Monday, July 5, 2020

Hi guys! How does this Monday find you? I like summer Mondays. This is the day I use to lay pretty low, do my weekend laundry, make phone calls and get weekly tasks scheduled. I am linking up with Heather, Tanya and other so go right here.

Today I am excited because I have rugs arriving! I finally found an area rug and matching runner that I think will work for my Master bedroom. I bought it from Boutique Rugs online and I was able to pay through my Amazon account. It is really hard buying a rug without seeing and feeling it but I’m crossing my fingers. I also have a Dinnerly box arriving for the first time in a few weeks (I took a break to use up freezer supplies). I am going to try and follow their recipes instead of being a rebel.

Let’s go back to last Thursday as I do my Friday post a bit early.

Thursday morning and most mornings I did my morning routine outside as the sun was coming up. I cannot sleep in, you all. I just can’t! What is wrong with me? I was just reflecting with my husband that a year ago I couldn’t even enjoy the old lower patio because it was full of construction stuff. There was wood and supplies all over my driveway, I had no back door, and there was loud work every day last summer practically! So, even in the midst of what is going on or maybe moreso I am happy to have this space.

I met my friend B on a patio for brunch at a relatively new place called Biscuit Belly. We had to go in to order and we wore masks – most people did and there were only 4 others there. Then, they brought our food to the patio. I got a tequila sunrise. Is 10 a.m. too early to drink tequila? It has the word “sunrise” in the name, o.k.?

B got a Bloody Mary and it had tiny little biscuits on top! So cute! I wish I liked Bloody Marys but I do not!

We both got the “basic biscuit” with bacon, egg, and cheese, and a sauce that I got on the side. I guess we are basic! It was meh. The biscuit really wasn’t that good in my opinion. I think I like McDonald’s better. Now, you are really judging me for the morning tequila and that statement.

I went to my friend’s store last week and this is the tie-dye mask that I showed you. The fabric rather than elastic around the ears is much more comfortable.

Thursday night was homemade pizza night! I did two pizzas and did a combo bbq carnitas and cheese and the other was pepperoni. I needed more cheese! Don’t worry I added some of the shredded stuff. This was the good mozzarella! This is the “skinny biz pizza crust recipe” you can google if you are interested.

I made a red, white, and blue sangria-ish drink just for me. I used frozen strawberries and blueberries, pinot grigio, and 1/3 can of strawberry Fresca. It wasn’t sweet enough (and I do not like super sweet drinks at all) because the Fresca is simply a sparkling soda water so I added my favorite cocktail ingredient Crystal Light lemonade powder – only about 1/3 of a stick and this became sooooo good!

Friday Tom was off and he went paddleboarding on the river in the morning. He ended up having to help tow someone’s boat to shore. I went to Fresh Market for a couple of things and it was too crowded. I high-tailed it out of there. I had done my Kroger pick up on Thursday (this seems to be my normal day now?) and I guess people were crowding all the grocery stores for the holiday weekend. Someone posted a crazy line at Costco on Facebook. I was glad I shopped early.

It was so hot and was going to be all weekend, but I got motivated and Tom and I took the boat out around 2 and stayed out until 6ish. I was so relaxed. I haven’t felt the normal summer relaxation that kicks in mid-June. Maybe it’s because of all the anxiety around us. Anyone else?

The relaxation could’ve been in part due to the bourbon slush I brought on board. I stopped at the gas station by our house for an Ale 8 (like ginger ale) slush for Tom and I pilfered some to go with some bourbon. I do want you to know, though, that I have had many non-cocktail days lately. I have been having one drink maybe 3 days a week. My beverage of choice is water. I am really trying to drink more!

I must have my spray bottle. I went to the river with very wet hair which really helped me stay cool and then I used this to keep cool.

After several days cooking, we decided to get Mexican take out with the boys. We ate together at home and watched Scrubs. This is what we are currently watching as a family. I set out all of my 4th of July supplies for the next day even though I had no plans.

I did get my car washed in the morning. My car looked sooo bad. I used to be afraid to go in the car wash alone. I was afraid I would mess up the directions. I thought it would be much like the one and only time I tried a spray tanning booth. I couldn’t figure out or remember the directions and I got sprayed in the mouth. It was very similar to Ross’s experience on Friends except without the dark tan.

I also found all of my festive clothing. A girl can dream of a day with plans, right?

I made my traditional pretzel rolo things.

And, Saturday on the 4th Tom and I went back out in the heat again for a few hours.

I packed a portable charcuterie boat picnic.

We came home and I made a home charcuterie for appetizers.

and baked ziti for dinner. It was definitely not a traditional 4th. A friend invited us out on their boat for fireworks but I knew it would be a late night and we would be really close to other people so I turned it down.

Mason had a outside party to go to after dinner. Jack hung out with us and then I found one of my favorite movies The Holiday. I love the Jude Law and Cameron Diaz scenes in England the most.

Sunday seemed to be the hottest day of all. Tom did a 2 hour bike ride, then mowed and did yard work. I worked inside on some organizing and then re-read some magazines before recycling or giving away while my ceiling fan was going.

I am not really into this. I’m trying…

I got Disney + for a month for just me – no one else was interested – and watched half of Hamilton Sunday after lunch. It’s a commitment. I knew basically nothing other than the premise. It’s kind of weird watching a musical recorded as a movie. A friend gave me a tip to put the captions on and that has been helpful to not miss anything. Can you believe my actor/singer son is not interested?

For dinner, I made an entree salad with homemade bread. One of my goals was to eat more big salads for dinner and everyone loved this. I used iceberg, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, ham, hardboiled egg, bacon, cheese, the everything lemon pepper chicken recipe from Carolina Charm blog, homemade croutons from older bread, and homemade honey mustard dressing. Who am I?

After dinner, I filled up my bird feeders – they are eating us out of house and home! Immediately a cardinal came – Tom and I were wondering how they know to come check to see if was full again?

And, I have one hydrangea bloom – it’s way back there and you can barely see it!

How was your weekend? Did you socialize? Did you follow your annual traditions?

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Amy