What Has Everybody Been Up To?

Sooooo... what is up? What's the 411? What has everybody been up to? What's the hot gossip? Tell me everything. What have you guys been listening to? What are the cool jams?

(God bless Mrs. George.)

HEELLLLLOOOOO, friends! I was kind of planning on never blogging again, but then I had a moment today where I really missed writing on here, so I guess that means my hiatus is over. Kind of. That, and everyone is going back to school this week. Even though summer isn't technically over until September 22, but whatever.

I guess I will address Mrs. George's list of questions, because it is actually a really good one.

Ready? Okay, me too. Here it goes...

What is up?

I just woke up from a nap, so that's always good news. Matt just made homemade brownies, so that's exceptionally terrific news. We also planted a small vegetable garden! My little plantlings are my other children now. Really though—those things are needy! But I thoroughly love and enjoy the world of gardening. Add it to my resume!

What's the 411?

I have this really sexy illness called sinobronchitis right now. There is also a friendly ear infection to go along with it. How's that for a fine howdy doody? Luckily, it will be saying adios soon, now that I possess an artillery of antibiotics, heavy-duty cough syrup, and an inhaler. I'm one humidifier and food allergy away from becoming Walter in Sleepless in Seattle. Where's the Kleenex?!

What has everybody been up to?

We've just been hanging out enjoying our summer, alternating our time between the pool and the beach. I've been working on getting The Butter Half on her feet. Are you following it? Is your sister, your mother, your brother following it? You all should be. It's my fantastically punny food blog and Instagram, and I have to admit, my pun game is getting stronger by the week.

We spent a few weeks in Utah at my parents' house, in Idaho at my sister's farm, then we journeyed to Arizona to visit my other sister and her family for my nephew's baptism. We are headed to Chicago in a few weeks to see Matt's parents! Good thing we live so far away from everyone—it gives us an excuse to travel around the US.

I am especially excited to go to Chicago. I love the Midwest. Mostly from what I see on all of those "hip and dreamy" Instagram accounts. ;) I am 37% serious. I have learned that when I see a home with sturdy bones and open windows, blanketed in neutrals with wooden accessories and baskets everywhere, accompanied by a sprawling, lush, green backyard, they almost certainly live in the Midwest. My intuition hasn't failed me yet. It's usually the trees and the tire swing that give it away.

I am one of those creeps who has no shame in looking to see how people decorate their homes when their windows are open and all the lights are on at night. Clearly, I love a good home inspo Insta. Does that make me slightly voyeuristic or simply human?

What's the hot gossip?

I read somewhere that the reason people love reality TV so much is because they lack a certain amount of drama in their lives. Thus the need to fill that ghastly void with junk à la the Duggars. (I'm looking at you, Josh.)

Have you been watching Bachelor in Paradise? That's where I draw the line, but I respect your decisions to watch it if you do.

What I really came here to say was have you heard about The Notebook TV series?! The CW has it in the works. At first I was appalled and stubbornly adhering to my purist principles. How can you touch the Holy Grail of romantic movies?! Ryan and Rachel FOREVER! But it's my kryptonite, those sappy, crappy shows. ESPECIALLY if it's on The CW. (I'm looking at you, Gossip Girl.) Apparently I will forever remain in the mental capacity of a fangirling teenager if we are analyzing my references to movies and TV shows. Although, I still don't understand how Tumblr and Snapchat work, so I guess there is hope for me after all.

What have you guys been listening to?

Classical music. It's the only thing that holds the miraculous capacity to take everyone from psychotic screaming to sleeping soundly in their carseats. In under five minutes. You should try it sometime!

I am also on this music documentary kick on Netflix right now, so my playlists are a mishmash of the music from those. A little Jimi, a dash of Mick, a lot of Aretha, and a newly-found love for The Staves, no matter how old news or cringeworthy the hipster affiliation is with that one. Stay tuned for the Netflix round up this Friday!



What are the cool jams?

Race to Erase by Son Lux. Have you watched The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby? OH. MY. BEATING. HEART. That movie chewed my heart up and spit it right back out, in the best way possible. Too many emotions to express. Just watch it. And that song! The tingles in my chest were uncontrollable and my eyes welled up with tears the first time I listened to it. That's the best kind of music. For the record, Son Lux hits it out of the park.

In conclusion, it is painfully obvious my life's passions, aside from my children, husband and random hobbies I latch onto every six weeks, are movies and television. I feel as though I have never wanted the term "couch potato" to be attached to my reputation, but I am trying this thing where I embrace all of my idiosyncrasies and proudly admit them. Wait, am I finally growing up? I can taste the irony here. And I kinda, really like it.