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Posted in Books and Shows

TV Tuesday

Hello!

WordPress shares daily writing prompts, and they often catch my attention.

A few weeks ago, the prompt was “What TV shows did you watch as a kid?”

When I saw this prompt, literally the flood gates of my childhood opened up immediately.

Here are a few tv shows I remember watching through the years…

Most mornings when we would get ready for school, The Mickey Mouse Club and Kids, Inc. were on the Disney Channel.

TGIF Friday nights on ABC included Full House and Family Matters. I also loved Growing Pains and The Hogan Family. I don’t remember if they were on Friday nights or not.

I have fond memories of Saturday mornings watching Saved by the Bell and California Dreams.

My first crushes were definitely Kirk Cameron, Jason Bateman, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

Other shows I remember watching include: Alf, Hey Dude, Kate & Allie, and Clarissa Explains it All.

Late middle school into high school, like most teens in America, I watched Party of Five, 90210, and Melrose Place. I guess I watched those shows into my college years.

I’m not sure when I started watching Golden Girls, but they are still my favorite to this day. Designing Women is another top tier show for me. I still watch those reruns on Hulu too.

I even remember watching reruns of I Love Lucy, the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and the Dick Van Dyke show and loving those shows. I think I’m an “old soul” when it comes to my tv shows.

A show I’d forgotten about but rediscovered this summer is 227. As soon as I heard the opening song, I remembered every word. I loved watching some of those episodes on Hulu this summer.

I sent my brother a text asking him what shows he remembers from our childhood, and he said, “Where do I begin?” haha

My brother is three years younger than me, and he remembers the most random things from when we were younger. I wondered if we’d have any of the same favorite shows, and the two he said that I said as well were Hey Dude and Clarissa.

He also said: Salute Your Shorts, Are You Afraid of the Dark, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Muppet Babies, Dark Wing Duck and Duck Tales.

I just knew he’d say Duck Tales.

Anyway, this was a fun stroll down memory lane.

What about you… What are some tv shows you remember watching from your childhood?

Posted in Not Just a Mom

Not Just a Mom

Hello!

It’s already the second Monday of the month, so I’m co-hosting with some of my favorite bloggers for our monthly link up.

Before I get to the post. Today is 9/11.

It’s hard to believe so many years have passed since this unbelievably difficult day in our history. Like most, I will never forget where I was when I heard the news and how scared and uncertain I felt.

Never forget.

This year, we’ve discussed:

  • Introductions in January
  • House rules in February
  • Day in the life (weekend edition) in March
  • Cleaning hacks in April
  • Pet peeves in May
  • How we became a mom in June
  • Top 5 favorite family activities in July
  • What’s in my handbag in August

This month’s topic is hobbies.

Well, at this current stage of my life, I feel like my #1 hobby is shuttling my kids wherever they need to be…haha

But really, I do try to carve out time to do a few things that I enjoy.

I’d say that reading is something that I try to do every single day. Some days, I have a half hour to read and other days I might only have ten minutes, but I still try to read when I can…and I always travel with books and my Kindle.

I really enjoy cooking and baking. Even better is that Hadley likes to bake too. She’s a pretty independent baker, and we also bake together.

Of course, this blog is a hobby. I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for four years.

I really enjoy writing these posts and engaging with my readers. Some days, it’s hard to find the time to get posts written, but I usually get them finished some way, somehow. Writing is a good way for me to be creative and express myself….and have so many memories in one spot!

I’m not sure if it’s really a hobby for me, but walking/working out are another part of my routine most days. Admittedly, I’m not in tip top shape, but a good workout or walk is good for my mental health…and physical health too, I suppose.

I’d say my real #1 hobby is watching my kids’ activities. They keep us on the go quite a bit, but there’s nowhere I’d rather be than cheering them on.

So, those are a few of my hobbies. I can’t wait to see what others share.

What about you? What’s your favorite hobby?

