To get the downsides out of the way, this past month we got sick and had to miss a big church picnic I helped organize and I also slammed my fingers in the garage door. Now on to my favourite things!

Read

After we finished school for the year and had a busy weekend I collapsed into bed early with A Light in the Window, the second Mitford book by Jan Karon; while it did make me roll my eyes at times, it was the lighthearted novel I needed.

I listened to the audiobook of Eve in Exile and the Restoration of Femininity (more on that below).

I read The Mystery of the Cupboard aloud to the kids; it was enjoyable, though time travel is not something I’ll ever wrap my head around. Only one more book in the series!

Here’s a picture book I haven’t shared before: The Year at Maple Hill Farm; it kept Malcolm busy at the doctor’s office this month.

Eat

Not much out of the ordinary to report, though at the beginning of the month I made a two chocolate cranberry sourdough loaves based on this recipe. (Now my sour dough starter is estivating in the freezer. Side note: Andrew likes to show me clips of Jeopardy! and I was very proud to know the word “estivate” for a category of science words beginning with “e” when none of the contestants did!)

Drink

Now that mint is flourishing in gardens it’s mojito season! (But I might try this cocktail next.)

Do

It was quite the busy month!

• We had supper with our former landlord for his 75th birthday; always lovely to visit with them, including walking in the woods and watching hummingbirds in their yard.
• We celebrated a baptism at church and I enjoyed baking and decorating a big cake to share after the service.
• I had a friend come for a sleepover; we did yoga, watched a documentary (see below), drank mojitos (see above), and snacked on a delicious sour cream/bacon/onion/cheese dip that she made.
• We attended a homeschool picnic at Harrison Park; the kids always enjoy the play structures there and we met some new people.
• We had a picnic after church with my parents and some friends; there was even chalk and bubbles left in the pavilion for the kids’ amusement.
• The local library reinstated a book sale and I found some great kids’ books including two in the Royal Diaries series and a book of stories by a Russian naturalist.
• We went up to Prince Edward County for five days and stayed in cabins at Wesley Acres Campground with Andrew’s family; almost everyone was able to make it so we got a picture of 15 out of 17 grandchildren. Highlights included hanging out at a giant playground with zip line, sandbox, and ga-ga ball pit; flying kites; building sandcastles and swimming (though it was only 20 degrees); face painting and rock painting; bobbing for apples; playing Anomia; eating lots of Stewart’s ice cream, along with great meals contributed by each family.
• Overdue optometrist appointments went well; thankfully only one child needs new lenses.

Watch

I watched the documentary Eve in Exile (based on the book by Rebekah Merkle) twice in June. It’s just over an hour long and gives a historical overview of feminism, then looks at the Biblical view of women’s purpose, and finally discusses how we can live this out. (You can watch it on Canon+ with the code EVE99 for a month’s subscription for 99 cents.)

When we got back from camp we bought a few groceries, threw in some laundry, and put on a movie in our air-conditioned bedroom. Death on the Nile starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot was not as good as Murder on the Orient Express, as far as I can remember, but I still hope he’ll continue to make more Agatha Christie adaptations.

When we had to miss the church picnic I decided to let the kids watch a movie in the afternoon. It was also Juliet’s birthday and she picked Because of Winn Dixie. We hadn’t seen the movie before though we all liked the book. I recommend both! (We also had trifle, caramel corn, and fizzy drinks to soften the disappointment.)

Meditate

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'”
– Nehemiah 8:10

“When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, ‘Let the will of the Lord be done.'”
– Acts 21-12-14

What are some of your June favourites?