Here we are at the end of May, already. The days are getting longer and hotter and more enjoyable and I'm here for it! As always, I am capping off the month with another edition of What's Up Wednesday. Thanks to Sheaffer and Shay for hosting!
What I'm Eating
I've made it a point to try new (to me) restaurants in Hooterville, which is how Hugh and I ended up eating something called Bock Bock Fries at a new (to all of Hooterville) brewery. They were quite filling, which almost spoiled my appetite for the Mother Clucker, which is the chicken sandwich that I had ordered as my main course.
The food was pretty tasty, but Hugh was unimpressed with the beer, and I wasn't really a fan of the ambiance of the restaurant, so I don't think we'll make it a point to go back. I would do a pick-up order, however.
The second new (to me) restaurant that I tried was a taco joint on Main Street; I went with Erin and Kristi and we were all trying it for the first time. We started with the chips and queso, which is pretty hard to screw up, in my experience. No surprise; it was delicious. I had the taco salad, which was delish. Erin had a chopped salad and Kristi had the smoked pork tacos and neither was disappointed. We also got to sit outside, on their sidewalk seating and it was one of the first truly nice days of spring, so I may be grading on a slight curve, but, ten out of ten would recommend.
What I'm Reminiscing About
Six years ago this week, we hosted our last End-of-the-School-Year-Slip'n'Slide Party. We started the tradition at the end of Queen B's freshman year and continued it throughout both kids school careers. I don't think Hugh misses how messed up that plastic left his grass, but I have a suspicion that he misses having all of those kids over to the house. I know I do.
What I'm Loving
My garden is coming along nicely, which gives me hope for a better produce haul than last year.
I've also been loving the flowers that are blooming locally, including the amazing variety of irises that Mom and I saw this past weekend at a local iris farm.
What I've Been Up To
Erin and Kristi are moving to the UK in September, so we have drafted a Bon Voyage Bucket List; things that we want to do before they leave. So far, we have a list of nine things that we want to accomplish, but the list could grow. We've already checked off the first item.
Hugh and I spent Memorial Day weekend with Shanti and the Man-Cub, 4-wheeling. It was a lot of fun and we made sure to get as dirty as possible. I love spending time with these two; they are a laugh a minute.
What I'm Working On
I am hosting several events this summer, including a bridal shower (Miss Mia's), a diamond anniversary party (Oscar and Emily), and a vintage-themed Bon Voyage party (Erin and Kristi). So, I am printing invitations, planning menus, buying decor, and working on special touches for each event. This includes refinishing an antique ironing board of my grandmother's; I rescued it from the garage when we moved Mom. It was a hot mess until I sanded it and Hugh brushed on a couple of coats of clear polyurethane. It turned out great, and, will be used for holding glass drink dispensers at both the shower and Bon Voyage party.
What I'm Dreading
Our first big fundraiser of the year takes place in seventeen days and things are not quite falling into place as they usually do. The band that we have coming in for the concert has been quite a bit more demanding than bands that have provided the entertainment before and it is driving our costs up to the point that we will be lucky to hit the lowest estimate of proceeds we anticipated (proceeds go to our non-profit as well as another organization in Hooterville). It's not the end of the world, but I'm left to wonder what else could possibly go wrong (I don't really want to know, Universe; I'm just saying).
What I'm Excited About
Queen B will be home in 22 days! She is the Maid of Honor when our Katie Girl gets hitched on the 23rd and will be my right-hand man the following day, when we have Oscar and Emily's anniversary party. I love doing events with that child of mine; she's the yin to my yang.
What I'm Watching
I binge watched the latest season of The Great. It was, well, great. Elle Fanning is an amazingly talented actress.
I also watched the final season of Firefly Lane. I may have cried.
I most definitely cried at Guardians of the Galaxy, but that doesn't count because I was crying on the inside.
What I'm Reading
I ordered this cookbook on Amazon, but it's so much more than a cookbook; it's a cultural guide to Italian cuisine, region by region, ingredient by ingredient. The recipes are almost a bonus.
What I'm Listening To
Birds are chirping outside my window. It's a sweet sound, until I remember that the little bastards have been snitching seeds out of my garden. I'm pretty sure I lost an entire row of lettuce to those assholes.
What I'm Wearing
It's finally nice enough for sandal wearing, which I have embraced (following the first pedicure of the season, naturally). I am also wearing this jaunty hat that I made at a DIY hat bar at a boutique in Hooterville. Hat making was #1 on Erin and Kristi's Bon Voyage Bucket List, so I was required to participate (I'm not mad about it).
What I'm Doing This Weekend
Assuming we don't get rained out, we will be having a yard sale. It is a necessary evil but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month
Katie's wedding, Oscar and Emily's anniversary party, a gender reveal for Kaley (Jana is secretly hoping for a boy, since Darren and her daughter-in-law already have two girls), having the concert fundraiser behind us, and maybe carving out some time for laying in the sun with a beach read. That would be nice.
Favorite Amazon Find This Month
I bought these silicone ice cube trays for the rose ice cubes that I am making for Mia's shower. They worked well and the price was reasonable.