We certainly ended the summer with a bang by spending 9 days at Disney World and Universal Studios and even missing the first 2 days of school! But it was all well worth it. We had wanted to go last summer and couldn’t due to Covid. This summer we all made up for it. In fact I think it was even better since Aveline was big enough for most of the rides at Disney World. Here is what else we have been up to in August.
Books I’ve Read
- Big Souls Make Big Promises by Shauna Cuch– This book was written by a woman who entered into a polygamist marriage as a teenager. She experienced many hardships in her life and was able to heal herself and others through a modality called Constellations. It’s an interesting concept and one I’d be curious to see carried out. But at the heart of it is the idea that family disfunction can be cyclical. I do think we are passed on traits and mannerisms and life paths from our parents and grandparents. It’s though provoking to be sure! I appreciated the case studies although the results tend to be subjective. The writing style can be a bit hard to read at times, but it’s still a quick read that will make you think about your life and what you may be figuratively carrying and passing onto your children. 3/5
- The Girls of Brakenhill by Kate Moretti– Hannah Maloney heads back to her family’s ancestral home with her fiance after her aunt dies in a car accident. While making arrangements for the funeral, Hannah begins looking into her sister’s disappearance from the castle 17 years ago. Hannah’s memories at the time are muddled so the storyline is left with gaps and the reader isn’t clear on what actually happened and what is part of her dreams due to her sleepwalking. The story was fascinating, but the ending truly left me wanting more. I think the author could have done so much better. 3/5
- A Bittersweet Surprise by Cynthia Ellingsen– Emma Laurent is a kindhearted woman working for her stepmother at her late father’s chocolate shop. When her stepmother decides to move and sell the shop Emma is desperately in need of money to attempt to buy it herself. It seems as if all her wishes could be granted when a couple mysteriously offers $20,000 for a painting hanging in the chocolate shop. This book is essentially a Hallmark movie in written form. However it is cute enough and a nice, light read. 3/5
- Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier – Mary Anning is a fossil hunter on the English coast living at the turn of the 19th century. She befriends Elizabeth Philpot, a spinster fossil hunter and collector who recently relocated from London once her brother married. In spite of their age difference they become friends. While I enjoy historical novels and think Chevalier is a great author, the pace of this book was a bit slow. I’m glad their accomplishments are finally recognized though. 3/5
Products I’ve Tried
- Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder Light Catcher– I received this free to try from Influenster. Laura Mercier is known for quality products so I was excited to try it out. I’ve tried their translucent powder before and was impressed. It helps to set makeup and create a picture perfect effect, but it’s easy to over apply. This is similar, but with a slight shimmer and tint. It’s gorgeous on the skin and creates a soft sun kissed glow.
- Eastern Standard Provisions Pretzels– I received these pretzel bites to try out and we ended up having them as part of our birthday dinner. We were able to try out 3 different topping flavors (original salt, 3 cheese, and strawberries and cream). The pretzels were delicious! We all agreed the strawberries and cream flavor was our favorite. This would make a fantastic gift for the holidays! There are many options and other flavors.
- Mini Fans & Cooling towels– Going to Florida in the middle of August is no joke. We tried our best to stay cool by drinking lots of water, Liquid IV, mini fans, and cooling towels. I was shocked at what a difference the towels and fans made. This little fan was our favorite with its long battery life and powerful speed. The cooling towels had be on the fence, but for under $10, I figured I couldn’t lose. They really helped, especially Claire. She wasn’t so diligent about hydrating and ended up feeling sick at EPCOT. But extra water, the towel, and some break time really helped.
- Body Restore Shower Steamers– I love a shower steamer and was excited to be gifted these to try out in the Energize and Calm scents. Even my husband is impressed with the scents and loves them in the morning. We have a large walk-in shower with high ceilings in our bathroom so scents from many shower steamer can get ‘lost’ in the space. Not these though!
Recipes I’ve Made
- Beef Kebabs with Peanut Dipping Sauce– We added summer squash to our kebabs for some extra veggies. Broccoli would be a good choice, too. This was fantastic and the peanut dipping sauce is out of this world!
