I can't believe it's already the last week of July. I feel like August is going to fly by fast. I love summertime and I'll enjoy it by going to the beach, gardening, summer reading, and BBQs.
I thought it would be fun to do a This or That Coffee or Tea?
I am a coffee lover through and through!
I LOVE COFFEE!
I love coffee art.
I love hot coffee with cream, no sugar.
I love making hot espresso in our Nespresso coffee machine.
I sometimes order a single hot espresso after we have dinner out at a restaurant.
I enjoy making at home iced coffee during the summer months. I make a large pot of hot coffee and when it cools off I pour the coffee into a large mason jar. I add oat milk with no sugar. I like having this for an afternoon pick-me-up.
If I want to change things up I enjoy making my own Iced Shaken Espresso.
I tried making coffee art.
Coffee or Tea? Which do you choose? Leave your answer in the comments section.
Julie
Happy Tuesday! I'm joining Jana Says and Life According to Steph for their monthly book club. Everyone shares the books they have read for the month.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Book Description:
Just after the Second World War, in the small English village of Chawton, an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable.
One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people―a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others―could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.
A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, Natalie Jenner's The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.
One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people―a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others―could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.
A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, Natalie Jenner's The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.
My Thoughts On The Book:
This was a delightful read about a group of people who form a society in honor of the author Jane Austen. I'm excited to read a few classics written by Jane Austen.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Book Description:
Charlotte Brontë's most beloved novel describes the passionate love between the courageous orphan Jane Eyre and the brilliant, brooding, and domineering Rochester. The loneliness and cruelty of Jane's childhood strengthens her natural independence and spirit, which prove invaluable when she takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall. But after she falls in love with her sardonic employer, her discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a heart-wrenching choice. Ever since its publication in 1847, Jane Eyre has enthralled every kind of reader, from the most critical and cultivated to the youngest and most unabashedly romantic. It lives as one of the great triumphs of storytelling and as a moving and unforgettable portrayal of a woman's quest for self-respect.
My Thoughts on the Book:
I was recommended this book to read by my daughter. I am glad I read this book as it's one of the best books I've read in a long time. I liked how strong-willed Jane is in the book and how she is a survivor that overcomes a lot of obstacles in her life. I would recommend you read this classic.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Description:
August,1983, it is the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone who is anyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: surfer and supermodel Nina, brothers Jay and Hud, and their adored baby sister Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over - especially as the children of the legendary singer Mick Riva.
By midnight the party will be completely out of control.
By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames.
But before that first spark in the early hours of dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family will all come bubbling to the surface.
By midnight the party will be completely out of control.
By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames.
But before that first spark in the early hours of dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family will all come bubbling to the surface.
My Thoughts on the Book:
This is another book that was recommended by my daughter for me to read. This book has mixed reviews on Amazon. I loved this book and I thought it was a good summer read. It's the story of the Riva family and it starts in the 1950s and flashes to the 1980s in Malibu, California. It's about the survival of four famous siblings and how they deal with family, love, and loss. I'm looking forward to reading Taylor Jenkins Reid's next book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Have you read any of these books? What book are you reading now?
Click HERE to see the blog parties I will be linking up to.
Julie
I'm joining Joanne from My Slices of Life for the theme this month - Family Food Traditions.
Meatballs
I used to make meatballs all the time when I was first married almost 30 years ago. I've used this meatball recipe from Joanne at My Slices of Life that we all loved. I hope to get back to making homemade meatballs again. We like them with tomato sauce and pasta.
Broccoli Rabe and Pasta
I make Broccoli Rabe and Pasta for our family quite often. It's one of our favorite meals I make for dinner. I was taught how to make this meal almost 30 years ago by my father-in-law.
Spaghetti Pie
It is a tradition in my husband's family to have spaghetti pie and a meat pie for Easter. I learned how to make spaghetti pie from my husband's Aunt. It's delicious tasting and it goes great with a salad.
Stuffed Mushrooms
I usually make stuffed mushrooms that I learned how to make from my husband's aunt. I make them for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Pesto Pasta
I always grow basil every summer to make my pesto sauce. I don't use pine nuts for this recipe. It tastes delicious with pasta.
Lentil Soup
I always make lentil soup during the fall and winter months. I usually will make it in the crock pot or instant pot.
Irish Soda Bread
I love making Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick's Day. Our friend gave me this recipe that was his mom's, who was from Ireland. I've been making this Irish Soda Bread recipe for many years now.
What are some of your family food traditions?
Here is the list of topics if you would like to join.
I made a Costco run last week as we were low on a lot of food. My husband always jokes about how I can't shop at Costco without buying some sort of clothing or shoes. LOL. This time we loaded up the cart with a lot of food and some items that weren't food. I'd love to share with you my finds.
I spotted this tie-die shirt that came in a lot of colors and it's made of moisture-wicking material. I thought it was a great buy for only $9.99. I can't wait to wear this t-shirt with leggings or jeans and it's perfect to wear for my workouts.
I thought this dress was a great buy for only $16 and it'll be perfect to wear this summer.
I already own a pair of these Birkenstock sandal dupes and I love them. These sandals come in black and tan and are very comfortable to wear. I bought another pair for $19 to wear for next year.
We like using these makeup wipes and I usually split them with my daughter.
My husband and I like these Impossible burgers for weeknight meals. They are easy to fry up and we like them with fries and a salad. My daughter is not a fan of these burgers. If we have a BBQ and have friends who don't eat meat we'll make them.
We bought another package of short ribs. I usually divide them up into two packages and put them in the freezer.
I love making the beef short ribs in the slow cooker for dinner.
We love this chicken taco kit and have had them a few times for dinner. It comes with everything you need to make tacos for lunch or dinner.
We love this Caesar salad kit. We usually have the salad at least two times.
This is our first time trying out these nacho chips and these are a winner.
Have you bought anything from Costco lately?
I posted this blog post back in 2013 after taking a trip to London, England. I thought I would repost this again since it's summertime.
This has got to be my favorite summer drink after taking a trip to London, England. My husband's friend Joe introduced us to this drink after sightseeing one afternoon with him and his wife in England.
SUMMER SHANDY RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 bottle/can beer - I used 8 oz. of Sapporo Beer - (You can use any beer you like)
4 oz. Sparking Lemonade Soda
Instructions:
The above picture has 8 oz. of beer and 4 oz. sparkling lemonade soda. Combine all the ingredients and garnish with a lemon wedge.
The pub is the white building which is located on the right after the blue building. We all sat outside the pub and enjoyed our Shandy drinks.
This drink is so refreshing on a hot summer evening. Enjoy!
Hello friends, now that summer is fast approaching and people will be taking vacations, I thought it'd be fun to do a This or That - Travel.
The photo above was from our vacation last summer to California.
HERE ARE MY ANSWERS:
1. City or Nature - I pick city as I like traveling and sightseeing in different cities.
2. Hotel or Motel - I like staying in a hotel as I feel like hotels are nicer to stay in than a motel.
3. Airplane or Train - I like taking an airplane when I'm traveling as I want to get where I'm going as fast as I can.
4. Suitcase or Backpack - On most of my trips I use a suitcase and a backpack. If it's a shorter trip then I will use a weekend bag.
5. Plan It or Wing It - When we travel we always plan our vacations.
6. Tourist Spot or Hidden Gems - We like doing a little bit of both when we travel.
You can play along and leave your answers in the comment section.
What will you pick?
Do you have any vacation plans coming up this summer?
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