♫ “We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev’rybody and sing” ♫
I’m hoping based on my title and the Sister Sledge number, you’ve got an idea where I’m going with this post.
In case it isn’t apparent though (sometimes, although this is rare, I’m not as clever as I think I am), I’ve been hanging with family for the last week or so. My brother and sister-in-law are in town from Las Vegas….cue new music… ♫ “Viva las vegas, viva las vegas.” ♫ Maybe’s today’s post should be a musical number instead; we could pretend we’re the Von Trapp family, singing for our lives or something a little less dramatic.
Singing or not, I’ve been spending a whole of together time with all my in-laws because when one comes, the rest tend to follow. It doesn’t hurt there was a holiday in the mix either, which means the last seven days have been a solid conglomeration of family activities and wine. Despite the slow sobs emanating from my liver, I’ve had a great time hanging with all my in-laws, so much so I want to recap our comings and goings for all of you….in list form because well, lists make me happy.
Let’s get listing:
- I ate lunch out, twice. The second time I had an amazing veggie quesadilla topped with crème fraîche. Anything topped with crème fraîche is a winner in my book.
- I snacked my way through picnic dinners three nights in a row. It’s a rough job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Here’s plate one of I don’t even know how many.
Where’d those chocolate covered pretzels come from? Oh wait, I put them there, and then I got more later.
- I had an impromptu fourth of July gathering at my house, after the fireworks were over. My spontaneous party lasted until 1:30 in the morning, which made working Friday really tough. It also made typing Friday’s CSA post even tougher. You know how I feel about my CSA though, so skipping it wasn’t an option. ♫” I did it all for the nookie.” ♫ Oops, I mean ♫ “I did it all for the veggies.” ♫ I’d do it for the nookie too. 😉
- On Friday night, I went to Blossom Music Festival and listened to the Cleveland Orchestra play, while snacking on one of our said picnic dinners. Picnics for dinner rock. So does live music.
Photo cred for this lovely number goes to my sister-in-law.
- I went to another family fourth of July party on Saturday; this time a scheduled event. I brought a ginormous salad, which will be revealed in my next CSA post, so you’ll just have to come back on Friday to see it. I’ll try and make it worth your while.
- I visited Norwalk, Ohio to see my uncle-in-law get named as pastor of a church. I’m not gonna lie; it’s been awhile since I’ve been to a traditional Catholic mass (Shh, don’t tell) and I didn’t realize they changed all the responses. I was totally busted.
- My sister-in-law wanted to learn how to make a flaky pie crust, so I taught her.
- I watched Django Unchained; absolutely not family appropriate but fabulous and ridiculously funny nonetheless. A true Tarantino through and through.
- I chopped off all my hair (again) and went blonde (again).
- Last but certainly not least, I took my introverted ass (not to be confused with my no-ass) and spent Sunday afternoon curled up in my own little corner, soaking up the silence whilst freezing blueberries. Freezing food makes me happy. Freezing blueberries makes me ridiculously happy.
Before I turn things over to all of you, I have to give a special shout out to my sister-in-law, a regular reader, for “getting” me. Without saying anything, she knows just when to step in and how to handle things and also when to back away and let my neurosis take over, which is no easy task when dealing with a self-diagnosed OCD, list lover. What can I say? I’m a ball of controlled fun. Plus, I make pie.
Enough about me; let’s hear from you. Link up and get your list on.
What have you been up to in the last seven days or so? Did you do anything exciting for the fourth of July?
Fran@BCDC says
July 8, 2013 at 6:27 AMGreat busy week!! The quesadilla looks great, I eat a lot of them when we’re in NM because…well sometimes it’s the only veggie friendly choice. The pie looks incredible. You really know your way around the kitchen, girlie. The hair cut is adorable and especially on you because you have cute ears. Wouldn’t work for just Anybody! Have a great day, Meghan!
Meghan says
July 8, 2013 at 5:38 PMIt’s a good thing I don’t have big ears that stick out sideways. I’d look pretty funny then. 🙂
Alex @ Brain, Body, Becuase says
July 8, 2013 at 8:28 AMWhat a fun weekend! Your SIL is so beautiful and now she knows how to make a perfect pie crust? Solid!
Love the new haircut! I plan to chop all of mine off pretty soon…can’t wait 🙂
I started to feel sleepy after hearing that you stayed up until 1:30am on a work night! I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw 1:30…
Meghan says
July 8, 2013 at 5:40 PMI’d say I just made her more marketable, except she’s married to my brother-in-law so no need to be more marketable.
Oh, I’m excited for you to chop off all your hair too. We could be hairless sisters together like those funny looking dogs.
I typically don’t stay up that late, EVER. I’m still trying to catch up from that night. Wish me luck.
Eating 4 Balance says
July 8, 2013 at 9:05 AMDo you just have a running soundtrack in your mind? You always know the best tunes.
I’ve never seen the orchestra, but it’s on my to-do list as an adult! 😉
Your family is just awesome! Uncle-in-law pastor and a super sister-in-law. That’s so cool that she’s a regular reader. Hmmm. Great-looking pie!
