What I’m Into (June 2013 Edition)

I’ve seen several people doing these “What I’m Into” posts recently. I’ve really enjoyed reading them so I decided I’d do it, too. Here goes:

Around My Home


Early in June David rented three levels of scaffolding and replaced the siding on the peak on the front of our house. This is a project he’s been working on for a few years now, saving the highest and scariest part for last. I was a nervous wreck all weekend but it’s done and there were no E.R. visits. He’s still got one little section on the side and then the balcony. It’s going to be so nice when it’s finished. He’s going to install a couple of ceiling fans and I figured out a way to have it screened in and still look nice.

I only managed to get six tomato plants planted this year and nothing else. We had late frosts and then were busy with Happyland Music Fest and recovery time and, well, that’s all I did. I also decided not to get chickens because one of David’s firefighter buddies is keeping us in eggs. He lives alone and is getting about a dozen eggs a day. I’m giving him the big bag of organic feed I bought when I still thought I’d be getting chicks in exchange for eggs. I still miss having chickens and maybe someday I’ll do it again but for now at least I have a source for good, fresh eggs. Good enough.

Reading – Books and Blogs

Books: I’ve had a hard time really getting into a book recently. Part of the problem is that we stay up ridiculously late and by the time we go to bed I’m too tired to read more than a couple of pages. I’m hoping to change that, by the way. But the rest of the issue was that I just wasn’t making good book selections. I checked out Anthony Bourdain’s book, “The Nasty Bits” from the library anticipating a good read. I loved his book, “Kitchen Confidential” and I really enjoy his shows. Somehow, this book just didn’t do it for me. It’s a collection of pieces he’s written for other publications and while some were very entertaining, the lack of continuing narrative failed to capture my attention. It’s the sort of book you read in short bursts so perhaps I should have put it in the bathroom. 😉 I may give it a whirl again someday but it just wasn’t what I was in the mood for.

I did really enjoy Pat Conroy’s “South of Broad” which I listened to in the car. And I’m currently reading “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce, which a couple of my readers here recommended. I’m only about 15 pages into it but I think I’m really going to like it.


Blogs:

• Rachel Held Evans – Her posts make me think and most of the time I find myself nodding in agreement.
• Movie Star Makeover – The author of this blog used to be a moderator on the French Chic group I’ve been part of for years. She was, and is, a true inspiration to those of us in the group. She’s moved on to other things but I enjoy her blog posts. This month she wrote a post about “Parent Trap” which I adored.
• Suburban Turmoil – Her post, Bad Christian, inspired me to write a post with a similar theme.

Watching – Movies, T.V. and YouTube

• T.V. – David and I thoroughly enjoyed Mad Men this month and can’t wait for the new season. We may pick another series to watch via Netflix this summer but in the meantime we’ve been enjoying Cheers. Our daughter bought David the first three seasons for Father’s Day. It’s one of those rare shows which has really held up well over the years. We also watch The Daily Show regularly and are pleasantly surprised by how well John Oliver is filling Jon Stewart’s role while he’s away this summer.
• Movies – I love French films and truly enjoyed “The Grocer’s Son”. Inspired by a blog I read, I ordered “The Parent Trap” via Netflix and David and I both enjoyed watching it. I’ve really been wanting to go to the movies lately and we finally had the opportunity on our anniversary. Chris and Kadi were planning to see “This is the End” and asked if we’d like to go, too. We all went out to eat first (along with a couple of the kids’ friends) and then to the show. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it but it was surprisingly entertaining.
• YouTube: Daily Connoisseur, Thrifttasttic Mom, NotSoOrdinaryWife, Henri Le Chat Noir

Listening – Music

Keb’ Mo’:

Food – Recipes, Restaurants and Grocery Hauls

• I’ve made my own taco seasoning. 
• I’ve found a delicious recipe for lentil tacos which we all like as well as ground beef. 
• And Cheesy Bruschetta Pork Chops – yum!
• I made homemade banana pudding for a Father’s Day dinner for the family. 

We had a couple of especially nice meals in restaurants this month:

• A lovely sunset meal at the Hefner Grill
• Melt-in-your-mouth filets at The Mantel

Out and About – Trips and Events

June was a busy, busy month! We celebrated:

• David’s birthday with friends singing around the fire pit
• A wedding
• Two friends’ birthdays
• Father’s Day with a family meal including my parents and all the kids
• The post-wedding reception of our friends’ son
• Our 32nd anniversary
• My cousin’s 50th birthday

• Attended a benefit concert
• Saw the famous Blue Whale of Catoosa
• Went out to hear friends perform: 

And we took two short trips:

• Joplin
• Oklahoma City

Featured Blog Posts

• For my dad on Father’s Day
• The Hippie and the Pirate: A Love Story (Part 1)
• The Hippie and the Pirate: A Love Story (Part 2)
• Bad Christian Club
• Sweet Tea and Saltines

I also did a blog-a-day challenge and actually managed keep up with it. I’ll be deleting the link in a day or two but for now all 30 posts are linked here. 

Special Moments

• star gazing and sipping wine with David on beautiful summer nights
• watching the sun set over Lake Hefner
• stopping to watch deer in our driveway 
• singing around the fire pit with special friends
• bar sing alongs
• conversation with good friends about books, films and religion over pizza and wine
• swimming with Lisa and Kadi

Pinterest

• I’ve added several new recipes to my Food and Wine board.
• I’m following this Boho Style board.
• I’m following this hilarious board, My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter.

Keeping in touch – Bye bye, Google Reader

Chances are if you’re an avid blog reader you know that as of last night, Google Reader is no more. I’ve known this was coming and as soon as it was announced I imported my feeds to both Bloglovin’ and Feedly. I had planned to start getting used to them before Google disappeared but habit won out. For now I’m using both and trying to decide which I like best. I’m leaning toward Feedly for a couple of reasons. First, the Feedly iPhone app is significantly better than Bloglovin’s and second, I like the fact that Feedly displays the entire blog post rather than requiring that you click on through to the original source. With my sloooowwww internet connection fewer page loads matter.

I find a reader virtually essential for keeping up with a large number of blogs but I do know that some manage their reading in other ways (I’d love to hear your method). The important thing is that I don’t want to lose any of my readers so I hope you’ll choose a way to follow which works for you.

• Bloglovin’
• Feedly
• Tea With Dee Facebook page
• Tea With Dee Google+ page
• email (on right sidebar)

You can also follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Flickr. 

Check out other “What I’m Into” posts linked on Hopeful Leigh and if you blog you can add your own.