And just like that, it's the last week of July! Time seems to fly especially fast in the summer, even though the days are longer (at least in terms of # of hours of daylight). Here's what's currently up in my world!
Reading: I See You by Clare Mackintosh. I loved her last book, I Let You Go, last summer and loved it, so I was excited to see she wrote a new book! The author used to work in the police force in the UK so her real-life experience lends more credibility to her stories. I Let You Go was so page turny and this one has been engaging so far!
Loving: All the fresh produce I've been eating from my garden! I've been eating lots of zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. I can't wait for my big tomatoes to ripen! I'm planning to can marinara and salsa again this year but this time I am going to use the pressure cooker we got for our wedding so I'll be able to can any kind of salsa I want (with the hot water bath canning method, you are limited on what you can safely can as you have to make sure the acidity level is high enough to offset the risk of botulism!).
Feeling: like I still have work to do in figuring out how to not over-schedule myself. I guess this is always going to be a work in progress. I've decided that I will not make any more plans in August besides what we have on the calendar as we need some open weekends to do whatever we feel like doing versus having set plans for each weekend. July has been fun but it's just been so scheduled!
Thinking: about our fall vacation plans. We are tentatively planning to go to Asheville at the end of October. We haven't booked the trip yet as we both need to make sure we can get the time off. Asheville is one my favorite places to visit so I can't wait to show it to Phil! There's so much great hiking and great food in the area so I know he'll love it.
Anticipating: my getaway to the lake. I'm heading to the lake this morning for 4 days! Phil can't join me as he can't get the time off from work but it will still be a fun getaway. My Chicago brother and his family are there this week so I can't wait to get extra time with them - especially my nephew and niece who are 10 and almost-6!
Watching: very little TV these days. I pretty much just watch a bit of the news in the morning and that's about it!
Grateful: that the forecast looks wonderful for my lake getaway! Temps will be in the 80s so it's going to be a great week to be by the water!
Listening: to all the podcasts as usual. I'm not excited to drive to and from the lake by myself as Phil is usually my chauffeur (lucky him!). But driving by myself has it's perks as I can listen to podcasts that wouldn't interesting him (like, the many book-related ones!).
Wishing: for a nice long summer that stretches into fall! I just love the sunshine and warm temps and would like them to stick around as long as possible! I know not every likes summer, but if you had winters like we do, you'd understand why us Midwesterners LOVE summer.
What are you reading, anticipating, and wishing for these days?
Yay for salsa and fresh garden vegetables!!! I think not over-scheduling will always be a work in progress. It's hard when you're trying to make time for everything and everyone but at the end of the day, we're no good for anyone if we don't block time for ourselves. I'm actually really thankful that I kept July weekends fairly open except for our trip to GA. We went to the lake but that was to get away and when we are there it's very relaxed. Our August, however, is entirely booked! Since 7 of those days we'll be in the Turks I'm okay with it! I am so glad you get to go to the lake and that the weather is going to be gorgeous! I'm looking forward to your pictures!!! Asheville in October is going to be stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about our warm summers - my favorite season of all with fall a close second. Fresh fruit, vegetables and blooming flowers just make life good! Have a safe trip and I will see you late tonight or tomorrow sometime.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too love summer, as the winters here are BRUTAL. Although, that being said, within the past five years or so we've had at least three really nice winters, which I was so happy about.
ReplyDelete- I am reading "Confessions of a Sociopath", and am quite enjoying it. It's a great non-fiction read for a psych. major like myself. I love anything brain/psychology related.
- I am anticipating a busy weekend ahead, with a lot of family time. It's going to be nice :-)
- I am wishing that summer would draaaaaaag on. I love being off!
Have a wonderful and relaxing time at the lake!!!!!
I actually love summer even more and would be OK with it neverending now that I live in a more northern / winter climate. Kamloops summers would be SO HOT (over 100 F regularly even though luckily it was a dry heat) that by about the beginning of August I would start wishing for fall. Up north the temps stay around 80 F and its not humid either, SO NICE. Perfect summer temps. So yes, I'd definitely be OK with it lasting forever and appreciate it A LOT since we have such long winters!
ReplyDeleteHope you have an amazing time at the lake with family this week! I am really looking forward to heading to my mom's lake place on Friday for 5 days!
I liked I Let Your Go a LOT and I See You is on my stack, just waiting for me. (The stack is rather tall.) Glad to hear you are liking it -- I might move it up a little!
ReplyDeleteHave a glorious time at the lake. I love summer the way you do -- and people who aren't midwestern (or maybe New England) don't quite get it like we do!
I'm reading another Louise Penny Gamache mystery. I was going to do something else but I finished the last and couldn't wait for the next!
I'm anticipating our trip to Quebec City (Louise Penny territory!) next month.
I'm wishing summer wouldn't end so soon and time wouldn't fly so very fast!
I am anticipating Fall! I know people like summer, but fall is my time. Plus I'll be done with the MBA program, so I'll have actual time to relax.
ReplyDeleteUmm... you should plan to go to Asheville the first week of November, not the end of October. Because that's when I'll be there! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get excited about seasons when you live in Florida. Haha. It's been SO humid here (usually 90% humidity in the mornings ahhhh) that I just feel like I'm melting when I step outside. But I can only imagine how good it must feel in Minnesota this time of year!
I'm currently reading Evicted by Matthew Desmond (it's a slow read because the subject matter is so difficult, but Desmond is a masterful storyteller), anticipating a possible long weekend coming up, and wishing for some cooler temps.
I wish I could get J to go on more trips with me... your plans sound so fun!
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