What Ana Does

My brother got married this weekend and I have a lot of things to say about what a special weekend it was and spending time with my family and all that ... but I wanted to write about this one thing I've noticed about wedding receptions. Why isn't everybody dancing? It was the wise Lee Ann Womack who sang " and if you get a chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance ." I and my family can certainly attest to the dance part. Give us some music and a dance floor and we are there. But as I was boogying my booty off this weekend, I noticed a large group of able-bodied wedding guests (presumably close family and friends) sitting at their tables, chatting or looking around awkwardly. And I noticed it at previous weddings, as well. OK, some people have fragile bones and are older. Excused. And others have social anxiety, so I'll give them a pass, as well. And maybe some people don't like music, or dancing, but that's no excuse. It's FUN to be out...

Lately it seems my anglophilia has been overriding my francophile-ing. As in, I've been digging a lot of British things -- and I think I'm long overdue for a trip to London. Right? For instance, Netflix is streaming Jamie Oliver's cooking show "Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Food Fight" and it's giving me life this week. The Britishisms are killing me ... "get it in your gob" and "in the bin" and his signature lisp. Not to mention all the focus on food waste. I mean. I'm in nerdy-"cooker" heaven. Then the obvious, I was in tears watching the Prince Harry and Meghan wedding . Who wasn't?! What a great little Cinderella story and the whole wedding was done with such sweet dignity. And who among us didn't think that sunshine was from a special someone looking down on the whole thing. *Sniff* Yup, I've got my commemorative teacup and mugs , care of a British Shop in my neighborhood and some sweet friends. And I...

Brides Are So Pretty Remember when summers were spent at friends' weddings? In lieu of vacations, you'd take weekend trips to wedding destinations, get dressed up and dance with all your friends. Really, it was a pretty great way to spend your summer weekends. Then, you get into your late 30s and find no weddings on your calendar for a full year or more. That's just how these things go, I guess. We went to a wedding last fall in New Jersey, and that was the first one in about a year. My brother, who is in his late 20s, has seven weddings this summer. Seven. And it got me thinking about weddings in general. First of all, if I had had Pinterest  or Instagram before my own wedding 11 years ago, things would have gone down a lot differently. I am completely jealous of all those lucky brides planning their own weddings with access to that brain trust of ideas. Not to mention TinyPrints and Etsy (where were you when I needed you!?) I mean, you girls have no excuses...

We got out of town this weekend for a wedding in New Jersey. Sans children. This was a good good thing. We flew into Jersey on Friday and spent Friday night and Saturday with the in-laws. Quality time. Then, we saw "The Maze Runner" and I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH how much I super-really-totally enjoyed it. As a fan of the series, I was nervous they wouldn't get my favorite scenes right or cast it correctly. My worries were unwarranted. Chunk was exactly as imagined. Theresa was good. And Thomas, seriously, do NOT get me started on the PERFECTION of Thomas. I feel so totally relieved that Hollywood didn't screw this one up. So, good job! Go see it, even if you didn't read the book. (But WHY didn't you read the book? Seriously?) From there, it was time to get all prettied-up for the wedding. We stayed with our friends Josh and Lauren -- so there were a few girly moments spent over shoes and lipstick. (You know how it is.) It's been years since we've been...

We went to Sophie's wedding a few weekends ago and I'm finally getting around to uploading photos. The girls had an amazing time with their cousins, as usual. The Cousins in Their Wedding Dresses  I ate something wrong and was throwing up the night before. Not fun. But I rallied and made it to the ceremony and reception ... and ... aww ... I just love a wedding. *sniff* The Wedding Party: Uncle Michael, Anne, Groom Aaron and Bride Sophie The bride looked gorgeous and was sincerely glowing. GLOWING. And the girls were the most popular bunch on the dance floor. We left at about the time Leah was throwing a fit because she wanted one of the bride's maid's bouquet.