July Things

Today would normally be an edition of Five on Friday - but I don't have too much to share this week, so I'm just going to pause that this week and go ahead with my July Favorites instead! 

Anticipations

I have to say - what is there to look forward to in this crazy pandemic-crazed world we live in? I realize that sounds very bleak and certainly, there is joy to be found in the small things but I miss being able to anticipate a vacation or going to a Nationals game or just going into DC for the weekend... all things that aren't really options right now.

I discovered this month that I need quite a bit of dental work done and so I anticipate being very glad when that's all over and done with, ha-ha! The first appointment (my evaluation at the endodontist) is August 4th - let the "fun" begin! 

Books I Read

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - From Good Reads: A stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two different worlds, one black and one white. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to stop. This book has received a lot of buzz recently and I can understand why - it's excellent. 

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - A synopsis: Alaska, 1974. Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed. For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival. This book may go down as my favorite of this year! I listened to it via Audible and then purchased a hard copy and read it again - it's that good! This book is spectacular - I just cannot say enough about how much I love it!

The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs - From Good Reads: Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Revolution, the books tells the sweeping, tumultuous, true love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler from tremulous beginning to bittersweet ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and especially loved the little places where the book's story line would sync up with the musical Hamilton. Definitely a good read!

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - From Good Reads: An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. This was my Book of the Month for July and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it... but man what a great read! The story has suspense, mystery, horror and the descriptions of the surroundings are so very sumptuous that they feel... REAL! Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down and devoured it within 72 hours. Just so excellent!

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager - A synopsis: Every house has a story. Ours is a ghost story.It's also a lie. And now that yet another person has died within these walls, if's finally time to tell the truth.This book was my friend's Book of the Month for July! We swapped and this one was another page turner! The story is mysterious and filled with vivid descriptions and twists that arrive unexpectedly. I also read this one over the course of a weekend!

Books on the Shelf 

While I obviously haven't been slow on the reading, I still have plenty of books on the shelf to entertain me for (likely) the next few months. I'm also now a member of the Book of the Month club (use my link: https://www.mybotm.com/idelcipzc0e?show_box=true  to join) and so I'm guaranteed a new book each month! 

Movies of the Month

Hamilton - Oh my goodness. I understand the hype completely. I was pretty thrilled when it was announced that Hamilton would be on Disney+... the show was meant to be at the Kennedy Center this Summer but tickets were insanely priced and then; of course, COVID arrived on the scene and it was all cancelled. I chose to download the soundtrack ahead of watching and so by the time July 3rd arrived, I knew most of the songs by heart!

The show is just - a complete work of genius. There's no other way to put it. Lin-Manuel Miranda captures the spirit of young America and puts a hip-hop spin on it and the whole thing, from the staging to the performers and the songs - it's just a feast for the creative senses. I love it. And I've watched it more than twice. 

Alas, no other movies to share this month. The local Alamo Drafthouse is open again but the only movies it's showing are re-runs of classics and favorites like The Empire Strikes Back, Avengers, The Princess Bride, Indiana Jones... and so, I haven't been to the theater this month. 

Must See TV

Somebody Feed Phil - What an absolute gem this show is! I was directed toward it by a favorite podcast called The Big Boo Cast and I have fallen in love! Phil Rosenthal (the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) travels the world sharing meals, culture, experiences and generally - just kindness - with everyone he meets!

The travel aspect is a delight (especially when he travels to a place I've been) and seeing the unique and delicious foods is fun, but I think the real draw is that Phil is such a genuine person who shares his positive outlook on life and the joy he feels with everyone he meets. This gem of a show is on Netflix - there are currently three seasons with a fourth coming later this year.

I'll Have What Phil's Having - This show is the precursor to Somebody Feed Phil and can be found on PBS (or be bought on Amazon Prime). This show is only six episodes but has the same wonderful spirit as Somebody Feed Phil. If you enjoy Somebody Feed Phil and want just a little bit more Phil in your life - this is the place to get it!

Tasty Treats

Another month filled with delicious dining - how lucky! In early July I caved and finally got a Frosted Animal Crackers Blizzard which was as delicious as I'd imagined it would be and on July 4th we had a delicious vanilla cake from West Oaks Farmer Market to go along with out burgers - so very tasty! I had the most divine meal at Regions 117: Apricot & Mint Soup, a Turkey Wrap with Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges and a scoop of Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream - *sigh*

I enjoyed a Fruity Pebble cone dipped in Birthday Cake coating and two delicious bowls of soup: Corn Chowder and Broccoli Cheddar! My family had dinner at The Bavarian Inn and I enjoyed Shepherd's Pie with Green Beans and split a slice of Black Forest Cake that melted in my mouth! The end of the month was marked with the arrival of a box filled with UK treats sent from my sister, a box of macarons from my favorite spot, Olivia Macaron and a Key Lime Pie that was Weight Watchers friendly! I'm stuffed just typing all that.... 

