Lazy W Marie

wedding vibrations on saturday morning

September 5, 2015

Friends, the wedding was so magical. I’ll write more about it later, but for now… You know how I love to wake up the morning after we’ve hosted a special event and feel how the farm has absorbed all that energy? Soak up the residual loving vibrations? Well, no surprise, a wedding leaves an exceptional loving vibration that I was very happy to soak up this morning.

Handsome and I woke up a bit sore and weary, but in the happiest way, you know? A truly pleasant exhaustion, the kind that can only come from having swam for a few days solid in a deep ocean of love and laughter. We slept until an unheard of 7:36 a.m. and looked outside to see lots of wedding and reception details still gracing the farm. I thought I’d share some photos form my walkabout and let you enjoy the echo with me.

In the dining room I found this basket filled with serving supplies and a bouquet of extra flowers someone gathered late last night. — In the dining room I found this basket filled with random but scrupulously cleaned serving supplies and a bouquet of extra flowers someone gathered late last night.

I love how the front yard looked and felt with this trio of white wedding tents. Filtered light, a focused place to gather, all super inviting.

Taking the tents down this morning was much easier than putting them up yesterday. I am sure the gusting winds Friday brought had something to do with that, ha!

This big, beautiful pile of laundry is my collection of different white lace tablecloths. Each one is from someone different or from a special event. None of them match, but they worked great for the reception. And this iron bench, an anniversary gift from Handsome recently, happens to be where the bride and groom sat under the stars to open their gifts...xoxo — This big, beautiful pile of laundry is my collection of different white lace tablecloths. Each one is from someone different or from a special event. None of them match, but they worked great for the reception. And this iron bench, an anniversary gift from Handsome recently, happens to be where the bride and groom sat under the stars to open their gifts…xoxo

More colorful flowers! Last in the evening, someone gathered these all together with some coiled up extension cords, and I think they look great with my weird little turquoise utility cart and vintage rocker. — More colorful flowers! Late last night, someone gathered these all together with some coiled up extension cords, and I think they look great with my weird little turquoise utility cart and vintage rocker. I groove it.

This scrappy little hippified hula-hoop chandy was dancing gently in the morning sun. Still feeling the wedding music vibes.

Zeke kept cheerful vigil over the geese and chickens, who were not invited to the wedding because they poop too much and sometimes attack people. You can see, Zeke loves all the crepe paper as much as I do. Which is more than how much my husband does. — Zeke kept cheerful vigil over the geese and chickens, who were not invited to the wedding because they poop too much and sometimes attack people. You can see clearly that Zeke loves all the crepe paper streamers as much as I do. Which is more than how much my husband does.

The bridal swing and doilies tree turned out pretty fun. This morning the bachelors were all investigating it. But what really set it all off was a hanging lantern craft that Kate did herself. So pretty at night! I hope those photos turn out. And yes, I am leaving this all up exactly as it is.

The bride designed some white cotton swags with twinkle lights to dress up the barn. It was the intended pass-through for guests to make their way downhill to the ceremony. It turned out gorgeous! And although it's all dismantled now, I am already planning to put it back up soon. Really, really pretty, especially toward sunset. — The bride also designed some white cotton swags with twinkle lights to dress up the barn. It was the intended pass-through for guests to make their way downhill to the ceremony. It turned out gorgeous! And although it’s all dismantled now, I am already planning to put it back up soon. Really, really pretty, especially toward sunset.

"Wedding Meadow" was outstanding last night. Wildflowers, a decent amount of shade and breeze, deep green forest, and all the special personal touches the bride and groom put on everything. Just beautiful. Overnight, of course, the aisle paper curled up in the wind, but you can still see the archway and rose petals left behind. I can't wait to tell you more about the actual ceremony. — “Wedding Meadow” was outstanding last night. Wildflowers, a decent amount of shade and breeze, deep green forest, and all the special personal touches the bride and groom put on everything. Just beautiful. Overnight, of course, the aisle paper curled up in the wind, but you can still see the archway and rose petals left behind. I can’t wait to tell you more about the actual ceremony. Hint: Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.

Their unity sand table. The words of a ritual like this get me so hard. The request for all the parents to join together to support the new couple, to bind their energies and love as a new family. Just, wow. It got me last night hard...xoxo — Their unity sand table. The words of a ritual like this get me so hard. The request for all the parents to join together to support the new couple, to bind their energies and love as a new family. Just, wow. It got me last night *so hard*…xoxo

Most everything is packed up now, ready to head out and become part of the huge bank of happy memories we've all made. — Most everything is packed up now, ready to head out and become part of the huge bank of happy memories we’ve all made.

I cannot overstate how sweet and appreciative, how hard working and loving the bride and groom were throughout this process. And Handsome and I made a thousand fun memories with the parents, too! My husband and the bride’s Dad, Steve, are distant cousins but grew up together, so this was much more like a brothers-and-niece situation. I loved it. I loved every single minute, and I cannot believe it’s suddenly over.

More soon. Now, some rest.

Happy Labor Day weekend friends!
xoxoxoxo

would you rather…

September 2, 2015

Life is full of choices and also full of contrast and opposite extremes. The ways we polarize ourselves as a society are endlessly fascinating to me, if a little exhausting at times. Democrat or Republican? Conservative or Liberal? Crispy or Grilled? Coffee or Tea? Which camp are you in? Who are you allowed to be friends with, and whose rants must you avoid for your own sense of calm and maybe the health of your relationships? As political season heats up, things will only get dicier.

Or at least more confusing. I think the VMA’s confirmed that much. Kanye was definitely joking, right?

Well, friends, tonight I am feeling particularly knitted to my people, especially well loved and wildly loving, so let’s explore some fun but perhaps less divisive territory.

Will you play along? Just tell me a few things. Would you rather…

… eat fried eggs or an omelette?

… have pizza delivered or make it yourself? What toppings?

… run on the treadmill or outside? Or, no thanks?

… wear sweaters or tank tops?

… ball cap or cowboy hat?

… play hostess or be a guest?

… read paper-and-ink books or electronic devices?

… fly to your destination or drive?

… vacation in the mountains or on a beach?

… renovate an old house or build a new one?

… have cats or dogs? Or llamas? Or, heaven forbid, a parrot?

… plant a new garden in virgin soil or give a face lift to an old, overgrown one?

… enjoy a bouquet of florist roses or wildflowers?

… bake cookies or brownies? Are you a milk dunker?

… Atari or Play Station 4?

… accomplish one errand per day or do them all at once?

… take off work for a three day weekend, on Friday or Monday?

… decorate for Halloween or Christmas?

… drive a classic car or an new, exotic one?

… Three Stooges or Lewis Black for comedic entertainment? Or Mitch Hedburg?

Okay. Now spill your guts! Tell me everything you dare.

Variety is the Spice of Life, after all
XOXOXOXO

tuesday randoms & a recipe link

September 1, 2015

I have lost track of what day it is.

Handsome took off work on both Friday and Monday, and the hours in between were filled to bursting with a wild mix of partying, scurrying around getting ready for said partying, dating each other easily around town, and resting. Oh, and car repair and a little farm clean up. I have not been for even a short run since last Thursday, and my body feels it. My mind feels it. That’s not meant as a complaint, though; I am actually glad to feel the difference. Its always nice to scrub out all that weird energy after a short hiatus.

Anyway the hiatus was pretty active and amazing.

Our friend Joe helping with party decorations.

You know Bobby Pacino on my shoulder. We have a new piece of yard art which has not been named yet. Ideas?

Our big surprise car show birthday party for Handsome was a wonderful success, thanks to all our friends pulling together to make it happen! xoxo

Klaus is at my bare feet as I type, nibbling and snuffling gently, and my coffee is about as perfect as coffee gets. My mind is on seven thousand wonderful things, mostly my children and my husband and our niece’s wedding that is soon happening here. On Friday night, to be exact. Wait, what day is it again? Have we established that yet?

Our niece Kate and her betrothed with a couple of close friends, working at the farm to get things spiffy for their nuptials.

This week’s blogging may be a little different. Chances are good that I’ll just use you guys to sort of empty the chaos from my brain. I’ll try to add photos of the fun as we go, so maybe you’ll forgive me my formlessness.

Tuesday. It’s Tuesday, right?

Okay in that case, let’s at least mention a recipe. Last week leading up to Handsome’s birthday I made Ree’s No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, and basically this is only the second chocolate-peanut butter recipe in my entire life that I cannot stop eating. Normally it’s just not a combo I groove, but this? Cold and slightly crunchy and thick and sweet and salty… Dangerously good. And zero baking, so it’s nice for a late summer treat. Oklahoma is still in the humid high 90’s after all, so let’s keep those ovens cold. Make these if you are trying to gain five or six pounds. Ha-ha, I’m only kidding a little. These actually helped me kill my sweet tooth and keep up some energy over the hectic weekend. Delicious!

