Wednesday, August 31, 2022

What's Up Wednesday, August 2022 Edition

 


This month's link-up with Sheaffer and Shay is going to be short, if not necessarily sweet. It's just been that kind of month.


What I'm Eating

I've mentioned it a time or two recently, but, in case you missed it; Hugh got himself a Blackstone. He's been cooking up a storm on the thing and I'm enjoying the break from Head Chef duty while serving as a pretty competent sous chef. 




What I'm Reminiscing About

As my childhood home goes on the market and we begin the process of winnowing out Mom's possessions; I am honestly trying really hard not to get overly reminiscent or sentimental. It's my only self-defense.

What I'm Loving

I got a new mini fridge for the porch. It's retro and adorable and blue.


I also found this Corningware piece at a local antique store. I'd never seen a piece with a handle before! The design is the one that my Mom has and that I grew up with so I figured she would like to have it, and, at only $18, I felt like I was getting a screaming good deal.



What I've Been Up To

The Newlyweds and I attended a flower arranging class. There was wine. It was awesome.



The following weekend, we went to the cut-your-own flower farm and gathered blooms for even more arrange-our-own bouquets. It was fun.




What I've Been Working On

Phoebe came to town and I dusted off my camera to take Senior pictures of her middle child. The fact that said middle child is now a senior in high school makes me feel like an old lady. That's no bueno, but, the pictures were great!






What I'm Dreading

I'm getting my hair done later this afternoon. Why am I dreading this? Because we are going to start transitioning me to gray, which, let's be honest; I already am underneath alllll the dye. I have no idea how my hairdresser is going to accomplish this without me looking like a a bad remake of that guy from the crypt, but, I'll be sure to keep you posted.


What I'm Excited About

Fall is right around the corner! I'm excited to have Mom here on a permanent basis; she's going to enjoy doing all the fun Autumn stuff with me, I just know it.


What I'm Watching

I binge-watched the first two seasons of Why Women Kill on Prime and I loved them both. They were funny, well written, fabulously acted, and the costumes and sets were on point! Chef's kiss!




What I'm Reading

I actually read a book again this month! This summer's Elin Hilderbrand offering is The Hotel Nantucket; it was another hit for me. At this point, I don't think a summer would be complete without a Hilderbrand in hand.


What I'm Listening To

Boomer dog is licking his paw in a most distracting manner. Dog's are weird.


What I'm Wearing

More cute shoes! At this point, I could probably start an Only Fans of my feet for perverts who are into that thing. Or, for women of a certain age who like shoes. Either business model would work.



What I'm Doing This Weekend

Hugh and I are flying to Las Vegas to celebrate both our 29th anniversary and the long Labor Day weekend. We're staying at The Venetian, taking in a show, spending some time pool-side, and, hopefully, having a great time. It will kick off a month of very full weekends, so I hope we also find some time to relax and recharge.



What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

I'm looking forward to having Mom's move over and done with. It's going to be emotionally and physically taxing, but ultimately beneficial for Mom.


Favorite Amazon Find This Month

Hugh and I have been playing checkers on Dad's old game board, but I wanted to learn how to play Carrom on it as well. A lot of the original pieces from the game board were missing, so I was excited to find this set of rings and strikers on Amazon. Now I just need to read the instructions for the game and we will be all set.




Monday, August 22, 2022

If I Ever DO Quit My Day Job...

...I just might want to invest in a flower farm; I think I would be good at it. As evidence, I offer pictures from this weekend's trip to the flower farm in Pixler, where The Newlyweds and I cut our own flowers for making arrangements at home.







Having been inspired by the class that the flower farm offered on Thursday, we decided that choosing and cutting our own blooms would be a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, and, we weren't wrong. I could easily envision myself wandering among the rows and rows of flowers everyday, and, while my skill at arranging said flowers could use some improvement; I would have more than ample practice time available to me if I owned the farm.

Now, to get Hugh on board with this plan...


...ok, that probably won't happen. But! This is also the man who resisted my suggestion to purchase a Blackstone, and, look at him making breakfast every weekend on the thing!



Pancakes, breakfast potatoes, sausages, and eggs for the win!

Speaking of winning, I also got a new mini fridge for the porch this weekend. It's retro and I love it! Also, if I needed somewhere cold to store flowers after arranging them, I could totally fit a bunch in the fridge.


Just sayin'!



Friday, August 19, 2022

It's Never Too Late to Learn a New Skill

Last night, the Newlyweds and I attended a floral arranging class at a local nursery/gift store/event venue/restaurant/pick your own flower farm (the owner, who is an acquaintance of ours from Petticoat Junction, likes to cover all the bases). 

We got to learn all about arranging bouquets while sipping Chardonnay and nibbling on pommes frites, roasted Brussels sprouts, Caprese salad, and hummus with pita chips. It was an incredibly fun way to spend a Thursday evening and we are hoping that they will offer additional courses in the fall.

When we got to the venue, we were greeted with bucket upon bucket of freshly-cut flowers and greenery.




We each grabbed a glass of wine and found our seats, where the instructions for the evening awaited. Then we ordered our appetizers and settled in for the demonstration.





One of The Newlywed's fellow therapist friends was also at the class, so we invited her to sit with us; she was a doll and now I have a new friend, so the evening was a success in more ways than one.



Margie, who is a Master Gardner, was the brains behind the pick-your-own flower garden that was planted behind the nursery this spring; she personally chose all of the varieties of flowers and was more than excited to share her knowledge with us.



Then she cut us loose to choose the stems for our bouquets. 




The actual arranging of the bouquets took us less than an hour and we all left with masterful creations!





Ok, maybe not masterful. I mean, we won't be quitting our day jobs or anything. But! We did a pretty damn good job, if I do say so, myself.

And we had fun. So much fun; we are planning to hit the flower farm tomorrow to cut our own stems for even more bouquets that we will make at home, where, coincidentally, I also have wine.

It's going to be a great weekend.