I can’t think of a clever intro, so without further ado here’s my summary of May.
Read
I’m a little behind on my reading list for 2020 but I think I can catch up in June.
For Skype book club this month we read Before We Visit the Goddess, which was an interesting inter-generational novel set in India and California, but the marriages and mother-daughter relationships were depressing!
I’ve been curious about Brene Brown for some time and finally read Daring Greatly, a thought-provoking look at vulnerability and shame. Unfortunately I listened to the audiobook and I think a hard copy would make it easier for me to follow.
I also finished a Biblical parenting book in May, Teach Them Diligently.
I continue to read the Ramona books aloud to the kids, especially my three-year-old. We recently finished Ramona the Brave.
Eat
We bought a used barbecue at the end of May and are looking forward to a summer of hamburgers, shrimp kebabs, sausages, and grilled vegetables.
I made some refrigerator pickled beets and beans.
My sister reminded me about Cinco de Mayo just in time and we played it up with virgin frozen margaritas and taco salad.
Another hit with everyone was tortellini caesar salad (recipe from my mother-in-law), a quick supper we made a couple of times.
For baking adventures I mashed up this recipe and this recipe to make lemon star bread. Definitely worth repeating.
After those beautiful bread pics I have to share a kitchen disaster. Here are some hamburger buns after I set them to cool on top of the stove where I had left a burner on by mistake.
Do
- For our anniversary we had dinner after the kids went to bed, then cookies and ice cream (Who needs babysitters, restaurants, hotels, and all that jazz?)
- This was the first Mother’s Day that my kids made me cards and breakfast
- One of our kids had a watermelon themed birthday
- We bought some more bicycles for the girls
- I made a photo book for each year since we got married (can’t wait to look at them next time we see my in-laws, since I ordered them to the U.S. for free shipping)
- We mowed the lawn for the first time and bought some flowers for the front steps
- Value Village reopened and I bought some necessities of life (Duplo, puzzles, sunhat, rubber boots, summer pyjamas)
- The ferry that docks a few blocks from our house every winter left for the summer last week, so we walked over to see it off
Meditate
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16