Peanuts and crackers jacks

Had a great time watching the Ironbirds, our local minor league team.  Great seats, affordable treats and the team always puts in a great effort.  

Another favorite summertime pastime.

The weather has finally broken as well.  For a week or so I felt a bit confined.  The temps and humidity were so bad I couldn't enjoy being outside for summertime fun.  The past few days have been great, and morning runs finally enjoyable again.  There may even be a breeze today!

Urban gardening

Last year Hubby and I attempted our first urban garden on our row home roof.  It was a but too hot, and nothing was very happy, including me when I had to trek up 3 floors to water.

This year we turned our cement backyard into a container garden and have been enjoying it all summer.  The lettuce is about done, the herbs are going crazy as are the jalapeno's and the cayenne peppers.  Hubby doesn't like spicy, so I'll be giving away some salsa!

I am really looking forward to the tomatoes!!  In a week or two we'll be able to enjoy the first one of the summer.

I am so thankful, I can just walk out the back door to water!

My favorite pastime

Even though I have been seriously slacking on the posting lately.  I felt like for my 100th post I should do something big.  But I couldn't come up with anything!!  I  am having serious brain fog lately.  

Instead, Erika asked me about some book recommendation yesterday and gave me a good idea for today.

I have always been addicted to reading.  When time allows 2 or 3 books in a week!  My friends always ask me what books I recommend.  Sometimes I hesitate because I feel it's a bit subjective.  But, hey they don't have to like them, or finish them.  

Here is a small list of my favorite all time reads.  I will say I love all kinds of books.  And most of my summer reading right now are crime novels, and chic lit.  Usually because I read so much and you only stumble upon an amazing book every once in a while.

So here is my list: 

1. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving

2. The Time Travelers Wife, Audrey Niffenegger

3. All the King's Men, Robert Penn Warren

4. Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden

5. Pillars of The Earth, Ken Follett

6. She's Come Undone, and I Know This Much is True, Wally Lamb

I also love to read Stephen King, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell, and I laugh out loud to Janet Evonovich's Stephanie Plum series.  I just finished "The Girl who Played with Fire" by Stieg Larsson the 2nd book in his series.  

Thanks for asking Erika!  And giving me a great post idea.  

one of my favorite things

One simply pleasure of mine is a trip to the library to collect a stack of books.  I love looking at the stack and knowing that I have all these adventures to indulge in while lying around on a summer day. 

It brings back memories of childhood summers.

I'm here! I'm here!

Even though I have been feeling like this....

I've been feeling out of sorts, and then had some internet issues.  But I think I am back on my game again, hopefully there won't be an absence like that again!

With the temperatures staying near 100, and the humidity oppressive I have been hitting the studio early.  I spent Monday morning laying the ground work for my new commission.  It's 3 pets, the client is using them to decorate her nursery.  I LOVE that idea.  They are turning out great.  I should be half way done with one more trip to the studio this week.

The heat has made me feel a bit house bound as well, but I have the Tour de France to keep my company!  And some research I have been needing to get done, as well as planning a few up-coming trips.

Wow, it didn't take much to catch up on my lost two weeks!

Now back to the heat.