[sundaysaddle]

♥ ♠ ♣ ♦ ─── 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄; 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 !

ᴅᴇᴘᴇɴᴅᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʙᴇᴀʀᴄʀᴇᴇᴋꜰᴍ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʙʀᴇᴇ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀɪɴɢ;

𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧 ╱ she/her. forty-six. VP of brand @ callahan outfitters. minka kelly. ➥ ☆ intro. ☆ musings. ☆ instagram. ☆ pinterest. ☆ threads.

[jackiesprice]

Minka Kelly for The New York Times

[cinematogrphy]

raleigh laughed at savannah’s bluntness as he took the book back from her and ran his finger along the faintly creased surface of the spine. honestly, her frank opinion was refreshing and he loved nothing more than hearing differing views on classic novels.

“i wouldn’t have missed it if you hadn’t given it back to me,” he then said. “it’s one of those books i like getting people to read just to see their reactions. ‘a clockwork orange’ is very marmite, isn’t it? you either love it or you hate it… what was it that you didn’t like?”

[sundaysaddle]

"trust me, i had to. i was going crazy just staring at it on my nightstand." apart from the fact that when she said she would do something, she did it, the book had truly begun haunting her. perhaps it had been an overzealous attempt at getting back into reading considering the sunday newspaper had been the extent of it for her for years now.

"marmite, a great word for it. confusing too considering i had to start writing the slang words down just to keep up." she'd eventually got the hang of it. "aside from it being a tough read, the violence was a bit jarring. made me stop and think about how similar the real world is rather than pull me out of it. i suppose it was a great book if that was the author's objective." she shrugged. good or bad, anthony burgess had done a fantastic job at evoking raw emotion. "i do plan on having you over to give the film adaptation a try. be prepared for an endless string of questions."

[menalore]

With a nod, Filomena moved to her fridge to retrieve the bottle she’d placed there only hours earlier. She wasn’t the biggest wine drinker, yet now naturally - after having spent the last two decades in Savannah’s orbit - there was always a bottle within reach. “  No worries. There wasn't a need.  ” she assured, waving the brunette’s concern off as she poured them each a chilled glass. In all fairness, there wasn’t much that she didn’t have in the house. Though she did her best to live moderately humble after moving out of their once shared home, Mena immediately hired a helper to keep her house orderly. It was hard enough having to transition into a single parent household but if she had to add in cleaning, gardening, cooking, and doing the groceries on top of everything else, Mena was sure she’d have returned to Savannah’s doorsteps by week's end. 

The comment made her brows raise in confusion before she took a glance around her house. It was alright. Nothing too homely beyond the items they’d once shared. The rest all came from an interior designer… Perhaps living humbly was an overstatement. “  Thanks.  ” she said drily, before moving her glass up to cling. Mena didn’t want to address the house, or any changes that came with their separation. Instead, she moved the bottle of wine between them, hoping to distract Savannah with it. “  I had this one shipped from Italy two months ago. Apparently it's over 20 years old. Made in a small farm in Montepulciano.  ”

[sundaysaddle]

once their daughter had completely disappeared down the hallway to her room, savannah's eyes shamelessly found mena as she reached into the fridge. slowly, almost as if in a trance, she made her way closer to the island in the kitchen. there were these brief, fleeting moments, like this one, where she felt like nothing at all had changed. she loved and loathed them all at once. "never a need but we —" used to judge the hell out of people who would show up to dinners empty handed. for no other reason than the fact that it was the polite thing to do. "nevermind." because there was no we now. it was one of the hardest adjustments she'd had to make considering up until last year, anything they did, they did together.

the comment being brushed off was all she needed to know not to push the subject. filomena had never been a fan of small talk, at least not with her. instead, she brought her own glass up to mena's, a small smile tugging at her lips at the clink of their glasses. "montepulciano." she repeated, punctuating every syllable. "sounds expensive, i'm honored you're willing to share!" delicious and perfectly chilled too she remarked after taking a sip. savannah wasn't so much a wine snob as she was an avid wine drinker, but she did appreciate a vintage italian red more than most. she pulled the bottle closer, taking a proper look at the label. "look at you importing the finest stuff. long gone are the boxed wine days, huh? you should stop by the house and grab the spare wine cooler from the basement, it's not being used."

[cabinlights]

“I’m kinda in the mood for some pizza.” She said with a small nod as she took the last sip of coffee from her cup before throwing the cup into the trash and walking over to get out of the others way. “I’m ready when you are.” She said with a small smile before looking over at her sweetly.