Next month, our topic is…money saving tips. Oh boy…maybe I should have Travis be a guest blogger. haha

Thanks so much for reading.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Posted in Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#174}

Hello and happy Friday!

TGIF! Why do the shorter weeks always feel longer? It was a good week, but it just felt never ending.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week:

I’m taking a different approach to this week’s Friday Favorites post.

This week, I’ve joined in with Erika and Shay for their photo challenge on Instagram.

So far, I’ve remembered to share the daily photo. Here’s a look at the week:

September 1: The letter “F”

Well, September 1st was Friday, and we had some Friday night FUN.

Hayden went to the trampoline park with friends for a friend’s birthday. Hadley headed to the UK volleyball game, so Travis and I went out to dinner downtown before joining her and our friends at the volleyball game.

It was definitely a fun night.

September 2: Selfie

I snapped a sweaty selfie after Hayden’s cross country meet! I was wearing my favorite Fabletics leggings and SSYS workout tank.

September 3: Your view

Well, on Sunday, I had a few errands to run, and I went into Bath and Body Works. My view was of all the “wonderfall” fall candles. I bought a couple, of course!

September 4: Monday

Monday was Labor Day, and I was able to spend a couple hours at the pool. I read for a bit and chatted with my mom friends. Our pool stays open one weekend past Labor Day, so maybe we will get there one more time this weekend before it closes for the year.

September 5: Football

My mom got me this Chiefs flag, and I decided to put it out this week in honor of the Chiefs first game last night.

September 6: Smile

Hadley and I went to get froyo with good friends after her volleyball clinic on Wednesday. It’s always good to see them, and of course froyo makes me smile.

September 7: View

On Sunday, when I was out running errands, I stopped in Michael’s and saw this “Boo”sign. Of course, it’s for Halloween, but I snagged it for Hadley’s room. It’s kind of a running joke, but when I get annoyed about asking her to do something, she says, “boo”…but in a funny way.

I surprised her with this lit up in her room, and now it’s my view every night when I go in to tell her goodnight.

Hopefully, I can keep up with the photo challenge the rest of the month.

Favorite Outfit:

I shared recent outfits this week, but then wore this one yesterday. I got lots of compliments on it at school. It was a comfy but cute outfit for a Thursday at school.

Favorite Mom Meme:

This one applies, but I guess I have to give the kids credit…they did earn some money this summer…and they do go a few places on their bikes. haha

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

Football season is back, and I always love this football memory before we headed to a UK game when the kids were little.

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week in case you missed one:

Not Just a Mom:

We have our monthly Not Just a Mom link up on Monday.

We are talking about hobbies! If you have a blog, we’d love to have you join us.

What are your weekend plans?

Of course, Hayden has cross country and there’s a home UK football game tomorrow. I’m not sure our plans, but we might be able to go.

I’m kind of itching to put out some fall decorations, but I will probably wait until next week.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Posted in Me

Thursday Thoughts: True Colors

Hello and happy Thursday!

In one of the professional development sessions I attended at the start of the school year, we had to take a personality assessment.

Through the years, I’ve had administrators ask us to take various ones as a way for them to better understand their staff and as a prompt for us to take time for self-reflection.

Of course, you know I’ve taken the Enneagram test, and am a 5w6, and I think many of those characteristics hold true for me.

We were asked to take the True Colors personality test. After answering a series of questions, you find out “your” color.

Color Characteristics:

  • Blue (Feeler)– emotionally driven, seeks harmony in groups, enthusiastic, creative, sympathetic
  • Green (Thinker)– logically driven, independent thinker, focused, efficient, analytical
  • Gold (Planner)– loyalty driven, respects rules and authority, responsible, organized, appreciative
  • Orange (Doer)– short-term driven, welcomes change and variety, adventurous, competitive, impulsive

Any guesses what color I am?

GOLD!…by a landslide.

I kind of thought I’d have a bit more green but I’m not surprised that I’m not orange or blue.

