Welcome!
Grab a tall glass of something cool and sweet, put your feet up, and enjoy the bits and pieces I've corralled together for you as June wends its way to a close.
Grab a tall glass of something cool and sweet, put your feet up, and enjoy the bits and pieces I've corralled together for you as June wends its way to a close.
I don't know about you, but this month has ricocheted from peaceful serenity to joyous crazytown madness and is now beginning to head back to a blissful scenario where I can begin to gather my scattered thoughts together.
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| - excursion - |
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| - happiness - |
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| - pink - |
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| - beloved - |
these words completely recalibrated my outlook ...
'The more I submit my desires to Jesus while letting go of outcomes, the more He seems to answer the deepest longings of my soul. His abundance always surpasses my imagination and fulfills the prayers I didn't even know I needed to pray.'
- Shelly Miller
Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Weary World
beyond anything I asked or imagined ...
We didn't expect my mom to be able to gather with all our grandchildren together in one place again. But miracles happen and visiting with beloved Great-Ma for a few hours was, for sure, the highlight of our month. Maybe the summer. It just doesn't get better than this.
superb posts for your perusal ...
The Lazy Genius Summer Survival Guide
Kendra, The Laziest Genius
Kendra, The Laziest Genius
Karen Swallow Prior
Cheryl Smith
Pete Scazzero
Anna Brand
Michelle DeRusha
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Kristen Padilla
and we're invited to this summer house party ...
My favorite home blogger, The Nester, is hostessing a cozy summer home gathering on Instagram! She writes, 'You're invited! We're doing it again, a seasonal virtual open house! Show up and share your home with a community of imperfectionists, summer-embracers and pretty-layer-lovers. To join in, simply post photos on Instagram during the week of summer solstice (or join in anytime this summer) and tag them with #MyCozySummerHome .'
I don't know the first thing about Instagram, but I'll be joining the party right here on my blog the first 6 days of July and sharing #MyCozySummerHome with my readers!
{7/1 Update - we're up and running! Click here to read the first post!}
Subscribe here to get this fun mini-series delievered right to your inbox. Each day I'll be sharing a summertime snapshot {or two} and reflecting a bit on my home-sweet-home.
It'll be a breezy treat ... please stop by!
{7/1 Update - we're up and running! Click here to read the first post!}
Subscribe here to get this fun mini-series delievered right to your inbox. Each day I'll be sharing a summertime snapshot {or two} and reflecting a bit on my home-sweet-home.
It'll be a breezy treat ... please stop by!
*
dropping in to see
I love pink! What is the symbol on the pink things? Sort of looks like Florida upside down. What a blessing to have that time with your grandkids and mom.
ReplyDeleteThat's Cape Cod on the eastern edge of Massachusetts where we've lived for 3 years.
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Oh yum! I'd love to have a handful of your chex mix. It's a treat I usually make for a trip. I love all these visuals, Linda!
ReplyDeleteGranddaughter #2 calls it 'happiness' and is happy to whip up a huge vat-full at a moment's notice ... heavy on the melted white chocolate poured over the top!
DeleteDecadent. No wonder the scale was moving upward!
;-}
I love the glimpse into your summer. And what a sweet picture of your mom with the grandkids. That had to have been such a highlight. Your place always makes me feel so good. Thank you for inviting us into your summer moments.
ReplyDeleteMary, hi! Yes, I'm celebrating summer wherever it finds me. The humidity has stayed far from us leaving us with the best weather ever. Heaven.
DeleteSee you in an hour and a half!
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Thanks for sharing these great links and some highlights from your month. I love the photo of your mom with all the grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing my joy with me, Lesley. You're sweet ...
DeleteAhhhh Linda. I loved these pictures and words. Those Nancy Drew books reminded me of own girlhood collection with the exact same covers and backing. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your ways of celebrating summer. And the picture of the grands with your mom? What a gift!
The quote by Shelly Miller got me thinking. And that's a good thing. ;)
I hope you have a beautiful week, my friend!
I loved seeing those books in an antique shop, but the place smelled like wet cats so my sister couldn't get out of there fast enough. Granddaughter #4 is an avid Nancy Drew fan ... and that does my heart good.
DeleteJeanne, I know you understand!
