Four days of sunshine, sneezing and something new coming up out of the ground every morning.
I looked out the back door Sunday morning and there they were. Four peonies, unfurling themselves out of the pine straw as if they could not wait to put on their yearly show. Every single day now something new is pushing up out of the ground after its long winter’s nap — and every single day my eyes are itchy and watery, at least for the foreseeable future. Beautiful but itchy. That was the weekend in three words.
Friday was cocktails with friends but an early night — I was tired from the week and not sorry about going home and getting to bed early. Saturday started gray and ended sunny, which is the best possible version of a Saturday in my opinion. My sister and I did a little antique shopping in the morning. I came home empty-handed, or so I thought — and then remembered the antique books and the beautiful old dictionary with the colorful illustrations. So not entirely empty-handed. Whether I needed to add any more books to the collection is another question entirely. There may need to be a new rule. One book in, one book out.
In the afternoon Bill and I worked on a few house projects and then took a long bike ride — only my second since I took a tumble last year. Saturday night a thunderstorm lit up the sky. I watched it from bed while everyone else slept. By Sunday morning the garden had perked up significantly, everything green, standing tall and lush. Hence the four peonies.
Sunday we went to church, came home, had a hot chocolate, read a few chapters and then headed to the pool. Bill drove. I walked — not too hot, perfect really, past my favorite houses including the one we almost bought, past flowering trees and the most beautiful red and fuchsia tulips. While I walked I had my weekly call with my dad.
My dad turns 86 this year and he is one of my favorite people on the planet. He still plays softball every spring and summer, and this week he filled me in on the training schedule, the pool league and the general state of the world. I am quite sure that if the two of us had a wider audience we could sort out several of the world’s problems. We are working on it one phone call and one issue at a time. At least we can make a difference in our own little world.
On the blog Friday I shared our landscape plans for the circle — five years of deer salad and we have finally called in a professional. If you missed it, go have a read.
This weekend I finished French Dirt by Richard Goodman — the story of a New Yorker who rents a stone house in a small village near Nimes for a year, laces up his work boots and earns his place among the French farmers one vegetable plot at a time. If you love France and gardens and the feeling of belonging somewhere, you will love this book.
And if you are looking for something to watch with approximately eighty-seven episodes ahead of you — I discovered Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace, you can watch all of the episodes with subtitles. I was enchanted by Story of Yanxi Palace a couple of years ago and this is its companion piece — the same Qing dynasty court, the same breathtaking costumes, but this time through the eyes of the step empress Ruyi as she navigates a marriage to the emperor and being part of a harem. I am completely invested in the ups and downs of life at court and not coming up for air anytime soon, or out from under the covers where I watch it at night so I don’t wake Bill or the dogs.
A little window shopping this week too — a few things found their way into my cart. This gorgeous linen dress, a classic shape that can be worn to the pool, out to lunch, at home and dressed up for dinner. If prints are not your thing it comes in many beautiful solid colors, I love the green and the fuchsia. All you need is a pair of sandals, tennis shoes, or flats, a bag and your favorite jewelry. If it is still a little chilly, be sure to take a cardigan.
Outfit Details
If you missed it, I joined Kim and Juliet for Weekend Meanderings — go say hello. Juliet shared a Creekside Folly update and Kim shared a family trip to Carmel.
What was the best part of your weekend? Tell me in the comments — I always love to know.
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Monday Musings No. 212| The Dawn Chorus
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I love hearing about your conversations with your dad….makes me miss my own sweet daddy who was the best kind of father for me. I always appreciate your blog posts and the variety of content you provided.
Thanks!
Thank you Paula! My dad is one of a kind, as all dads are. We have the best conversations, we share recipes, talk politics, and of course I love hearing about all of his activities. I hope that you have a wonderful day and I appreciate you reading the posts.
Hi Elizabeth,
On my desk top computer so my response does not automatically just disappear into cyber space.
I read your blog this morning and my takeaway is how very fortunate you are to have both of your parents alive. Your father sounds like he is a remarkable person. He looks after himself and therefore is in harmony. Wow you must be so happy for him. I especially that you take the time to connect with him every Sunday. Keeping the connection is highly important. Some times family forgets to do that. Sad right, I guess being so super busy and working gets you into the “time thief” stress
bucket routine of being.
Have a lovely day and week if you don’t hear back from me. I’m booked this whole week.
Pataday might help the itchy eyes (from allergies). It helps me
Coralie, thank you! I have not hear of this I will get some ASAP. Have a wonderful week.