Another Book Haul for Summer Reading

 

Last summer, I participated in our library's summer reading program, hosted by Read Squared. It was fun to track my books, and I even earned two prizes! Gift cards to local cafes and ice cream spots. Yay!

This summer's theme is Unearth a Story. It's a dinosaur theme, and there is a group read of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park to go along with it.

We took a weekend trip to Indiana to visit our family, and I managed to pop in to two Half Price Books stores. I'm happy to report that I also traded in a big box of books, which helped pay for my latest haul.

I now carry a small notepad in my purse, where I have a list of authors and titles that I am looking for, and this helps. You never know when you might be at a garage sale or resale shop and stumble upon books for sale.

I also take photos of my bookshelves. This way, I can grab my phone, look at the photos, and see exactly what books I may have in my collection so that I'm not buying doubles.

I'm currently reading Jan Karon's latest Mitford novel, My Beloved. It's fun to revisit old characters in this story. I purchased this copy from HPB last February, and was so surprised when I brought it home and realized I had picked up a copy signed by the author. Bonus!

Concord and 9th's Annual Inventory Sale

 

Did you happen to catch Concord and 9th's annual inventory sale? It ended yesterday, and I managed to get an order in last night before it was over.

I confess, I have a few sets from the last sale that I haven't used yet. I'll be fixing that this week!

This flower set with dies is so much fun and makes a quick, impactful card. And that ladybug is adorable, too!

I've been needing to replenish my card stash. I'm going to work on adding more birthday cards, too.

New Harmony Dulcimer: The Pudge

 

Two years ago, when I was just beginning on my dulcimer journey, my husband and I were in the magical towns of Nashville and New Harmony, Indiana. Nashville had a music shop (sadly, now closed) called Weed Patch Music Company. That was where I first saw New Harmony dulcimers. And they are beauties.

They have a style called The Pudge that is just a tad smaller, with a shorter Vibrating String Length that works well for people with small hands. Thus, the name The Pudge.

The New Harmony Dulcimer Company has been building a solid reputation for making beautiful instruments. I put this one on my One Day/Wish List.

Occasionally, I would look online at places like Facebook Marketplace, but it was rare to ever find anything from this maker, let alone this model.

That is, until just a few weeks ago when I found a lady in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan who was selling hers at a fantastic price. Barely used, only four years old, and half of what I'd pay for a new one.

But how to get to it?

We arranged a meeting point. She crossed the Mighty Mac Bridge and met me in Grayling, three hours north of me. I had a lovely time meeting her and her beloved. Dulcimer people are just the nicest people!

Was it worth the six hour round trip drive? Definitely!

Look at these beautiful sound holes!

And the head stocks of NH dulcimers feature this hole, perfect for hanging from a peg.

Just look at those wood grains!

I'm calling this one my Psalm 8 dulcimer:

"When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"

I feel truly blessed to have found this treasure, and I'm going to love making beautiful music with this one. Considering that David was a musician,  I'm sure he'd understand. 

Peonies

                                                                                     

Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor is well known for its peony garden. I've always wanted to see them, but never had the chance until this weekend.

Sam and his fiancée Rhiannon were in town. And Sam knows Ann Arbor well, having lived around the campus for four years. It was the perfect day to visit...sunny, in the seventies. Lovely.

The gardens are free and open to the public. So many people come to visit that they even provide a free shuttle to help with the parking situation. The peonies are still opening, and the prime viewing will be going on until next weekend.

Such a cute couple!

So many varieties of peonies. The fragrance was amazing.

                                        It was the perfect way to wrap up the month of May.

Analog Summer

 

Prepare yourself for the theme of Analog Summer. I'm seeing this trend everywhere, and I've already written four articles on analog resurgence, with two more yet to be published.

What is the return to analog all about?

It's about taking time away from doom scrolling on screens, disconnecting from our devices, and making things with our hands.

Some folks are curating an analog bag, filled with items like crossword puzzles, watercolor sketch books, magazines, and stitching projects.

I will have plenty of analog projects to keep me centered this summer.

This patriotic stitching project is a free pattern on the October House website!

https://octoberhousefiberarts.com/

I will be reading books...a lot of books.

I will be using books to improve my skills on the mountain and hammered dulcimers. I even picked up a new chair (plastic, folding, with no arms) that will help me when playing out on the deck.

And I will be making cards and sending them!

Here are two more that I made with the new Hello Bluebird set, Beautiful Day.

Tell me, are you embracing analog?

Memorial Day 2026

 

Happy Memorial Day, friends!

Gearing Up for Summer Reading (My recs and my TBR list!)

 

Memorial Day weekend always feels like the kickoff to summer...despite the rain,  gray skies and 60 degree highs we're experiencing here in Michigan.

I've read some great books in recent months, and I'm happy to pass on some recommendations.

You should know that I'm not a big reader of the latest hot fiction best sellers that we are inundated with at every book store and grocery store. I tend to read older books, but there are a few new titles that I enjoy, too. I like cozy, comforting books. I like mysteries. I like a story that warms my heart, not troubles my mind.

With that being said, here are some great reads that I really enjoyed!

Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer by Molly Clavering

Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson

Vittoria Cottage by D.E. Stevenson

The above three are very "small village life" stories. Delightful

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson : A 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner for good reason. The prose...so beautiful! The story, told in epistolary form, slowly unfolds. A masterpiece.

Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley: I was about a third of the way into this book when I knew I'd be sad when it ended. Just a joy. Funny, touching. 

Over the Gate by Miss Read

Farther Afield by Miss Read

Miss Read's books are also "small village life" from a bygone era.

Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher

A LONG book, but I was sucked into it and couldn't put it down. Fantastic.

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

Both of these stories take place in England during WW2, and both tell stories of how women coped during trying days.

The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain

Very French, but also funny.

The Hopkins Manuscript by R.C. Sherriff

This story is a bit of a sci-fi adventure, and yet so much more. I was sad to see it end!

And here are some books on my To Be Read list. I have a pretty good pile!

Some old, some new. Some mysteries, some cozy reads. I may not get to all of them (and I may find new titles that get added to the list!). So many books, so little time!

Happy reading friends!