Nothing is better than all the grandkids in one place. Mine are getting older and no longer all live in the same state, so that may be more challenging. I'm so glad you had this gift.
ReplyDeleteYep, we're spread from Massachusetts down to Maryland and only get together a handful of times a year. Every gathering is special and chaotic, crazymaking, and laugh and exhaustion inducing!
DeleteAnd I wouldn't have it any other way ...
;-}
Keen on Keene I see.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, sir! Me ... and now granddaughter #4. She has quite a nice collection ... and her books do not smell like cats {see my reply to Jeanne above.}
DeleteI'm sure you have some witty reply, Victor!
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I'm having trouble locating the comment clicker for some reason (technical glitch?), so I'm going to reply here under another comment, because I just have to tell you how much I appreciate your list of reading this month. I'm also following Karen's healing journey after the bus accident (incredible), and want to look into more places on that intriguing list.
DeleteThanks for tag-teaming with Victor, Michele!
DeleteYes, Karen's story shakes you up, doesn't it. That she is writing as she heals is a gift to us all. Enjoy the list ...
;-}
Hi Linda! Thank you for this lovely peek into your world. The family picture especially made me smile. Clicking on several of the links now. Blessed summer to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here today, Sarah! I love that!
DeleteI'm sure your mom must have been so delighted to have all her grandchildren around her! She looks happy! When I read the Instagram challenge my first thought is I can't do that as I'll just feel bad about the home I have (just a modest duplex in the burbs with a yard size that a push mower is sufficient) as will be looking at all these 'perfect' summer homes of gardens, flowers, and country views! Reminded me of the whole comparison syndrome that can be amplified by social media! Definitely can still be a victim of it!
ReplyDeleteAh, we were missing 2 more great-grands who weren't in town. What a thrill that would have been if all 8 had been able to gather 'round in one sitting!
DeleteAnyway ...
I hope that maybe you'll consider the Instagram challenge, Lynn ... one of The Nester's themes is 'it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful' and that's why I've always been a big fan.
Go for it! I can't imagine anything you create that wouldn't be absolutely lovely. For that's who you are.
;-}
Absolutely loved that quote from Miller, Linda, and the photo of your Mom with the grands? Priceless! Hope the rest of your summer is so blessed.
ReplyDeleteMartha, hi! I want to share more about Shelly's book and the impact of this quote. Hopefully soon.
DeleteHer grace-laden wisdom has brought huge blessing to my life.
I can relate to your blissful, crazy, and back to blissful start to summer! And I had no idea you were in the Northeast! I'm in CT :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Another New Englander!
DeleteI love that, Becky ...
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Hi Linda - Yes, the Nancy Drew books were favorites - I'm pretty sure I read them all (as did you!) I saw a few on my daughter-in-law's shelf the other day (formerly her mom's)and picked one up to peruse. Lot's of memories!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see your Mom - give her a hug from me next time you're with her. Lot's of memories there too...! Enjoy your summer with your family in one of the best summer places EVER! Hugs!
I love that you're here, Heather ... and did we exchange Nancy Drews along the way. I'm thinking so.
DeleteI'll tell mom that you sent hugs ... please do the same with your mom.
Oh, those were the days.
xo
Yes...not perfect - though I'm so thankful to have lots of great memories, but (I've felt it was) a good and pretty solid beginning for the journey of life!
DeleteI appreciate you, Linda - and am blessed by your gift of writing and speaking words to reach into where we feel!
God often uses time and forgiveness to fade the imperfect ... doesn't He.
DeleteIt's sweet grace.
Such a fun post! I had no idea you were in MA. I live just north of Boston :) These peeks into the month are some of my favorite posts although I never get around to doing one. The photo of your mom with the children is just precious!
ReplyDeleteJust north of Boston. Wow! I went to Gordon College in Wenham back in the '70s. It makes me smile that you live a stone's throw away.
DeleteAnd did you see that Becky {2 comments back} does, too?
A small world, for sure, Joanne!
The photo with all your grandchildren and Great-Ma is the best pick me up ever! Miracles happen! Your faith is strong!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, hi! Yes, miracles still happen. Usually when we least expect them. I sometimes wonder why I am still surprised by His powerful grace in our lives ...
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