Thursday, June 12, 2025

Happy Lately #1

Hi y'all! 

Here are some things that are making me happy lately.

Visits from my son's Paco

Sewing projects
for my Etsy store reopening September 1st

Finished projects 

Knitting scrappy socks

Starting my 60's

Portable fans to help with heat and humidity 


Listening to scripture first thing in the morning and last thing at night using Bible.com app


What's been making you happy Lately?

Please talk back!
~smile~

Blessed, 
Laura 

* If you make an Amazon purchase within 24 hours of using one of my links, I receive a tiny sum for sharing with you. There is no cost to you. It's just one way to support me. 


Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Oh Dear! What Should I Do?

 Oh dear, what should I do? To paraphrase Robert Burns, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." Just a few days ago, I shared my summer reading plans. It was just long enough to keep me busy all summer. Now, I find that the first book, Dead Sea Rising, by Jerry B. Jenkins has a sequel! I really want to know what's going to happen! I can read the sequel without paying anything extra on Everand.com, but I'm trying to hold off and read some of my other books. What do you think I should do?

Amazon Link

  Tracy commented on the post that she recently read an old Margery Allingham "Campion" book and thought it very good. She didn't mention the name, but I looked it up and found the first one, The Crime at Black Dudley. It's an old detective who-done-it story. Now I want to read it, too! 
  Oh, what shall I do? There's no end to interesting books to read and listen to. Do you think I should add these to the summer reading list, or shall I save them for my autumn list?

  On a newsy note, I finished a zipper bag for my Etsy shop that I plan to reopen Labor Day weekend. It's been on hold for a few years. I'm experimenting with projects to decide what I enjoy making most and researching to determine what might be best to stock up with. Do you have any suggestions?

  So many things to read, listen to, ponder about, and sew! Oh, don't forget sock knitting, too. I'm always knitting socks!

Blessings from the Cottage,
Laura





  


Friday, May 30, 2025

Summer Reading List 2025 ~ Updated 6/15

 


 Hello everyone!
 Here we are at the beginning of another summer! 

Reading is a big part of my life. I do it every day. Every single day. If I can't sit down with a book, I always make time to listen while I'm driving or creating or working around the house. I thank God my momma read to me. I thank God my teachers read to me. They helped my imagination to grow and develop so that I see stories play out in my mind as I read or listen. 

 Please take time to read aloud to your children from very young to as old as they'll still listen. That might be older than you think. It's good for them, and it's good for you. I'll be reading to my little grandson as soon as I can get him to sit still for a couple of minutes! He's not quite two. ~smile~ There's a whole lot of world to explore, and he's busy at it.

Here's my summer reading list for 2025. I'll be honest, I always end up adding more to my lists. I'll update regularly with my progress.  


BIBLE

Finish the Old Testament

with a YouVersion Bible.com reading plan.

I moved on to the New Testament!

Update 6-15 I'm in Mark now!

FICTION


Dead Sea Rising
Jerry B Jenkins
Dr. Craig Evans, Biblical Consultant

I finished this June 2nd. 
Oh dear, there is a sequel. Shall I add it or not?



King of the Golden River
John Ruskin

I'm currently reading this one.



Old Detectives Home
Omnipodge Trilogy Book 1
Mike Befelor



Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche
Nancy Springer

6-5 Listening to audiobook
whilst knitting and sewing
6-6 Finished
I enjoyed this so much!
She's Sherlock Holmes' little sister.


For a Lifetime
Timeless Book 3
Gabrielle Meyer


\
The Whispered Word
Ellery Adams
I'm listening to this now. 


NON-FICTION



Western Heritage a Reader
Hillsdale College Press

Oh! This was so good for understanding the atmosphere of the late '50s and early '60s in the USA.
It's about the assassination attempt while he was president elect.
Finished on June 5th.



Trim Healthy Mama Plan
Pearl and Serene



The Story of Science
Aristotle Leads the Way
Joy Hakim


Sink Reflections
Marla Cilley
Again!

 Books not planned but added later:

The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham ~ finished 6/10

Enola Holmes Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer ~ finished 6/11


Please join me! Let me know what you're reading. What do you recommend? I've been enjoying Gabrielle Meyer, Melody Carlson, Melanie Dobson, Stephenia H. McGee, and Michelle Griep among others this year. Please do write to me! 


Happy Reading and Listening!

Laura ~ Glad for Summer Break!

*Summer reading list image generated by Canva AI