Too busy livin’.
Hey, heard you missed me; I’m back! What a week I had. Ready for some show’n'tell about my Memorial Day weekend?
Last week I went to the historic town of Woodstock in northern Illinois with my friend Becky. We were there to experiment with our cameras and recharge our artistic batteries.
Woodstock is the setting for the movie “Groundhog Day” and has wonderful ornate buildings over a century old. We had crepes and braised fiddlehead ferns for lunch, and came home sunburnt with full camera memory cards.
Friday night was a party for our friend’s daughter, who just graduated from the University of Illinois. I’ve known her since she was about six, and Joe and I used to be her Sunday school and youth group leaders, so it was a perfect moment for me to sing another teary refrain of “Sunrise, Sunset”. Instead, I sang “Me and Bobby McGee” on their karaoke Wii, and watched endless rounds of Guitar Hero.
Memorial Day weekend means…our annual BBQ! I have been known to get a little out of control when I have guests coming. In fact, I’ve been known to go buy furniture, repaint entire rooms in one day, or build new additions to the house, while snarling at the Big Guy, WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVE MEETINGS ALL DAY? THESE ARE YOUR FRIENDS THAT ARE COMING OVER!
Heh, heh. This time Joe and I made a SOLEMN promise that I would not go insane about the house and he would not overschedule his weekend, regardless of how many fun ministry opportunities or business meetings cropped up. Which is why I moved the entire herb garden to a new patch near the house, dug up the dead roses and planted a new tomato garden, planted vegetables and got Joe to put a theoretically rabbit-proof fence around my sprouting lettuces, and planted the annuals that I got for Mother’s Day. Oh yeah, I did some weeding, too. And shampooed the carpets. And cleaned the house. I mean, look at this place. This is why I need a maid.
In case you’re interested, the new herb garden contains lavender, bee balm, rosemary, thyme, parsley, cilantro, sage, oregano, tarragon, basil, and mint.
In return, Joe kept his promise by volunteering us to sing in the worship band on a float for the city Memorial Day parade. This was a great chance for him to play his bass, which he rarely allows himself to do, so honestly I was all for it. In all, we had a ton of fun although it’s hard to stand still and sing well while the truck turned corners! It was especially fun to see people in the crowd singing along with us.
We were hoping for a sunny afternoon because we expected 20-30 friends for our BBQ, which would only work in our little house if everyone stood still and made no arm movements. Like a big flock of penguins, for instance. We got all the sun we wanted, though. My Caribbean rum punch and a game called “ladderball” were the big hits of the weekend. Along with Joe’s cooking, of course. I’m one lucky woman.
Published by angelawd on May 29th, 2008 tagged Joyful living
May 29th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
That is hysterically funny! Nice job with your promises not to go overboard or schedule too much. hehehe!!!
Sounds like a fun weekend.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hope the party turned out well. Your kitchen looks like mine - thank you. I love your photo and I must admit that you still look cute even when you’re yelling.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Well I am sure glad you didn’t go crazy and reroof your house!
So you sing in the Praise Band?
I love herb gardens, what is bee balm for?
May 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
@josie, you can tell I keep my promises!
@motherwise, it was definitely a fun party. Cute when I’m yelling? Hm, I wonder if my husband thinks so?
@robin, I didn’t even think about the roof! Darn! I do sing in a praise band - at two churches (see, I do go overboard). Bee balm is good for iced or hot tea and is supposed to be good for your digestion. My bee balm had red flowers and the leaves smell similar to mint. Bees and hummingbirds love it, too.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I forgot to mention we also have chives, chamomile, and garlic, but these are planted in separate beds. Now I just need a marjoram and I’m all set (yum!).
May 31st, 2008 at 12:24 am
Awesome herb garden!
You sound like me with the “Party Prep”.
I sometimes schedule an event just so I can get projects done!
Blessings, EJT