When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Head for the Hills

Or, so it would appear, if my Facebook feed is any indication. Apparently, quite a few of my friends have recently purchased outdoor recreational items, including ATVs, RVs, tents, campers, etc., and, they are taking to the mountains to enjoy them.

We are likewise guilty, although, we already owned our equipment (except for the new paddle boards that Hugh just bought, but, that's a story for another day).

Yesterday, we took The Lesbians to the mountains on their first four-wheeling excursion on their new machine, and, they did great! Hugh taught them how to trailer the ATV, how to properly strap it down, and how to navigate various mountain trails. They were quick learners and Hugh is confident that they are ready to fly solo. Not that we recommend that (you really shouldn't head for the hills alone; there is safety in numbers, so, we also included Hugh's friend, Fleet and his daughter, Stormy in our group).

The day was tons of fun! We got super filthy, picked up a number of cactus hitchhikers, and generally just enjoyed being as far from civilization as we could be (while still being able to catch cell service on occasion because, as always, I was on-call for work. That's really getting old, by the way).

By the time we rolled the four-wheelers back onto the trailer, we were all exhausted and ready for hot showers, so we parted with plans to repeat the experience again another day, soon. Probably over the upcoming holiday weekend; wouldn't surprise me at all. After all, there are no celebrations scheduled for the Fourth; they've all been cancelled.

Might as well head for the hills.

Friday Favorites on a Saturday Because Time Means Nothing in the Age of Covid-19

I meant to post this yesterday. And, by that, I mean; I meant to write it yesterday, you know, on Friday. But, as the title of this post would indicate, Friday is really just another Thursday, or, possible a Wednesday. Hey! Could be a Saturday, which, today it is. Make sense? About as much sense as anything else makes these days, amiright?

I'm right.

Anyhoodle, here are the things currently floating my boat.

When Mom and I were shopping at the Hellmouth earlier this week, I picked up what I thought was the monthly edition of The Food Network magazine. Imagine my surprise when I got up to the register and it rang up at $12.99, that's...not how much the magazine usually costs.

Like an idiot, I had picked up one of the special edition magazine-style cookbooks that the publishers put out each season. Now, was I about to admit that mistake to the cashier, who was patiently waiting for me to pay while a socially-distanced line of shoppers behind me waited less than patiently? No, no I was not. So, I now have an incredibly expensive magazine from which I am determined to attempt every recipe not involving seafood.

Seafood is not, has not, nor will ever be, a favorite.

I planted two hydrangeas last year and both are coming back. One is blue and the other is light green, and, while neither has bloomed yet, I am crossing my fingers and hoping that they will. In the meanwhile, I went ahead and purchased two more to go along with the hot pink one that Hugh and the kids got me for Mother's Day, which means I now have a total of five.

Math, another thing that is not, has not, nor will ever be, a favorite. And, I digress...

... the new hydrangeas are white and purple, respectively. Hugh is going to get them planted at some point this weekend.

While searching for Mediterranean recipes for this week's summer potluck (which ended up not happening because Mama Jill, who was supposed to host got whisked away on a surprise weekend trip to Moab by her husband, who could have told us that was his plan but, apparently doesn't trust us to keep a secret. I'm hurt. And, digressing, again), I found a recipe for Limoncello spritzers, which, are Mediterranean because Limoncello originated on the Amalfi coast of Italy, which, is on the Mediterranean Sea.

Geography, while not a favorite, still beats math. Just sayin'.

I'm going to make the spritzers tomorrow night, when we get back from four-wheeling with The Lesbians (side note: they still insist on being referred to that way on this blog, and  I cringe every time. Obviously not because I judge their relationship but; because I worry that, without top billing, my other lesbian friends will feel less loved. It's a quandry).

Last night, the sunset from the porch was amazing. 

Taking in God's artwork is, has always been, and will always be, a favorite. 

For sure.

What's Up Wednesday June 2020 Edition

Soooo...Summer 2020.... anyone else not feeling it yet? Just me? Ok, moving along then...time for another edition of What's Up Wednesday with Sheaffer and Shay.

What We're Eating

A more accurate question is what aren't we eating? Since my Mom has been visiting from Mayberry, we have eaten like kings and queens. She's made the Man-Cub's favorite tuna noodle casserole, chicken enchiladas to die for, and a smores cake so rich, it makes my teeth ache just thinking about it.

We've also dined on Chinese takeout, grilled a feast that included baby bell peppers stuffed with goat cheese, and, ventured into not one, but two restaurants; one for breakfast and one to celebrate Oscar and Emily's anniversary.