[sundaysaddle]

reaching for the door with her free hand, she held it open for amani, stepping out just behind her. "works for me! i should warn you, though, i'm one of those 'pineapple belongs on pizza' kind of people. so we may have to each get our own." she laughed, a controversial topping to most but savannah's fave. always ready to argue with anyone who dared to say it didn't belong, she let a beat pass to hear amani's take. "have you ever been? their wood-fire oven will put every other place around town to shame."

[namtan]

FORBIDDEN FRUITS 2026 | dir. Meredith Alloway

[sundaysaddle]

"as promised!" savannah handed him his copy of a clockwork orange. "i have to be honest, though. i kind of hated it." an unpopular opinion for sure but she'd given it two honest attempts which was partly why it had taken her so long to return it. / @cinematogrphy

[sundaysaddle]

"alright, let me have it!" she says, pulling up her recent photos to show genevieve the current state of her rose bushes. "what am i doing wrong? overwatering? under? not talking to them enough?" / @cabinlights

[sundaysaddle]

"soaking up the last few weeks of freedom, are we?" she falls into step beside matthew almost immediately. the crowds of bear creek had yet to poke their heads out leaving the streets unusually quiet. it was arguably her favorite time of day. / @aevumfm

[menalore]

location: Mena's place written for: @sundaysaddle

It didn’t matter how long she’d been living off on her own, separated officially - both in papers and abode - Mena couldn’t get over how odd it was having Sav over for dinner. She tried her best to keep their weekly dinners at the other residence. Finding it easier since it was the place they’d all called home for so long now, but sooner or later she had to make do with the separation. Beyond simply going home at the end of the night. But inviting her ex wife to her new ‘home’ was harder to navigate than she cared to admit. “  Hey,  ” she called out, as Sav and Willa entered the room. “  Why don’t you go wash up, babe.  ” Mena spoke to their daughter, offering a smile and a quick kiss on the teenager’s head before turning her attention to Savannah. “  Care for some wine?  ” Though, she was more than happy to pour herself a glass of whatever blasted liquor resided in her pantry. 

[sundaysaddle]

walking into mena's home felt surreal. such an unfamiliar place, filled with items she recognized all too well. items that were now missing from her own house, once theirs, that she hadn't yet dared to replace, no matter how unfinished it made the place feel. "hey. sorry we're late, you can blame this one." she replied, tilting her head. a tight lipped smile formed as filomena approached them and embraced their daughter, while a quiet ache stirred inside her. she'd thought this thing they were doing, these weekly dinners to keep some sense of normalcy in willa's life, would get easier. it hadn't. not so far.

"wine. yes, please." and lots of it if she was going to have to pretend like everything was fine. "i didn't know if i should bring something. i feel kind of silly coming over empty handed." then again, maybe a gift would've been a bit much, all things considered. "you've really settled in here."

[porchl1ghts]

once upon a time, camila was a city girl – she still thinks she is a city girl at heart, but there was a time in which she would only fall asleep to the loud ruckus of the streets. it's enough to say that has passed. while she does still enjoy a bustling place, she's grown accostumed to the quiet of the countryside in the evenings, enough that she basks in it tonight, comfy on her rocking chair at the porch. still, she is not disturbed by the appearance of another – if anything, the sight of the golf cart is enough to make her brows furrow a little as her lips turn upwards in amusement. savannah is a character. "i probably shouldn't offer you my lap, right?" it's all good teasing, because her flirting is harmless to anyone but her wife, but camila stands up, waving the other in to sit on the porch swing instead. "it's a fresh night, but we can hop in if it becomes chillier. i saved your blankets from the last time you were here and they're all sweet smelling and folded and everything." the taller woman's arm goes around the other's, giving the shoulder a squeeze. "what is it that you brought this time? i'm hoping not franzia."

[sundaysaddle]

"didn't wanna take my truck on the very likely chance i'd have to leave it here tonight." she says, motioning to the golf cart. because of course she noticed the woman's furrowed brows, instantly bringing a wider smile to her face. cami always had a way of putting her at ease, and sav was willing to bet the same went for a lot of others. genuinely good people like camila were hard to come by. "hmm, i wouldn't unless you're actually prepared for me to take you up on it, it's been far too long." far too long without any sort of human touch, save the occasional hug from her teenager daughter when she didn't think she was 'too cool'. consequences of her own actions.

savannah wastes no time making it up the steps and onto the swing, slumping down as if she hadn't had a chance to sit all day. leaning into camila's arm, she lets out a light sigh of pure contentment. "fresh and folded blankets too? you've gotta stop being such a generous host or else you'll never get rid of me." and she spent enough time there as it was. "that was one time. i was in a hurry and you still haven't let me live it down. don't worry, lesson learned." a laugh as she faces one of the labels toward camila. "still, nothing super fancy. meiomi pinot noir. minus the corkscrew and glasses, that's on you."

