May and June Books

The Secret Keeper by Genevieve Graham

The book is about twin sisters during World War II from Ontario, just east of Toronto.  They have different strengths - one wants to be a pilot and the other one is radio operator and code breaker.  The books goes back and forth between sisters and we hear how they come to be in their different positions and locations.  

I have read a few books by this author and she always delivers.  I love the Canadian content and learning about some bit of history that I previously hadn't heard about. 

Long Island by Colm Toibin

This book is the sequel to Brooklyn.  I never read that book but I did see the movie starting Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson.  I won't reveal too much of the plot but I'll tell you that the main character, Ellis, finds herself back in Ireland after being away for twenty years. 

Since I have seen the movie, I pictured those actors as the characters in the book.  I love Saoirse and she played that role so perfectly then I could imagine her a few years older.  I also love the way she speaks and how the Irish characters turn a phrase. 

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

This is the author's fourth novel and this one revisits a character from her first book.  We meet a young Toronto woman who has recently broken up with her long term boyfriend and is unsatisfied with her career. Her grandmother is recovering from a surgery so she decides to take her grandmother to a cottage for the summer.  And guess who has the house next door?  Someone we know from the first novel. 

I knew what the plot was before I started the book and at first I was disappointed that the story wasn't being told from Charlie's point of view, but the author does write better with the female voice, so it makes sense she starts with this new character.  

I love these fun summer reads, it always makes me want to head out of town and sit by a lake for a few days. 

Sankofa by Chibundi Onuzo

This book is about a woman in England who is half black and half white.  Her mother has just died and as she goes through her things, she finds a diary written by her father.  Her mother had never said anything about who her father was.  The woman decides to try and find out if her father is still alive and if she can track him down.  

I thought this book did a great job of creating a main character who was multi-faceted.  I liked how she related to the other people in the book. 

All of these books were great and all very different. I would recommend all of them. 

Friday Favourites

 

It's the last day of school! And it was a busy week! Phew!

On Monday E and his friends skipped school to go to Canada's Wonderland for the day.  It was so hot, about 42 degrees Celsius, and the waterpark wasn't open!!  They wore their hats and sunscreen, filled up their water bottles multiple times, and sought out the log ride and stood on the bridge going over the ride where they could get splashed every once in awhile.  They survived the day :) To cap off the day, the boys went to The Keg for dinner and most of the parents tagged along too. We toasted our Grade 8 graduates. 

(Q got to tag along with the big boys too)

We golfed as a family on Tuesday for the first time this year.  I was supposed to go to a new members’ clinic but they canceled it for the heat, and the boys were already planning to golf so I was able to join them.  It was hot but we had a good time. 

(Back 9 start)

My office is closing as of the end of this month.  Not to worry, operations continue, and we will be moving into a new location the fall.  I walked through this week to make sure everything had been removed properly. 

My office.

Last time for this view.

We celebrated E's grade 8 graduation on Wednesday.  He looked really nice in his suit, as did all of the kids.  E received the Music Award, Citizenship Award, and achieved Honour Roll.  We are so proud of him!

He opened up a few grad gifts on Tuesday evening.

Crossing the grad stage.

Receiving his Citizenship Award

Here is a compilation of E's first day of school from his 10 years at this school.  What a sweet little 3 year old that started Junior Kindergarten!  He was always happy to go back to school.

We are off to a t-ball tournament this weekend! Let's go High Park!!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Monthly Musings

 

1. Share your summer trips for 2025

We went to Paris earlier this month.  This was technically not a "summer" trip because we took the kids out of school for it, but it was summer weather so I guess it counts.  Other trips include four t-ball tournaments. They are all in Southern Ontario within an hour or so from our house, but we are getting hotel rooms for a few of them, so it counts as a trip!  And we have a few days at a cottage in Prince Edward Island in July planned, just need to get our flights booked. 

2. How do you manage the post-vacation laundry?

I take all of the luggage upstairs to our rooms to sort it all out in respective baskets, and then just do the laundry as I usually do, everyone's laundry is done separately and when required.  That may or may not be immediately after the trip.

3. Most memorable summer vacation?

Whenever we go to Hyatt's Manion Lake, we make some great memories.  It is a fishing and hunting camp run by my family in Northwestern Ontario.  Our last trip was in 2020, you can see my posts about that here.

4. Do you cook or eat out on vacation?

Obviously it depends on where we are staying and the location.  If we are in an Airbnb, we will typically get breakfast food to eat before heading out for the day, and we did that at Disney World too.  But going out to eat is my favourite thing to do, so unless we need to pivot on plans, we will go out for lunches and dinners.

5. Are you an overpacker, underpacker, or just right packer?

I've usually been an overpacker but am doing better now about being a just right packer.  I will lay out what I think I need and then subtract shirts. 

6. Beach, lake or mountain?

Beach!

7. Road trip or fly?

Typically we will fly to where we are going.  Our country is pretty spread out so flying is usually a better use of our time.  We have driven to Northwestern Ontario and to Nova Scotia before, and we do like having our car with us, but mostly we fly.

