What's Up Wednesday, May 2024 Edition

 

Good Lord, I suck at the blogging, recently. In my defense, my life has been pretty dull; I am merely saving you all from boredom by not writing. I could not, however, let a month go by without at least posting for What's Up Wednesday; this is, quite literally, the only way that I am documenting our lives at this point, and I'm grateful to Sheaffer and Shay for providing the writing prompts.

What I've Been Eating

The most memorable meals of the past month have been the hamburger with a side of chili Mac 'n ' Cheese that I had while Mom and I were shopping for bedding plants at the nursery in Pixler..

...and the stacked pork chops smothered in gouda, sundried tomatoes, and balsamic that I had at the Country Club restaurant the night that we went to the local community theater to catch their production of Somethings Rotten.

What I'm Reminiscing About

As I have been working on the flowerbeds, I've thought a lot about the flowerbeds that my Grandma Molly had in her yard in Mayberry; she had the world's greenest thumb and both her flowers and vegetables were always plentiful. I have been remembering her dahlias, specifically, since that is one of the flowers that I am most excited to see grow in my beds. To that end, I purchased both tubers and established plants, which both seem to be coming along. I did have to snip the flowers off the established plants, to encourage additional growth and blooms, which seems counterproductive, but is actually the way of nature. Grandma Molly knew these things.

What I'm Loving

The Man-Cub and Daughter-in-Love had their official engagement shoot done by their wedding photographer. The pictures turned out great and gave me an idea of the editing style that they are going for. It's different from the style I edit in, which is a refreshing change.

My old wicker porch furniture was reaching the end of its lifecycle (I purchased it in 2009), so I tracked down a replacement set on the Bed Bath and Beyond website. I thought they had gone out of business, but apparently, they just closed the brick and mortar stores, because the website is alive and well. The new set was on clearance, so I ended up paying less than I did originally, all those years ago, plus the shipping was free.

The furniture fits right in, obviously.

I also got my porch flowers planted for the season. I opted not to use as many petunias, since they get so leggy by August, and I want the porch to be in the best shape possible while we are hosting family and friends for the wedding. The petunias I did pick up are purple, which is a departure from the colors I usually go for.

What I've Been Up To

Mom and I hit a barn sale earlier this month and I scored a few cool items. We also attended the play I mentioned earlier, as well as visiting several nurseries in search of bedding plants.

On the work front; I have been planning our upcoming golf tournament fundraiser, as well as trying to keep my head above water with all of the usual duties that come along with the job.

What I'm Working On

The flower bed on the berm under our tree in the front yard had gotten completely overgrown with bindweed and grass, which was choking out my peonies and anything else that once thrived in the bed. Over Mother's Day weekend, Hugh and the Man-Cub ripped everything (except for the peonies) out, tilled up the soil, and raked it smooth for me to start the process of replanting.

I chose perennials that will, hopefully, spread out and return next year, including more peonies, three varieties of lilies, delphinium, salvia, and foxglove. I also scattered wildflower seeds, which may, or may not, germinate, grow, and spread. Time will tell.

In the backyard, I planted seeds for flowers in the raised beds, as well as two pots of tomatoes, a pot of herbs, and a pot of mint. Hugh is scandalized by my not planting vegetables, but he understands that I am trying to grow flowers for the various wedding festivities that are to come this summer.

And, speaking of wedding festivities; I will be throwing the bridal shower for Shanti next month, so I have been working on the invitations. 

The theme of the shower is Love is Timeless, and I will be using a lot of vintage decor, so I decided to do something different with the invites; I printed them on ladies' handkerchiefs. It was super easy to do, with iron-on transfers and the end result was pretty sweet. I have already received a lot of compliments on how different and unique they are.

What I'm Dreading

I wouldn't say I'm actually dreading anything right now. I do have some work stuff looming over my head, but I've decided to let future me handle future problems; she'll rock it.

What I'm Excited About

Next week, my staff and I are starting golf lessons again! We attended the final Wild Women Wednesdays golf clinic of the season last year and we were hooked, so; I signed us up for all three sessions this summer. I know I am going to have to relearn everything that the golf pro taught us last year, but I am determined to become somewhat capable of swinging the clubs.

What I'm Reading

The good news is that I am actually reading! I finished I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy, and The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand, which was, I'll admit; a reread for me (I'm anxiously awaiting my signed copy of Swan Song, which is going to be her final book set in Nantucket). I also purchased The Women, by Kristin Hannah, but haven't started it because I know it's going to be heavy and I prefer lighter literary fare for the summertime (which is why I also reread Hildebrand's Summer Affaire and am now rereading The Castaways).

What I'm Watching

I finished the second season of Farmer Wants a Wife, to see if Farmer Brandon, our hometown boy, lucked out in love. Spoiler; he did not. The Valley isn't for everyone, y'all.

I'm watching Under the Bridge. Since it is based on a true story, I already know how it ends, but I am still enjoying it. I loved Riley Keough in Daisy Jones and the Six, and it's interesting to watch her talent expand in this drama.

The most entertaining thing that I watched this month, however, was the gender reveal Zoom for Trevor and Miss Mia. Yes, that's right; our Miss Mia is having a baby! A girl, to be exact! For those of you following along, that means that both of the brides for whom Queen B stood up as Maid of Honor/Bridesmaid last summer are already in the family way (Katie Girl is also having a girl!). I think Queen B is a good luck charm for gals who want to jumpstart their families.

What I'm Listening To

I recently downloaded an Essential 80's playlist to my Apple Music account and I have been listening to it while I clean the house. The 80's had some of the best music, and I'm not just saying that because I am an old GenXer, reliving my youth. Although, there is that. 

What I'm Wearing

It's finally sandal season, y'all! I got a pedicure and everything!

What I'm Doing This Weekend

On Friday, I am catching a flight to Dallas to spend the weekend with Queen B! We are staying in a hotel in Fort Worth and will be on the hunt for an appropriate Mother of the Groom dress for the wedding. We also plan to eat some good food and to get in some pool time before I have to catch my flight back to Hooterville on Sunday. It's going to be a whirlwind trip, but I am so looking forward to seeing my girl!

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

I am looking forward to the shower for Shanti and to spending as much quality time as I can outside in the sunshine. I'm super hopeful that Hugh will get the boat out of drydock and that we will get to spend some time on the lake. Fingers crossed!

Favorite Amazon Purchase This Month

As I mentioned earlier, I am going with a vintage theme for Shanti's bridal shower, so these handkerchiefs will feature in some of the decor, along with old quilts, retro table linens, and mismatched china plates that I am sourcing through local thrift stores, antique shops, and online.

I absolutely love the colors and reproduction designs in these handkerchiefs and am happy with how well they coordinate with the actual vintage table linens.