the couches for the night. Dinner was the baked goods from Cake Life. We watched Beautiful Girls and The Big Chill then I read and fell asleep doing that and never left the couch. 

Sunday started at 4 then again at 8. I reorganized bookshelves, purged and moved shit around, did 383948 loads of laundry, finished a book, made up a casserole, threw an egg bake together, watched Yellowstone, and admired MFD's Friday night Christmassing handiwork outside.

I do love a mix of productivity, rest, and fun, the balance of which is hard for me to strike on a lot of weekends. 

Happy anniversary Dad & Carol, happy birthday to my uncle Billy on Saturday, happy birthday today Sara, and happy Monday to the rest of us. 

Friday Five 2.12.2021

1. My favorite seasoning hands down. It is expensive and it is worth it.

2. Who loves love of all types yet dislikes the commercial nature of Valentine’s Day but has ordered tons of sweets from all small businesses? Meee. Including this orange and dulce de leche cake roll I ordered through Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse in Philly. It is delicate fucking perfection and they ship everywhere. The flavor was a Feminist Flea special. 

3. I got myself this neck pillow for Christmas and it helps a lot. Stretch for 10 minutes a day, nice nice. Then I slap on some Biofreeze like a proper elder and get on with my night. (affiliate links in this one)

4. My nails were a hot mess last night. I quickly did a little pink and red job because that’s my business  When they were all painted I realized  I never buffed or filed them. Next week. 

5. I am through with the snow but I don’t think the snow is through with us. This is like actual winter for the first time in years.

Speaking of small biz, South Fellini is having a sale - half off orders over $35 using the code HOAGIELIPS. Philly friends will get that jawn. They have the best tee-shirts, super soft, especially if you're from Philly.

Happy weekend! What are you up to?

Eating Around Ocean City, NJ

Memorial Day and shore season approacheth, my friends. Time for some shore-themed posts.

Since buying our house in Ocean City in October 2015, MFD and I have made it a point to get out and sample as many places as we can for a few reasons - in case renters ask our opinion, and also to support small businesses. And honestly in the off/shore chores season, because we're too damn tired to make anything. There are many places to try and we're not finished yet (I've been coming to this town for 40 years and I'm not finished yet), but here are our favorites in town right now.

Coffee & Donuts
-Drip n’ Scoop, 9th & Asbury. The best iced coffee on the island. Try the honey glaze donut.
-Local’s Coffee, 6th & the Boardwalk. Passable iced coffee on the boardwalk.
-Brown’s Donuts, 1st & Boardwalk. The cinnamon sugar donuts taste like my childhood. You can also eat at Brown's, and it's just called Brown's, of course...I added the donuts.

Take Out
-Bennie’s Bread, 12th & Asbury. Crumb cake and tomato pie. Good takeout Italian stuff too and, of course, bread.
-Voltaco’s, 10th & West. Takeout sandwiches. Cash only.

Sit Down
-Jon & Patty’s, 6th & Asbury. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
-Luigi’s, 9th & West. Simple but excellent Italian, the best on the island. Meatballs and lemon loaf are a must. Everything is made in-house. Takeout available but nice ambiance for a dinner out. Credit cards accepted, but tips are cash only.
-Ike’s Seafood, 13th & Boardwalk. So I actually don't like fried shrimp...but I like Ike's fried shrimp. And their fruit tea.
-Cousin’s, 1st & Asbury. Large portions, more expensive but good.
-Bob’s, 14th & Boardwalk. Not a bad breakfast, good views and outdoor ambiance.
-Northend Beach Grill for breakfast. There is literally always a line so if you are going to make the wait longer, you're going to have to google the address. LOL
-Yianni’s, 8th & Asbury. All around good food. The only place I buy bagels in town. Go early for them.
-OC Surf Cafe, 8th & Atlantic, for breakfast.

Buy on the fly
-Shriver’s, 9th & Boardwalk. The only place I will buy candy.
-Shriver's Gelato - veddy good.
-Pizza by the slice: Tony P's (9th & Boardwalk), Angelo's (13th & Boardwalk), NY Pizza (Promenade on the Boardwalk)
-Ice cream: Prep’s for sundaes (10th & Boardwalk), Kohr Bros mint julep (everywhere), Aloha Soft Serve (13th & Boardwalk), Yoasis (12th & Boardwalk, they have soft serve with awesome toppings but also healthier Beach Bowls)

Places I don't love: Manco & Manco, Ocean City Coffee Company, Johnny Rockets, Ready's, Varsity Grill.

If you're an OCNJ person, what are some of your favorite places to eat?

Linking up with Betsy at Musings of a Museum Fanatic

TWTW - the one with the thanksgiving

There's not a damn thing like a five day weekend filled with turkey sandwiches, peace, and family.

Wednesday morning I changed sheets, finished packing, did some general lollygagging, then headed up to Lori & Jack's. Debbie arrived shortly after me. Lots of outside time for dogs and relaxing. We also pre-empted Thanksgiving and had turkey breast sandwiches which was an awesome call on Lori's part.

Thanksgiving morning started my favorite way - with a walk. A false start, as it turns out, because Mae sucks at long walks and had to be dropped back off at the house before we crossed the creek where we encountered bear poop. The answer to does a bear shit in the woods is yes....close to the house, too.

We had the delectable bacon sugar butter toast and I did some online shopping, purchasing this wrap from Modcloth.

I debuted my new pug leggings on Thanksgiving. LulaRoe scores again. Perry, Maria, and Ashley arrived, we stuffed our faces multiple times, and I was sleeping by 9 p.m. Perfect balance of a day.

