Hello Dear Readers! It’s feeling like Fall and lately I have been….
Reading:
I just finished Northanger Abbey so I’ve completed my goal of re-reading Jane Austen’s books this year! Now I’ve started Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport which I’ve been meaning to read for several years. It is very interesting.
Loving:
Bouquets of “volunteer” sunflowers and cosmos from my mom’s garden.
Making:
A little Fall garland out of fabric scraps, above.
And a new apron; I love this crossover style. This one was made out of a tablecloth and there was enough fabric to make two.
Working on:
Pickles, syrups and jams, applesauce and juice… so much produce to process this time of year.
Eating:
Garden produce! My favourite recipe for this time of year is Zucchini Italian.
Sauté onion rings in butter and olive oil. Once transparent, add thinly sliced zucchini, diced tomatoes, a teaspoon of dried dill (or fresh if you have it), salt and pepper. Reduce to a simmer until cooked- delicious!
Finding:
The time to write letters and mail some Fall greeting cards to friends.
Hello Dear Readers! I can’t believe we’re already into the second half of August; where has the summer gone? Lately I have been…
Reading:
I’m halfway through my goal of re-reading Jane Austen’s books this year! I’ve finished Persuasion, Pride & Prejudice and Emma, have started Sense & Sensibility, and only have Northanger Abbey left! (I read Mansfield Park a couple of years ago, so I’m not going to re-read it this year.)
I am really enjoying it. Especially when I sit outside on the swing on a peaceful, sunny afternoon to read a few chapters in between watching the birds and the clouds go by.
Loving:
Vibrant yellow canola fields and going for walks. Especially when a storm is coming up and the sky is starting to get that greenish look to it that means it is time to head home!
Making:
So many cute baby things lately for new babies in my church.Bibs for little boys and a polka dot dress and bloomers for a little girl.
Finding:
Letters from friends in the mailbox. Always a cheerful surprise!
Working on:
The family history photo project. I’ve created a family tree of one side of the family and have printed a whole bunch of the photos, finally, but then some of them were printed incorrectly, so I have to do a re-print of some of them. I got the majority printed on 4×6 papers and trimmed them to size, keeping the white margins so they look “old”. I have them stored in this pretty box until I’m ready to assemble the albums.
Eating:
Fresh vegetables from the garden! So many cucumbers in particular. Yum!
And I am not eating these pretty evening scented stocks my mom planted, above, but I am enjoying their lovely blooms and delicate scent.
Watching:
These two videos about two very different dresses were a treat to watch.
–Marilyn Monroe’s pink “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is one of the most famous dresses in cinema (superseded only by the Little Black Dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s) and it’s on display right now in an exhibit called Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon.
And that’s all for this week!
What has your August been like? What have you been reading, making, finding, eating, and watching?
So many good books! Endurance and Uncle Tom’s Cabin are definitely going to be making it into my “year end favourite books of 2026” post!
What have you been enjoying reading lately?
Making:
So many smaller projects lately…
I made these two covered button floral fabric rings, above. I’ve listed them in my Poshmark shop, but I chose fabrics I personally like, so I will keep them if they don’t sell.
I found a small lace table runner at the thrift store recently for 50 cents. I picked it up to add to my stash for decorating, but then I discovered it had some damages along the edges and was the perfect candidate to turn into a little summer bag! This was such a quick project; the entire thing only took about 1 1/2 hours, including the time for hand-stitching the handles in.
I got this 90’s halter dress because I love the floral fabric, but I can’t wear halter tops, so I took the bodice off and turned the bottom into a pleated skirt. It was such a quick project and it only took a few hours to complete. I love how it turned out. (I also hemmed the bodice and have listed it as a crop top in my shop.)
Working on:
Another project I have started on: renovating this dollhouse my sister and I had as children. It really had seen better days, and had some staining and damage. So far all I have done is the demolition, but I am looking forward to the fun part: redecorating!
Eating:
So far the only produce we’ve had is rhubarb, so we’ve enjoyed some lovely rhubarb and strawberry crisp! Also mint iced tea and mint lemonade has been lovely and refreshing, especially on a day like today when the sun is out.
Finding:
Instead of what I have found, here’s something for you to find: spot the hummingbird! We have several that come to our garden flowers and feeders and they are so fun to watch. This one wanted to sit in the highest lookout point.
Watching:
I really enjoyed watching these two videos by Jane of Snapdragon Life about the Schiaparelli exhibit at the V&A. In part one she talks about the women who helped Schiaparelli begin her business, and then part two is a tour of the couture collection.
What have you been loving, making or reading lately?
Hello Dear Readers, and happy Friday! I hope your week has been a good one. Lately I have been…
Reading:
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. This story was written in 1909, and the edition I got from our local library was an anniversary edition printed in 1959- look how lovely it is! The illustrations are by Ernest H. Shepard (the same artist as Winnie the Pooh) and they are so sweet. The story was too. Toad was, of course, the best character.
Loving:
Tulip bulbs, crocuses and new leaves are bursting forth! I can’t wait for them to bloom.
Making:
I made a pressed flower magnet with another one of those rings I got from the thrift store.
Working on:
Altering the sleeves on some t-shirts. They didn’t have any colours I liked in the short sleeve tees, so I bought some of the long sleeve ones (on clearance) and shortened the sleeves to the length I like, using a twin needle. Sometimes knowing how to sew is nice.
We’ve also got a new sewing room set-up. The sewing space used to be in what is now my office/craft room, but it got moved into the spare room a couple of years ago. We were “temporarily” using a writing desk for over a year. Recently this desk came up in our church’s free group, and while were weren’t originally going to use it in the sewing room, it fits perfectly into the space!
Eating:
This weekend for Mother’s Day, we’re going to do a hot pot and cheesecake. Yum!
Finding:
….and passing on the “perfect” dress at Winners last week, since it didn’t fit properly (the armholes were too low and gaped). I was so sad it didn’t fit, but it’s given me some inspiration to sew something similar. Again, it’s a good skill to be able to sew and not have to rely on the way off-the-rack clothing fits!
