I’m hearing summer’s first cicada this morning as I type this, as the heat and humidity build outside. I’ve been working little bits each day on spreading fresh wood chips around the kid’s play gym, the garden, and the flower beds around the house but I don’t think I can bear the heat and sun this morning. Maybe this evening. Brandon and I often do yard + garden work amongst the fireflies after the children are tucked into bed and the day’s heat has subsided. This week is about settling back into our ordinary routines, the daily and weekly things that ground us. I have a lot of organizing and planning to do in the month of July to get ready for the next school year, hunting for good prices on books + curriculum, restocking supplies, tidying our school room and maybe adding a few items for interest + curiosity. Phoebe does testing for the first time in a week or so (our state’s annual requirement) and I’m eager to see how she does.
I’ve finished up a few projects, and I’ve been trying to get a new shawl started (using new-to-me brioche stitch) but I cannot seem to get just the first rows right. I will figure it out eventually, but when I just need something soothing to pick up and knit, I’ve been reaching for my campside shawl. I’ve been working on it again (after a year hiatus) for a few days but already it’s flying off the needles. It won’t be long. (I stopped knitting this shawl last year at this time when I was so sick with my pregnancy with Wren, and couldn’t even look at yarn. Oddly when I pick it up, I have had waves of nausea just in the remembering. Its so strange, how our circumstances and memories get knitted into our projects.) This is one I’m thinking about offering for sale, though I have no idea how to price it really. So many loved ones and friends have asked me to sell things I knit, but I’m not sure exactly how to go about it since I don’t plan to regularly sell things, and just would have random items up for sale here and there. Any suggestions? I’m thinking to offer it for sale through instagram. Also, any interest in buying some hand made items from me?
The kids and I have been reading this new book, 100 Bible Stories for Children, which I am reviewing this month. We have read the Jesus Storybook Bible every evening together for years now and have read through it countless times, so it’s always nice to put a new bible storybook into rotation. I really like how this one shares stories that aren’t often included in children’s bibles, and I can tell my older kids are fascinated with some new-to-them stories. The stories are relatively short yet true to the original text, and the illustrations are beautiful. My kids keep taking it to their rooms and spending time poring over the pages, so that’s a sign to me of a good book. I would recommend it!
Joining today with Ginny’s monthly yarn along + Nicole’s weekly Crafting On.
Affiliate links included in this post.
Also, thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
everything He gives 
It looks like a neat Bible story book! And isn’t it fun to receive books to review? I’ve loved reviewing books and getting to be part of launch teams for books.
I love your baby’s name. My daughter is Renae and she gave herself the nickname Wren a few years ago. She’s written short stories on her blog, Wren Writes. There’s just something about connecting or relating to people even when it’s something so small or seemingly insignificant.
And yes, it is interesting how smells or things or stories bring back memories or associate themselves with certain times in our lives.
Aw! How great! I love it that the kids are pouring over the new Bible story book. We used to listen to Wee Sing Bible Songs in the car and it made everyone cheerful. Makes sense, right?
I was just looking at the campside shawl on Rav. I have too many shawls on the go, but I favorited it. Yours is lovely, lovely, lovely.
Our daughters both home school and the other day the younger daughter was helping the older daughter organize her school room. She was a little overwhelmed by it all because this is her first home school year. I’m so thankful (even though until four years ago I taught middle school language arts) that our grands are all homeschooled. Thank you, God. Best prayers and wishes to you as you prepare for a new year of faith-filled learning.
Your shawl is very pretty.
I had the same reaction to a project bag I bought while massively morning sick as well! PB is a couple months old and I still can’t use that bag!