One of my school friends tends to run late, and she says, “It’s because I’m orange!” and we all just laugh.

Anyway, I do think it’s interesting to see other people’s results. Kind of like love languages and Enneagram types, I don’t hold a ton of stock in them, but I do think you can know people better when you understand their personality type too.

So…what color are you?

Posted in Amazon, Clothes

WIWW

Hello!

A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed sharing the outfits I’d been wearing recently, so I’m trying to remember to snap a pic when I can.

The outfits I’m sharing today are a mix of school and weekend.

We went to Nashville for a birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and I snagged this dress from Amazon. It was an impulse buy, but I really like it. It comes in a variety of colors, and it has pockets!

This outfit is brought to you by Amazon…and really –they are Amazon purchases from quite a while ago. I know I’ve had the dress, cardigan, and sandals for at least two years.

This outfit includes same cardigan, different color. Same sandals as above as well. I picked up this floral dress at Walmart last spring.

I always get so many compliments when I wear this floral Old Navy dress. I remember when I bought it, I was on the fence about it, but I’m glad I kept it. I did cut the tassels off because I hate tassels.

I always joke that I feel like I’m going to a fiesta when I wear it, but it’s a great dress for school. I’m wearing my favorite Amazon sandals from last summer, but they aren’t in stock anymore.

Friday, I wore these jeans to school and then changed out of my school t-shirt and put on my favorite Amazon cap sleeve sweater to go to the UK volleyball game.

For Hayden’s cross country meet, I wore my one of my pairs of Fabletics leggings, my SSYS workout tank, and New Balance tennis shoes.

I wore this outfit to school last Wednesday. The top is SSYS, and I’ve had my white denim jeans forever.

I wore this outfit to school yesterday. Amazon joggers and sandals and a denim shirt that I got at Target a few years ago.

Looking back at these outfits, I did a good job shopping my closet. The only new item is the first dress. Also, for me, “sandal season” lasts through September. I’m always bummed when I have to put away all my cute sandals!

Thanks for reading!

{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.}

Posted in School

Teacher Talk Tuesday: Classroom Tour

Hello!

How was your Labor Day weekend? Ours was good. We had a mix of down time, busy time, friend/family time, pool time and more.

Now that I feel like I’m in the groove this school year, I thought I’d show you around my classroom.

I shared some back to school photos a few weeks ago, but today I’m honing in on my Top 10 things in my classroom.

I always want my classroom to feel warm and welcoming.

Since I do intervention, I actually don’t need this many tables, but students are able to spread out when they are in my room. Sometimes, I’m helping a couple of students and other times, I might have 12-15 students for small group instruction.

I like for the room to be colorful and cheery. The natural sunlight from the windows help brighten the room. Often times, I don’t even turn on the overhead lights because I have so much daylight thanks to the windows, and I have a few lamps around my classroom.

Whatever classroom I’ve been in, I always have a corner for my area…that way students know to stay in front of my desk. haha

My area is behind the desk, and they get the rest of the room.

The “Save Time …See it my way” poster I’ve had on my desk for all 22 years I’ve taught.

1. Desk

On my desk, I have a few pictures, my desk calendar, supplies and important folders.

2. Computer area

When I moved into this classroom a couple of years ago, I decided to use a table for my computer. In my former classroom, I had the computer on the desk, and I like to have more space this way.

I have two crates under this table that hold a few books and binders I need for reference as well as some extra school supplies.

I also have a stack of lesson plan books through the years. I never want to throw them away at the end of the year. Are there any other teachers reading this post that feel the same way?

3. Teacher planner

While I don’t need a planner to plan out my lessons like I used to, I still use one to pencil in which students I’m helping, which classrooms I need to visit as well as meetings. This is my third year using a Happy Planner, and I really love it.

4. Flat panel

I just got this flat panel at the end of last school year, so I’m still figuring it out. I did go to a professional development last week to learn a few tricks. Like with most technology, the kids can probably teach me quicker than me just messing around with it.

