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!

De-stressors for a Stressful Week

 

It's been a stressful week, and I've had a lot on my plate.

When I get a chance to decompress, I turn to a few things that let my mind take a break.

The Other Bennett Sister on BBC/Britbox has been fun. It's my new Wednesday ritual.

Before I dive into summer/patriotic projects, I'm working on this sampler from October House. Make a Joyful Noise. And look! It features a mountain dulcimer AND a hammered dulcimer! How perfect!

Luke and Candi gave me this LEGO set for my birthday, and I finally got around to assembly this week.

A pink typewriter with flowers? Yes, please!

This weekend, I'll be trying to squeeze in some garden time between family obligations. Nothing centers me like getting my hands in some dirt.

Do you have activities that help you de-stress?

New from Hello Bluebird

 

Sometimes, I get a new craft item and it will be weeks (or even years!) before I get around to using it.

But not with this sweet stamp set from Hello Bluebird. It arrived on Thursday, and I was making card with it instantly.

I love HB's gals. I have them feeding birds at winter feeders, I have them drinking coffee, I have them splashing in the rain. This spring set had to join the others.

First up...a new baby card! Baby Amelia was born this week, making me a great great aunt! And nothing makes you feel like you are 110 years old than saying that! LOL! She's precious, and we can't wait to see her and cuddle her.

Next up, garden critters.

And finally, gardening and birds.

I used a variety of frames and pulled different patterned papers from Simple Stories for these cards.

It's been a whirlwind kind of week, and coloring these images was just the thing I needed to calm down and center myself. In fact, I might do some more coloring later today.

I hear that HB is going to have a pre-order release later today. I'm guessing this one is summer-themed?

A Yankee Doodle Front Porch Refresh

 

In celebration of our country's 250th birthday, I decided to go patriotic for the front porch this summer.

I was inspired by this awesome metal rooster that my son, John, gave me last year.

I'm calling it the Yankee Doodle front porch refresh!

I began by giving the metal star and watering can a fresh coat of spray paint.

I found some items at Plow and Hearth that really fit the theme.

This pillow cover is reversible! For now, it's flowers.

But when the holidays come, I can flip it over to this:

I found some lovely tea-stained flag items that I can put out for the hoiday weekends.

I plan on adding a lot more red, white and blue annuals when the weather improves. For now, the red geraniums work nicely.

It's hard to believe that Memorial Day is right around the corner. Time to start making plans for summer fun!

Blessings on your Friday, cafe friends!

Moms and the Flock

 

Happy day-after Mother's Day! I hope you had a lovely weekend.

It was a beautiful, sunny weekend, and we managed to get the deck furniture out. Yay! Let outdoor season begin!

I didn't get to spend the day with my out-of-state boys, but I did get to spend the day with my sweet Mom. I made a yummy lemon and strawberry cake, brought some charcuterie and Italian lemon spritz wine, and enjoyed some time with Mom, siblings, and nieces and nephews. 

I made this card for Mom using Concord and 9th products.

And inside, I wrote a Happy Mom's Day message from the whole flock.

And speaking of sheep...

My sweet husband took me to see this movie on Saturday.

It was so fun! I read a very accurate description: a cross between Knives Out meets Babe the Pig movie. A mystery...in a quaint village, with sheep? I'm all in!

Hope ewe have a great week!

Perfection vs. Progress

The deck was looking really rough. I knew it needed a deep cleaning this spring, so I started researching the best method. There are plenty of cleaners out there, and some folks use power washers to get the job done. But our deck is getting old, and a bit spongy in places. I don't think power washing is a good option.

Simple Green is a good cleaner if you want something that's not so toxic. I'm using this outdoors, where the birds and critters and flowers are, and I want to keep them safe. 

The railings were so dirty, thanks to birds and squirrels and raccoons and trees.

And the stairs were pretty dirty thanks to Miss Muddy Paws.

It's a sunny day with a light breeze, perfect for the job. I got to work.

As they would say on Spongebob Square Pants...

...three hours later!

After a LOT of buckets of hot soapy water and scrubbing, it's looking so much better.

Is it perfect? Nope. Is it close to perfect? Not even! But it is much better, and now we can put out the rugs and patio furniture and enjoy the outdoor space once again.

I've said it before and I will say it again. Perfection is the enemy of progress.

My husband and I were doing some pruning of dead limbs and bushes at my Mom's house this week, and it was making my brothers so nervous.

"I don't know. Maybe we should call a tree service. Maybe we should have that Bradford Pear Tree taken down. Maybe we should wait."

My answer?

We can do that later. But in the meantime, let's make it look a lot better now!

Every job does not have to be perfect. It just has to show inprovement.

Stitching projects: don't wait for the perfect finishing technique. Just do it!

Card making: smudge? Put an enamel dot there!

Musical piece you are struggling with? Just keep practicing, slow down, and do your best.

Because if you tell yourself "Maybe I should wait", well, chances are likely it won't get done.

My back is sore, but in a good way. I think I made some progress today, and that makes me happy.

PSA: May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

 

It's time for my yearly Public Service Announcement. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. And from what I've been reading, the tick season has been in full force this spring. Reported cases of Lyme disease are on the rise, too.

Here's a really helpful chart that has some great information:

Everyone knows that deer carry the ticks. But did you know that field mice are one of the biggest carries of the tick that causes Lyme disease?

And because we live along the woods and the creek, we have plenty of both.

A few things I do to be safe:

*I wear a hat when I'm working in the yard.

*I take a shower after yard work.

*I don't wander into the woods too often.

*I treat Jemma with Nexgard Plus and check her frequently.

*If I'm hiking, I wear the stinking Deep Woods Off. Yes, the chemicals are nasty. But it's the only thing that truly repels ticks.

And just because she's pretty (and I don't want ticks to get the last word), here's one more photo of our girl.

Stay safe, cafe friends!