So…I keep popping in on the “what you are into” link-up every month. I love it and feel like I get to know everyone just a little bit better. But I sure as heck am not going to do one. My tastes are a little….ahem….low brow, and I just did not need the entire internet to know how lame I was. But, you know, somebody picked the word “unashamed” this year, so at halfway through it is probably time I bite the bullet.

Books

I teach “great literature” all freaking year, so when summer comes around I want my reading like I want my summer fruit pie topping, light and fluffy. I haven’t really been able to find exactly what I am looking for, suggestions are more than welcome.

Half the Church by Carolyn Curtis James: The subtitle is  Recapturing God’s Global Vision for Women and that pretty much sums it up. The first half I was all “yeah, yeah, I already know this. The second half I was like Mind. Blown. felt…commisioned somehow.

Beach Road by James Patterson: Looking for a summer fluffy read. I like that it was written from multiple perspectives, some of whom lie. I hated the unneccessary twist/surprise/you think you know but you really have no idea ending. It made the first three-quarters of the book make very little sense. Dumb.

1st to Die by James Patterson: It is a series. I was hoping I would love it and have 12 more books to read. Alas, this was not the case. I will probably try one more, but again with the unnecessary twisted ending. This not as bad, but still…sigh.

Naked by David Sedaris: I am about half way through this and loving it. I like that every chapter can operate on its own. Plus, David Sedaris, two thumbs up.

Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz: Again, hoping for a light and fluffy read. It is okay, but I won’t be picking up the next one. Please, someone recommend something else and save me from myself.

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides: I was supposed to like this. I was. But I didn’t. I just can’t like books where I am not rooting for anyone to succeed.

1000 Gifts by Anne Voskamp: I refused to pick this book up because “Abby does not read books with a bird’s nest on the cover.” Well, Abby is an idiot and should give books that everyone is telling me to try, a try. I am reading it slowly and savoring every word that has been so clearly perfectly chosen.

On the Netflix

Phineas and Ferb- Juliet is obsessed, so Priscilla is also. It is actually pretty entertaining. And I like the diversity of female characters.

Dawson’s Creek If you thought my summer-reading choices were bad, you should see my TV choices all year round. I am about 15 years late but I am digging it. I know it is ridiculous, that is the point. Also, I can write while it is on and still pay attention to both.

Eating and Drinking

Herbs de Provence- I put it on pork, chicken, roasted potatoes, my favorite has been fresh green beans with Herbs de Provence, olive oil, garlic, and sea salt. Delicious.

Williamson Brother’s Steak Sauce- Put it on steak, chicken, bread, your fingers, it is delicious.

Angry Orchard Ginger Cider- It is my summer go to. I used to hide loving hard ciders. No more. I love this one. The ginger cuts the sweet.

Ruby Red Summer Shiner- So yummy. Grapefruit. More Ginger. Even people who don’t love beer like this.

Tequila Sunrise Sangria- We had some people over and I made two kinds of sangria. The red was okay. But the white was awesome. I soaked raspberries and peaches in a mixture of tequilla, orange liquor, and sugar. Then I mixed that with Barefoot (do you know about this cheap delicious brand of wine?) Sauvignon Blanc, ginger ale, and a splash of orange juice. It is even better than you are imagining.

E-Courses I took

Story 101– Elora Ramirez teaches this course. I took it on a whim because Tanya Marlow was taking it and I needed her to be my friend. Also, because I was feeling stuck in my writing and needed a push somehow. It has been a balm to my soul and a kick in the ass all at the same time. I feel sorry for anyone who takes it ever again because I got the best group of ladies ever in my class. It has been glorious. I am very, very sad it is over.

Shalom Sessions– I was staring down the ending of Story 101 when Brandy Walker offered a sale on her Shalom Sessions, so I signed up. It was really great. I got a handle on some of my dreams, she forced allowed me to work through some of the blocks as to why I haven’t been taking that next step. I am about to roll out some exciting things, and I have my shalom session to thank.

What I have been Writing

I FINISHED MY BOOK! I have a completed first draft of my teaching memoirs. It needs a lot of edits, but I am letting it sit for a few days. I did that. I completed a book. If you want a sneak peek you can read my series What They Don’t Teach in Teacher School. So far we have How to Take Attendance and How to Talk about Your Butt.

I had two guest posts on two really hard subjects. I wrote about education, downward mobility, and where we draw the lines for D.L. Mayfield and I wrote about extreme poverty and why we think it is okay for us and not them for Live58.

I contributed to a book called Wild Goslings, a collection of essays about empowering our kids to chase after a wild and wonderful God. I wrote one about toddlers and the worship service, and another about the potential of teens. I cannot tell you how excited I am about sharing these with you all.