5. Posters

I have posters all throughout my room. Honestly, they don’t change much through the years.

I have fun quotes and motivational posters as well as a few literary ones.

As an English teacher, of course I have reading reminders and proofreading marks…

The three questions I’ve had posted in my room for years. They were shared at a PD years ago, and they are good reminders for students and myself when questioning students.

6. Supplies

Admittedly, I don’t need as many supplies as elementary school teachers do, and honestly, I probably have more than most high school teachers do.

I just re-stock when supplies are on sale in July and August, so I have mostly what students might need.

At the front of my room, I have highlighters, markers, scissors, glue sticks, index cards and more.

7. Pencil boxes

Quite a few years ago, I put one pencil box on every table. These boxes have a couple of pencils, a few highlighters, some markers, colored pencils and crayons.

That way, once students are seated, they have most of what they need right in front of them.

Honestly, this helped more when I had classes of over thirty students and wanted them to stay seated. That’s not as big of a deal now since I work with so few students at a time, but I still like for them to mostly have what they need right in front of them.

8. Books

I have a variety of reading materials and resources for students. I’ve used the Timed Reading books with all levels of learners. They provide good practice with reading comprehension.

The National Geographic books are good visuals for students and are shorter texts that aren’t overwhelming.

The Bluford series books are high interest books for struggling readers.

Through the years, I’ve read them with classes or let students read them individually.

9. My bookshelf

Over five years ago, my neighbor had this bookshelf sitting out on the curb, and I snagged it for my classroom.

On top, I have some family photos, a little plant, some teacher items given to me through the years, and my new candle warmer.

The top shelf holds the textbooks, both teacher and student editions, that I use daily as well as some extra supplies.

The bottom shelf holds a few more knick knacks, photos, and books.

10. Comfy chair

This comfy chair is a favorite spot for students. It’s just an extra spot to sit, but they have to be working or reading in order to sit in it. No phones allowed. It’s for learning, not lounging. 😃

I always feel better once my room is put back together after summer break. I love when students come in and say, “Ms. White, your room is so cute!”

I want it to be comfortable for the students but also for myself since I’m there seven hours a day.

Speaking of my classroom…off to school I go! At least it’s a four day week this week. Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Amazon

Prime Purchases

Hello and happy Monday!

Today is Labor Day, but it’s also Prime Purchases day with Tanya. I’m linking up with her to share what I bought this month.

I had a pretty light Amazon shopping month…

This dress is super cute and comfy.

I wore it to school and got lots of compliments. Bonus — it has pockets!

I needed a new keyboard for my school computer and bought this wireless pink keyboard/mouse combo.

It’s the perfect fit for my desk.

Up until last week, I had a desktop computer and two monitors. I was having some connectivity issues, so I ended up with a new chromebook and monitor. I like my new set up.

I shared about this candle warmer lamp in a Friday Favorites post, and it’s still a favorite.

I’ve used it with both single and three wick candles, and it warms them up just enough to to make my classroom smell so good.

The lamp height is adjustable and has three settings for the light.

I can’t wait to buy some fall candles to mix into the rotation.

Hadley wants to take her lunch occasionally this year. She hasn’t used a lunchbox in a couple of years, so she picked out this new one. It’s been working for her so far.

Random story, but I had a SSYS dress in mind for the Nashville birthday party we went to last weekend and when it went on sale, I bought it…but had it shipped to my mom’s house by accident.

Of course, I have quite a few dresses, but most felt liked they’d either be “too nice” or are more for what I wear to school.

So, admittedly, this dress was in impulse buy…but I love it.

It’s light-weight, classic, and I love a collar on a dress.

I wore the wedges I got earlier in the summer from Old Navy.

We were too rushed to get to the party for me to take a pic, so I re-created the outfit and snapped this pic after a hectic day at school last week… haha…

At the party, a friend asked me if my dress was from Amazon…because she has it in purple which is her daughter’s school color. She’d worn it to the school football game the night before. It does come in so many colors!

