I’m sitting on the porch of the house where Ben takes drum lessons; he’s rocking out in there, and it’s a breezy 72 degrees and sunny out here. I’m forever humbled by the experience of watching kids become who they are; what a joy to hear the music that is in him emerge. After a hectic few weeks, this was the first unscheduled weekend that felt truly like summer; a long catch-up drinks with a dear friend, dinner at the lake, lots of swimming, puttering around without an agenda, working on projects in the house, making art with the kids, grilling dinner and eating outside.
A. My father’s latest novel, The Last Sweet Taste, was published last week…
B. …. and I’m thrilled to share that it received a starred review in Booklist, and Publishers Weekly featured it in How The Last Sweet Taste by Craig Nova Got Made.
This is a book for you if … you enjoy love stories even in the most difficult of times. Anna, a PhD student at the University of Chicago, receives a devastating medical diagnosis. She leaves everything behind and randomly boards a bus to Brattleboro, Vermont. There, a father and son who run a dynamiting business offer her shelter. When an enormous ice dam threatens to flood the town, Anna and the two men work together. This literary thriller portrays life’s precariousness with solemnity and awe.
If you read it, let me know what you think!
C. My sister sent me a link to this Car Talk T-shirt, and I purchased it ASAP. A little-known fact about me is that I applied to be a screener on Car Talk (and was offered the job!!) but ultimately declined (which may be my life’s only regret!).
D. Charming paper plates would make a nice lil pick me up.
E. Ben and I stumbled on these abalone shells at our local “fancy” grocery store for $4.99 and were both just mesmerized. We bought one and are taking turns keeping it by our bedsides - next shopping trip I’m buying one of my own!!!
F. Earlier today Ben and I had a ridiculous amount of fun with this washable airbrush kit that uses regular Crayola markers. I can’t quite put my finger on what was so satisfying - I think it’s that you load regular markers into the airbrush gun and suddenly you’re spraypainting! It’s totally washable and didn’t make a mess. We enjoyed the stencils that come with the set (I bought two kits since I have two kids and I also love doing this kind of project), but the real fun was scavenging around the house for other items to use as stencils. We also experimented with various leaves, coins, and such.
G. My friend Stephanie introduced me to Bari Zaki and her wonderful website and store years ago - Zaki’s “big stack o’ biggish scraps” and notepads are a go-to gift for creative friends. I’m so excited for Zaki’s new book, Bound to be Beautiful, and can’t wait to make some of the projects with this book binding kit that I gave to Alex two Christmases ago.
H. I bought this hammock earlier in the summer, and while it is not a true navy - more of a robin’s-egg blue- it’s soft and comfortable. I recommend if you’re in the market.
I. This Disco Inferno bird seed mix made me laugh when I spotted it in the grocery store. It’s spicy to keep the squirrels away!
J. I’ve been on the hunt for a simple red sandal this summer, and these Reefs are pretty great. I am a true size 9, and for the first time in living memory, I had to return these for the next size down (all to say, they seem to run big!).
I occasionally include affiliate links - typically to products from Etsy, Ebay, 1st Dibs, Bookshop, and yes, sometimes, Amazon. Affiliate links are bolded so you know when I’ve used one. Our most consistent political power comes from exercising our values via our wallets. I’m always thinking about cost, accessibility, and the planet. It’s a work in progress.
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