TWTW - the one with the crew

Spoiler: This is another scatterbrained and rambling weekend update. 

Thursday night I did all of my chores like a good little hausfrau: put laundry away, changed sheets, emptied the dishwasher, blah blah. I headed to the shore and got down there around 8:30. When I went into the main part of the house, I just stood there in awe. We got the living room and kitchen painted last week and the entire place was a total disaster. Three hours later we had it all cleaned up. Friday morning sunrise:

The day progressed quickly from there...old couches were picked up, MFD assembled furniture, I cleaned bedrooms upstairs, new furniture was delivered, we made beds, etc. Then MFD lured me to Home Depot under the premise that we'd also be going to Target. Two plus hours later, Target was no longer an option. We did get kitchen counters ordered. 

"Come to Home Depot," he said. "I'll take you to Target after," he said. 

MFD's mom arrived and we got some stromboli and a bucket of salad. My dad and Carol arrived soon after and Carol brought some goodies from the Cake Boss. The third photo is just shit everywhere on Friday night. 

Saturday morning sunrise...also known as the one where I dropped my phone on the beach and was back at my car before I realized it. Derp.

Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work we go. Things we did Saturday include: removed, sanded, painted, rehung kitchen cabinet faces and applied new hardware; painted trim on the main floor; removed remaining powder room wallpaper and patched some holes in there; hung decor; replaced shower head; taped area rug down; assembled coffee table; moved furniture from efficiency to upstairs; hung mug racks upstairs and downstairs; and I don't know what else. Everyone busted their ass all day and it was great. I get a huge thrill when every single item is checked off of my to do list especially when the list is daunting. 

Breaks were limited but I did give them one for lunch (Wawa) and chili I made at home and brought down with me. First dinner at our new table:

Sunday morning we hung some more stuff and my Dad painted the powder room. It made me sentimental, thinking about other owners in this house's 115 year old history doing the same, a lot of which still exists in the house now (original doors, etc). I love putting our touches on this old house that was so loved and cared for - two of my favorite things the former owners left are the Ocean City switch plates and the Ocean City clock. But the first thing I ever noticed was the door, and it's still the first thing I notice when I unlock it or lock it back up for the weekend: the Cead Mile Failte plaque that means a hundred thousand welcomes. When we first saw the house and I looked at that, I felt a click. And that means it was right. 

I know, blah blah just get to the updates. Here's the kitchen in progress, original listing photo in the top corner. Wallpaper removed, walls painted (Sherwin Williams SW 6675 Afternoon), cabinets painted/hardware changed out, stools painted, granite counters and appliances ordered. Mug racks (Ikea) hung and like the dork I am I will be changing them out so the same mugs will not be there all the time. 

Living room: walls painted  (Sherwin Williams SW 6745 Lark Green), furniture replaced, art hung. I used all of my own pics taken in Ocean City in this room aside from a shot Lil took of us on the boardwalk the day before our wedding. Everything is a work in progress in this house but this room is pretty complete aside from valances (needed throughout the first floor) and painting the cabinet under the TV, which won't happen until spring. Before and after: 

Couches are Raymour & Flanigan - Cindy Crawford Cape May line. Coffee table - World Market. Side table: HomeGoods. 

Dining room: painted, replaced table & chairs. 

Blue bedroom got a queen bed, sized up from a double, and is awaiting a second side table. I finally found a use for the shells I've been collecting since I was like five. Original pics on top new pics on bottom. 

Yellow room also got a queen bed up from a double, and new bedding including a throw pillow from Pier 1 that I'm obsessed with for some reason. Original pic in the top left. 

Powder room: Wallpaper removed, hole patched, painted Sherwin Williams Wisteria (SW 6822). 

And one of my favorite touches - boat cleats lining the staircase. I'm missing one at the top and then we'll put some rope through. 

New in the efficiency apartment this weekend, sans before and afters: Console table from Wayfair, so easy to put together a chimp (and me) could do it. Shower curtain and storage from HomeGoods, mug racks from Ikea, Threshold cabinet from Target, rug from Wayfair. 

As you can see, I love color and energy in a space. Investment wise, I grumble but defer to the realtor in the family who knows what will appreciate better. Decor-wise, I don't hem and haw, I just go with my gut and buy it/hang it/shimmy it around until I get it right. We did the same thing in our house, from zero to 60 in a snap. Doers gotta do, man. And they need to have people to boss around. Thanks to infinity to our weekend crew of my Dad and Carol and MFD's mom. My mom and Lori are up next weekend! LOL

I know it's hard to see what's going on when I throw a bunch of photos at you of a house you don't know about and haven't seen in person. I'm sorry if it's not easy to see in photos, but it's definitely coming together. I feel great about the progress made this weekend. 

