Summer Review and Favorites

Hello friends! Wow, what a summer! Jam-packed with activity and good memories. I enjoyed lovely vacation time, read some great books, and in spite of the heat, enjoyed trying several new recipes. As a little disclaimer before you read on, I’m currently not affiliated with any company, so all the recommendations/links below are solely from my desire to get good resources into your hands.

Summertime Activities

Our first trip was to Green Lakes State Park, south of Syracuse, NY. It’s so beautiful there, and yes, the glacial lakes are actually green! The water is a clear aqua, like you see in pictures of the Caribbean. (Unfortunately, the green color doesn’t show up that great in the photos.) We went for a long hike around both lakes, enjoying the well-marked, flat trails and the lovely views of the water. We also made a side-trip to Cooperstown, NY, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, which certain members of the family greatly enjoyed. It’s a classic little tourist town, so my mom and I enjoyed walking the quiet streets, shopping, and then relaxing on the shores of Lake Otsego. (If you’ve ever read The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, then you might know that Lake Otsego was christened Glimmerglass in his books.)

Our second trip was to Letchworth State Park, also known as the Grand Canyon of the East. We did lots of hiking and enjoyed the amazing views of the waterfalls and the gorge. Plus, we got to watch a train cross the bridge over the falls which was a big hit with my nieces and nephew.

A few other activities from this summer include a week at a cabin; two short, local camping trips; opening a Poshmark closet; berry picking; mini golf and fireworks on July 4th; campfires; thrifting; and our church’s Bible Conference.

Books

The Lifegiving Table by Sally Clarkson. I LOVED this book! The first several chapters were an interesting mini-study on tables in the scripture and on the need for family dinner tables (sadly, something that has faded in our culture). The rest of the book contains so many great tips and ideas for showing hospitality, ministry through your table, and making it a lifegiving place for your family. Sally’s vivid style is enjoyable and easy to read, and she included many personal stories. I highly recommend The Lifegiving Table, and look forward to reading some of Sally’s other books.

Lady Jane Grey, Reluctant Queen by Marguerite Vance. Once I started reading this book, I realized it was written more for preteen young ladies. Though technically this one is “historical fiction,” I learned so much about that period of history. It can be confusing to sort out who was who from dry history books, so this was an interesting way to learn about Lady Jane Grey, a young woman of great courage and character.

A Woman’s High Calling by Elizabeth George. So good! This study from Titus 2:3-5 was convicting, encouraging, and inspiring. Truly, God has laid a high calling upon His women! Elizabeth George covers 10 essentials of godly womanhood from God’s Word. I felt like I was in the same room having a conversation with her as I read this one; I’d highly recommend reading A Woman’s High Calling with a notebook and pen in hand. She does briefly cover some mature topics.

Favorites

I realized I’d never made homemade blondies before, so I gave them a try. This recipe from Sugar Spun Run was easy and the bars came out deliciously chewy. My only change to the recipe was to use raw sugar (sucanut) instead of white sugar for the 1/2 c. sugar. I also used white chocolate chips, but no nuts, and baked them for 25 minutes in a greased, floured, glass pan.

There seems to be an abundance of peaches this time of year and we were blessed by a dear friend of our family (thank you Mrs. R. for sharing your bounty with us!). So, I made this recipe for a Peach Galette from Pioneer Woman. I used only one pie crust and made it in a circular form; I also added a thin layer of raw oats to keep the bottom crust from getting soggy. So rustic and delicious!

Music Cd: Grace Greater by Jeremiah and Kara Mitchell. Friends from church shared this cd with us, and I’ve so enjoyed listening to it as I make supper. Beautifully and reverently sung, each song will inspire you to deep love and gratitude for our Savior and His amazing grace.

This comfy midi dress from Amazon. I have it in burgundy (and I usually wear an extra layer underneath just to be careful). One of the things I love about this dress is that it will be great for layering in the cooler months (cardigan and leggings; denim jacket). I’m 5’4″ and the length is below my knees.

Looking Ahead

Bible school started early this year (August 8th!) so that’s been keeping me busy in the middle of our vacations, teaching music, and babysitting. In the midst of the heat and busyness of the season, I’ve been seeking to live with intention, taking the time to draw closer to my precious Savior and to enjoy the beauty of His touch in the everyday. So many blessings to treasure!

This fall looks like it will be filled with Bible school, music lessons, and hopefully lots of time outdoors. It’s probably my next favorite season and I want to enjoy every minute! As far as blog news goes, I’m excited to announce a new monthly feature. Each month, I’ll be writing a post on a practical topic related to life as ladies! These posts will involve some guest writers, and be on subjects such as cooking, sewing, organization/time management, where to find modest, cute clothes, and tips on creating beauty in your everyday life. If you have any ideas—seriously—please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear what you’re interested in reading about.

In closing, this quote has been a blessing to me lately.

The one thing that matters is the opinion of the One. If He is satisfied, all is well. If He is dissatisfied, the commendation of the many is as froth.

Amy Carmichael

Have a very blessed fall—I’m looking forward to sweaters, pumpkins, apple pie, and lots of time in the kitchen baking.

Until next time,

How was your summer? I’d love to hear your activities, books, and favorite things from the past few months!