coming up for air

it's been a full and fun week at the county fair

(one of my girls is in 4-H)

but I have to admit I'm happy for a little breathing room for the next few days

here's a snapshot of our week:

there's always so much to see

I love taking my camera around with me when there's any downtime at our booth

*

today's a rainy day and I'm tempted to just curl up and read my latest book

"Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress"

does it feel like summer is ending or has ended for you?

... it always makes me a little sad ...

but then I remember that spring is just a few months away

ok, ok, more like 6 months away - but who's counting?

summer reading

in case you need a book recommendation - here's one for you:

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

I haven't had an "I can't put it down book" for a while

this was definitely one of those

in fact, I finished it a couple of days ago and am currently mourning the fact that I don't have another book waiting in the wings.

:(

but look at this lovely handmade bracelet

... now I'm smiling ...

:)

(bracelet made by a Hawaiian woman named Apple)

sunny day tea

I'm sitting out back with my frosty iced tea

... a little bit of down time in the afternoon ...

it's after school and the Garden Guy is working on his newest rose bed

and I'm working on the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy

(my girls got me hooked)

the books are a satisfying read

page turners

imagination getters

conversation starters

... but, I'm not getting much reading done with this to distract me:

*

how are you spending your down time today?

I hope you have some down time ... even if it's just a minute to look up at the sky

double comfort

... tea and a good book ...

double comfort

my book is The Double Comfort Safari Club

- eleventh in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series -

and the second to the last book

I have been putting off coming to the end of these wonderful books

but today is a perfect day to escape to Botswana

african redbush (rooibos) tea figures prominently in the stories

and the health benefits are becoming well known

(here's an interesting article about it)

*

another healthy thing: going for a long walk

while I was out walking today, I found this skeleton blossom

it's from a hydrangea bush

... amazing ...

I hope you are fitting healthy things into your day today

sometimes we get so busy ... and we have to give each other a nudge

nudge nudge

:)

summer reading book list

after spending two hours yesterday dropping kids and their innertubes upriver and meeting them downriver ... three roundtrips and 30 minutes waits in the car each time, I was very happy to have a book to read! Here are the books you recommended last week. I thought it would be nice to have them in a tidy little list :)

Just started reading Game of Thrones by George R R Martin, I've not read a fantasy novel for absolutely ages. If you fancy a bit of crime I can't recomment Camilla Lackberg's novels highly enough, can't wait for the next one to be released (shabby chic shaz)
Love Garrison Keillor, my list includes, The No! Ladies Detective Agency series (taking me to Africa),Hollywood, by Gore Vidal,Water for Elephants,by Sara Gruen, Very Valentine by Adriana Trigani, and a new novel by one of our friend's Dave Kyger. (ooglebloops)
i'm still on the jodi piccoult...with cutting for stone next on my list (*jean*)
I heard the language of flowers by diffenbaugh is good (la dolce vita)
I have been reading a bit of The Artist Way (Becca)
I'm reading "oogy...the dog only a family could love" by Larry Levin. Non-fiction and heart-rending. (Judy)
Loved the "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo", et al. Awesome series! (Terri Kahrs)
While not funny, a good novel I finished not that long ago, long and juicy and some history is "The Tricking of Freya" by Christina Sunley. (corrine of dos fishes studio)
"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" is a good summer read. It is full of Chinese culture. Also adding "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen. (Dianne)
I just finished The Female. Fascinating reading for those of use who raised our girls in overalls and told our boys that it's alright to cry (suz)
I've been reading ALL of Jodi Picoult's books. I liked The Pact which was my most recent read. (Lynn)
The No1 Ladies Detective Agency is my favourite series and I'm just starting some more Alexander McCall Smith, 44 Scotland Street. (Jane)