The Antidote to Boring Mail

 

Is it just me?

Mail has gotten SOOO boring in recent years. It's hardly worth the walk to the mailbox anymore.

I remember when the mail was filled with magazines and catalogs, hand-written letters and greeting cards. Daily newspapers. Things you could hold in your hand.

With the rising cost of stamps and postage, it seems like we're getting fewer and fewer fun things to look forward to in the mail. Department stores rarely send anything in the mail. Companies expect their customers to look at online websites instead. 

I remember when I was a young stay-at-home Mom. Mail time was something I always looked forward to! My Mom would send us subscriptions to fun publications like Victoria magazine. I would make a cup of tea and devour them cover to cover.

Catalog companies sent so much seasonal inspiration! I remember when Gooseberry Patch sent their sweet, hand illustrated catalogs full of recipes and decor.

Now, it seems like it's nothing but credit card applications, political ads, and the occasional postcard for some home service or local dentist.

I go to the mailbox, take out the mail, and put it right into the recycle bin.

So what can we do to combat boring mail?

Send handmade cards, of course!

I sent a stack today. And I need to send more.

I hope someone gets my card in their stack of boring mail, and I hope it makes them smile.

Butterflies and Sympathy

 

Yesterday was a full day of catching up on all the things I hadn't seen to while life was put on pause to be with my Mom. Laundry, dog brushing, vacuuming, grocery shopping, and card making.

It may seem silly, but I wanted to get this card made so that I can get it in the mail on Monday. 

Catherine Pooler's Mom also passed away last month, and I've been wanting to send her a card. I pulled out CP stamps, inks, dies and sequins for this one.

I did a splotchy background by applying ink to a plastic baggie and smooshing watercolor paper on top. I like the effect. Then, I did some splattering and stamped images on top of that.

I chose colors from the garden...pinks and purples and greens.

My butterfly bush is blooming now, and I'm starting to see some visitors.

Church, library, cups of coffee, books. It will be a quiet day today, and we need that for the week ahead.

Sabbath rest.

My Sweet Mom

 

My sweet Mom went to her heavenly home yesterday. She had been moved to hospice care this past week, and they took wonderful care of her there. 

God allowed me to be there for her last breath, which feels like holy ground. It was peaceful and beautiful, and I am so happy that she is now with Jesus.

She was surrounded by so many loved ones this week. We prayed with her, sang with her, and shared wonderful stories together. I'm so blessed to have my siblings and nieces and nephews in my life. They are such special people. We talk and laugh so much that I'm sure they thought we were having a party in Mom's hospice room. 

The days ahead will have many challenges and blessings. No doubt it will be exhausting. 

Thank you, God, for our sweet Mom, Ruth. She was such a blessing to everyone who knew her, and now she joins her Savior and all the saints in heaven.

For all the saints, who from their labors rest, all who by faith before the world confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia!

The Gifts of Summer

 

This summer has not been especially wonderful for our family. Lyme disease, bike accidents, my mother entering hospice care. Smoky skies, produce warnings, career changes.

But you have to look for the goodness in each day, and today I am looking at this.

A half peck of Red Haven peaches from my local orchard.

I wish you could smell the photo above!

I made a really delicious peach cobbler last night. We topped it with vanilla ice cream. So good.

We have some farmers at our church who often bring fresh produce on Sundays, free for the taking. So kind!

I took two small zucchini this week. I found a recipe for a healthy version of zucchini bread that uses Greek yogurt and honey. I think I will try that later today.

Each day comes with some new challenge, but it also comes with the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 16 kept popping up for me last week, and it was a good reminder.

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy." (Ps. 16:11)

Lettuce Plague 2026

 

The Cyclospora outbreak around the country has us all a little leery when it comes to buying produce.

I'm a big salad lover, so this has been tough. I'm sticking to greens I can cook (like spinach) and fruits I can peel. I'm also buying local.

I decided to try some salad bowls. I had the seeds, I had the soil. I figure it can't hurt to give it a try.

I'm starting to see some sprouting. My only problem is the silly squirrels that have been digging in my pots this summer. I'm hoping they will leave this alone. Hopefully, with Jemma on watch duty, I can keep them protected.

In the meantime, I'm mixing up our veggie offerings now. Green beans, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, corn on the cob, zucchini. Cabbage salads and cucumber salads. It's time to get creative.

Stay healthy, friends!

Roundabout Rules: What My Husband Wants Everyone to Know

 

Here's an image I never want to see again.

Roundabouts seem to be going in everywhere. They are installing a lot of them in Michigan, and don't even get me started about Indiana, where Carmel is the roundabout capitol of the world.

I'm burying the lead here, as the journalists say. 

My husband was out riding his bike yesterday and was hit by a car in a roundabout. Yikes! He had the right of way, as he was the first to enter the roundabout. The driver of the car either didn't see him or didn't obey the rule that the first one to enter the roundabout has the right of way. The bike took the brunt of the hit, and impact knocked him to the pavement. Police and ambulance were called after witnesses stopped (bless them!). The driver was cited, and I do feel bad for her, too, as she was probably pretty shaken by the incident.

My husband has a Garmin device that lets me know where he is and if any incidents take place, and it notified me right away. Luckily, he was only 5 miles down the road and I was able to get him and take him to urgent care to get checked. Nothing broken, but he has some serious road rash and will no doubt have some big bruises and aches and pains.

He'll have to get new prescription sunglasses (they broke) and his bike's rim needs to be fixed, but other than that he's okay. I think a new helmet is in order, too. So thankful, as it could have been so much worse.

It's bike season. Watch out for those bikers, everyone!

Summer Reading Swag

 

Summer Reading 2026 is in full swing. Thus far, I've read 13 books!

Last week, I claimed two prizes: gift cards to my favorite local cafe and my favorite local bookshop. Yay! I also received a coupon for a free book from the library's Friends book shop.

I picked this vintage book, Kitty Foyle by Christopher Morley. This novel was made into a movie in 1940 starring Ginger Rogers. 

I also found this vintage copy of Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp last week. Look at that adorable cover art!

The heat dome has lifted, the smoke has dissipated, and the days ahead are looking promising.

Happy Monday!