So, that’s it for my recent Amazon purchases. What have you “primed” lately?

{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.}

Posted in Friday Favorites, Travel

Friday Favorites {#173}

Hello and happy Friday…and happy September 1st! The {-ber} months are here, and I’m ready for them.

Also…who is ready for a three day weekend?! {this girl!}

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week:

Last Saturday, Hayden (and Coach Travis!) had the first official cross country meet of the season. It was a pretty hot day, but Hayden ran a great race and placed 1st! The girls and boys team had a strong showing, considering many of the runners are in the sixth grade.

After the race, Travis and I hurried to get the kids home so that we could head to Nashville for a friend’s birthday.

We were a hot sweaty mess after the race, so we quickly showered, packed and got the kids where they needed to be before hitting the road.

It’s about a 3 1/2 hour drive to Nashville/Franklin, and once we got to our hotel, we had to quickly change to head to the party.

The party was at Stable Reserve not far from our hotel.

Two songwriters performed for about an hour. They have a total of nine number one country music songs…including Walker Hayes’ Fancy Like and a new that’s on the radio, Tucson Too Late which just now hit the radio.

It was really neat to hear them perform. Then there was a break in the music in another songwriter was there to sing for another hour long set.

We had a great time catching up with our friends including Lexington friends we don’t see often enough.

After the party, we made a pitstop at a wine bar before hanging out at the hotel lobby / bar just catching up.

We stayed at The Harpeth, and it was so nice.

Once we woke up Sunday morning, we headed home. I wish we had more time there, but we had to get back to the kids and get ready for the week.

Favorite Foods:

At our hotel, there was a little spot for breakfast. Travis and I picked up coffee to go and I saw these “grab the gold” bars. I’ve heard of them, but had never seen them in person. This was my snack for the car ride home, and it was really good. It reminded me of a no bake cookie.

On the drive home from Nashville, I placed my Kroger order and decided to make this Cheeseburger Biscuit recipe from Pinterest for dinner. It is definitely a family favorite now.

Hadley and I went to Trader Joe’s on Monday after school and the Salsa Verde tortilla chips were one of the samples. I had one chip and knew we needed to bring a bag home. Lol.

They are so good.

Favorite Mom Meme:

So tired by Friday…

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

Here’s Hayden running in the same spot on the same course in both sixth grade and now in eighth grade. He looks both so similar and so different to me now.

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week which included a little bit of everything…memes, books, and musings!

What are your weekend plans? I’m so happy to not set an alarm for the next three days! The kids have plans with friends tonight, Hayden has a meet tomorrow, and maybe we’ll try to get some pool time in this weekend.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Posted in Monthly Musings, School

Monthly Musings

Hello and happy Thursday.

It’s the last day of August, and I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for Monthly Musings. I love reading these posts and seeing how everyone answers these questions.

This month’s topic is Back to School

It’s hard to believe that we’re on our third week of school already! Thankfully, I feel like we are finally getting in a groove.

1. Where do you typically shop for back to school? Any tips?

It’s changed as the kids have gotten older, but we usually go to the outlet mall at some point to get them new shoes.

While Hayden doesn’t care much about what he wears on the first day, Hadley will always say, “Yes!” to shopping. I shared about her “back to school ‘fit” a couple of weeks ago. Her favorite store is probably Aerie.

2. How do you organize for back to school?

The last couple of weeks of summer, I try to start crossing things off our “to do” list and do a little bit at a time. One day, we might get haircuts, and another day buy school supplies. Right before school starts, I have the kids get everything organized, label their folders, and make sure they have everything they need.

I also have to get my classroom organized, and I always feel so much better after I get it situated. Hadley was a big help this year.

3. Do you meal prep? Any fall recipes to share?

I meal plan more than I meal prep.

I always write our activities and dinners on the magnetic paper calendar on our fridge. Last year, I made a point to do my Kroger pickup on Saturday, so that I wasn’t scrambling on Sundays. I hope to keep that up this year too.