Tunes & Talks 

I'm still listening to the Hamilton soundtrack like it's my job, ha-ha! I'm unnecessarily proud of the face that I've learned several snippets of the rap portions - as if Lin-Manuel Miranda will pop out of a bush and ask me to perform! I've also been listening to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack (I know - that's out of left field) when I'm walking/jogging because it just really has such an excellent beat!

Cold - This is a podcast that I actually finished up today and it covers the Susan Powell case that was first covered in a short episode of Crime Junkies. This podcast has 18 episodes and breaks down the entire weird, sad and strange situation surrounding the Susan Powell case. It was incredibly interesting; if a little sad at times!

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Y'all - tomorrow is August 1st. There are only five months left of this year and so far, it's been a wild ride. I think way back in April (which somehow seems ages ago and also just a few days ago) we thought the world would be back to normal by now - but I have to question if the world will be back to normal before this year ends. 

I suppose we keep doing our best, caring about other people and trying to find the joy in this strange year that is unfolding before us. That's what I'm trying to do - each and every day!

Watson Wednesday

I thought I'd share a little snap of Watson that is a whole ten years old! He's contemplating how exactly he goes about eating his very own waffle.  

Despite Disappointment

I'm sure it's just a case of the Mondays but I feel like I'd love to make like my sweet puppy dog and just curl up and go back to bed today. I have a lot of things weighing on my mind this morning so I'm just feeling a bit less than my usual bouncy and bright self. 

Friday feels a little bit like a whirlwind - I went to the dentist for the first time in a long time and was gifted the knowledge that I need two root canals and four fillings - and I don't have dental insurance, so yet again my savings will be taking a hit. Just when I start to build it back up from unexpected dog medication/treatments and car repairs... it will be more than drained. *sigh* 

I did enjoy some delicious Mexican food for dinner on Friday night, peruse Target for a bit and then watch a hilarious episode of Somebody Feed Phil - if you haven't checked that gem out, it's on Netflix and I can't get enough!

The plan on Saturday was to go tube down the Shenandoah River around 1 PM, putting in with rental tubes at Watermelon Park and so I tried to get the first half of the day in line with coffee, 2 miles before it got too hot, a shower and some lunch before putting on my suit and some sunscreen. Unfortunately when we arrived at Watermelon Park, the wait time to tube was almost THREE hours - it was nuts!

We headed back home and contemplated borrowing tubes from a friend and just going to hop in the river on our own - but then it came a little rain shower and so we decided we'd just try again on Sunday. I spent a good chunk of the late afternoon finishing the book Home Before Dark, giving myself a pedicure and rearranging some small items of furniture in my living room and bedroom.

After dinner, I spent some time watching a Nationals game (they won) and then headed over to Cedar Creek Battlefield to attempt to catch sight of the Neowise Comet. The star gazing was supposed to be pretty great on Saturday night but as the sun set, the clouds rolled in and stacked themselves above the mountain peaks - making it next to impossible to see the stars when they finally came out...

 

The pictures I took over the sunset over the mountain peaks were really lovely - and Watson's absolutely confused expression as to why we were sitting on the edge of the road after 9:00 o'clock at night was also pretty excellent. Two older gentlemen joined us on the pull-off and they were also looking for the comet too - they compared night sky apps and while they decided to stick it out, we gave up the search around 9:30.

Sunday morning dawned bright and HOT - the temperatures this past month have hovered between 90-95 every single day and it's been pretty brutal, so I was all too excited to put on sunscreen and my suit and head back to the river for Tubing Try Two. It went off without a hitch; we signed in, grabbed our tubes and made our way to the river and hopped in - and it was glorious! I will say - the long black snake stretched across the landing where you hopped into the river was a bit heart-stopping, but otherwise the whole thing was a delight!

It took about an hour and a half to tube the river and then we stopped to grab some Arby's on the way home. I also had some delicious Lemon Crunch and Creamsicle Ice Cream from a nearby creamery as dessert - made especially nice while sitting in the sunshine on the deck. I ended up taking a nap on Sunday afternoon, which I haven't done in ages but the sunshine and the water seemed to have zapped all my energy and the nap was a delight!

