for the beauty of the earth
I think that green quite possibly may be becoming one of my favorite colors. This is the first year that I have truly appreciated the beauty of springtime and the welcoming of summer. The earth is so lush and bright green and you can't help but just sit and admire the splendour of it all. Our June has been splendidly warm but not too hot, which is a real treat for us southerners. Usually, we're already nearing 100 degrees outside and it hasn't gotten close to that yet. July and August are just around the corner, but for now, we're soaking up every minute of this blessed weather that we can.
musical treasures
Christy Nockels' album entitled Be Held: Lullabies for the Beloved has been on repeat these last few weeks. All of the songs are beautiful, but at the moment, my favorite is "Always Remember to Never Forget". If you haven't heard these songs before, I highly suggest you take a moment to do so...you will find your heart refreshed and encouraged.
Christy Nockels' album entitled Be Held: Lullabies for the Beloved has been on repeat these last few weeks. All of the songs are beautiful, but at the moment, my favorite is "Always Remember to Never Forget". If you haven't heard these songs before, I highly suggest you take a moment to do so...you will find your heart refreshed and encouraged.
bookish ramblings
I've been terrible about reading this last month. We were on vacation for a week and that threw off my routine like crazy! I did finally read a book a couple weeks ago (Katherine Reay's "The Printed Letter Bookshop), but I didn't really care for it. It was a letdown, to put it lightly. You can read my review HERE. Since completing that book, I've picked up several books here and there, but none grabbed me. I've learned that when I read a dud of a book it really kicks my enthusiasm and desire to read out the window. However, two nights ago, I began "Smitten Book Club", and well, I'm already halfway through...and I rejoice because I finally found another book that I am enjoying and my excitement to read has returned.
I've been terrible about reading this last month. We were on vacation for a week and that threw off my routine like crazy! I did finally read a book a couple weeks ago (Katherine Reay's "The Printed Letter Bookshop), but I didn't really care for it. It was a letdown, to put it lightly. You can read my review HERE. Since completing that book, I've picked up several books here and there, but none grabbed me. I've learned that when I read a dud of a book it really kicks my enthusiasm and desire to read out the window. However, two nights ago, I began "Smitten Book Club", and well, I'm already halfway through...and I rejoice because I finally found another book that I am enjoying and my excitement to read has returned.
in the world of TV and movies
Since I took a wee break from reading, I ended up watching several movies...
P.S. I Love You- 3.5 out of 5 stars
About Time- 3.5 out of 5 stars (the beginning was so repetitive and that got a bit annoying, but after that, it ended up being a pretty good movie)
Serendipity- 3 out of 5 stars (definitely not the best movie, but not the worst either)
Letters to Juliet- 5 out of 5 stars (one of my ALL TIME favorites!)
Julie and Julia- 5 out of 5 stars (another all time favorite)
Leap Year- 5 out of 5 stars (yet another favorite)
Sweet Home Alabama- 3.5 out of 5 stars (funny story: this was my favorite movie when I was 7!)
I also came across a show that has, over the last month, become one that I love. I binge-watched 9 seasons, almost 200 episodes, of Blue Bloods over about 5 weeks. I've never been into cop shows before, but this one is different. There is a lot going on besides police chasing bad guys. The strong emphasis on family and standing up for what you believe in and fighting for the good is what I really love about the show...and I love the comical moments as well. Danny is a hoot!
Since I took a wee break from reading, I ended up watching several movies...
P.S. I Love You- 3.5 out of 5 stars
About Time- 3.5 out of 5 stars (the beginning was so repetitive and that got a bit annoying, but after that, it ended up being a pretty good movie)
Serendipity- 3 out of 5 stars (definitely not the best movie, but not the worst either)
Letters to Juliet- 5 out of 5 stars (one of my ALL TIME favorites!)
Julie and Julia- 5 out of 5 stars (another all time favorite)
Leap Year- 5 out of 5 stars (yet another favorite)
Sweet Home Alabama- 3.5 out of 5 stars (funny story: this was my favorite movie when I was 7!)
I also came across a show that has, over the last month, become one that I love. I binge-watched 9 seasons, almost 200 episodes, of Blue Bloods over about 5 weeks. I've never been into cop shows before, but this one is different. There is a lot going on besides police chasing bad guys. The strong emphasis on family and standing up for what you believe in and fighting for the good is what I really love about the show...and I love the comical moments as well. Danny is a hoot!
a grateful heart
flowy dresses and sandals, music that gives me all the feels, finding a new show to love, favorite movies, a new iced tea recipe that is perfect for summertime, sunshine and puffy clouds, sunsets that look like sherbet in the sky, canopies of trees, our new basil plant, a wonderful trip to Amish country last month, the delight of hearing your favorite music live in concert, seasonal fruit, the scent of the grill on a June evening, the first sweet taste of watermelon this year, almost-summer nights where you can roll the windows down and take a peaceful drive in the countryside
flowy dresses and sandals, music that gives me all the feels, finding a new show to love, favorite movies, a new iced tea recipe that is perfect for summertime, sunshine and puffy clouds, sunsets that look like sherbet in the sky, canopies of trees, our new basil plant, a wonderful trip to Amish country last month, the delight of hearing your favorite music live in concert, seasonal fruit, the scent of the grill on a June evening, the first sweet taste of watermelon this year, almost-summer nights where you can roll the windows down and take a peaceful drive in the countryside
from my kitchen
Whenever I watch Julie and Julia, I always find myself wanting to make bruschetta. It's something I've never done before, but every single time I watch that scene in the movie, oh it just looks sooo good. Over the weekend, I finally made my first bruschetta. I made the traditional, classic tomato basil bruschetta, and then because it sounded so fresh and summery, I chose an avocado cucumber recipe...both were so delectable. So fresh tasting!
Whenever I watch Julie and Julia, I always find myself wanting to make bruschetta. It's something I've never done before, but every single time I watch that scene in the movie, oh it just looks sooo good. Over the weekend, I finally made my first bruschetta. I made the traditional, classic tomato basil bruschetta, and then because it sounded so fresh and summery, I chose an avocado cucumber recipe...both were so delectable. So fresh tasting!
fashionable fun
I picked up a few flowy dresses for the season earlier in the spring. Target was especially having some cute styles out this year...I'm super picky about pretty much everything, clothes included, so I was pleased to see such pretty dresses on the racks. This one, however, was a quick find at Walmart one late evening...if you know me, you know the flowers are what got me!
I picked up a few flowy dresses for the season earlier in the spring. Target was especially having some cute styles out this year...I'm super picky about pretty much everything, clothes included, so I was pleased to see such pretty dresses on the racks. This one, however, was a quick find at Walmart one late evening...if you know me, you know the flowers are what got me!
home and hearth
I've been thoroughly home life here recently...we have a goal to make more and more of our foods from scratch. This has been a dream of mine for so long, but of course, one must start simple. So bread it is! This week will see me baking a loaf or two of honey wheat bread, as well as trying a new granola recipe. But there are so many recipes that I want to test out and perfect. My goal is to be able to make as much as I can from scratch, both for the health and financial benefits. Plus, for me, it's just plain fun!
I've been thoroughly home life here recently...we have a goal to make more and more of our foods from scratch. This has been a dream of mine for so long, but of course, one must start simple. So bread it is! This week will see me baking a loaf or two of honey wheat bread, as well as trying a new granola recipe. But there are so many recipes that I want to test out and perfect. My goal is to be able to make as much as I can from scratch, both for the health and financial benefits. Plus, for me, it's just plain fun!
my cup overflows
I found a few boxes of tea that I brought back from Ireland, so I'm enjoying a cup of blackcurrant and blueberry tea as I type this post out...hmmm, it's utterly delightful1
I found a few boxes of tea that I brought back from Ireland, so I'm enjoying a cup of blackcurrant and blueberry tea as I type this post out...hmmm, it's utterly delightful1
these are a few of my favorite things
this and this bruschetta recipe
(I used onion and garlic powder because we don't like the strong flavor of fresh)
this and this bruschetta recipe
(I used onion and garlic powder because we don't like the strong flavor of fresh)
for the love of words
"I withdraw from people and places from time to time, I need space from a world that is filled with millions of mouths that talk too much but never have anything to say."
-Kaitlin Foster
"I withdraw from people and places from time to time, I need space from a world that is filled with millions of mouths that talk too much but never have anything to say."
-Kaitlin Foster
creating and crafting
No crafting at the moment, but plenty of cooking, which is a craft all its own. Over the last few weeks I've tried so many new recipes and it's been the best getting to experiment in the kitchen again.
Hope the rest of your week is lovely all the way through!
No crafting at the moment, but plenty of cooking, which is a craft all its own. Over the last few weeks I've tried so many new recipes and it's been the best getting to experiment in the kitchen again.
Hope the rest of your week is lovely all the way through!