for the beauty of the earth
Green. Lush green. That's what my world looks like these midsummer days. The skies have been full of rain clouds the last few days and our days and nights have been filled with the sound of rain pitter-pattering against the windows. Our plants are very much appreciating this rain, as are we. Last week, I went for a short walk with my mom in our neighborhood and the weather was rather pleasant for this time of year in the early evening. It was just as the sun was beginning to descend beyond the horizon so its heat wasn't streaming down on our heads. Our walks were nice little breaks in between rainfalls and it was such a breath of fresh air...literally. I was craving some fresh air! {{smiles}}
musical treasures
Broadway soundtracks have been bringing me endless delight these late nights of writing, puttering, organizing and tidying. Anastasia and Newsies are our favorites! My sister and I also enjoy listening to some classical-style music whilst we paint. And, of course, my Celtic melodies are always, always playing. I just cannot escape them, but why would I want to?
bookish ramblings
Last month, I completed my very first Elizabeth Goudge novel, which was one of those small dreams I'd had for several years now. It was ever so sweet and just as lovely as I'd hoped. Pilgrim's Inn is the perfect place to start with her books, if I may say so. That's what I'd heard from several bookish sources and they were indeed correct. I also finished the first book in the Penderwicks series, which was a calming, gentle read and perfect for summertime. Though, I must say it would be perfect for autumn or winter as well because it was quite a cozy read.
Currently, I've begun a new book...but I must admit that I am anxiously awaiting my birthday next week because something tells me I am getting a large book stack as part of my gift. I may have picked out the titles myself and am excitedly awaiting getting to open those packages.
in the world of TV and movies
Oh boy! My mom, sister, and I have begun watching The Hardy Boys series on Hulu this weekend. We are already five episodes in and we are completely hooked. It is captivating, mysterious, family-centered, set in a cute small town, and addictive. Have you seen it yet?
I'm also rewatching Call the Midwife, Blue Bloods, and Gilmore Girls. I'll watch one or two episodes of one of these shows in the evenings and oh, these are such comfort shows. I never forget why I love them so much, but each time I watch them, I love them a bit more. And I've been falling asleep to Full House, which I haven't seen in probably a decade. That was the show I loved most as a child...and it's been fun to revisit. (Oh, it's still as wonderful as it was in my little girl days!)
a grateful heart
Rainy days and nights (my favorite!), iced tea and lots of it!, baking bread with my mom and sister, going on long drives through the countryside, instrumental music, tall and endless piles of books, recipe collections as messy as mine is, new shows and movies to discover and watch, finding new music that makes me happy in every way, essential oil roller blends, looking out my window and seeing leafy green trees, cute hair clips for hot days, and the sound of crickets making music late at night.
from my kitchen
Last night, I took a turn making dinner for my people. I made Korean chicken, green beans and peas and a wonderfully refreshing, and perfect for summertime, mandarin pecan salad. The salad was a new-to-us recipe and we loved it. I love finding new variations for salads and this one was ridiculously simple but insanely delicious. And as a surprise for my sister, because she'd been craving them, I made homemade peanut butter cookies for dessert.
fashionable fun
Summer sundresses are what July days are made of. And today is no different. A spaghetti-strap sundress with a tropical pattern that makes me feel like I'm in Hawaii it is for today.
home and hearth
Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary. Just tidying up and going through things to sort through the garbage and good stuff to keep. And cleaning out my bookshelves of books I no longer want/don't like/etc. I'm forever making room for more books.
my cup overflows
Iced raspberry leaf tea is being drunk quite liberally these days.
these are a few of my favorite things
♥ diffusing a mixture of vanilla and lime essential oils...this combination is divine!
♥ the Harry Potter movie series...I think I'm in love.
♥ homemade vanilla iced coffee...seriously yum!
for the love of words
Finding yourself is not really how it works. You aren't a ten-dollar bill in last winter's coat pocket. You are also not lost. Your true self is right there, buried under cultural conditioning, other people's opinions, and inaccurate conclusions you drew as a kid that became your beliefs about who you are. 'Finding yourself' is actually returning to yourself. An unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were before the world got its hands on you.
(Emily McDowell)
crafting and creating
A few weeks ago, my sister and I began painting in the evenings. We bought some canvases at the shop and pulled out our paints and just have fun painting whatever we fancy. So far, I've ended up with five paintings to hang on my walls...I'm certainly no van Gogh, but this is a fun hobby and way to spend hours upon hours in the evenings and I love having some handmade artwork on my walls.
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What is filling your world with delight these July days, dear friends?