I was inspired by an old post by Modern Mrs Darcy - The Bits and Chunks of Joy Joy is my one little word for 2019. I told myself I would seek JOY. A friend asked me what I had planned for fun this summer. I had nothing. Truthfully this summer has been hard so I decided to remind myself of all the things that I think are fun. These are the things that bring me some JOY!
Books - always books
Research - I like to research things . Lately it has been a lot of my own ancestry. I like being a genealogical detective. Ancestry had a sale on the 4th of July so I finally got a subscription. I had been going to the library to use ancestry library edition which is great except when you hot on a trail and have to make time to visit the library and not get distracted by the books. I know total first world problems.
Baking is my love language. I am a fat person so I get a lot of fat shaming for this but I do enjoy it. I wish I didn't love a carb.
Cherry Muffins
Exploring- I like to hike with others and I like to geocache. My oldest son and I have been trying to have fun Friday's. We went to see Toy Story 4 one Friday. We went for donuts and a park.
Flowers - I have a small cut flower bed this summer. It makes me happy.
I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone is reading. My reading has slowed down a bit. I like this summer pace.
The Cactus by Sarah Haywood was Reese Witherspoons book club selection for the month of June. Sarah the main character is very black and white. When her Mom dies and she finds out she wasn't left the house things go a little sideways. This is also a book about finding love.I thought it was a quirky interesting read. This had a bit of a twist/surprise that was refreshing. I powered through this one in a few days.
Victoria and Abdul by Shrabani Basu I picked up off the Hot Reads table at library. I haven't seen the movie. I am a big fan of the series on Victoria though. I thought this was interesting read maybe a little heavy in the historical information. It certainly was well researched. I have borrowed the movie from the library and can't wait to see how the two compare.
I was bored babysitting the other day and I made the above art. Artful Parent had a whole blog post on lego art so worth checking out. I also did a post about Lego Words. Not last but least Frugal Fun 4 Boys has Lego Stamping
Oh I have been reading and reading. I have been on a serious reading roll. I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone is reading.
The Yellow Envelope by Kim Dinan- Oh, you know I love a real life travel adventure book especially about a couple from Seattle. They sell all their possessions. They are given a envelope of money by their friends to give away as they see fit with basically only 3 rules. It was interesting to see how that went and what motivated them to pass the money along. I found the rickshaw race that Kim participated in India fascinating.
Before We Were Yours by Lisa WingateThis book is fiction but about real life adoption scandals. This book was a quick read and I noticed this book is also available to purchase at Costco.
Inheritance by Dani Shapiro - Getting your DNA taken to assist in finding your ancestors is something that is trending. Dani Shapiro did this and got the surprise of her life. Her father wasn't her father. I thought this was very thought provoking and some of the unintended consequences of DNA testing.
In the winter of 1885, decorated war hero Colonel Allen Forrester leads a small band of men on an expedition that has been deemed impossible: to venture up the Wolverine River and pierce the vast, untamed Alaska Territory. Leaving behind Sophie, his newly pregnant wife, Colonel Forrester records his extraordinary experiences in hopes that his journal will reach her if he doesn’t return–once he passes beyond the edge of the known world, there’s no telling what awaits him. (Whatcom Reads)
My favorite quote
It doesn't matter what draws explorers - wealth or fame of military power, or even genuine curiosity - they just alter a place by traveling through it.
I am going to preface this. I don't know what I am doing. I had a pallet cut flower garden that really never panned out. I asked my husband to replace it and this is what he came up. This was my mother's day gift. I have really been inspired by #growkindness by Twig andVine on instagram. She grows cut flowers and gives them away.
Raised Bed with my plantings
We decided to add a drip line. We had a little trial and error but I think we got it figured out. I am growing dahlias, cosmos several varieties, 2 varieties of Calendulas, and 3 varieties of zinnas. I looking forward to the flower bounty.
I thought I would give you a glimpse at my "Love" gallery wall. I decided this gallery wall needed something more. It is at the top of my stairs so it is a bit of a challenge to get a good photo of the wall. My hometown is Loveland, Colorado so I incorporated a lot of the Loveland Valentine Card Art. The scrabble piece is from my best friend Mrs Epi that incorporates all our names. I fell victim to the Hobby Lobby 75 percent off sale last week. and bought the love lives here and scroll metal heart. I thought a $8 refresh wasn't a bad deal.
Before
After
Just a few close ups of some of the pieces on my wall.
Shot up Heart made by my husband with Target Frame Wood
Found this Homemade Sign from a Thrift in Loveland, Co