I also try to get our lives/activities organized using the Cozi app.

4. Any back to school traditions?

We always do a “Back to School Brinner” a night or two before school starts. Of course the morning of the first day, I take the kids’ picture.

5. How long does it take you to get in a new fall routine?

Uh…I’m still trying to get that figured out. haha

I do feel like we are getting in a bit of a routine now that we are on our third week of school. Just when we figure it out, I’m sure our evening activities will change and throw us off.

6. Best lunchbox packing tips?

Since middle school, the kids buy school lunch. That being said, Hadley requested this lunchbox this year for days when she wants to take her lunch.

I don’t really have any packing tips. When the kids were in elementary, we’d pack these Yumboxes, and Hadley still uses hers.

I do think it’s best to pack lunch the night before, and I told Hadley that needs to be her plan this year if she’s taking her lunch.

Maybe on the days that Hadley takes her lunch, she will let me put a note in her lunch like I used to in elementary school.

As for me, I do try to plan my lunches. Every week, I usually split a bagged salad with chicken over two days, take leftovers one day, pack an “adult lunchable” another day and so on. I always take fruit and then some days I bring cottage cheese, chips, etc.

7. Best tips for getting out the door in the morning?

This year, I set an alarm for when I need to leave for school. I’ve done a much better job at getting to school on time so far this year.

I try to have an idea of what I want to wear for the week just so I’m not fumbling around trying to figure that out. Often times, whatever I wear to church on Sunday, I wear to school on Monday.

8. Slow cooker? Instant Pot? Neither? Both? Recipe to share.

Slow cooker… always!

I use Shay’s Simmers cookbook at least once a week.

Some of our favorite recipes are Sloppy Joe’s, King Ranch Joe’s, and Taco Tortellini Soup.

9. School bus? Car pool? Walk to school?

When the kids were little, we’d walk to school some and they’d stay after school for childcare or a sitter would pick them up.

Once they started middle school, they started riding the bus in the morning. I pick them up from school most of the time if they don’t have practice. They mostly do something year round, but never really at the same time until track season.

Hayden doesn’t mind to ride the bus home in the afternoon, but Hadley does. haha

It pretty easily works with my schedule to pick them up, so I do what I can when I can.

10. Start school before or after Labor Day?

Before! I wish we just kept it simple with a nice long summer of Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Hope everyone is having a great back to school season.

{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Posted in Books and Shows

What I’ve Been Reading: August 2023

Hello!

I can’t believe that August is almost over…and with that, “summer reading” is just about over for me. Today, I’m sharing the books I read this month.

I started off strong with reading while I was in California. I finished one book on the plane, read another book in 24 hours while there, started a book, and then read a novella while on the plane. Then, I finished a book right around the time school started. Since school has started, I just haven’t had as much time…and can barely keep my eyes open at night.

I had a really good month of reading though…poolside, oceanside, and in the car!

Here are the books I read this month:

{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}

Five-Star Weekend:

Summary:

After tragedy strikes, Hollis Shaw gathers four friends from different stages in her life to spend an unforgettable weekend on Nantucket.

Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is killed in a car accident. The cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—her strained marriage and her complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.

So when Hollis hears about something called a “Five-Star Weekend”—one woman organizes a trip for her best friend from each phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife—she decides to host her own Five-Star Weekend on Nantucket. But the weekend doesn’t turn out to be a joyful Hallmark movie.

The husband of Hollis’s childhood friend Tatum arranges for Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to spend time with them, stirring up old feelings. Meanwhile, Tatum is forced to play nice with abrasive and elitist Dru-Ann, Hollis’s best friend from UNC Chapel Hill. Dru-Ann’s career as a prominent Chicago sports agent is on the line after her comments about a client’s mental health issues are misconstrued online. Brooke, Hollis’s friend from their thirties, has just discovered that her husband is having an inappropriate relationship with a woman at work. Again! And then there’s Gigi, a stranger to everyone (including Hollis) who reached out to Hollis through her blog. Gigi embodies an unusual grace and, as it hap- pens, has many secrets.

