Magnolias and Mosquitoes

You know I can't resist an alliterative title | Ed 21

I fell asleep the first time I started writing this edition in the middle of a sheet-less pillow-less bed; that’s how its going. I started my week in Jackson, Mississippi - a juxtaposition of charming magnolia crowded neighborhoods and a plague-like amount of mosquitoes. More importantly, my brother and sister-in-law live there and are a delight to visit! They kindly made time and space in their busy life to host us and spend time with us.

I piggybacked on this trip my parents were taking on short notice because Banner was committing the ultimate betrayal of going to New York City without me (I’m over it, really). Right as I got home, I got an Airbnb request for 4th of July weekend, so I spent a few days slowly re-cleaning and packed to spend the weekend with Banner’s family. It really worked out nicely and they were also very kind to let us invade their space. Today is his parents’ 29th wedding anniversary!

morning run on lookout!

What’s on the Menu?

Most of the food I made this week wasn’t much to talk about. Lots of protein pancakes and some tomatoes from my patio, too!

Eli and Eliot made us a really delicious tandoori chicken dinner at their house! A Caroline Chambers recipe! 10/10 table spread, decor, and garlic sauce I could have drank all thanks to Eli’s covetable gifts.

We hit a couple good Jackson spots including The Bean and Elvie’s. Elvie’s is a James Beard semi-finalist!

I was the grateful recipient of multiple delicious meals by Banner’s parents this week - from Independence Day burgers to pre-church pancakes, I was blessed and highly favored!

Banner and I also went to Canyon Grill on Saturday. We hadn’t been in a few years and honestly were…underwhelmed and slightly disappointed. Either our standards changed or the food has declined slightly in quality. Regardless, the coconut cake does still reign supreme.

Reading, Listening, Watching

I was so excited when I found out The Bear’s season 4 had come out. I watched it while Banner was out of town. Really well done, and I feel like they got even more creative on the film-making end of things. Episode 9 was my favorite, and I hope it wins Jamie Lee Curtis and the writers an award!

We also finished Severance FINALLY. Wow, what a ride. I’m still chewing on that one, but I love a well-made show.

I started Wild Dark Shore for book club. I could only get the audiobook and I am a little lost so far.

Hannah Coulter continues to own me.

My mom kindly drove with me on the way home from Jackson, so I could entertain Drew more easily. We listened to a few episodes of Agent Pale Horse which is about Scott Payne’s story. Crazy and worth hearing about if you haven’t! He’s done Armchair Expert and Joe Rogan’s show lately, so pick your poison ;)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

• Drew is his best self and sleeps the best after some playtime in the pool. Water boy!!

  

• Banner’s aunt made peach ice cream on Friday and woooow it slapped.

  

• I think Drew slept through the night once in the last few weeks. I am so tired and probably need to sleep train him again, but he’s also just hungry and needs to eat so here we are.

  

  we love waving

• We are so close to crawling and spending every second trying to!

  

• We went to our parents’ church today since we were staying up the mountain and it was so fun! Drew loves the music so much that he sat still in my lap for all of worship which rarely ever happens.

  

  bury me

• I was humbled by the hills this morning and by my first strength class after being out of town for a while.

  

  views were great tho

• Some miscreants went to an empty grass area across the street from our front door at midnight the other day while Banner was gone and shot off MASSIVE fireworks. Like I thought someone was bombing us, massive. Obviously, this really scared Drew. I was so angry that I was having to talk myself out of running out there to yell at them.

• It is good to write this and remember that it was a good week bc I am in the tired, foggy, dysfunctional dumps right now just being honest.

  I’m sure there was more to say that I’m forgetting, but alas, there is always next week!