Summer Making

Making things, learning how other people make things

Angela Burke Kunkel

Jul 17, 2023

A Little Maine Recap

Maine was very pretty but very rainy! We spent a lot of time inside our tent— reading, playing cards, and trying a new board game (The Game of Wolf). The writing highlight of the trip was the opportunity to visit the Robert McCloskey: Art of Wonder exhibit at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. After spending so much time reading about McCloskey’s process, it was a thrill to see his works in person:

Studies and final illustrations for Blueberries for Sal.

Original interior art for *Make Way for Ducklings.*

If you’re in Maine this summer or fall, go! It’s a really special treat to see so much of his work in one place.

It’s continued to rain back in Vermont, but thankfully our family hasn’t been personally affected by the flooding. However, one of my favorite independent bookstores, Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, has. The flood damage is documented on their Instagram and it’s heartbreaking to see. I’m looking forward to visiting once they’re up and running again.

Upcoming Events

I still have a few more events this summer! Maybe I’ll see you there?

August

Saturday, August 5th in Shelburne, VT: A Robert McCloskey Storytime with Pierson Library and Flying Pig Books, 10:30am.
Saturday, August 19th in Lake Placid, NY: Adirondack Family Book Festival, 10am-4pm

September

Saturday, September 9th in Bath, ME: Bath Book Bash, 11am-4pm

Random Fun Things

I re-taught myself how to crochet granny squares with my oldest, and she’s been keeping busy since, making this bag.
We’re also eagerly awaiting these stick-and-stitch embroidery designs from Etsy— do I embroider my favorite chambray shirt? Or do I try to thrift another good shirt?? I don’t know! I will report back!
Three out of four people in our house are vegetarian, and we all enjoyed these grilled tofu tacos, which are a lot like Baja-style fish tacos.
A friend gave me tons of kale from their garden (which was great, because something keeps eating all of mine!) and we made this really excellent garlicky kale-ricotta pizza.
We went berry picking last week (like Sal!), and then my youngest and I made blueberry-thyme popsicles. The ones we made were actually from Melissa Clark’s Kid in the Kitchen cookbook (no condensed milk in that version), and they were delicious.