- Amaretto Dip– This was a fun dessert that we used on fruit and cookies. We love the almond flavoring.
- Sweet Chili Turkey Meatballs– These are definitely on the spicier side so keep in mind if you have kids or don’t care for spicy things. I served with ramen noodles. Claire, Matt, and I liked them, but Avie thought they were too spicy.
- Mustard Crusted Salmon– Matt declared this to be his favorite way I’ve ever made salmon. I liked the flavor and coating as well.
- Kit Kat Brownie Cookies- If you saw on my stories, Avie helped me make a batch of these. We both approve. They are moist and fudgy and the kit kats add a nice little crunch.
Currently
- Beginning- In spite of the rising Covid cases, I’m so happy we are beginning the school year in-person. Aveline is beginning her first year of preschool next week, too. Thankfully mask mandates are in effect here so I am hoping they should be safe.
- Ending- After 3 years of walking Claire to school, I’ll have to stop most days. Both Claire and Aveline start school at 9am so Claire will need to leave to walk/bike the same time I leave to drop off Aveline. I’m going to miss it!
- Loving- I’m loving our birthday cake this year! There is a local woman who has made our birthday cake the past 2 years and she does an incredible job. This year was a macaroon theme and it was the best one so far! Absolutely delicious!
- Picking- September is typically our month to pick some apples! I hope we can get out there at least once because it is such fun family time for us.
- Posting- I will be posting some thank you notes for the sweet gifts I received from family and friends for my birthday. I am so fortunate to have made blogging friends over the years and it is such a joy to celebrate their birthdays and receiving gifts from them for mine.
Sweet gifts from Kathrine and Andrea. I’m so excited about that pink leopard sweater from Kathrine! Andrea even included little bags for my daughters which they LOVED opening! See the video below.
A card and giftcard from Caroline and gifts from Carrie. These girls are beautiful inside and out! I can’t wait to treat myself to Starbucks and use my facemask from Carrie!
- Family Updates
- Aveline- Our little roller coaster girl! She was such a fan of riding all of the rides at Disney and Universal. Avie would get so upset when she wasn’t tall enough. She is quite the daredevil. School starts for her September 8 and she has had her backpack packed for days now. She even carries it to and from school when we walk Claire!
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- Claire- Claire had a wonderful month starting off with Girl Scout camp with her friends. She loved both Disney World and Universal. Claire really liked pin trading at Disney and even rode Space Mountain with Matt. We learned that her history of motion sickness catches up with her really only on the 3D rides. She’s a huge fan of Butterbeer now, too!
- Me- I was able to meet up with a long time college friend and her children. It was wonderful catching up. I hope we don’t let as much time pass before we get together again. It was so much fun seeing the joy on the kids’ faces during the character dining we had and experience new things. Yesterday we attended the baptism for one of our nieces. We were so blessed to be asked to be the Godparents. It was a beautiful service and wonderful to see little Elizabeth again!
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- Matt- Matt absolutely loved his family time with us all at Disney and Universal, especially doing the rides with the girls. Claire was able to ride most of the roller coasters and I know Avie will be his roller coaster riding buddy when she is tall enough for more rides.
AUGUST GOALS
- Get running medals hung- I bought some paint for it, but I am still deciding on a quote or saying I’d like to add. I’m hoping to finish it up this month.
- Bra shopping- Oh yes!
- Get Avie signed up for lunch bunch-Done! She is signed up for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Enjoy the rest of summer! Double check! We had a wonderful time on vacation.
September Goals
- Visit Painted Tree Boutique- I’ve wanted to visit this for a while.
- Read a running book- I want to take my running to the next level by learning more about programs and such.
- Schedule a haircut- It’s been a while and I’d love to get a highlight refresh and trim.
- Decorate for fall- I can’t wait to pull out my fall decor.
- Sign up the girls for gymnastics or dance- Soccer starts this week so I’d like to get something lined up for them when it is over.
LINKING UP WITH ANNE & WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY
