The suspense is killing me!

When I was 12, I received a box of books from a family friend. Inside that box was a series that would forever cement "mysteries" and "summer" in my mind: Trixie Belden.  I had so much in common with Trixie, how could I not fall in love?  She was petite and had short, blonde, curly hair: I was petite and had short, brown, strait hair. She lived in rural, upstate New York; I lived in a midwestern suburb. Her best friend was a millionaire's daughter; my best friend was the daughter of an engineer. Trixie LOVED horses; I pretty much LOATHED horses.

OK, so we didn't have as much in common as I would have liked to believe. But I loved reading about Trixie's adventures. They carried me through a long summer in a new town. I have restarted my collection of Trixie Belden books, and was thrilled to no end when the series was brought back in print (and also available as nook books!)

In an effort to relive my youthful, mystery-filled summers, I'm indulging in mysterious adventures this summer.  I just can't get enough of them!  So far, I've discovered Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries. Charlotte is a Victorian sleuth, who aids her husband in solving crimes in the wealthier sets. And can I just say how exciting it is to discover a series of books that is already up to number 29? This series alone could carry me through the summer!  But I can't read just one mystery author.  I have to continue following Amelia Peabody -another Victorian sleuth, but one who solves crimes involving ancient Egypt. Then of course, there is watching Geraldine McEwan's Miss Marple mysteries on Netflix. Naturally, this will mean reading some more Agatha Christie. I believe there may be a new Hannah Swenson mystery (or two) that I haven't read yet (warning: don't read Hannah's adventures when you are hungry: she makes cookies for a living!) Plus, I managed to miss the second series of Sherlock when it showed on PBS earlier this year, so I'll have to catch up on that (dreamy sigh: Benedict Cumberbatch)

So that's my Summer Mystery Tour in a capsule. Do you read different books according to the season? What's on your bookshelf for the summer?




Agatha Christie...

Vanessa  Wagstaff

Buy This at Allposters.com

Getting ready for summer

Last week we attended the annual school picnic, a true mark of the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. We hauled our picnic basket out of the garage for the occasion. I nearly donated this basket to charity, but now I'm glad I didn't! I love to picnic, but as it always takes me so long to get ready, we hardly ever go on one. It occurred to me as I cleaned up this time, how much easier it would be if I prepared for the next picnic before putting the basket away. I'm sure many of you do this already, but for me it was a real "ah-ha" moment!

The original plates, cups, and cutlery from the basket are long gone, but we had enough stuff on hand to make it work for now. I envision enamel plates and sturdier cups to replace the disposable ones in there now. And of course, cloth napkins! Reusuable sandwich and snack bags will soon follow. Amanda Blake Soule has a picnic roll tutorial in The Rhythm of Family for handy storage of picnic cutlery.  A bed sheet is standing in for a picnic blanket, and tucked under it is a travel container of baby wipes. A small first aid kit, sunscreen and bug spray will complete the collection. Look out splash pads, we are now ready for spontaneous picnicking!

10 Things in June

Hooray!  Summertime, summertime, sum sum summertime  :D

New month, new goals.  As time is not as much of an issue, I'm prepared to go WILD with my goals for the month.  Are you ready?

1. Makeover Turtle's bedroom
2. Create a studio space
3. Walk a new trail
4. Invest in some chalk paint
5. Get a new swim suit for myself
6. Attempt grilled pizza
7. Attempt to make cheese
8. Let Turtle stay up late enough to catch fireflies
9. Make ice cream each week
10. Family picnic at a state park

What are your plans for June?

The Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Celebration of June 30, 1878

Still Reading

Reading took a backseat during the last few weeks of school.  But now I have the whole summer to catch up!  As you know, being a mom means I have so much free time to read. 

Lucky for me Turtle is used to seeing me with my nose buried in a book (or my nook) and sometimes lets me read for five whole minutes without interruption.  She has started taking naps again, so I can get a lot of reading done then.  In fact, I knocked out most of a book yesterday whilst she slept!

Can I just say I'm looking forward to having my nook on vacation? Never again will I have to lug a suitcase of reading material on my travels!