Black Friday started with a walk in the woods, just how I prefer it to start.

We spent the rest of the day talking about poop, farts, and laughing all the way through a small business shopping day. We all wanted this dog. Speaking of, Gus ripped my ear and my uncle insisted I had rabies and told the world I had rabies and between that and not being able to get the back seat up, I almost wet my pants laughing outside of a Dandy.

Friday afternoon we pulled in and I was ready to pack my car up to head home in the morning, only MFD surprised me by showing up and we ended up staying until Sunday morning at 7.

Saturday Maria and Ashley headed home; Jack and Perry helped out a neighbor farmer; and Lori, Debbie, MFD, and I patronized small businesses, attempted the epic fart of the Troy hometown Christmas, and had lunch out. Those of us left reconvened at home to watch college football, make fun of each other, read, and lounge. We were all spent, especially the dogs, except for Mae...she was busy fangirling over her spirit animal, Dots the cat.

Sunday morning's drive home was a breeze, we left at 6:45 and got home before 9:30. I did laundry, pulled my Christmas stuff out and realized I hated all of it, finished a book, and waited for MFD to get home. I was going to make dinner but we ate at Boston Market before hitting Marshalls to buy new Christmas shit. We came home and sort of decorated, but I move stuff around for a while so that'll happen this week. As in this picture below is already false - I always initially clutter up the entertainment center then move a bunch of shit off. My ceramic trees have not been unleashed and the tree, outside, and front window haven't been done yet either. So basically there's shit all over the house that may or may not stay out. Ho ho ho mofos!

Weekly food prep is egg muffins with green onions and cheese for breakfasts and a beef noodle soup for lunches. Dinners will be baked chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and either brussels sprouts or broccoli & cauliflower.

I adore the long Thanksgiving weekend. How was yours? 

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

TWTW - the one with Thanksgiving

Early dismissal on Wednesday made me dance like there were ants in my pants. I came home, made stuffing, roasted my turkey Bruce, hit the Dollar Store for some toiletries for the homeless and glasses for the shore, did my Christmas cards, and was attacked by dogs. 

Thanksgiving was a little different for us this year. We volunteered with my Mom to feed those in need. MFD and Dan ended up taking a bunch of the leftover food down to Kensington to feed people down there. In between our initial volunteering and going back to clean up and take food out for delivery, we stopped by Diane & Mike's for some coffee and I made my favorite sweet potato dish and some pan gravy and we ate.

I went over to see my inlaws after I cleaned up the two bags of rice the wicked dogs got from the pantry and spread all over the main floor, including their bed. We walked in to find Mae napping on a bed of rice. Animals! Other dog things: Snuggly Geege and Mae getting a tick removed. Happy Thanksgiving pugs. 

I headed to the shore, chasing the most beautiful light down 95 towards Center City. At the shore I took the dogs for a long walk, went to see the huge moon over the ocean, read magazines and watched much of season one of 90210. MFD arrived around midnight. A different Thanksgiving but not a bad one!

The Friday morning sunrise was insane. The ocean was roaring. 

It was incredibly nice on Friday. I spent the morning on the porch with the dogs, drinking coffee and giving MFD projects. 

Small projects: I sanded a table from the bathroom that has been painted to within an inch of its life and painted it a little more, then covered it with contact paper. I got the menu/house info thing and chalkboard hung in the kitchen, and my Dad re-hung the stuff by the door which was hung last week and no longer suited me. LOL

Favorite sign and new folding chairs in bright yellow and lavender (I know it looks gray) from my dad & Carol and the Great Boat Debate 2015 happened this weekend. 

We strolled through the downtown district where they were having their Old Fashioned Christmas. There were carolers and some creep in stilts who was everywhere. MFD was in his glory in the thrift shop, buying Christmas decor. He even left early to decorate in peace. 

My Dad, Carol, and I stayed for the rest of the festivities. Ocean City's downtown Christmas was pretty cool. They put Santa on the freaking roof of City Hall and brought him down on a ladder. 

We came home to a house decorated by MFD and played some games of Decor Wars. Well, he and I did. Carol and my Dad just laughed at us.

Saturday sunrise:
After my parents completed their shore chores, I gave them some free time because I am a benevolent boss. We hit the boardwalk for Small Business Saturday. 

We all took an afternoon rest, and then headed to Stone Harbor for their parade since MFD was in it. After we went to Cape May, which was not decked for Christmas like I thought it would be. Congress Hall looked beautiful and had a nice little winter carnival set up on their lawn.

The food at Della's was good as always. They were even playing Dirty Dancing on their TV. They must've known I was coming.

We got home at 10 and were all pooped. Sunday dawned cold and rainy and I was on the road home by 8:30. I did laundry and Christmas'd up the place. It's the same stuff every year, you get the picture. Decorating is exhausting - moving stuff all over and running up and down the stairs eleventy billion times. And outside to the spider house shed. Kill me.

Against my better judgement, I went to the store Sunday. I had to get another valance at Marburn Curtain and I decided to go to Marshalls after. That was the experience straight from hell with a kid tossing a football in the breakables section and taking out three shelves.The shattering glass was deafening. I did get some things I needed and a few Christmas gifts.

Weekly food prep: egg muffins with green onions and mozzarella for breakfast; turkey soup from the carcass for lunch and dinner; roasted multi colored carrots for dinner side; dog stew; and celery/carrots/orange bell pepper and granny smith apples for snacks.

24 days until Christmas. Gird your loins, my friends. 

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending