snippets of the weekend 12.26.2022

Festivus for the Rest of Us Friday, along with my last workday of 2022. My niece was over for a while in the morning. Chicken caesars for dinner, avoiding outside due to deep freeze (ice inside the window panes next to our door above), doing prep work for Mimi's bacon breakfast muffins, and asking the universe for no burst pipes at the shore, and Christmas Vacation. 

Christmas Eve we had Mimi's muffins for breakfast, and I did the prep work for Italian Wedding Soup and fresh bread for Christmas Day - spoiler alert, the fresh bread was glop. I think my flour was old. Try again on New Year's, maybe. Kitchen fails are normal! 

We did our annual rounds to Sandy's, cousin Colleen & John's, Uncle Billy/Aunt Sue's, and added a stop to cousin Jamie & Cindy's this year to see the Caldwells. We also did our annual drive through the well decorated neighborhood cul-de-sac. 

Christmas morning gifts with Dad & Carol. They have continued the tradition of getting me an Eagles item since I am the number one fan in the category of does not like football but likes football food and it is a running joke. My dad also picked this mug out for me, it appears that he knows me LOL. It was a fun morning watching MFD with his survivalist shit. We went to Stephen & Aubrey's to see the kids and have breakfast. We're all already thinking about summer. 

Back at home Dad & Carol left and we couched it all day. We watched both Knives Out movies, and when MFD went to do a shift for Advocates for Homeless & Those in Need I watched Do Revenge and made Italian wedding soup. MFD made separate chocolate and vanilla pudding and that was that for us on Christmas. I love doing nothing the majority of Christmas day.

Today I purged my top two drawers, jewelry, nail polish, and linen closet and made avocado dip. I assembled some goat cheese and prosciutto crostini at Mom's for Christmas Day 3. We had another fun time

weekending reels on Instagram 

Cheers to everyone who is feeling some sort of way about something that is decidedly not holiday-ish, to those missing someone or something, and to all of us out here finding joy amidst the complications of life, growing around our grief when we are grieving anyone/old ways/anything, coexisting as imperfectly perfect humans, and grappling with general societal expectations. I'd send the entire world a hug if I could and encourage us all to keep showing up, talking and laughing, sticking with each other through the hard stuff, and just to keep going.

This week I hope to keep going on purging, sorting, and getting rid of a bunch of shit. Whatever you're doing, enjoy!

For the rest of us

Happy Festivus, my friends! A Festivus for the rest of us!

I'm not going even listing any of the serious grievances I'm avoiding here, which I listed in the 2021 or 2020 Festivus posts because again, say it with me, so many are the goddamn fucking same. 

So the Airing of the Grievances below are petty. The Grievances List can not be exhaustive since time is short and there are so many petty annoyances. 

- iPhone created typos. Why does it capitalize shit all the time?

- dogs can’t tell you what’s wrong with them

- pet hair

- having to clean the base of the toilet near the floor

- cracked lips

- buying something I already had

- forgetting shit at the grocery store

- drool

- dirty stovetops

- I can’t get the hang of replacing the bag in the litter genie shitbox 

- having to think of what to cook all the time

- lack of international airfare deals 

- crumbs on the counter

- the construction on Rte 1 near Neshaminy 

- 95 through Philly period

- needing reading glasses and not having reading glasses with me

- having reading glasses stashed in multiple places 

- commercials being so fucking loud

- early dark

- contractors you have to take to small claims court in order for them to finish the job 

- taters instead of potatoes

- maters for tomatoes 

- parking at large events like concerts and games

Now you go. 

Then Feats of Strength. Until you pin me, Festivus is not over. 

TWTW - the one with the family for my brother's birthday

Bay skies, first weekend with beach tags, favorite lemon poppyseed donut from Drip N Scoop, creeping on other people's flowers season, pets in the vestibule

Fishing, Friday night pizza from Boyars, Saturday extra large orders at Wawa, China Glaze Planted & Enchanted, Shibumi working, porch sitting, using the pipe to block sandstorms

Worn out dogs, first gyro of the year from Opa on Sunday, stunning beach day Saturday, working on my Coastal Grandmother aesthetic, beach reads are back, the Falconer

Ferris wheels with visible slivers of moon, happiest 39th birthday to my brother, strong resemblances, fence flowers, tiny treasures, peace in a pic

Lumineers in Camden, sliver of moon, top of the hill hang on chairs rented by MFD, the most people I have seen in one place in years, parking lot pees, no one knew the cover they did of Thunder Road

No swings, but I did do the music ride at Wonderland with my niece. Really fun, on the go weekend. Loved spending it with these people as always

I had all the photos done for this by Monday and here we are on Wednesday. 

This five days on, two days off business is fucking bullshit.

Peace in the east.

TWTW - the one with the Easter

Thursday I flexed a lot of the day since I worked a full day Sunday. Beach walk in the morning, some driveway play and chalking, beach again with Mom while Rich went on a bike ride, salad for dinner, glimpse of a good one, and Easter nails. I was early to bed, passed out before Kate and Dan and kids even arrived.

Friday I worked in the morning. We got caught in the church's Easter procession on our way to the beach just as they were whipping Jesus carrying a cross down the street. That brought some questions from the kids. It was hot and nice on the beach until it was arctic cold, but we got a few solid hours in. Porch afternoon, and some of the crew went to Cape May Brewery. Aubrey made spaghetti, sausage and meatballs, and we had a chilly walk on the boards. The pink moon looked amazing out there. 

Saturday The ladies did the Asbury Avenue shopping and saw the no pants Easter Bunny. We all headed to the boards later which were so crowded. The kids did rides, I had my first Kohr Bros of the season (no mint yet) and the wind absolutely assaulted us on the way back. 

Saturday night was laid low lounging, Sixers, egg dying, more breweries for some of the gang, and early to bed to finish a book for me. 

Sunday I was up early making eggs. MFD fished in the morning and we did a family beach walk, then cobbled together an Easter spread with everyone adding something. All good things must come to an end, and everyone was cleared out by 5. We put the dresser that was a joint effort getting out of the house (thanks everyone!) out to the alley for someone to grab, had salad for dinner, and I read on the couch until I fell asleep. 

It was a great weekend, and this week will be busy enough for me to really want another one soon. 

TWTW - the one with the Christmas

Friday Up and at 'em at the crack of dawn. Thanks dogs. I painted my nails, then Carol and I went to Cake Life in Fishtown to pick up my pre-order which included amazing herbed goat cheese biscuits. I came back and made eggs then relaxed and watched a Hallmark movie and took a Covid rapid test before going out even though I'm triple vaxxed because 202021. It was nice to return to a version of Christmas Eve traditions of Sandy's and my aunt and uncle's and the start of what will be a new one at Col & John's, whose open house landed in the middle. And where MFD dropped me and left me to deal with some volunteer work and also to check in on the dogs as Gus shit everywhere. God bless. When he got back I ran to see my Pop before he turned into a pumpkin and Mom and Rich had to take him home, then MFD got dropped off. We hung around for a bit, then dropped my brother Swan off, and  drove around listening to a few of our must hear Christmas tunes and taking in some lights. I was in bed by 9 with Tums, my stomach felt off. 

Saturday Nothing says Merry Christmas like your husband waking up and puking. Good thing we had planned to do nothing on Christmas Day! Ho ho ho, mofos. The dogs and cat enjoyed the morning (Billy's first Christmas experience), I loved stockings the most as I always do (ours made by Lori). I usually buy all gifts but MFD got me some this year from a woman, African American, veteran owned small business in Philly - Trunc - and I loved that so much. I popped over to see my niece and nephew and have bacon breakfast muffins. The rest of the day was amazing - MFD was asleep or on another floor all day so I could read, order slippers I wanted, order chinese, have chocolate cake, and watch Great British Bake Off holiday shows. Delightful. I dislike Christmas in general so doing the fun on Christmas Eve and nothing on Christmas day suits me well. 

Sunday Unfortunately I could not fall asleep and was up until 2, then up at 5 with Gus, and up for the freaking day an hour after that. That led to a grouchy Sunday. I put some of Christmas away and futzed around putting some new stuff out - how cool are the vintage candle holders Carol got me at a store in their new town? Purple, vintage, and reminiscent of the moon - ran to the grocery store, watched the Eagles in my new official Eagles gear which meant they won of  course, had salad for dinner, got a visit from my niece and nephew, and did some work. Yes, I am allegedly off this week. 

I hope you had the Christmas you wanted, and that you're going to have the week you want this week. And not the night MFD had last night, pulling a ribbon out of Billy's butt because he ate it. Merry Christmas everyone.

Show Us Your Books Favorite Reads of 2021 here on Thursday! 

Merry Christmas!

One of four ornaments on the tree this year - this one from Stanley Chester & Albert Ceramics, helmed by a local artist out of West Philly…two hung haphazardly by my niece and nephew and one rescued in November from my office filing cabinet where it was living since early 2020. Some years the tree doesn’t get decorated. Those years are my favorite. The lights are good for me.  

Wishing you joyful, healthy, lovely days that are exactly what you need them to be today and tomorrow. Maybe that’s noise and chaos, maybe it's stillness and quiet. Around here it’s a mix. 

Sending love and peace to anyone not feeling this season right now, or struggling with anything. 

Just remember, if it hasn't arrived, it still counts. 

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!