Summer Making
Making things, learning how other people make things
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:
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:Â 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:Â 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.
Books I’ve Read Lately (Adults)
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Ordinary Words by Ruth Stone
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Books I’ve Read Lately (Picture Books)
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Joy and Janelle Washington
Hooked on Books by Margaret Chiu Grenias and Kristyna Litten
To the Other Side by Erika Meza
*Please note that the book lists above contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site that helps support local independent bookstores.