Quick Takes #261: Summer Stuff Begins

1. Happy Friday! Have a full house this morning as the kids have the day off. When did Memorial Day Weekend become a 4 day weekend?
2. After a week of rain we enjoyed consistent sunny weather this week and I got a chance to cut the grass which is growing almost as well as the weeds. Also growing in our yard are two tomato plants, a basil plant and a strawberry plant.
3. While I didn't set an alarm I was up early to watch the wedding in Windsor. I thought the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did a wonderful job of planning a ceremony which felt authentic and traditional; blending the best of their different cultures.  
4. Am so enjoying the return of porch reading season. I recently finished Underfoot in Show Business; Helene Hanff of 84 Charing Cross Rd fame first book.  Currently rereading Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn fame.
5. For my birthday last week I received a DVD of many Mad about You seasons. Yay! This also reminds me that I'm in search of a good comedy.  There are several dramas we follow; but it has been awhile since there was a comedy that was 'must see' or that I DVR'd. Suggestions?
6. End of school activities are coming far and furious; and Lisbeth and Liam have both received their study guides for finals ~ so summer is clearly on its way!!
7. Happy Memorial Day and Remembrance and Thanks to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country!

Quick Takes #260: Pretty flowers and fun books

1. Posting late ~ but still Friday! Crazy busy week with a Mother's Day Tea, observing the Ascension and preparing for an out-of-town guest.
2. Trees are blossoming and happily turning our front lawn pink. This is our third spring in this house and the first time I remember the tree dropping its blossoms in such a quick and pretty way.
3. Several book shout-outs to share; if you haven't read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and are looking for a fun fast read ~ this is a great option.  Currently reading and loving Jennifer Fulwiler's latest One Beautiful Dream.
4. As Lisbeth becomes a tween it has become harder to encourage her without her discounting the compliment so I got her this shirt in the hope she would better understand how I see her. She Loves It!! #small victories 
5. So excited to start Ponder this weekend. Praying the Rosary is something I've wanted to make a more frequent occurrence. Am hoping this is the just the encouragement I need.  Anyone else starting the study this weekend?
6. I opted not to get the Ponder for Kids as it seemed aimed at an older age than Caitlin and Lisbeth has a couple of big school projects she is in the middle of. That being said the school had a lovely Mary Crowning earlier this week and lot of good discussions about Our Holy Mother happening.  
7. Happy Mother's Day!! 

 Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!

Open Book: May'18

Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer  Tells the story of Serena who knows that her father's estate is going to her cousin (closest male heir), what she does not know is that her father left her former fiancee in charge of her inheritance.  Both she and her dowager decide that a vacation in Bath is called for. What follows is a fun comedy of manners where everyone initially falls in love with the wrong person. This proved to be a fun return to fiction after my Lenten Fast!

Spiritual Canticle of the Soul by St John of the Cross was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The book starts with a Canticle written by St John of the Cross inspired by the Song of Songs telling the story of the soul's (the bride) search for God (the bridegroom); the rest of the book is his explanation of the Canticle stanza by stanza. I found the Canticle of the Soul lovely and an interesting New Testament take on Solomon's Song of Songs; however the explanations were a bit ponderous. The language is very accessible for having been written in 16th century but also very repetitive.

Please head over to Carolyn's for more Open Book.