The Month that Was: July 2017
Looking back at first I thought that not much happened in July. I stayed close to home, didn’t do a lot. But really, thinking back, quite a bit happened. None of it big or super exciting but little things add up.
It was a month of crepe myrtles and sunflowers and cicadas and sitting on the porch and complaining of the heat and driving around Virginia.
Around the house I painted my dining room pink, flamingo feather to be exact. I’m not sure that it will stand the test of time but for now it’s kind of fun. And it looks good with my houseplants.
I’m fostering a kitten that will eventually go live with Caleigh. She’s a tortoiseshell, very crazy and very adorable. Caleigh is naming her Nellie but I call her Ruby.
We closed on my father’s house. It’s a bittersweet pill to swallow. I’m glad not to have to be responsible for it anymore, I’m glad that all of the cleaning and the repairs and the upkeep are not mine to deal with but it’s another piece of my father that is gone forever. Each step forward requires losing another piece of him. Death is a bitch.
I like to pretend that I don’t watch much TV but I must say that I am so happy that Game of Thrones returned to the airwaves in July (oh how I missed Jon Snow). Fear the Walking Dead, Orphan Black, The Great British Baking Show and The Mist also all kept my attention (though The Mist is turning out to be addictively bad).
During the month of July I read three books, bringing my 2017 total up to 20 books! I set a goal for 2017 to read 15 books so I’m kind of amazed with myself.
Arrowood by Laura McHugh.
American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse.
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon
I visited Caleigh’s new apartment (adorable) in The Fan and we ate lunch at Garnett’s. The cheese plate, always the cheese plate, with three cheeses, strawberry coulis, spicy walnuts and toasted crostini. So good! A Farmers Salad with romaine, apple, cheddar, bacon and sesame dressing. And a slice of pie with crumble split between us to finish it off. I could eat at Garnett’s every day.
I went up to Fredericksburg for an afternoon to see Madison’s new house at UMW, walked around historic downtown, stopped in Eileen’s Bakery and Café (an old church, now a bakery, so cute!) for a Pecan Marzipan Cheese Danish. We ate lunch nearby at The Mason Dixon Café. Deviled eggs for an appetizer and the Jive Turkey (makes me think of WKRP in Cincinnati) for my meal. Grilled Turkey with Provolone, Stuffing and Cranberry Relish on a grilled Croissant.
Zach and I drove down to Norfolk for a funeral mid-month and walked down memory lane in Winona. Everything seems smaller there than when I was a teenager but still the same in many ways too. Ate lunch in Ghent at Cogan’s Pizza where I had the Wild Mushroom Artisan Pizza (pretty good but too many scallions).
Also made a drive up to the Northern Neck to do some yardwork at the cottage that hopefully will sell soon, again with Zach. Took the two car Sunnybank ferry across the Little Wicomico River just for fun. On the way back we stopped in Tappahannock for lunch at Northern Neck Burgers. Super slow service but the food was good. I had the Chicken Sandwich with Applewood-Smoked Bacon and Pimento Cheese and a side of Boring French Fries.
Closer to home, literally in my neighborhood, I ordered carryout from The Mill (I love their food but not a fan of the cramped dining area). Got the Turkey Blue Plate which was like Sunday dinner memories on a plate…roasted pulled turkey breast with mushroom gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes & vegetable of the day (green beans on that particular day). I finished it off with a slice of key lime pie. Heaven!
Also in the neighborhood Zach and I stopped by to see Jordan at Stir Crazy Cafe and have lunch. I had the Stanhope Panini … Mozzarella, spinach and sun dried tomato relish with chips. A nice light lunch.
Considering my usual fare is either eating at home or the occasional visit to Panera or Chick Fil A or a Domino’s pizza I actually ate some tasty food last month,
Even with all of that good eating – or maybe because of it – I went to the gym consistently all month, met with my trainer Millie (she’s the best) and got caught up with some past due health screenings. Making all kinds of efforts to be a healthier person.
So July is done, hello to August. Summer is my least favorite time of year so I’m happy to be midway through it.
tangentwithtanner
prguitarman