[cabinlights]

“I mean if you’re free right now than I can make time for you.” She said with a small nod as she looked over at you with a smirk. “Pick a place and will go and grab a bite and catch up.” She said with a small nod and took another huge gulp of her coffee. “What’s your favorite place to eat around town.”? She asked softly.

[sundaysaddle]

savannah nodded to the barista with a quick thank you as he placed her coffee down on the counter, eyes drifting toward the clock on the wall. "okay, sure. why not? i have about two hours before my next meeting, that should give us enough time, yeah?." not that she couldn't push it back if lunch ran a little long, she'd been the one to schedule the meeting after all. "goldhorn is a little out of the way but there's a cute pizzeria around the corner if that's your sort of thing?" finally taking a sip, sav began leading the way. "or have you been to the diner up the road? one of the only places in bear creek that serves breakfast all day."

[katlangston]

Kat's days were usually filled, but when someone said it was urgent, Kat made time, adding the appointment to the end of her afternoon, even if it meant working into the sunset. Right now she'd be grateful for the sun to go down, but that was still a ways off. Taking the glass, there was no hesitation in taking a long drink, Kat setting it down on top of the tie-up post. "Well, there's no heat in the foot." Heat being a typical indicator of something suspicious going on. "Better safe than sorry." She didn't mind fitting in the appointment. "The heat doesn't stop the work coming in." Horses still needed their maintenance whatever the weather. "What about you?" Kat asked, glancing at Savannah as she moved around the mare to get started on the other leg.

[sundaysaddle]

after spending the better part of the morning worrying, savannah's shoulders dropped as an immediate sense of relief washed over her at kat mentioning there was no major underlying issue. the thought alone of breaking the news to her daughter had her stressed beyond belief. "best news i've had all day! i think moving forward i'm just gonna schedule a monthly shoe change with you, can't keep relying on the men around here." she said with a laugh. because kat was right, better safe than sorry. and savannah had come close to sorry one too many times. "if anything, the heat probably has you working twice as much with the faster hoof growth and all. can i do anything to help? or get you anything else?" sav walked around to the other side, admiring how kat worked with ease while giving her enough space to do so. "it's been pretty nonstop. though i feel like most of my time is spent doing the work of others rather than my own. we're currently in the middle of planning an end of summer barbecue at the shop in a couple of weeks. you should stop by if you're not working. tons of storewide sales, hell, might even be free for you as a thank you."

[sotohpecnerefer]

Minka Kelly

[porchl1ghts]

@sundaysaddle

camila: I saw Willa yesterday and how has she grown so big?!

[sundaysaddle]

savannah: oh i know 😭 she'll be towering over me soon enough savannah: don't get me started on the attitude savannah: time really is a thief, i swear jasmine was babysitting her just yesterday savannah: please tell me it gets easier!!

[cabinlights]

“It’s great to see you too, darlin.” She said with a nod as she took a sip of her coffee. “I was wondering if you were free sometime maybe we could get lunch together or something if you’re up for it, if not I totally understand if you’re too busy.” She said with a nod before smiling sweetly.

[sundaysaddle]

she let out a light, self-deprecating laugh, too busy was really all savannah knew how to be. and over the years, that had come to cost her quite a lot. the question of lunch certainly wasn't unwelcome. if anything, it served as a lovely little reminder to slow down and make time for both herself and her friends. "i would love that." she finally agreed, "we're definitely due for a catch up and a good meal." a proper sit down meal and not one of those microwaveable ones savannah seemed to be living on lately. "pick a time and place and i'll set myself a little reminder.. unless you meant right now?"

[sundaysaddle]

closed for @porchl1ghts

location: huang-ramos residence

no matter how much time passed, nights alone never seemed to get much easier. sure some were more bearable than others, like when she'd finally found a good show to binge watch or one's where she was simply too busy to truly acknowledge the empty house. tonight wasn't one of those. after fishing through her cellar for reds she knew camila would enjoy, savannah hopped into her golf cart and made her way down the familiar stretch of aspen glen to the one place she knew she could always count on for the perfect kind of company. the kind that never failed to bring her comfort, distracting her from the harsher realities waiting back at home. "you got room for one more up there? i brought the wine." savannah lifted both bottles, mustering the best smile she could for cami, who was cozied up on her porch as though she'd been expecting her all along.