Category: books

Twitterature {July Edition}…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments

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Today I’m linking up with Anne over at Modern Mrs. Darcy for Twitterature, where we discuss what we are reading only condensed tweet size.

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Not today, but Someday by Lori L. Otto-

this book was YA but truthfully I’d be mortified (I think) if my teen read it. Lots of teen angsty stuff. The main (female) character’s dad had an affair and pretty much destroys their family. She seems to feel this only happened to her and that she is therefore justified in never considering anyone else’s feelings. Ever. It was a little much for me, honestly.

 

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Em and The Big Hoom by Jerry Pinto-

This is a book club book that I just haven’t gotten to yet. I read on vacation, but not as much as I’d hoped.

 

Dead-Until-Dark

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris-

I waited a really long time to read this book because I’m not at all a fan of the “trashy” lit genre. That being said, they series was gifted to me, on kindle, ages ago and vacation seemed like a good time to try it. While I’d hesitate to recommend it unless you LOVE Vampires, don’t mind trashy books and are looking for that fits both of those, surprisingly, I liked it. Several friends and I are fans of the tv series and it was very interesting in that regard.

 

loving

A Loving Life by Paul E. Miller-

I’m still picking away at this. It’s a three-month book club and not a short book, but it feels very meaty. Maybe it’s where I’m at in life, I don’t know… It’s so good and I find myself highlighting so much. Tough subject matter these days though.

What have you been reading this summer?

Hi! {Five}

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay1 Comment

Good morning…

How was your weekend? Mine was really weird. Lovely, and not lovely, and something altogether strange and wonderful. Gen flew, with some kids from her youth group, to Jamaica for the week. They will be doing some various service projects there. It’s all really exciting, and already I can’t wait to see pictures and hear her stories… As for us, we tried a cool not-so-local (for us) restaurant, saw a movie, did a little grocery shopping, watched fireworks, hit up the farmer’s market and just enjoyed hanging out together. It was a pretty big bummer to have her gone over Father’s Day, but we celebrated last weekend so it all worked out ok… My husband, in my book, is the absolute coolest guy to hang out with, so it was a rare joy to spend the weekend with just him. We joked about it being our empty nest preview…

Quite awhile ago, I was doing a superb job of listing out little weekly life gifts to add to my growing list, of which I was grateful for… And then some season, or other, of life became overwhelming and I tapered off.  I want to start up again. I really love the focus of that, and maybe it will help me to be a more diligent blogger (again) as well… look for that at some point later this week.

I think five is a great number…

I thought I’d share with five awesome (to me) things to start your week out right…

SONG– I’ve never listened much to the Avett Brothers so I do realize this is an old song, but I just heard it for the first time on Friday and it touched my heart… Just lovely… November Blue.

SHARE– I love elephants and this video melts my heart.

SOMETHING I’M LOVING– These days I am really loving my magic bullet. We drink smoothies year round, but we’ve been amping up on them a bit. (we do 1/3 frozen fruit, 1/3 fresh fruit, 1/3 cup packed spinach leaves, 1/4 c. kefir, 1 T. flaxseed oil, 1 T. chia seeds & and fill to just below the rim with coconut or almond milk. (Gen likes a bit of stevia in hers) They come out perfect every time. AMAZING…)

SOMETHING I’M INTO– The Goodwife. I don’t even know how it happened. I absolutely adore both Josh Charles and Chris Noth and made the decision NOT to watch this show when it first began (and the 5 years years since) because I just didn’t want to get involved with a legal drama. And then, when all of the shock of JC’s departure from the show (whom I’ve absolutely loved since I was in high school and he was in Dead Poet’s Society), suddenly my interest became peaked. When I realized our cable service had the entire series ON DEMAND, I was hooked. Do you watch?

SOMETHING NEW (to me)– For awhile now, I’ve seen these services pop up where you can borrow handbags or accessories and I thought it was such a waste of money. And then, I found myself in the position of wearing more dresses and needing a big of a broader wardrobe without the budget for nicer quality clothing. Enter Gwynnie Bee. I’ll admit I was skeptical, but I think I may be warming up to it. I received my first box the other day and it was a fun experience. I might even say, I’m warming up to calling it a bit of a brilliant idea…

Is there anything you’d like to share from your week?

{Have you talked books in this month’s Twitterature post?}

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Twitterature… {June 2014 edition}

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay8 Comments

twitterature-graphic1Welcome to Twitterature, June 2014 edition… A link-up where we talk about what we are reading (or in this case, what I am reading as this is my blog) this month, twitter style (in 140 characters or less). For a MUCH better description, head over here to Modern Mrs. Darcy’s…

delancey

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg…

Loving her first book deeply, I waited ages for this book & it didn’t disappoint! Food, business, dreams, marriage and raw honesty. Delightful!

I don't

I Don’t Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer

Sometimes snarky, very witty and pretty down to earth, this memoir is like meeting a fun friend!

lucky

How Lucky You Are by Kristyn Kusek Lewis

Wasn’t a fan of this book. Didn’t like the characters, their motives, their relationships… {book about dysfunction in relationships, but it sort of stays that way.}

loving

A Loving Life by Paul E. Miller

Book club pick. Not finished with it yet, but through the story of Ruth & Naomi I’m learning a lot about real love.

