Summer Fun

In June we went to VBS at Germantown UMC. 

Kenton rotated through my station every day.

Ava had to leave early to get to her afternoon activity.

We had fun.

Below are some of the books Ava read from the Collierville library.

She is a non-stop reader.

Right now she loves Nancy Drew mysteries - the original series that I read in elementary school.

We rode the train one morning on our trip to Colorado.

Martin took the photo.

Joey (542) rode in the 4th of July bike race in Breckenridge.

Mountains and sky.

I love the scenery but the altitude was too high for me.

So thankful for time with family.

 

Spring Break Visitors

NYC has Spring Break later than we do.

Emily, Liam, and David flew down to Memphis to spend part of their break with us.

Liam ran into a friend at LaGuardia as they were leaving.

David had fun dressing up in the costumes.

Watching the new Wonka movie was another activity that first day in Tennessee.

Which led to relaxing while consuming triple stuff Oreos.

Thanks, Grumps.

We tested out the Game Quilt one evening.

There was pool time with Ava and Kenton at Uncle Joey and Aunt Jessie's house.

These two found time for art.

We enjoyed some Mexican food at a new restaurant.

Too soon it was time to fly home.

Love these guys.

Liam is now taller than Gran.

Back home, David, with help from mom, found the perfect clothes for a Wonka costume.

The hat has been ordered.

Fun time with family.

 

Reading update

It has been some months since I updated my reading list.

I have started keeping a list in a notebook because I realized 

I was not keeping an accurate record with photos. 

My most recent selections are below.

The two paperbacks are new YA titles.

I'm reading them before giving them to Liam & David.

Last Saturday Mr. M and I went to the Dixon Gardens & Gallery.

The tulips were in full bloom and it was a great day for wandering around the gardens.

The jonquils were fading but other flowers were putting on their best show.

In the gallery we saw a new exhibit by two artists.

I liked the realistic paintings more than the abstract ones.

It was interesting to read how the artist painted his still life pieces.

One of my favorite spring flowers.

I had to include this photo of David. 

He is waiting to begin playing with a mass of student violinists.

Gran brag alert- David was chosen to take a special violin class with three other students.

He is a very musical kid and I am proud of him.

Liam's piano skills are advancing.

Sticking with practice as a student gets into middle school is challenging.

So many activities compete for attention. 

Brag time over.

What are you reading?

 

Look aback on 2023

These are some of the books I read in December.

I first read Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider YA books with my students.

I read all of his books that the public library had on their shelves.

I try to take a photo of each book that I read.

Sometimes I remember to add titles to my Goodreads lists.

This year when I checked the number of books I read for 2023 I realized that

I was not keeping up listing the books.

Looking back at my photos of books I found that I read 37 books in 2023.

This year I'm going to keep a written list in my journal.

I have finished 2 books as of January 14, 2024.

Read any good books this year?

 

Some of My November Reading

First, I have not read this book. Martin read it and I want to read it, so I took a photo.

I am now reading this series by Anthony Horowitz. 

He wrote a series of young adult books that I read to students.

He is a very good mystery writer.

This one sounded interesting but was kind of sad.

The main character was very introverted and I can relate.

An okay read-

We went to see this at the Orpheum when we got back from our trip.

I enjoyed seeing the live show since I had only seen the movie version.

I'ver read several more books this month but didn't take photos of them

What are you reading?

 

Travel based on books

The Three Pines Mysteries by Louise Penny inspired me to plan a trip to Quebec City and Montreal.

We have visited several cities in Canada but have never been to these two cities.

October seemed to be the perfect time to visit - before snow and after the heat of summer.

We flew from NYC to Montreal, then the next day took a train to Quebec City.

Halloween decorations were fun to see in public spaces like this park.

Looking at these will always remind me of the uphill trek we made to get to the Tourist Office.

Most of the signage was in French, so I don't know the reason for this clock display.

The weather was beautiful.

Just wish I was in better shape for all the walking.

We walked to a cafe near our hotel for breakfast one day.

Latte and a date-oatmeal bar. Yummmmm.

We took the city bus to the chute de Montmorency (Montmorency Falls).

It was the end of the bus line and the leaves were turning all the beautiful fall colors. 

Our Quebec City hotel was across from a big mall.

We walked over to Walmart and bought some fruit and yogurt and other snacks.

There was a mix-up in our hotel reservations, my fault, but the hotel we stayed in was a good fit for us.

After three days in QC we took the train back to Montreal.

Did you know that we pronounce Montreal differently from the French.

The city name means Mount Royal and in English is pronounced Mon-Tree-all.

In French it is pronounced Mon-Ree-al. 

Writing this to remember the difference.

Back in Montreal we were just a few blocks down the street from a big art museum.

This was a view from one window.

A model in the curiosities exhibit.

The front of the museum. There are three or four buildings in the complex. They are connected by underground walkways. Very handy for rainy or snowy weather.

The best money we spent was for the hop-on/hop-off bus tour.

This was our guide, Jean Bernard.

He was the guide on all the buses we hopped on that day-3 different tours!

The view of Montreal from the summit of Mount Royal.

Then it was time to fly home.

It was fun.

We definitely recommend a trip to Montreal and Quebec City.

Brush up on your French. You will feel like you have travelled to Europe while still in North America.

September Books and other finishes

Our Germantown UMC Book Club book for August was The Ride of Her Life.

I really enjoyed reading this true story that happened when I was about 3 years old.

It was well written and engaging.

Unfortunately, we did not get to discuss the book because of a scheduling conflict.

Martin recently read the book below.

I'm including it here because I want to read it one day.

These three books by Lucy Foley are pass-alongs from Emily and Jessie.

I think it is funny that they both read books by the same author.

I finished The Guest List a couple of days ago.

I'm reading The Book of Lost and Found now.

Who can I pass them on to next?

I was asked by Tea Forte' to review a new teapot.

They sent a box of 28 different flavored teas and the new teapot.

I have included the teas and teapot because I often drink a cuppa while I read.

Something about reading a mystery and drinking tea seems to go together to me.