June Book Club Pick

My fabulous book club, The Finer Things Club, is currently reading The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. To read about other books we've read click here or here.

via barnes and noble

Here is the back of the book blurb: It is 1940. France has fallen. Bombs are dropping on London. And President Roosevelt is promising he won’t send our boys to fight in “foreign wars.”  But American radio gal Frankie Bard, the first woman to report from the Blitz in London, wants nothing more than to bring the war home. Frankie’s radio dispatches crackle across the Atlantic ocean, imploring listeners to pay attention–as the Nazis bomb London nightly, and Jewish refugees stream across Europe. Frankie is convinced that if she can just get the right story, it will wake Americans to action and they will join the fight.
Meanwhile, in Franklin, Massachusetts, a small town on Cape Cod, Iris James hears Frankie’s broadcasts and knows that it is only a matter of time before the war arrives on Franklin’s shores. In charge of the town’s mail, Iris believes that her job is to deliver and keep people’s secrets, passing along the news that letters carry. And one secret she keeps are her feelings for Harry Vale, the town mechanic, who inspects the ocean daily, searching in vain for German U-boats he is certain will come. Two single people in midlife, Iris and Harry find themselves drawn toward each other.
Listening to Frankie as well are Will and Emma Fitch, the town’s doctor and his new wife, both trying to escape a fragile childhood and forge a brighter future. When Will follows Frankie’s siren call into the war, Emma’s worst fears are realized. Promising to return in six months, Will goes to London to offer his help, and the lives of the three women entwine.
Alternating between an America still cocooned in its inability to grasp the danger at hand and a Europe being torn apart by war, The Postmistress gives us two women who find themselves unable to deliver the news, and a third woman desperately waiting for news yet afraid to hear it.

I will keep you posted (literally) on what I think as I read. Anyone read this one yet? Did you like it?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

1. I'm loving that hubby of mine and I finally watched Despicable Me...and laughed out loud the whole time.

                        Source: google.com.br via Marcia on Pinterest

2. I'm loving this new recipe for Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches from the Tasty kitchen blog

3. I'm loving that my little brother is now a high school grad

4. I'm loving the public library. I have saved so much money checking out books and movies for FREE at my local library. I'm a fan and I make frequent visits.

Source: frenchbydesign.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest

5. I'm loving this graphic I found on Pinterest. I'm easily ameowsed. Haha.

Source: None via Allison on Pinterest

Bridal shows=Funtastic

My little sister is getting married in August and this past weekend we went to a bridal show for ideas and sister bonding time. I love bridal shows for several reasons.
1. Everyone says congratulations and is super nice (this may be because they want your business, but it doesn't matter because either way everyone is friendly and smiling)
2. You can sign up for lots of free stuff (My sister actually won something)
3. You can get your ring cleaned so it is good as new (I was so sold on the product that I bought it...I'm a sucker for a good sales pitch)
4. CAKE TASTING...I tried them all and just might have gone back for seconds. Maybe.
My sister and I had a great time and left with wedding fever. I can't wait to see all the wedding details come together for my sister.

Why does my hand look deformed? Just focus on the pretty cake.

Sparkling Summer Limeade

I was looking for the perfect summer drink and here it is...Sparkling Summer Limeade. MMmmm.

This recipe will make enough for 2 drinks:
-Puree 15-20 strawberries in a blender
-Add 4 oz. lime juice
-Add 4 oz. club soda
-Add 4 Tbsp. Sugar water (1 cup sugar and 1 cup water boiled and cooled)
-Add 4 oz. Vodka if you wish
-Add 2 cups ice
-Mix in blender until smooth
-Place several sliced strawberries in the bottom of your glass
-Pour in a tall glass and serve cold
-Garnish with a strawberry or a mint leaf
YUM!
I got this recipe from here and doubled it so hubby and I could each have a drink while chillaxing on the front porch. Oh Summertime I love you.

Source: flickr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Goodbye Ellie.

Dear Ellie,
I am sad you are heading to CO when I am finally free to hangout without having to abide by my early teacher bedtime. I know you will have an amazing time and I hope that you discover new truths, grow in your love of the Lord and have a few crazy adventures. Take pictures and blog about everything. Okay? Praying for you!
XOXO

I have such beautiful friends.

Visit Ellie's blog and learn a little bit about her adventures in Colorado here.

The day my students made me cry...

Yesterday we went on a field trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center conveniently located 5 minutes from our school. We went to celebrate the end of the year and had an amazing time! When we got back to school most of the parents followed us up to our classroom and then one parent asked if she could say something...hmmm. She went on to pull out a gift and say sweet things about me followed by everyone applauding and thanking me. I definitely got choked up looking around the room at my students. I never expect gifts, but I do love getting them and would never turn one down.  My kids made me the most adorable art smock ever and in the pockets were 1.) A Graeters gift card (best ice cream ever for all you non-Ohioans) and 2.) A gift card to Cheers to Art one of my favorite places. Read about my visits there here and here.

This time of year is always bittersweet for me especially when I have had such a wonderful class. Don't take me wrong I am excited for summer 100%, but it is always sad for something good to come to an end. Our last day tomorrow and then my precious little kindergartners move on to 1st grade! Oh how I wish I could post more pictures of their cuteness. You will just have to take my word for it. :)

Goodbye May, Hello June!

Source: google.at via Allison on Pinterest

        
I have always been partial to the month of June...probably due to the fact that it is the month of my birth and I start counting down the days until my birthday as soon as June 1st hits, but there are so many other reasons I am happy to finally see the month of June!
June is the end of school.
June is the kick off to summer.
June is bonfires and star gazing.
June is the birthday month of my best friend, my sister-in-law and my grandpa.
June is kicking off my summer reading list.
June is when being crafty is my full time job.
June is cookouts & corn on the cob.
June is fresh fruit.
June is road trips.
June is ice cream.
June is a swimming pool.
June is sundresses.
June is...going to go by way to fast.

Source: etsy.com via Allison on Pinterest