I went to a House Party at church on Sunday night, which included baptism, baby dedication and extended worship time and then had a delicious dinner at Italian Delight before heading home to watch more Somebody Feed Phil and eat my cannoli (that I ordered to go) - it was a delicious end to a weekend that had a couple disappointments but plenty of goodness too. I can't believe it was the last (full) weekend of July!

Five on Friday

One. Key Lime Pie - During one of my many perusals of Pinterest I happened upon a recipe for a Weight Watchers approved Key Lime Pie and it piqued my interest. I've made some WW-friendly desserts before and they've been terrible... so I was a little apprehensive, to say the least. However, I whipped this one up and it was delicious! The best thing about the recipe is that it could be modified to make almost any kind of fruit pie! 

What You Need

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 small box sugar-free Lime jello
• 2 containers Key Lime yogurt (Dannon Light & Fit)
• 8 ounces Light Cool Whip; thawed
• 1 9 inch Graham Cracker Crust
• 2 Limes (optional - for garnish)

What To Do

• Microwave the 1/4 cup water about a minute, until boiling. Whisk the lime jello powder into the boiling water until completely dissolved.
• Whisk the yogurt into the lime jello until well combined.
• Fold in the Cool Whip until the filling is smooth.
• Pour the filling into the graham cracker crust and smooth. Refrigerate pie for at least four hours until set. 

You can add an option garnish of some lime wedges or some dollops of Cool Whip! This pie is easy to make and delicious to eat! It's also not a calorie busting dessert option! 

Two. Opening Day 2020 - Well. I suppose as with all things that have happened this year, Opening Day was nothing like I anticipated, starting with the fact that not only was I not in the stands... no one was in the stands. The game was aired on ESPN and ooh boy - I've never seen a group of commentators so biased for one team as opposed to the other - you'd have thought only the Yankees were playing. *eye roll*

The Nationals beloved Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 hours before the first pitch, ESPN aired a Taco Bell commercial instead of showing the raising on the Nationals World Series banner and the National Anthem and in true 2020 fashion, around the sixth inning the heavens opened up and poured out their fury, causing a rain delay and eventually for the game to be called. *sigh* 59 games to go....

Three. After the Rain - The weather this week has been all kinds of wild! The temperatures have hovered at over 90 degrees until afternoon storms move through, bringing torrential downpours, thunder and whipping winds... and blessedly, they cool things off a little bit.

Wednesday evening after the downpours had passed, I looked outside and spotted a big rainbow arcing across the skies. The picture isn't the best - but I love seeing any rainbow and can't ever resist snapping a picture!

Four. The Shrinking Continues - My commitment to Weight Watchers is continuing to pay dividends on an almost weekly basis. I had to divest my closet of some clothes that no longer fit last weekend and also discovered some clothes that I haven't worn in a while - that now fit perfectly!

I've got big plans to keep on pressing on with it - so who knows what I might look like by the end of the year?

Five. Weekend Plans - Oh man, I don't know what my weekend plans are! I know I'll be returning a bathing suit to Target and also buying plenty of dental floss after a less than fabulous visit to the dentist today. *sigh* Otherwise, only time will tell what I might get up on the final weekend (final full weekend I suppose) of July!

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Y'all have a good weekend! I am going to do my best to enjoy my weekend as it unfolds! 

Opening Day 2020

Well - it's about three months later than originally planned and no one (sadly not me) will be sitting in the stands for the game - but it's the Opening Day of the 2020 season of Major League Baseball! 

The 2020 season was originally planned to open on April 2nd, 2020 and I had tickets to be in the stands at Nationals Park to watch the game and see the World Series Champion banner and pennant be raised in Nationals Park. Alas - as is the story for almost any plans that have been ruined in 2020 - the Coronavirus raised it's head and threw everyone's plans into the absolute maelstrom that has been 2020.

I've seen dialogue back and forth on Twitter, Instagram... all the social media platforms that insinuate (or say outright) that for a person to be glad to see baseball on their TV again given the uncertain times we are living in makes you a terrible human. I do wonder about the safety of it all but then again, my opinion on the 2020 season and whether or not it should happen was never going to sway that decision anyway - so I've decided not to feel bad about being excited to see my Nationals in action again.

