Day off with my two favorites...

The perfect day off lunch- tomato and brie sandwich at Alterra Coffee Roasters in Milwaukee.

"Vacation" in pictures

My husband, the fisherman

Blessed.

Vacation Companions #1- Jeremy, Rachel, Josiah, Micah, and Kayleah Lindsay

Vacation Companions #2- Andi, Joanna, Sam, and Beniah Rozier 

Late night swims.

My lovie.

Last Thursday, we embarked on a Michigan vacation alongside two other families. Over four days we jet-skied, four-wheeled, swam, fished, read, napped, played games, ate delicious food, went to church, kayaked, and celebrated Father's Day. Ainsley also started clapping- hopefully a video will be coming!

Book Review- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Adding this book to my summer reading list really was a no-brainer. I have a dear friend who recommended the novel to me- a good recommendation should not be overlooked. I'm so glad I took her advice. I found "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" captivating and charming.
The story is made up entirely of letters written mainly by writer Juliet Ashton to her publisher/friend Sydney, best friend Sophie, members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and various others. The structure was inventive and never dull. Juliet's letters were so witty and enjoyable to read. A headstrong, passionate main character made this novel an easy one to emerse myself within and find a character in which to relate.
Another element of this book is the stories told about World War II and the German Occupation of the Channel Island of Guernsey. Many of the stories were heartbreaking- families choosing to send their children to  London for several years so they could escape the hardship of living under German rule, female concentration camp prisoners beaten for having a menstrual cycle, citizens eating rotten potatoes to survive. I felt like Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows created such heroic and brave characters, determined to remain and flourish in spite of the devastation around them. I found myself mourning for these characters and the truth their stories represent.
There is also a hint of romance thrown in for romantics like me.
I absolutely loved this book.

Summer Reading List Update

First additions to the summer reading list have been decided:

A Thousand Acres- Jane Smiley

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Almond Picker
AND

The Autobiography of Mark Twain

Early morning list making

Today is officially the first day of summer vacation for this teacher. Each year, I come to this day and feel completely overwhelmed with the vastness of vacation time I have ahead of me. Yes, some people relish time to relax and do nothing, but too much downtime makes me feel lazy, bored, and incredibly lonely for work. Sad and very American of me, I know. SO, this summer I am making a goal list to chip away at each day in hopes to remedy my current cold sweats of anxiety. A summer resolution list, if you will...

Here's what I've got so far-

1. Cook more. Perhaps, I should decide on a certain amount of recipes to cook out of the stack of cookbooks I own but so rarely open. Thirty-five sounds like a splendid idea. Okay, 35 new recipes by the end of the summer.
2. Create and conquer a summer reading list (just like I did for my high school students). Suggestions?
3. Sew a dress for Miss. Ainsley. A pretty one.
4. Organize my closet.
5. Go to Ravinia at least 3 times.
6. Try out a new farmers market. I've heard the one in Evanston, IL is lovely.
7. Teach Ainsley how to clap. We're close, I think!
8. Buy a new pair of shoes. I'm sure my husband will love this goal.
9. Write more haikus.
10. Read through and study the Pentateuch in my time with the Lord. I've always felt intimidated by these books of the Bible.

Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. Here goes...

Sew tired...

Today my mother-in-law came to town to lend her services in helping me sew my first dress. A few weeks back, she and my sister-in-law, Erin, came to town to shop at a fabric outlet store in the city. We sifted through mountains of fabric and each came out with some favorites. I came across this corally-pink gem. It was kismet. Three yards left, discarded off to the side, this fabric was waiting for me to come by and see it's potential. I snatched it up and begged my mother-in-law to help me turn the colorful textile into greatness.

Today we sewed the bodice and the skirt. We just have to put in the zipper and then I will have a brand new dress. Pictures to come!

Saturday mornings.

This morning was particularly lovely in the Smith home. Ainsley woke up at 5:30am which ordinarily would make this Mama quite cranky. On the contrary, I was bright-eyed and ready to see the drooly, snotty, adorably symmetrical face of my daughter. And then, to top off my joy, Joel woke up around 6:45am and brewed some Alterra George's Burly Blend. Bliss.