I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Thursday, May 25, 2017

Something for the Weekend



Hi! Happy Summer! Years ago I followed a Yahoo writing group and for awhile, in its heyday, every weekend the  organizers of the group would have a post called Something for the Weekend. It always included book ideas, wine, maybe food or an activity. I loved those posts, usually written by my faraway friend Cat who lived in Scotland. We'd hear about pear cider and village fetes, it was very fun.



So in honor of those earlier days of internet friendships I thought I might sometimes do a weekend post here. This is the official start of summer at the beach, and I suppose everywhere. Rain or shine, summer is here. The weather gods are laughing hysterically, they have sent us endless drizzle, dense fog and cold temps.




I got out a summery cashmere turtle neck.


Mo wore his raincoat.


I love when the shops stock up their crappy summer toys and patio stuff and sunscreen. So happy and hopeful. When my kids were small it was so exciting, shopping for new beach pails and shovels, a new boogie board, maybe a wiffle bat and ball. And oooh, bubbles! And a kite!








And the market had peonies, gasp/ sigh. Too $$$ at 7.99 for three stems.



I stopped in the el cheapo wine shop with my coupon [all the shops issue summer coupons for Memorial Day].  Isn't this the cutest packaging ever---I wish they sold t-shirts!


I got a bottle for a friend's birthday. It's not a brand I ever drink, but if it's not good she can always do mimosas or bellinis, right? I know she's having a houseful of guests this weekend, and can use it.



Food: This comes from Kelley ~


Roasted veggies tossed with pasta for a weekend dinner, because it's supposed to rain, rain, rain. I'll long-roast the pretty heirloom tomatoes, single layer on an olive oil drizzled cooky sheet. Roast the halved tomatoes at lowest temp [my oven it's 200*] until caramelized. Maybe 6 hours, but keep checking! Store in olive oil with garlic cloves til needed. Then I'll short / hot roast the squash and asparagus separately. About 35 minutes at 400*. Toss with some cubed Brie and parm, a splash of white wine, maybe some herb sprigs? Yummy.


Books:       The Dry  by Jane Harper  Australian murder mystery. Very well written and engrossing. Drawback: I immediately knew who the murderer[s] were. First novel by Harper, I'll look forward to more from her.
                The Kind Worth Killing  by Peter Swanson   Oddly gripping despite the fact that none of the protagonists is very appealing.  Plot is reminiscent of Hitchcock's film Strangers on a Train.

[and again a rec from Kel] : Razor Girl  by Carl Hiaasen I haven't started it yet, but it looks like another crazy romp from Hiassen. Kelley can update us?

Projects for rainy weekend days: I don't have anything quilt-y to show you this week because I've been working on a duvet cover and pillowcases for friends. My friends have a relentlessly grey decor in their lovely home and it took us ages to find a good grey batik for their bedroom.


This has taken me all week! I'm losing my touch, and finding it hard to wrestle the equivalent of 12 yards of fabric [king size] and a 72" zipper. Took me three tries and two zippers to get the zipper set just right! I want the pieces to be ''perfect'' for these special friends.

On the hopefully easier side of projects, I plan to make these shower steamers: here
Since I cannot have a bath anymore, just showers, due to hip pain/ limited mobility, I so miss my bubble baths and array of bath salts and bubbles and scented gels. These are supposed to be set on the floor of the shower, to at least create a relaxing scent. Made with cornstarch and essential oils. I ordered bergamot, eucalyptus and lemon verbena.[more on this project later!]



And look! Gluten free, hahaha.


Saturday morning I'll hang out my wooden Stars and Stripes, as I have for all these years since my dad made it for me. If it's an okay day I'll put all my little flags along the deck rail too. The Thunderbirds [ the Air Force fighter jet team] are supposed to perform at the airshow this year, so exciting, but the fog has kept them grounded. No amazing practice runs along the beach , too bad.

beach entry pots of flowers

Mo is ready for fun, rain or shine!







So there you have it, something for the weekend. What are your plans?

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

same weekend a few years ago.....










Inspiration? Zoe buys this for You Know Who!



8 comments:

  1. Happy Memorial weekend Mo! Hope you get some sunshiny weather to you can enjoy the outdoors. One mimosa for me, please! :)

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  2. I hope the weather clears up for you. We have heat and blue skies predicted for our Memorial weekend. My daughter is coming tonight and we are racing in the morning, then no plans. I may have a little sewing on the horizon.

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  3. Haha, I wonder what words of wisdom are in the Batman's guide...

    Today was sunny and got up to 82. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm but cloudy and rainy, of course! No official plans here. I've been running around the past two days so if it's rainy I may have a lazy day tomorrow. Or something may come up last minute! We're not big on planning ahead most of the time here.

    Hope you have a good weekend, and enjoy yourself rain or shine!

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  4. Happy Memorial Weekend, to you and Mr. Mo. Rainy here right now. Think it is suppose to improve. Book selections sound good. Currently reading a Louise Penny (love her writing style) "Bury Your Dead." Wouldn't it be lovely to have a baguette and cafe au lait with Inspector Gamache and Reine-Marie. Peter and Clara can hopefully make it as well. Always enjoy shopping with you, if only in pics. (((love and hugs)))

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  5. Fun stuff Lizzy! The champagne packaging is too cute! It's good chamoagne too. And the peonies :) I saw someone in the check out line in Trade Joe's buying peonies. I popped in to pick up just a couple of things and didn't notice them.

    The pasta dish will be perfect. I'm sure I don't deserve any credit.

    Nothing planned here yet. We had wanted to go to the Hollywood Bowl tonight, but we had issues getting tickets. They were showing the movie La La Land, with a live orchestra playing the music.

    Razor Girl is good so far. I'm probably only 80 pages or so in. The usual kooky characters. Thanks for sharing what you're reading. The weekend posts from your reading group sound fun. You must miss them. And your friend Cat?

    Huh, shower steamers. Cool.

    I laughed out loud at the pic and the reference in the last photo. Good stuff.

    Happy summer to you and Mo. Enjoy the weekend. Oh, beautiful sweater by the way.

    Kel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The pasta came out great! I ll make it again but with plum tomatoes. I forgot how much they shrink.

      Good to know the champagne is an ok brand! My friend didn t try it yet, maybe it wasn t a good choice, sigh.

      Sorry to say I didn t like Razor Girl and didn t continue it. Maybe I was in the wrong mood? The plot and characters are like a bad southern Janet Evanovich? What did you think?

      Mel and I both miss the old reading group, but things change, people move on....

      have a good weekend


      lizzy

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  6. Howdy Lizzy! So sorry your weather is crappy. Ours usually is for this weekend, but we lucked out and have good weather this year. I have been lucky and have 5 days off! Today we are off to the biggest flea market in the state, tomorrow is Indy racing and Sunday, just relaxin and chillin. Happy Memorial Day!:) Kit

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    Replies
    1. I went to the Indy 500 in person once when I was a kid! My parents took us. It was HOT and LOUD but exciting and memorable.

      I hope you write about the big flea on your blog!

      lizzy

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