This season will certainly be a unique one - there are only 60 games in the "regular" season (there are normally 162) so it will be a race to the finish from the very start and every game will matter. There are some rules changes - the DH in both leagues, starting extra innings with a runner on second - to name a few and the fact that these games will be played in empty stadiums - it all makes for a very singular baseball season. 

The Nationals will play their inter-league rivals (the Braves, Marlins, Mets and Phillies) for most of their games and add in games with teams along the East Coast to fill in the rest (the Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays and Blue Jays) - like I said - extremely unique. It will certainly be a historic season, in more ways than one.

And I'll be watching and enjoying seeing my World Series Nationals defend their title, stomp the mound, make diving catches and smash home runs... in empty stadiums with face masks instead of fans. I'll be watching and looking forward to the 2021 season with hope in my heart. 

Watson Wednesday

I'm pretty sure I shared this picture on Monday but I couldn't resist sharing it again because I just love his little crossed paws and sweet face.

Sunset Things

If that sad little discarded face mask that I found on the lawn outside my office on Friday morning isn't a sign of the times... I don't know what is. I watched that pitiful little blue face mask float around the grass outside my office all day on Friday and I suppose that one of the maintenance people cleaned it up over the weekend. The work day on Friday was calm and I was headed for home shortly after 3:00.

Actually - I met my Mom at Home Goods first and finally found a mint green pillow that works perfectly in my bedroom! After that I headed home, chatted with my sister for a little while and then headed off to Regions 117 for dinner - which was divine! I don't know that I've ever had a meal at Regions that wasn't so very tasty and Friday night's Corn Chowder, Turkey Wrap and Sweet Potato Wedges were just divine!

There were several deer out and about in the community on Friday night - I couldn't resist snapping a shot of one of them, who so kindly looked up just in time for his photo! The rest of the evening was pretty chill - I got into some walking even though it was absolutely blazing outside, took a nice bubble bath and just enjoyed relaxing for the rest of the evening. 

Saturday morning arrived bright and very, very warm... July is definitely making itself known and I've never wished for a friend with a pool more than I have in the last few weeks, ha-ha! I spent a good chunk of the morning having breakfast, going through my closet and parting ways with some clothes that are now too big and getting in my exercise. Around lunch time, a very special package arrived - an early birthday present of sorts!

  

 

The Washington Nationals put out a set of six bobble heads commemorating the World Series win - there were 100 sets of the bobbles and I caught wind of them via Twitter back in May. Well, my parents purchased me a set as a birthday gift and they arrived on Saturday! I very carefully opened the box and pulled each bobble out reverently... and I spent even longer opening each one, inspecting it carefully and noting that my set was number 39 of 100. I've found each one a home in my beautiful Washington Nationals collection and I'll cherish them for years to come!

I spent a chunk of the afternoon sitting on the deck, soaking up the sunshine in an attempt to get a little bit of color. I was coated in sunscreen and thankfully had a little spritzer bottle but man - it was warm! I did get to spend plenty of time reading in the sunshine and between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, I finished The Hamilton Affair!

 

We had dinner at a nearby favorite - Paladin - and while there, saw upfront how many people seem to have real issues with wearing a face mask. *sigh* The restaurant had a sign that asked that no one enter without a face mask and multiple people did just that... including one gentleman who came in and said "You're not serious about the face mask, are you?" *face palm* I don't understand people - what I do understand is that my Broccoli Cheddar soup was divine and I absolutely enjoyed every bite!

After dinner, we decided to head into the National Park to watch the sunset - a favorite thing of mine. We hadn't thought about how many people would also be flocking into the park to try and see the Neowise Comet but ooh man - there were quite a few! Thankfully we made it to the Dickey Ridge Visitor's Center with it's wide lawn overlooking the Shenandoah Valley and we were able to watch the sun slowly sink behind the peaks!

 

 

People continued to arrive as the sun sank lower and lower - some of them even brought high powered telescopes but as the sun set, the sky clouded over and I don't think there was much of a chance to view the comet. We headed home and I ended up crawling into bed right at 10 o'clock because my head was killing me. 

Sunday was another warm day and after church, lunch out and a quick Wal-Mart stop, it was home once again where I whipped up a Key Lime Pie for a Sunday evening get together and then headed back out to the deck to sit in the sunshine again! After a quick dinner and a chat with my younger sister, I gathered up my pie and headed to my friend Tammy's house for a group get together to have Praise & Worship and also just some girl time!

It was such a good weekend and I'm already looking forward to the next one - in just five short days! Y'all enjoy your week as you look forward to the weekend; that's what I'll be doing!