It’s the beginning of July and time to look back at all the positives of the past month.

Books

In June I read a few non-fiction books that were interesting but aren’t moving me to rave on the blog, so I’ll move on to this novel set in England in 1914. While the backdrop is the beginning of the First World War, it’s not a heart-wrenching read (like this World War II novel that I read earlier in the year). It’s a subtle love story with alternating perspectives from a wide variety of characters. (I also recommend Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by the same author.) [Update: I wrote this post before I finished reading the book, and I feel I must add that I did find the last 15% a little heart-wrenching… but well worth reading.]

For some reason I ended up reading several cookbooks, as well. These three were particularly enjoyable, by which I mean they were full of interesting anecdotes along with the recipes.

Food

It only makes sense to move on to food next.

• The rice pudding in Ruth Reichl’s cookbook is so rich and delicious. (I ate way too much.)
• I will never stop loving curry, especially Thai curry with coconut milk.
• We continue to barbecue/grill often, especially hamburgers, sausages, hotdogs, and the occasional steak or pork chop. In June I made ribs for the first time; I baked them in the oven then heated them on the barbecue, basting them with a mixture of barbecue sauce and chicken stock.
• If you’ve never eaten chimichurri you should give it a try. It’s an Argentine condiment. We make ours with lots of fresh parsley, plus dried oregano, garlic, pepper flakes, white vinegar, and olive oil all thrown into a food processor. Delicious on steak and you should try the leftovers as a unique pizza sauce.
• I made an ice cream pie with an Oreo crust and chocolate, coffee, and vanilla ice cream (two of the ice creams were even homemade!).
• Last but not least, I am devouring cherries, strawberries, and nectarines these days. Yum.

Activities/Purchases

• The community garage sale day is always fun (even in the rain, as we learned this year). We bought some nice wooden toys, a Roots wallet, and a few other items.
• I found matching twin beds on Kijiji and brought them home — with the help of a friend and her truck – for the two older girls. Of course we also had to order new sheets, sell an old desk, and rearrange furniture.

• As another outdoor project I turned a shady raised bed into a sandbox. Now I just have to teach the kids not to put sand in their hair.
• My older brother stopped by for a quick visit on his way home to Ontario after a conference in Edmonton. Always nice to catch up in person.
• My four year old is learning to read. So exciting!
• Shoutout to book clubs. I no longer have one in person, but this month — due to scheduling conflicts in May — I ended up having my Skype book club twice. Despite technical frustrations, I always enjoy an evening of book discussion and catching up with my sister and cousin.
• Gardening! I don’t know where the motivation came from but I have been lopping branches, trimming hedges, planting flowers and herbs, deadheading the rose bush, and watering the raspberries. (New loppers and hedge clippers certainly help.)

Music

Years ago I fell in love with Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack for Into the Wild (a movie I’ve never seen) and recently I’ve been  listening to it on repeat. It’s just the kind music I like in the background when I’m working (I know some people can’t stand hearing lyrics when they’re writing, but I don’t mind).

Bible Verses

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.
Psalm 61:1-3

For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
    you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
you let men ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
Psalm 66:10-12

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26

What are some of your June favourites? Please share!

(Featured image credit: James Sutton on Unsplash)