What I Read July

I managed to read 3 books from Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Reading Guide. All of them were great summer reads and bit on the quirky side. I think I got my reading mojo back! I am linking up Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Check out what everyone is reading.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

I didn't move during High School and I wish someone would have anonymously offered to be my guide though it wouldn't of been through text or email.  I liked this book. There is a lot of relatable stuff teenage and otherwise. This book was on Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Reading Guide

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

This book will have you looking at all the signs. This quirky romance was an interesting read. This book was on Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Guide. I kept looking at signs everywhere and noticing the lettering. I follow several lettering people on Instagram. I found it fascinating. I follow Stefan Kunz on Instagram who is amazing at lettering. I have done quite a bit of chalkboard lettering

The Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler

This one was a quickie which was good as my e-book was about to expire. How can you not love a character whose business is called the "Tech Hermit".

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
This has been sitting on my TBR pile for a while. Nonna passed it on to me. In some ways it is a hard read. The setting is based on a real reform school that operated for 111 years and it deals with how blacks are treated differently. This book unfortunately is closer to truth than fiction.  I didn't see the last twist at the end coming. Despite the atrocities written about the story is so compelling I kept reading. It was just announced the Colson Whitehead is to be  awarded the Library of Congress Award.

I read Dreamland Burning back in 2018(my review). I guess I am revisiting this book because it was pointed out that this was written by a white writer.  I have always read a book because it was a good story. I have given zero consideration in the past of the author's race.  Tulsa is a story that needs to be told and it is going to take all of us to tell it. Before I read this book I was really unaware of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I think I called it a race riot in m review but it truly was a race massacre. I know if I had read this in 2020 I would have probably had some different insights. I might of even considered the own author's bias(privilege?).

Weekly Roll

Abandoned Snowmobile by Son's Work

Quarantine Thoughts
( You know the voices in your head you aren't suppose to say out loud)

Who abandon's a snowmobile?  This snowmobile has been abandoned by my son's work.  It was just so random On Friday there was also a old motorhome. Maybe there is a theme developing here. Unsolved Mysteries on Reddit

We weren't able to solve who killed Carolyn Baskins husband (she so did it) what makes us think we are going to solve any of the "Unsolved Mysteries" on Netflix. Unsolved Mysteries on Reddit

Secondly, you can make people wear mask but you can't make them wear them correctly. There I said it.

Lastly, I got my haircut and it really improved my mood. Maybe it was the weight of the hair. I know totally vain. It was a morale boost.

Loaf Report

It was loaves of excitement on Friday night for me. I made a total of 4 loaves. These loaves were great.

Creative Spark - Collage

I recently discovered the work of Dolan Geiman. I was influenced by Instagram. He does collage and mixed media work and is based out of Denver. It is amazing. This is what somewhat inspired the collage about Miranda Lambert's song Bluebird which mentioned in a previous post. It was a good way to spend the evening creating.

Weekly Roll

It was a moody week. There was quite of rain. We had some awesome sunsets

Bouquet from my Garden

Linky Love
Netflix to Terrorizer a New Generation with Unsolved Mysteries Reboot I couldn't stop watching this. Okay, I binged this - true confession.

Good Podcast Listen - Candidate One - Reply All    This one is all about voter fraud in a High School election. It was a good listen

The Hikers who Lied and Broke the Law to Finish The AT this Year  This is kinda upsetting.

Loaf Report

Made 4 loaves. They were so so. I wasn't as precise and maybe a bit heavy handed on the water I added. Large holes in the loaf make it hard to hold jam. It is totally edible. Guess what I get to try again next week. So there you go.

Oasis Dreams

I have written about my oasis before - Here. It is my hideout from my children. Well with a new deck I think I really need to up my game. Picture above is of my current situation. I would really like some rocking chairs but this will do for now.

My requirements for an Oasis

Comfortable seating

I use folding camp chairs. My patio has no cover except for a slight roof overhang so the ease of picking these up outweighs the comfort. Check out the post The Outdoor Chair that Saved My Quarantine

Place to set drink or book

I have a small glass patio table. These are pretty affordable. I got mine at a garage sale so it was super affordable

Shade 

There is a slight overhang which keeps this area somewhat dry. No one should fry in their oasis. 

Budget friendly

Our summer season is rather short. We can get a lot of rain. So most items are clearance or thrift. The table in my oasis I got a garage sale. The outdoor mat was from Micheal's I think I paid $12. I have used for several seasons. The flowers (geraniums) were on the distressed plant rack at Walmart. The pillows are the $5 outdoor ones at Walmart. I have had them for several seasons. I do put them away during the winter.

Outdoor Outlet is a plus. You know you are going to want to plug in your phone. You might want to stream Netflix on your laptop etc. 

Some inspiration links

Rental Friendly Patio Makeover

Deb and Danelle's Porch Makeover with QVC - These gals are awesome. I love love their style.

Sara's Budget Backyard Makeover on $350 budget

Creative Spark- Sea Glass

Lately I have felt the need to create . However most of my creative spark has come later in the day.  So the projects need to be low mess or easy. I found some abandoned by my children sea glass . My first creation I made is the photo above. I just sorted the sea glass and laid the glass on a paper towel.

I got a piece of foam board to do the art above. This was totally temporary art.  It was fun to stretch the creative muscle. I did it totally for my own enjoyment. It just was play.

I was inspired by the Sea Glass Window Panels (Etsy) I also like to watch the YouTube videos Sea Glass by Jackie

Does anyone else get a creative spark late at night?

Wordy Wednesday

This letter board was inspired by Miranda Lambert's Bluebird. They have been playing this on the radio station a lot.