8. Favourite vacation activities?

We like it all - touring around a city, spending the day by the water, skiing all day - there is a place for all kinds of trips in our travel itinerary.  What is a constant is that we are always up early to make the most of our day.

9. Best packing tips?

Write out on a piece of paper what outfits you need, including changes for dinner, repeat outfits, etc. It helps from getting overwhelmed and allows you to make some decisions in advance when you have everything in front of you, instead of fretting about it when you get there. 

10. Favourite road trip songs?

Bobcaygeon, Ahead By a Century, Grace 2 - The Tragically Hip

Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys

All Summer Long - Kid Rock

All Too Well (10 minute version) - Taylor Swift

If I Had $1,000,000 - Barenaked Ladies

Patio Lanterns - Kim Mitchell

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker

Fast Car - Luke Combs or Tracy Chapman

Thunderstruck - AC/DC

What's Up Wednesday

 What we're eating this week...

It's one of those weeks where our plans are all over the place and it's too hot to think about cooking much.  So your guess is as good as mine!

What I'm reminiscing about...

School is finishing up on Friday and E will be off to a new school in the fall for high school.  His dear JK and SK teachers had done "time capsules" that were saved until this year.  So cute!

(Me in 8th grade)

What I'm loving...

It is hot weather time in Southern Ontario and I love it! It never lasts that long so I will take it when I can.  

Sweat stains included!  

What I'm dreading...

I admit I have not been as up to date on current events as I usually am, but those are the types of things that keep me worried - threat of war, forest fires, economic instability, etc. I found when I was in Europe, the BBC News had a wider array of stories, more than Canada's news, so I will try to keep up with the news from more sources going forward.

What we've been up to...

Going from work/school to the ball field to the golf course and back, while also trying to keep up with the laundry, yard work, and vacuuming!  

What I'm working on...

I think I finally put the finishing touches on our summer plans.  Just a couple of things to book and plan, but at least I know what we are doing.  Going to Paris at the end of May/first of June meant I was focused on that instead the summer and left it to the last minute.  I can only think about one thing at a time!

What I'm excited about...

E's Grade 8 graduation ceremony is this afternoon.  I wrote about his Grade 8 year here. It will be nice to get together with the parents and see all the kids together in their nice outfits.

What I'm watching/reading...

I've got a few things queued up - the Rob Ford doc on Netflix, America's Sweethearts Season 2, And Just Like That Season 3, and The Bear Season 4.

I've got a couple of light reads for the summer from the library, but nothing of note.

What I'm listening to...

I have a Canada Day playlist that I will dust off for next week - The Tragically Hip, Celine Dion, Our Lady Peace, Drake, Justin Bieber, and so many more gems.

What I'm wearing...

I have talked about this dress before, but I am loving my maxi dress from Athleta.  I got it last year and it is perfect for those hot days and for travelling.

What I'm doing this weekend...

Q's first tball tournament of the season.  His rep team has only had a couple of practices, but they should be ready!  

What I'm looking forward to next month...

A concert, a trip to PEI, and more golf and tball.

What else is new...

My work is moving offices and we have a break between leases so I am working exclusively from home this summer until our new lease starts in the fall.  I am happy to have the flexibility!

Working from the backyard when it's not too hot.

Linking up with Shay.

Weekend Recap

Whew, summer is here! We had a hot and busy weekend.  I walked to school with Q on Friday morning.

These boys are ready for the end of the year!

After working for the morning at home I met some colleagues for lunch.  We had a nice shady spot outside.

I picked up E from his grad trip.  He was tired, to say the least!

When 5:00 rolled around, I poured myself an Aperol Spritz and sat outside. 

I went for a walk on Saturday morning, which I don't usually do.  I wanted to do some movement but didn't feel like going for a run.  Then we had breakfast outside.

I took E to get a haircut when he got home, and then he practiced for his guitar recital.

Dave and I were going to the Blue Jays game with Q's tball rep team for the afternoon.  But my dad and his wife were in town so they were able to take E to his recital. 

We took the subway to the UP station and met the rest of the team there. 

These kids are so spoiled!!

Some dance moves:)

It was a very exciting game, Bo Bichette hit a home run on his first pitch, and Vladdy got a home run too!

They got on the Jumbotron!!

We went home and did not need dinner after enjoying the feast in the box. 

On Sunday I went to church to sing with the choir for the last week before summer (we take the summer off). Dave and Q had a 2.5 hour tball practice in the heat, but were fine.  E had the best plans, having been invited to someone's pool for the day.

In the afternoon Q had a tball game.  Our team kept cool with frozen towels, Gatorade, and spray bottles and they were in great spirits and playing a good game.  The other team was a little bit more bothered by the heat. 

We hit up the splash pad on the way home which was nice.  

We went to our neighbours' for drinks and appetizers (which actually turned into enough food that we didn't need dinner when we got home).  I tried this drink which is apparently all the rage.  White wine with frozen sliced jalapeños. It was good.

Q and the girls played well together. 

We showered for like the third time of the day and tried to get to bed at a decent hour.