Lazy Summertime Blogging

I'm sure everyone has noticed (because a few of you have said so!) that people are reading and commenting less on blogs during the summer. True enough! But there are still some of us out there. Just a friendly hello and links to other sites that I think are worth a visit for one reason or another. If you have a few moments, stop and "wave hello" (i.e., leave a comment saying 'hi') to a new person or two this summer.

We have a house guest/roommate for the summer months and so I kinda feel like I'm in vacation mode a bit. I honestly haven't been reading as much and between getting ready for my friend J to arrive (apparently the one thing I forgot was the coffee maker - we don't have one!), having her around, and wedding season -- I'm kinda zapped. Having a friend here is great though and it's been nice to share the cooking responsibilities. Furthermore, I introduced her to Jillian and the Biggest Loser and we've been working out together. (Bwaaah hahahaha!!!)

(I had to go looking for a picture of Jillian Michaels in her non-workout attire - if you know what I mean - to feel comfortable posting a picture on this site!) Stephanie (of Stephanie's Mommy Brain) wrote a post talking about her experience using Michael's 30-Day Shred. I'm chuckling away at Stephanie feeling like she was going to die after the first few days. (I feel your pain, S!) My friend J started doing the Shred too (since she's here) and we've also been going on whole family bike rides and have been hiking to waterfalls so as to provide a little variety in the workout routine while having fun at the same time!

As most of you are aware, I'm sure, Jillian Michaels used to be larger herself. Here's an article/picture of her way back when but please don't think I endorse the article or the way she speaks in it. I just looked at the picture and skipped her commentary!

Moving on.....



Janet from Across the Page shared a list of 25 Reasons to Read. All of the reasons she list are good and I couldn't agree more if I tried. That is definitely a "list post" that is worth reading through!

I consider this a laying down of the gauntlet, but my friend "Caniad" is threatening to read The Faerie Queen this summer (within the next few weeks.) If she does this, she'll beat me. So, I'm feeling a challenge. ;D (But she'll probably beat me.) And she'll likely have way more intelligent things to say about it so if you are interested, check out her site - Dwell in Possibility. (For the record - I personally have only made it through Book One and Book Two thus far.)

For those of you who are always looking for something new to cook up - you might want to check out Cooking With Martha Stalwart which is a team food blog. The lovely ladies at Martha Stalwart are either personal friends or personal acquaintances made through personal friends. I was excited to see that they are starting the site up again so if you'd like to snag some tasty new recipes - check them out!

Another note on J-friend being here - I don't have to cook every night. She's cooking some nights. And she makes homemade ice cream. And she makes it really good. It's absolutely not Jillian-approved but as an occasional treat it's downright awesome! Key word being "occasional."

And lastly, a little horn tooting for the Offering Hospitality blog....

My friend Crista is taking us on a journey through the book A Life That Says Welcome (click on the title to see her first post/thoughts). If you're interested in tracking with her as she shares her thoughts on this book, please join us over at Offering Hospitality.

I'll leave you with two "story book" songs today. Both make me want to go out and buy a hammock.

#1 - My Cathedral, by Chris Rice (for summertime and Narnia)



#2 - Return to Pooh Corner, by Kenny Loggins & Amy Grant (self explanatory)



Enjoy! And Happy Summer to you!