Wish me luck this week, friends! I am excited. We have so many beautiful and worthy goals in front of us. So much love to share and enjoy. And every scrap of it requires work.

So I am first going for a really long run.

Over and out.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
~Khalil Gibran
xoxoxoxo

love letter to NOLA 10 years after katrina

August 30, 2015

One decade has passed since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. I just want to send a short little love letter to our beloved city, New Orleans, to let her know we haven’t forgotten.

Years before this terrible event, Handsome and I fell in love with the city, the French Quarter in particular, and started visiting every chance we got. Since the storm we have visited just as frequently, and our civic affection has only gained strength. We know the streets better. We know the restaurants really well, in fact in at least one local spot the waitstaff recognize our faces and often remember that we are from Oklahoma. (This is the same restaurant where the bread pudding is so good I usually cry a little.) We each have our favorite views and and sensations that draw us back over and over again.

The surrounding areas are visibly changed by Katrina, scarred really. But as with all scars many of them are perfectly beautiful.

Keep on keepin on, New Orleans. This big, beautiful world would never be the same without you.

See you soon.
XOXOXOXO

friday 5 at the farm: Handsome’s 40th

August 28, 2015

Hello friends, Happy Friday! Today is not just any Friday… Today is Handsome’s birthday! And not just any birthday… Today is his fortieth birthday!! This is a HUGE milestone and a very happy occasion here at the farm.

For Friday 5 this week, I’d like to share five things you might not know about my guy and five photos to illustrate each wonderful truth.

#1. He is a kid magnet. This man, serious in many ways and responsible to the core, well strapped to a fast-paced, stress-laden professional day job, is just a kid at heart. In the very best ways. He has a playful childishness that I adore. He can connect with toddlers and teenagers alike, provided he is free to just play and break all the parents’ rules with abandon. (This is why he prefers to hang out with kids here at the farm: His farm, his rules, you know? Ha!) He is not above throwing children in the pool, letting them play blood drenched, morally questionable video games, allowing ridiculous table manners and all kinds of grossness, or wearing sparkly pink cowgirl hats when the situation dictates. My heart melts to see him with children of all ages. It reminds me of how he was with our girls when they were small, and it previews for me what kind of grandpa he may be in the future. The super smart, dependable, really fun kind.

#2. He is the Dark Knight. Since he was a little boy, my husband has had a penchant for dressing up as Batman, and over the years his costume has evolved respectably. (Thank you, afore-mentioned day job. $$) He looks really good as Batman, friends. I am totally used to attending costume events together where girls and women hand ME (dressed as Super Girl) their cameras and ask ME to take THEIR photo together, ha! “Yeah sure, it’s cool. I mean, you don’t have to CUDDLE him, but whatever… I’m fine, I guess.” Not only does he look great in his costume, he also fights crime and injustice and has a dark side of his own. See? Batman. Look closely and you will see that my Batman is holding Tiny T. They fight crime and injustice and also pity fools together. It’s a good arrangement.

#3. Jack of all Trades. He can and will happily build or fix anything that is broken, except tile floors. Please, he is begging you, okay, no more tile floors! His design ideas are always exciting. His skills come out of ancient family memories and his own research, often gleaned from the internet. His confidence with tackling projects around the farm just astounds me. Nothing intimidates this man. On a related note, he is the only mostly sane person I know who will turn his back to a bison.

#4. The Life of the Party. We stay pretty busy, and I like it that way. No matter where we are or what we’re doing, he is at the center of the fun. I love hearing him laugh hard from across a car show. I love watching him play with kids or joke with friends, often doing impersonations which only happen spontaneously. Do not expect to make a request and get one on the spot! He tells the best stories. He’s not really afraid of offending anyone. He’s spicy. He’s like the sriracha sauce of party guests. Everything’s better when you add him.

#5. The love of my life. I think you knew this part already. This man has been my husband for fourteen years now, and every year gets better and better, more loving, more locked in, more comforting and tantalizing. All of it. He is true, perfect romance to me. He is safety and strength, adventure and risk. He is home base. I cannot imagine being more fulfilled or more motivated to be my best and to live really well than I am, together with him.

I love you sir. Deep and wide, always now and forever. I wish you the happiest, most memorable milestone birthday yet. I wish you stress relief, better and lasting health, comfort for your sorrow (which you hide from everyone), and wild and crazy dreams come true. You are more than a dream come true for me.

Smooch
XOXOXOXO

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