Soccer season wrapped up last month and swim season started a week later. We certainly did not wait for the end of summer to start cramming all of the fun in! Although we had a few hot days, during VBS we got through and still really enjoyed ourselves. We’ve had lots of fun as a family, too.
Books I’ve Read
- In Five Years by Rebecca Serle– Dannie Kohan, a lawyer living in NYC could easily be described as a planner. Her best friend Bella lives her life in a completely opposite way. But when Dannie falls asleep after becoming engaged to her long time boyfriend and wakes up in in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. Dannie spends one hour exactly five years in the future before she wakes again in her own home. That one hour will change the rest of her life. Initially I thought this book would be more lighthearted than it was, but it was still riveting. I loved it and its ending. 4.5/5
- The Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith- Ian Cameron, a private detective, wakes after a nearly fatal blow to his head without his memory. But it isn’t due to his head wound, it’s due to Mary Blackwood, a witch who took his memory. Edwina, Mary’s sister works with Ian to help him solve his missing person case and capture the murderer ravaging the London streets. This was good enough that I might want to read book 2, but nothing amazing. It left some questions I believe will be answered in the second book, but I think some of the characters could have been improved upon. 3/5
- Kindred by Octavia E. Butler– Dana just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a white boy numerous times, she realizes she needs to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother. This story was incredible. I marvel at the strength Dana had throughout and how she was able to maintain her sweet relationship with her husband. 5/5
- The Last Goddess by Katerina Tuckova– Dora Idesová was raised by her aunt Surmena in the White Carpathians. Dora grew up hearing stories of the “goddesses” who were said to conjure love and curses. Now Dora is a researcher and looking into the history of goddesses. I really liked this story and thought the ending was creative without spoiling anything. All of the names and dates did become confusing at times though. 4/5
Products I’ve Tried
- Ole Henricksen Banana Bright Vitamin C serum– When I use it, my skin is instantly brighter, firmer, and feels super hydrated. And it scent is amazing, too! Over time it will help with the appearance of dark spots, pores, and wrinkles. I like that it dries quicker than other serums. I haven’t seen a decrease in dark spots yet, but I hope to soon.
- Strivectin Clear Finish SPF 30– This SPF goes on clear and actually makes a really good primer. After using for 2 weeks daily, I really like it and if applies so nicely. It glides on so smoothly. My makeup blends in well over top!
Recipes I’ve Made
I wasn’t able to do much cooking this month while our floor was being demoed, but I did try two new dessert recipes. So good!
- Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake– This was such a piece of cake (haha). I love a good dump cake and this may be the best one I’ve made.
- S’mores magic bars– These were a bit more involved with the layers. I had them in the fridge, which hardened the sweetened condensed milk and made them hard to separate. So if you make them you may want to separate them out and store them in a tin or container in the fridge. But they were so good! We all loved them.
Currently
- Enjoying- As Avie becomes a better swimmer, we are letting her be more independent in the water-and enjoying time with other adults. This is especially true on Friday nights at the pool! It’s so nice to talk to people over the age of 10!
- Having- The girls are at camp Galileo this week so I am having to pack their lunches. Claire typically got the lunch provided by the school this year so I am out of practice. And I need to take care the lunch is nut-free since Galileo requires it. Lots to remember!
- Hoping- I’m hoping our country comes to its senses. And soon. My heart is broken with the recent ruling. And I fear for the future of our country for my daughters. They should have a choice and control of their bodies.
- Picking- Fresh basil and rhubarb! I don’t have many edibles (I leave that to my amazing neighbors who are generous with their garden bounty. But I love making rhubarb desserts and adding fresh basil to recipes in the summer! Also here is a pic of Avie ‘picking’ the nose of the gorilla statue at the zoo. Haha!
- Using- With the summer weather, we are trying everything to stay hydrated so we have been using our Soda Stream a lot. We make carbonated water and add liquid water enhancers. It tastes like a soda. The girls and I call it ‘fauxda!’
- Family Update
- Matt- Matt is working on hiring a few more people so maybe he won’t need to travel quite as much. Fingers crossed, right? He was home 2 weeks in a row this. month which was really nice! He enjoyed taking out the girls for lunch on Father’s Day and liked his gifts, too!
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- Me– I’m still having some various issues with running injuries (I’m very prone to these unfortunately) so I deferred my race that was last Saturday until next year. It was a bummer, but the right decision. I’m hoping to heal soon.
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- Claire- Claire has been working hard on the swim team. After time trials she has taken almost 20 seconds off her freestyle and time off her backstroke, too. Now she wants to do swim team over the winter. She also bridged from Brownie Girl Scouts to Juniors and got braces. It was a big month for her.
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- Avie- Avie and Claire did VBS this month and Avie especially enjoyed herself. She loved learning the dances. She still makes me play them in the car when we drive places. This week she is loving her dinosaur themed camp at Galileo! Avie also loved having Cousin Camp again with her sister and oldest cousin Aubrey. She adores that girl!
JUNE GOALS Recap
- Organize girls’ clothing- Done! It took a few hours, but everything is fitting much better. It will be easier to find what we have now, too.
- Go strawberry picking– No. With swim lessons and VBS, we didn’t have a chance to go. I wish there was a place closer to make it easier!
- Clean and organize toy cabinet in garage– Done! And it still looks great by some small miracle.
fire rainbow we saw on the way to the zoo
July Goals
- Paint office ceiling- We have a white coffered ceiling in the office, but I want to paint it a glossy white to match the wainscoting around our home.
- Choose laundry drying rack and mount it- We are getting new laundry room counter tops and a few other updates this week. I’d like to get some wall mounted drying racks for our delicates.
- Work on Level A books with Avie– Avie has been so interested in reading and so I printed off some books for her. I’d like to work on them more.
- Read with Claire one night a week– Claire is such a good reader we don’t get to read together much. I’d love to get back in the habit at least once a week.
LINKING UP WITH ANNE & WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY
