Ah, our week was so nice! Paul and Isabel arrived late Tuesday night and left yesterday (Monday) morning. The visit was so, so great!!! It was really fun to talk about wedding plans. Now I HAVE TO, havetohavetohavetohavetohaveto, get moving on dress shopping. Eek.
On Sunday my husband and Paul played for an Easter church service, as always. The church they play at is about an hour away and they play two services, so I traditionally stay home and watch it via livestream.
Isabel went with them. Here’s the happy couple!
When they got home I had an Easter brunch ready- vegan quiche and tofu bacon from Nora Cooks, hash brown patties, fruit, and BAGELS, yum.
My daughter’s boyfriend joined us, and he was observing Passover so sadly couldn’t have the bagels. I had matzo for him instead. Also, remember the Christmas Crack? Well, I made “Passover Crack” with matzos instead of saltines. It was a big hit.
Later we had Easter dinner, which I tragically neglected to photograph. But it was baked ziti. I do have to say that I cooked so much this week, I feel like I should get a pass for the rest of April, ha ha. Wait. I’m actually serious about that.
Dessert was carrot cake! This was the leftover batter from when I made the carrot cake “muffins” for Muffin’s birthday. I made a little cake with it and then froze it until Easter.
And then… we had to say goodbye. Ugh, it’s always SO HARD. I was focused on my race for so long, and then as soon as that was over I guess I was looking forward to this visit even more than I realized, because now I’ve sunk into a little depression. Almost like post-Christmas, but not quite THAT bad. I did find myself today thinking morosely “Now life has no meaning.” Sigh.
Don’t worry… it won’t last. I just have to find the next thing to get excited about. My husband pointed out that we do have a wedding coming up! It’s over three months away, but it will be here before we know it.
Do you have anything fun coming up in April? – My month looks so “blah!”
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24 Responses
Lovely lunch! And a full band playing for services- that must be amazing!
April is busy with life. I have track meets for one son and a play for another, and the track for special olympics for my daughter. And a guest coming for the play . Wed like to get the windows washed and some landscaping done before our guest comes, but I’m betting I’ll ratiinalize not doing it.
I hope Sylvie liked your son and his fiancée!
Wow- your April is a LOT busier than mine. I guess you don’t have time to feel “blah”, which is a good thing.
Honestly- Sylvie is really wild. She doesn’t like being picked up, but will come and sit down on my lap if she’s in the mood. It’s more that she’s really cute to look at right now, rather than being sweet and affectionate towards us. I’m hoping that will change as she gets older. Right now her BFF is still Foxy.
It is such a letdown to have so many BIG things come to an end: the race, your birthday, Easter, Paul’s visit. It’s okay to feel sad and a bit restless… but I also know that will switch over to excitement and planning naturally and soon! A wedding and, since you’ve already booked the race for next year, anticipation for that. Plus, we have Christmas in between all of that and we LOVE Christmas, right, Jenny???!!!!!
April is such a big month for me. Next week is an epic road trip. I’m excited and also a bit terrified because it is going to be INTENSE, but I think my remembering self will think it was one of the best experiences of my life (will report back).
Yes, I’m already feeling better. April is just kind of a slower month, but I’m trying to lean into that and appreciate it. Things will be crazy before I know it.
I’m intrigued about this road trip!!! I can’t wait for details.
Awww, that pic of them is so cute!! I’m so glad the visit went well. I understand that feeling of let down when things end… but just remember your motto, every day counts! Even the ones when there isn’t a big race or family visit to look forward to! I think it might be nice anyway to enjoy a little breathing room- all the race prep, house prep you were doing, etc was likely taking up a lot of mental space, too. Besides, now you have time to focus on your favorite thing- dress shopping! 😜
Yes. You are right- every day still counts!!! And honestly we need slower days, otherwise life would just get way too intense.
I was lax on Passover especially since my hubbys family doesn’t accommodate me. I wish I had matzoh crack though.
I went online and ordered a dress. It fit and I loved it. Easy peasy. I couldn’t find anything in the store. Good luck.