To top it off, I made homemade ice cream, which I hadn't done in quite some time. I had forgotten how easy it is to make and, now; I'm plotting the next flavor that I want to make. Hugh's vote is for strawberry and I have some ideas about that.

What I'm Reminiscing About

Honestly? I'm reminiscing about the days when I was a brunette. I miss those days. Blond is definitely helping to prepare me for the inevitable day when my gray completely takes over, but, man, letting go of my natural color has been a hard transition on me, mentally.

Then

Now

What I'm Loving

I really am loving having my Mom here. She arrived almost two weeks ago and I will be really sorry to see her go later this week. Covid was not kind to any of our mental health; being together has been the cure.

What We've Been Up To

Since Mom got here, we have hosted two Porch Nights, attended a bridal shower, invited Oscar and Emily over for dinner, cooked, baked, had pedicures, relaxed on the porch, and watched a ton of Hallmark Channel movies. She's enjoyed it. I've enjoyed it. Hugh and the kids have enjoyed it. In short, having Mom here has been great.

What I'm Working On

I finally got to do the cap and gown session that I promised a friend I would do for her daughter's High School graduation months ago. The pictures turned out great! Graduation may not have been exactly how she envisioned it, but at least she made the most of it.

What I'm Dreading

A couple of things. One, Mom leaves this week. Two, next month kicks off reporting season at New Job, which means that I will be writing reports, gathering statistics, uploading data, and generally running myself ragged. We also have a fundraising golf tournament that I get to run, and, I've never run a golf tournament in my life. Good times. I can hardly wait.

What I'm Excited About

Later this evening, Mom, Hugh, and I are going to look at fireflies. Fireflies are a rare occurrence in Colorado, but, we live in a more temperate zone of the state and there exists a small area in which fireflies thrive each summer. We haven't been to see them in years, not since the kids were younger, and I am very much looking forward to showing Mom where they live.

What I'm Watching

I recorded the latest season of What We Do In the Shadows and then binge-watched it in three days. It never fails to crack me up.

I watched the Netflix series Jeffrey Epstein Filthy Rich, despite knowing that it would trigger work-related anxiety for me. No shock; it did. Also not a shock; Epstein was a horrible, horrible excuse for a human being, there are a LOT of men in powerful positions who should be scared-very scared- of the rest of his dirt coming out in the wash, and, his supposed suicide is seriously suspect. Seriously.

The third season of Yellowstone started Sunday and I am here for it. I watched the first episode last night but will allow a few more to pile up on my DVR so that I can binge the season on occasion. 

Also, asking myself What would Beth Dutton Do has become my silent mantra whenever I deal with irritating people. Mostly at work.

What I'm Reading

The joy derived from reading for pleasure continues to elude me. I have purchased several books that I really am looking forward to diving into, but, in my rare moments of free time, I find that I lack the focus required to get through more than a page or two. I constantly reassure myself that this is but a season in my life and that time for reading will come. Someday. Until then, I will continue to amass titles that interest me.

What I'm Listening To

Recently, I had a reading done by a psychic medium whom I know from back home. I knew her as a teenager but hadn't talked to her in years, so I was pretty surprised when circumstances (too weird to get into) brought us together (by phone; she lives in Washington). I had never had a reading done before and it was pretty interesting. I'm a bit of a skeptic, but I have to say; she nailed some stuff that she could not have possibly known, so...there's that.

What I'm Wearing

Remember all of those delicious things that I have been eating? Well, all that food has resulted in bloating the likes of which haven't been seen since Violet Beauregarde greedily chomped away on Willy Wonka's Magic Chewing Gum. So, my wardrobe lately has consisted of anything that doesn't feature a tight waistband. Maxi dresses? Check! Stretch pants? Check! Jumpsuits without belts? Check, check! In this season of my life, comfort is king and I'm not sorry.

What We're Doing This Weekend

Housework is long overdue, so, that should be fun. I should get back to the gym, which will also be a blast, I'm sure. We do have plans on Friday night, when we get together with Mama Jill and Company for the second edition of our Summer Potluck Series. The theme for this week is Mediterranean food, which should be both interesting and delicious.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

Fourth of July fireworks! Oh, wait, those were cancelled. Stampede! Ummm..also cancelled. Lavender Festival? County Fair? You guessed it, cancelled. Sigh. At least they can't cancel boating on the lake. They can't? Right? Please say I'm right.

What Else Is New

I got some new succulents. If you had told me that I would be this into succulents a few years ago, I would have called you a liar. Or, at the very least, seriously misguided. Go figure.