I got home around 2 on Sunday, did two loads of laundry, ran to Target to return shit and buy more shit, and then I did weekly food prep: egg muffins with spinach, diced green chiles, and cheese; breakfast burritos with sausage, egg, cheese, diced green chiles to freeze; pulled barbecue chicken over spinach for lunches; cucumbers, bananas, orange peppers for snacks; poop soup - just kidding, it's dog stew and it cost more than anything I made for the humans in the house; and Sunday dinner - baked chicken, steamed green beans, and fatassery in the form of Grands biscuits. 

The dogs had another tiring weekend seaside. They do enjoy the vestibule downstairs but don't like being alone while all the work is going on upstairs. 

This weekend was the last big work weekend at the shore aside from MFD's kitchen stuff but I'm out of that after choosing countertops - future weekends will be more settling in and you'll see things actually outside of the house and maybe not quite so scattered when it's played back for you on Monday.

I could end with a thought on terrorism and panic and hate, but I won't. Because that's what the terrorists would like me to do and I am a fucking American and a citizen of the world and I will not live in fear. It's a devastating feeling when your country is under siege. Some of us know it fleetingly and some of us live it daily. I don't think this is a world in which peace is a possibility - since the beginning of time we've fought each other over our gods and our resources, our land and our people - but it doesn't stop me from wishing for peace anyway.

I'd rather end with saying I hope my fabulous friend Melissa had a wonderful birthday Saturday, and wishing my brother and Aubrey a happy first anniversary, also Saturday. Right photo courtesy of Evan Leslie Images, your man for all of your wedding/engagement/family/newborn/dog/headshot/arty/want new pictures of yourself on a Sunday needs.

Peace out.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Thursday Thoughts

1. Monday, you guys know I was a dumbass and left my keys on the hood of my car on the way to work, right? I called my neighbor and MFD in a panic. My neighbor looked on the street in front of the house and MFD drove and walked the neighborhood and he freaking FOUND THEM. Someone had put them on top of the fire hydrant. Kind stranger, thank you for removing them from the street where they'd surely be smashed to smithereens instead of just a little mangled and sans my beloved Dirty Dancing keychain. And thanks to MFD for spending his Monday morning looking around the neighborhood and not bitching about it once. The thing that's bent in the right photo was a flat circle before. Sunday night I ordered a respect apostrophes keychain Lauren directed me to...like my Sunday night self knew key fuckery was ahead or something.

2. Once again, you all rock for joining me and Jana for Show Us Your Books on Tuesday. Later that night I went and read to my niece for the first time (my mom Instagrammed it here) so technically it was Lola Jean's first Show Us Your Books experience too. I think she liked it.

3. Speaking of books, this passage from Summerlong by Dean Bakopoulos rang so true with me where I am right now in life. I've accepted this is the one that I created and the only one I'll live and good Lord I want to live it. I love when I come across a passage like that in a book.

4. I am extremely behind in magazines. I am going to try to get through some this weekend since we have no cable at the shore.

5. The thing that pisses me off when we discuss religion on a national level - like these stupid Starsucks cups - is that people seem to forget WHY this country was formed. People came here to escape a government-imposed religion...to be able to practice their religion freely and for others to do the same. They intentionally made sure church and state would be separate when they laid the framework for this country. Most Christians I know personally are intelligent people and they realize this. They know Jesus is not on a coffee cup, but in their hearts. Their faith is strong, so they don't get mortally offended if someone wishes them happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas. I bet Jesus would be like DUDE, it's a coffee cup used two months out of the year, what does this have to do with me? There is nothing more insufferable than Christian charlatans who are vocally Christian with their words but their actions suggest they harbor hate and fear in their hearts.

6. You know what I like doing? Preparing for Christmas in advance - I like to buy my gifts and get my cards ready so when the season begins for me, I am not stressed out and can actually enjoy it. But I don't like to celebrate, read about, listen to the music/watch the movies of, or anything else before Thanksgiving is over. We complain about how time flies but we rush the hell out of every single season so we can get on to the next thing. I like November. I think it's cozy. I love Thanksgiving, I find it to be a day of great reflection. I like Christmas, but Christmas is not my favorite time of year. A month of it is more than enough for me. I'm giving a big HELL YES to Nordstrom.

7. I booked plane tickets to New Orleans this week for February. In order to book travel using miles, please walk backwards for three blocks while reciting the alphabet in Greek and building a replica of the White House out of used matches. Seriously - the conditions need to be exactly right for a ticket to be obtained. I love when they're like oh, you can fly when you want...for additional cash monies. No thanks, I'll stick to the shitty flights you have available.