Quick Thoughts:

I think this is my fave EH book to date. This was the book I read in Cali in 24 hours! I loved the premise, the different friendships and of course the Nantucket setting. It was the perfect summer book to read.

Rating:

FIVE stars for the Five-Star Weekend.

Hello Beautiful:

Summary:

An emotionally layered and engrossing story of a family that asks: Can love make a broken person whole?

William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So it’s a relief when his skill on the basketball court earns him a scholarship to college, far away from his childhood home. He soon meets Julia Padavano, a spirited and ambitious young woman who surprises William with her appreciation of his quiet steadiness. With Julia comes her family; she is inseparable from her three younger sisters: Sylvie, the dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book and imagines a future different from the expected path of wife and mother; Cecelia, the family’s artist; and Emeline, who patiently takes care of all of them. Happily, the Padavanos fold Julia’s new boyfriend into their loving, chaotic household.

But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable loyalty to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?

Quick Thoughts:

Wow! This book hooked me from the first page. It might be a top contender for the books I read this year. There are complicated relationships with many layers – sisters and marriage, love, death and everything in between. This is a story I think that I will always remember.

Rating:

The Sixth Wedding:

Summary:

A sequel to 28 Summers – Jake McCloud returns to Nantucket for Labor Day weekend 2023, this time without Mallory.

Quick Thoughts:

This short novella is a postscript to 28 Summers which is one of my favorite EH books. As I read it, I realized that it was in Endless Summer that I read in July. Now, I’m not sure if it was all in Endless Summer, but I knew that major parts of it sounded familiar. That being said, it was the perfect quick read on the plane, and I loved reading about these friends being reunited for Labor Day weekend.

Rating:

Hotel Laguna:

Summary:

In 1942, Hazel Francis left Wichita, Kansas for California, determined to do her part for the war effort. At Douglas Aircraft, she became one of many “Rosie the Riveters,” helping construct bombers for the U. S. military. But now the war is over, men have returned to their factory jobs, and women like Hazel have been dismissed, expected to return home to become wives and mothers.

Unwilling to be forced into a traditional woman’s role in the Midwest, Hazel remains on the west coast, and finds herself in the bohemian town of Laguna Beach. Desperate for work, she accepts a job as an assistant to famous artist Hanson Radcliff. Beloved by the locals for his contributions to the art scene and respected by the critics, Radcliff lives under the shadow of a decades old scandal that haunts him.

Working hard to stay on her cantankerous employer’s good side, Hazel becomes a valued member of the community. She never expected to fall in love with the rhythms of life in Laguna, nor did she expect to find a kindred spirit in Jimmy, the hotel bartender whose friendship promises something more. But Hazel still wants to work with airplanes—maybe even learn to fly one someday. Torn between pursuing her dream and the dream life she has been granted, she is unsure if giving herself over to Laguna is what her heart truly wants.

Quick Thoughts:

While we weren’t in Laguna Beach, I still thought it would be fun to start this book while in California. I love historical fiction, and this one didn’t disappoint! Hazel was such an amazing central character, and I loved the beach town setting. This is another favorite book of thesummer.

Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 stars

Summer Reading Update:

I had such a great summer of reading.

  • Read: All the Days of Summer, Endless Summer, Meet Me at the Lake, Summer Stage, The Five-Star Weekend, Hotel Laguna
  • Currently Reading: The Block Party
  • Picked up from the library: The Summer of Songbirds

I’m enjoying The Block Party, and I will definitely finish it. I just haven’t had tons of time to do much of anything lately besides school and shuttling the kids everywhere they need to go. I’m not sure if I will go ahead and read The Summer of Songbirds or not. I definitely wan to, but I might save it for next summer?

What’s the best book you read this summer?