Oh, and I like your haircut and new color 😀
Meghan says
July 8, 2013 at 5:43 PMHa, ha. That’s a good way to look at, and truth be told, I think I might have a running soundtrack up there, in my brain. There’s always music playing; it’s a pity I’m such a bad singer.
I highly recommend going to hear the Orchestra and doing it at Blossom. Have you been? It was my first time and I really enjoyed myself.
Thanks Madison. Gotta keep the hair fresh.
Sarah Pie says
July 8, 2013 at 9:40 AMThat looks like a terrific bunch of eats (aren’t picnics the best?) I love getting lots of time with the family, music is always included for us (especially when there’s wine!).
Still love the pie, and the frozen blueberries, and the new hair looks awesome 🙂
Meghan says
July 8, 2013 at 5:52 PMPicnics are the best, especially when you get to listen to live music at the same time!! And wine, of course. Can’t forget the wine.
Thanks Sunshine!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
July 8, 2013 at 10:20 AMPlease please please send me a piece of that pie! I’m a self proclaimed pie connoisseur and it’s been much too long since I’ve had a slice ;).
Love the new haircut! You’re face shape makes it look so flattering 🙂
Meghan says
July 8, 2013 at 5:53 PMWhy has it been too long? You need to correct that stat. I’d mail it, but I’m afraid it would never last that long. I’m sure the mail carrier would eat it before it arrived and then say it got lost.
Thanks for the very sweet compliment.
Brittany says
July 8, 2013 at 11:06 AMOHhhHHH DJANGO! I LOVED that movie..Sososo good, I need to watch it again haha. Time with family is great..in moderation of course just like everything else in life bahaha. So glad you had a great time with your siblings! OK..so what kind of camera do you have/what do you use!?! Your photos are ALWAYS gorgeous!
Meghan says
July 8, 2013 at 5:58 PMDjango was so good, and I still remember when you went and saw it (you walked to the theater if I recall correctly).
Thanks for the lovely compliment on my photos. I’m afraid I’m a rookie with no formal training. I look at other blogs for ideas, and as far as the camera goes, I use either my iPhone 4; most of the shots in today’s post plus all my Instragram photos are the iPhone 4. I also use my camera, which is a Canon Powershot S100. I got it used off a friend who was ready to upgrade to a newer model.
The real star of the show is PicMonkey though, a photo editing site. Unless it’s on Instragram, I run all my photos through there first, and it makes a huge difference. I also try to take all my food photos outside because you can’t beat the natural light for anything. Go there, check it out, you’re going to love it. http://www.picmonkey.com
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance says
July 8, 2013 at 3:56 PMGotta love impromptu get togethers that carry on till the wee hours . . . that’s what memories are made of! 😉 Glad you had a great holiday weekend!
Meghan says
July 9, 2013 at 4:52 PMThat’s the truth. I wouldn’t change it for anything, even a few more zzz’s.
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
July 8, 2013 at 5:17 PMoh my word… that pie!! Yum. Love some family time too, but I feel ya on the sobs coming from my liver!
Meghan says
July 9, 2013 at 4:52 PMSobs emanting from the liver are always a bad thing!
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life says
July 8, 2013 at 8:11 PMWhat a lovely, busy week!
I’ve never had crème fraîche (to my knowledge), but that quesadilla underneath looks good! I love quesadillas. Yum.
I love live orchestra music. Were they playing patriotic numbers, or was it just a “just because” concert? Either way, I’m sure it was great.
Congrats to your uncle-in-law! I wasn’t raised Catholic, but every time I go to a mass with a friend or family member, I always feel so awkward for not knowing what to say!
Seriously. That pie.
Love the haircut/color! I can’t imagine how freeing it feels to chop it all off.
Meghan says
July 11, 2013 at 8:32 AMYou need to try crème fraîche. I think you’d love it.
Liz says
July 9, 2013 at 9:15 AMMmmm, that pasta salad looks ridiculously good! I love some good picnic food. I noshed on my share of deviled eggs last weekend, for sure. The haircut very becoming, can’t wait to see it in person 🙂
Meghan says
July 11, 2013 at 8:35 AMThat was a vegan pasta salad with pesto and roasted red peppers. I think it might have come from Heinen’s, and it was fabulous. I want a deviled egg.
I can’t wait to see you either!
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
July 9, 2013 at 6:24 PMI saw a simply stunning church today–St Mary’s–when one of the food pantry guys gave us Foodbank volunteers a tour. Reminded me of cathedrals in Europe, the absolute level of craftsmanship. 110 yrs old.
I suppose that’s appropos of nothing, but since my Monday Motivation got buried by staying up too late Sunday after consuming caffeine to appear perky for a video chat w/ the spouse, then being woken up Monday with “Mom, I think I have a UTI” and wasting a morning at the hospital, it’s gone. I’d like a do-over of this week starting with Sunday afternoon.
I walked, the numbers were fine.
Your hair looks adorable.
Meghan says
July 11, 2013 at 8:36 AMAw man, you had a really rough one. Sorry buddy. I’m thinking of you.
Sara says
July 12, 2013 at 7:34 PMLove the do – have you every had longer hair?
Meghan says
July 16, 2013 at 6:30 AMFor almost my entire life, I had long hair. I chopped it off three years ago and haven’t looked back since.