8. I'm not happy with the results from the meds prescribed for Gus's back end and leg issues so I'm seeking alternative treatment. On Tuesday, Gus went to an acupuncturist. Interestingly enough, she said my regular vet has called her a few times because my regular vet is learning acupuncture. Anyway Gus did well (I was surprised, he is usually a ruthless beast in public) and I have high hopes. In conjunction, I am taking my dogs completely off of dry food. Would any of you be interested in a dog stew recipe? Because one is coming. Use the force, Gussie.

9. I'll see you all back here Monday for the weekend that was. TWTW is the longest standing feature on this blog - the first TWTW post that appeared here was in October 2011. It became a regular feature in January 2012. It changes appearance and format every now and then, but it's a barnacle that's stuck on me now and, so, you know...also stuck on you.

10. E-card of the week...I don't think I've given the finger in a while...outside of giving it mentally, I mean.

Happy to be stuck with you,

Loaded for lunch - Loaded Cauliflower Bowls

This is what I had for lunch last week - loaded cauliflower bowls. My coworkers were actually sick of me exclaiming over how much I loved my lunch every day.

It couldn't have been easier to prepare, and it was mildly healthy to boot. Even better, you can make it healthier if that's your bag.

Ingredients 
3 bags frozen cauliflower (you can use fresh, I had frozen on hand)
about 1/2 cup of cooked, chopped bacon (more or less to taste)
1/4 cup sour cream
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 TBS butter
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder

Directions

Steam cauliflower in microwave according to directions. If you're using fresh, steam for 5 minutes, stir, steam for another 5. Drain well.

Put cauliflower, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Using an immersion blender or potato masher, mix and mash. I used the immersion blender and left my cauliflower a little chunky, because I like it like that. Divide among containers if using for lunch.

Top with bacon, cheese, and green onion. If serving right away, throw it in the oven for a few to melt the cheeses. Otherwise, pop it into the microwave at lunch and enjoy!

And hey - thank a veteran - today and every day.

What's your favorite healthy-ish lunch?

Linking up with Jenn @ Going the Distance for What's Hap-Pinning Wednesdays.

Show Us Your Books - What I Read in October

Book nerd carnival day! Step right up and talk about what you've been reading!

Linkup Guidelines:
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Please display the button or link back to us on your blog post
2. Please visit a few other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!

Here's what I read since the last linkup. 

Engrossing Reads

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers - This book physically pained me. Anyone can be a mean girl and anyone can be the victim of a mean girl. After I finished this on the train one morning, I walked into my Dunkin Donuts and saw a gaggle of high school girls waiting for their drinks. I wanted to clutch them all to me and urge them to be kind.

Summerlong by Dean Bakopoulos - I waited for this book to come in for me at the library for over two freaking months so I was very happy when it didn't disappoint. I liked the story fine and liked some of the characters and disliked others...but I loved the writing. I'm coming for more, Dean. Don't let me down.

Passed the Time Just Fine

Identity (Fina Ludlow #2) by Ingrid Thoft - Second in the Fina series. I love her as a kickass female private detective with a fucked up family. I'm on board for more.

Stars Over Sunset Boulevard by Susan Meissner - Received a copy for free from Netgalley. This was truly just okay for me. A little slow in places, but I didn't think hmm maybe I shouldn't finish this. Do I think you should rush to read it? No.

Mad River (Virgil Flowers #6) by John Sandford - Another in the That Fuckin' Flowers series. This was Bonnie and Clyde-ish and a little violent at times, but still a good Virgil story.

Nowhere Girl by Susan Strecker - Freebie from netgalley for an honest review. I was totally sucked into this book, convinced everyone was a murderer at some point. I read it in a day. There were some holes in the story but overall not bad.


Hard No

The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner - Do not do not do not. I received this for free from Netgalley too, and I did finish it just to know who did it. I was annoyed from the start with the protaganist: portrayed as a weak and ridiculous woman who can't think independently. Not really my type. There was potential but the execution wasn't there.

The Brockhurst File by Lynne Adair Kramer and Jane Mincer - I received this for free in exhange for an honest review and honestly? I couldn't finish it. I pushed to get halfway through and then said no more. It needed another two rounds of editing. I liked one of the characters out of the 20984 that were introduced in the first 10 pages. But it wasn't enough to overcome the sprawling and messy plotlines.

This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month. The next one is Tuesday, December 8. 

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Non-bloggers, what have you read recently? Let me know what you recommend and what to stay away from. Bloggers, link up your posts below.

An InLinkz Link-up

TWTW - the one with all the things

Alternate titles: the one where I ate until I popped like Violet Beauregarde, the one with 47 sugar comas, the one where I spent five minutes at home.