BTBFCover

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

Also a book club pick. Non-fiction, haunting & poetic reporting about Mumbai and the growth & change and the unseen. Tragic and amazing…

Pursue

Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming

Learning to live meaningfully and intentionally. Something I feel like I’ll always say I need. Written with amazing energy, an easy and inspiring read!

What about you? Reading anything amazing?

 

{Do you subscribe to my occasional newsletter, where I send out news about projects and exclusive content? If not, you can subscribe here!}

May, be…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay3 Comments

Sure, it sounds old, and over-used to take this opportunity to rant about how it’s already May, (and how is this possible?!?!?) but really, it seems insane to me. Wasn’t it just the polar eternal vortex? And suddenly green grass is everywhere and it’s May first. What in the world?

Usually, on the first of the month I take a post to outline my goals for the month. Here are my May aspirations…

 

Passions–

– I’ve taken on a new, slightly top-secret writing project that only a VERY small, handful of people know anything about. I’m really excited about it, maybe more excited than I’ve been about anything I’ve worked on before. Stay tuned!

– working on my quarterly newsletter. (aren’t on the list and want to be? Leave a comment with your email address and I’ll add you!)

– a few fun photo shoots coming up.

– Delancey, by Molly Wizenberg being released. I’ve waited literal YEARS for this book!

 

Family/Friends–

– celebrating my husband’s fortieth birthday.

– doing Storyline alongside my dear friend KL, (well, alongside, but spanning 2000 miles).

– honoring the moms in our lives.

– celebrating the special days of special friends.

– going to see the local theater production that friends of our directed. We’re pretty excited about that.

– Sunday morning excursions to the Farmer’s market. happily, happily, basket in hand, I’ll adventure off in search of wonderful.

 

Love–

– there are a couple of date nights on the front. We are right on schedule with our intentional date challenge, having completed 10/25, for the year.

– intentional conversations, planning sessions and dreams. It’s time.

– evening walks around the neighborhood.

 

Home–

– get the outdoor furniture out on the deck, should the rainy weather allow it. I’m so ready to sit out there and drink wine in the evenings while talking with Chw about our days. I’m ready to drink iced tea and write out there in the afternoons, (epi pen close by, of course, as our bees last year were horrendous!)

– grilled dinners! I am so excited about that! We’ve grilled out once already, but I’m ready for 500 more times.

– coming up with a fun Monday night tradition to accompany the return of 24. We LOVE Jack Bauer in this house and are BEYOND thrilled… (Any ideas?)

– getting rid of some living room furniture, making room for our beautiful new sofa (20 year anniversary gift) and just playing with the room a little.

– small bedroom paint project.

– possibly taking on the re-upholstering (or decent slipcovering) of an ottoman, should I locate my bravery somewhere.

 

What about you? What’s on your agenda for the month of May?

April already…

Published on by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

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I’m thinking I need to work on how stressed out and consumed I’m getting at the end of the month… I am just not making my goals very well… Here it is, already the seventh and I’m just getting this to you. Sad.
Me–
– work on editing, rewriting and polishing my manuscript. Still. Forever. UGH.
– continue to try NEW things, all year. I’m not complaining…
– quality time with some of my most (absolute favoritestesestestestestestest) people.
– paying a visit to my favorite {cheap} decor store!
– baby snuggles… they are good for the soul.
 Us–
– Ginormous road trip across the middle of the country. 60 + hours of car karaoke, Smart Water, audio books and pit stops. *sigh*
– swimming! Lots of chlorine in our hair, fo’ sho!
– spending every day this month with showing my husband with love and gifts as we gently walk him through the last 40 days of his 39th year.
– eating at some of our favorite place, and doing some of our favorite things that Michigan just doesn’t have.
– A quick visit to Amanda’s. The best way to wrap up our trip, hands down!
Heart–
– I’m focussing on more intentional reading (less fluff) throughout the season of Lent.
– after Lent confession: I need some absolute fluff because my brain is feeling a bit fried and I am mega-behind on my book goals. (that Lent sacrifice has been a challenge!)
– journal more.
– Be more graceful.
Create–
– A surprise. I’ll keep you posted. Give me about a week, maybe a week and a half and I’ll let you know…
– Writing challenge project for my online writer’s group.
Reading–
– Jesus Feminist
– Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
– Tales from a Blue Bike
– Storyline By Donald Miller
Home–
– finding, DIYing or renovating a table for our bedroom. (still. No luck. I’m so picky!)
Health–
– regular gym workouts, post this trip…
– in the meantime, swimming and treadmill…
– Continuing with my fitbit flex. We had a bit of a rough patch, but I believe we’ve working things out.
– doing better on my water intake. I’ve slipped. (preferably, NOT while swimming. Ha!)
– get a massage!
Love–
– continuing with our intentional date challenge, hopefully managing one this month, which will put us a bit behind.
– Celebrating 20 years since I first married this amazing man who is my partner and incredible husband!
– Double dating with our two favorite people on the planet! We could eat tv dinners outside of a 7/11 and it would be fabulous, we’ve missed them so much! A year is far too long between get togethers with your life’s greatest assetts!
What about your April?