I will make Passover crack for you next time I see you! It’s very yummy.
Only three months until the wedding!!! It’s coming up fast! And that will be so much fun to look forward to.
That said, it’s okay to be sad the visit is over. That’s natural!
Your friend Darlene above makes a great point – sometimes it is hard to find things in store! While I hate the idea of buying a few things and then returning the ones that don’t work, you shop so little that I think this might be a good option for you. But first step is to head to the mall. You can do it, Jenny! You can do it!
Yes, the wedding is coming up fast. I have to remind myself to appreciate the time leading up to it- but then imagine the letdown when THAT is over, lol. Well, something else always comes along.
You should definitely get a pass on cooking for awhile — everything you made looks really good!
It’s really hard when a lot of fun things come to an end, but I’m sure the next three months will go by fast and the wedding will be here before you know it. April isn’t a busy month for me but my race is the beginning of next month so I do have to spend this month getting all the things ready for that!
Ooh, you’re in race prep mode! So much fun. I miss that feeling of excitement. But- I’ll be there again. I hope everything is going well and that you’re feeling good!
I am glad they had such a great visit. They are such a cute couple! Does Paul follow a Vegan diet when not at home? Wondering if Isabel is also Vegan or has become one so they eat the same kinds of meals (Phil basically eats GF since we moved in together although he makes non-GF things for himself and the boys definitely eat quite a bit of gluten with no issues).
It’s hard to have the let down of goodbyes. I think that will be hard once I have kids that have flown the coop. I’m still in the “thank God they are back at school” stage of life. Ha.
I don’t really have anything to look forward to in April but that’s ok. March was busy with 2 work trips + our trip to DC. I’m looking forward to a more normal month with a return to routines. I do best when I’m on a routine! I still have 2 work trips so it won’t exactly be a boring month!
Yes, I guess you’re not exactly craving excitement- a “normal” month would be nice.
To answer your question, Paul eats pretty much vegan- but not entirely anymore- when not at home. He and Isabel have both modified their diets a little to be closer to the other’s. As you know, it’s just easier if everyone is eating pretty much the same thing.
I’m sure the happy couple was happy with how the visit turned out! It sounds like a perfect time. I think it was lovely that you accommodated various dietary needs. That’s so thoughtful. (I say this as my FIL tried to give us ham on our way out of the house, despite knowing I haven’t eaten pork since I was in my 20s and that we haven’t eaten meat in the better part of a decade. Whaaaaat?)
Well, after being vegan for so many years, I’m always happy to accommodate people’s diets! If you and your husband came to visit, I would ask you for a very detailed list of things you can and cannot eat, and would make sure you had plenty of food.
they’re SO ADORABLE! also passover crack made me LOL
Somehow putting “crack” after various holidays is funny. We’ve now made “Birthday Crack,” “Valentine’s Crack” and “Passover Crack.” I think passover is the best one.
Now I have a strong craving for Christmas Crack! We have plenty of saltines left over from Christmas, so it’s a pretty good guess I’ll be making some soon.
I nominate you to have the rest of the month off from cooking dinner. That sounds perfectly reasonable, and also a great way to cure the post holiday slump.
The crack is so easy! Make it!
What a great time you had! I love it. Yeah, it’s hard when it’s over, but maybe you can enjoy your memories and then also look forward to the wedding.
I’m already feeling better. And definitely looking forward to the wedding!
Sorry about your slump. Knowing you, you’ll bounce back soon. The wedding is coming up. So exciting! What a cute couple they are. Coach and I are flying to DC next weekend. He’s teaching a class and I’m chilling out. We might get to meet up with Mini’s good friend’s parents for dinner one night. Mini’s bday is Sunday and we are considering driving to Notre Dame to surprise her for a brief visit.
I still remember how much my grandma would cry when one of her sons who lived out-of-state would leave after a visit. It didn’t matter how “grown” they were, she still missed her babies when they left! It’s a hard thing, but I’m glad they were able to come for a visit. <3
I have the BEST April planned because I leave one week from today on my reading retreat. I AM SO EXCITED!!!