After a work happy hour at Tequila's (ole!) and a late train, MFD and I headed to Collingswood to meet Amanda, Frank, Michelle, and Bob at Bistro di Marino. Food was good, conversation was full of secrets, documentaries, science things, and laughs, and I finally got the chocolate cake I wanted all last week. Sugar coma 1.

Fart noise: the alarm came earlier than a work day alarm on Saturday. But the morning views from the yard were golden. 

After the required stop at DD, MFD and I headed to Parkside, bordering Fairmount Park - full of really beautiful stately old homes mostly fallen into disrepair, but it was nice to see some of them coming back around. Not the one we were parked across from obviously, but others. It makes me sad to see such glorious homes in decay. I hope they all come back. 

We met up with my parents, aunt & uncle, and our Lucy for the PurpleStride walk in memory and celebration of my grandmom. Madeline's Marchers raised $1665. I raised $650. Thank you so much to you awesome donors. 

Thanks to Carol for the first five pics

It was a nice 5k around Fairmount Park. She was showing all of her colors. Last week I was thinking damn I have no foliage photos. And just like that, I do. We took a pit stop to peek in at the Shofosu Japanese House too, it's so cool plopped there in the middle of the park like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. 

We got our post walk calories in at Sabrina's at 18th & Callowhill. I love love love how they use mismatched mugs, and Carol got one from Dot's in Ocean City. Signs signs everywhere there's signs. I had Rosemary's Babycakes. I'm not typically a pancake eater, but I had to try them. They were good. Sugar coma numero dos.

I came home and took a rest with the dogs, then went to Target for the 23840384th time in the past three weeks. Debbie and I hit the JOVO Dance bingo fundraiser in support of the daughters of two of my oldest friends. I've known Jen since I was three and Denise since she was born. It was nice to see Jen's mom and some of her family ladies as well as her in-laws and of course my second parents Chuck & Jane. I'm over bingo though, so I ate my way through a sour patch kids bag for sugar coma number three. We went to the Rover for a beer with the Dance Moms and friends but Debbie had a cold and I had old lady syndrome so we UBER'd home before midnight. Check out these freaking cute apple bites the girl across from me made - aren't they adorable? Must try.

Sunday we loaded up MFD's car with furniture that has been accumulating in our living room. I feel like I'm running a freaking warehouse. He had an appointment with a new client in Sea Isle so he dropped them off at the shore house to get them out of ours. This was our only weekend home this month - we're pushing hard to get the shore house as done as it's going to get this year by Thanksgiving weekend. It's been rented for the first weekend in December. Eeee! And yes, for all of you that noticed, that freaking tent is still sitting by the front door nearly a month later. We've had words. 

I shuffled on over to Deptford for Maggie's bridal shower for some laughs with the Ferko ladies and sugar coma number four courtesy of freaking awesome red velvet cake and cookies. 

Do you know what gives me anxiety? IKEA at 3:45 on a Sunday afternoon where kids are sliding across aisles and rolling around in rug piles while their parents lounge on showroom furniture like they are in their own living rooms. I shit you not a man had his hands down his pants Al Bundy style. All that for wall rods to hang coffee mugs on that I had to go up and down the fire stairs to find and two measley bath mats. Balls. 

We rounded out the weekend food frenzy with Sunday dinner at Zahav with MFD's brother Mark and Sarah. It was delicious and the company was as well. 

Weekly food prep is not much. Breakfast is egg muffins, lunch (only needed three days) is Wawa salads, dinner is blackened salmon with wild rice and steamed veggies. Boring week. Since I only made the egg muffins, no photos. And honestly after this weekend I could stand to eat lettuce for 37 days. I don't even want to look at food.

These dogs...they always want to look at food. Apparently a shiatsu massager box is now considered food. Gus is the perpetrator. Gus is 10. Gus is also 100% deaf. I came home Saturday afternoon and he didn't come to the door. I looked all over the house for him and he was sleeping on the living room under a pillow and never even heard me come in or the other dogs going crazy. 

Don't forget - tomorrow is Show us your books with me and Jana! I want to know what you've been reading. Good, bad, and ugly.

Annnnnnd not to brag or anything, but this morning in a whirlwind of car scraping trunk not opening key fuckery, I left my car keys on the hood of my car and drove off. So they're somewhere in between home and the train station and probably gone for good unless a good Samaritan reads my HELP post on our neighborhood Facebook page. But in reality, they're just gone and I need to accept it. My Dirty Dancing key chain is gone. We've owned the shore house for less than a month and already need replica keys made...that's a record, even for me with my very shitty key record. Edited to add MFD spent his morning retracing my route and found the freaking keys. Amazing!

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending