Happy Homemaker Monday~ Septemeber 1, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Happy 1st Day Of September! Wow, it's hard to believe it's September already. Where did the summer go? It went by way too quickly, if you ask me. Therese started her RN classes last week. Michael has been in the fire academy for a month. They both still live at home, so I'm not quite an empty nester yet. It is different since they are no longer home most days. It's a little too quiet some days. 

We spent the weekend adding another flower bed to the back yard and working on the porch. We have been slowly redoing the covered section of the porch. It's looking so nice. Big Man (hubby) and I picked out two new doors. A side door and a storm door. I'm so excited. I can't wait until this project is completed. We also picked up some mums for the flower garden. 

Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and say hi.

The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

Oh my, the fall temps have arrived and seem to be staying. It got down to 46 degrees here the other night. The leaves are starting to change already, and the acorns are dropping like crazy, and there seems to be an abundance of acorns this year. I was working in the flower beds, and one of them hit me in the back. It hurt, and I ended up with a welt and a bruise. I've never had that happen before. I swear I need a hard hat. 

Monday~ Sunny, 76*

Tuesday~ Sunny, 73*

Wednesday ~ Sunny, 76*

Thursday~ Rain, 78*

Friday~ Sunny, 80*

Saturday~ Sunny, 79*

Sunday~ Sunny, 71*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's 6:30 at night. The sun is setting. The breeze has died down, so the acorns are no longer bouncing off the roof. It's quiet since the chickens have headed in for the night. I had to switch the time on the automatic door on their coop. I hate that the days are getting shorter. 

Thinking and Pondering~

Oh my goodness, how life changes. Therese is going to be a mom. She and her boyfriend are expecting a sweet little boy in February. It's not the plan I had for her, but like so often, our plans are changed. We can try to plan our children's lives, and God will always show us that we are not in charge, and that's okay. I'm proud that they both have stepped up to this challenge. So many people today would take the easy way out, but they are following God's plan for them. Every life is a gift. So I'm wrapping my head around the fact that I'm going to be a grandma. It still feels strange. How am I old enough to be a grandma? I know I am, but I swear it feels like I just brought home my own sweet babies. I am looking forward to this new little bundle. I can't wait to be a grandma! So if you're a grandma already, I'd love some advice.

Right Now I Am ~

I'm sitting in the living room typing up this post. Ruby is on the loveseat, asleep, while Maddie is by my feet, snoring away. Therese is doing homework for school. Big Man, Michael, and the boyfriend are sitting outside on the porch, enjoying the nighttime air. We already had dinner, so it's time to unwind and relax. 

How I'm  Feeling~

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. Perimenopause is not fun. It's like puberty again in your 50s!

What's on My Nightstand~  

My Bible and the Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections. 

Morning and Evening Prayers by Charles Spurgeon.

What's for Breakfast~

I had a cup of coffee and a protein bar before we headed out to Lowe's to pick out new doors and a few new mums. 

Looking Around the House~

The floors need to be mopped. I plan on pulling out the fall decorations this week. The cooler temperatures have me wanting to change the house out. I love decorating the house to match the seasons. Pumpkins galore! I keep finding cute new ideas to create.

Source~Facebook

On My To-Do List This Week~

The normal homemaker stuff~ clean, laundry, meal plan, etc.

Happening This Week~

Tuesday~ Chiropractor Appointment

Wednesday~ Decorate for Fall

Thursday~ Set up my Sunday school classroom

Friday~ Walk at the Arboretum

Saturday~ Maddie's 12th Birthday

On My Reading Pile~

I haven't done much reading this past week. I didn't finish any books and didn't add any new ones!

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Christmas Wishes in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington

Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis

One Kind Heart by Christine DePetriloo

What I'm Listening To~

Zach Bryan

90s Music

On TV this week~

Netflix

Sullivan's Crossing

Call the Midwives

Blindspot

Amazon Prime

Reacher Season 3

YouTube

Cooking Videos

Quilting Videos

Exercise videos

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Ribs, Blue Cheese Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, and Amish Macaroni Salad

Tuesday~ Leftovers

Wednesday~ Chicken Fried Rice

Thursday~ Shredded Chicken with Rice and Beans

Friday~ Pizza

Saturday~ Steak, Baked Potoes, and Salad

What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

I'm working on a new fall wreath.

My Simple Pleasures~

I love sitting outside with the gentle breeze, warm sunshine, and watching the birds fly around.

From the Camera~

This is Marigold. She is one of our oldest hens. She loves being a mama. Since weno longer have any roosters being a mama is a little hard to do without some help. We weren't planning on getting anymore babies this year, but porr Marigold would not leave the hen house. She's being trying to hacth eggs since May and nothing we've done has broken that. 

We finally gave in and she is now the proud mama of four sweet little girls. They are Midnight Majesty Marans. No names yet, but I'll keep y'all posted. 

Praying For~

My parents

My husband and children

Our country

Friends and family

The families at Annunciation Catholic Church

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road... 

Unless you fail to make the turn."

~ Helen Keller

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspiration~ August 31, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ August 25, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Happy Monday! It's crazy to think it's the last Monday in August. Summer flew by, but then again, it always seems to, doesn't it? The weather here has been beautiful. 

This past weekend was a busy one. On Saturday, we worked on the porch. We are finally finishing up the project we started a few years ago. On Sunday, I attended Mass and then headed to my classroom to start decorating it. We also had a meet-and-greet for our students. 

Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and say hi.

The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

Fall temps have arrived here. I've finally been able to open the windows and air out the house. It's so nice. The cats are loving the open windows. 

Monday~ Sunny, 78*

Tuesday~ Sunny, 74*

Wednesday ~ Sunny, 72*

Thursday~ Sunny, 74*

Friday~ Cloudy/Chance of Rain, 72*

Saturday~ Sunny, 71*

Sunday~ Sunny, 73*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's actually dark out now, so I can't see a thing. With the windows open, I can hear the usual nighttime noise... crickets and tree frogs.

Thinking and Pondering~

I've been thinking about the seven little ones in my class this year. I'm praying for them. I want to have a great year with them and hopefully see their faith grow more. 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm typing up this post. It's 9:30 at night. I didn't have a chance to do it until now. Everyone is in bed, so it's quiet and peaceful right now. 

How I'm  Feeling~

I'm feeling better. Two weeks ago, I slipped on the porch stairs and completely wiped out. I twisted my ankle, bruised my back, and pulled muscles all along my right side.  It was not graceful at all. I was pretty sore the first few days. I still have some back pain, but the chiropractor is helping relieve that. 

What's on My Nightstand~  

After Sandra shared a picture of Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon, I ordered it from Amazon. 

My Bible and the Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections. 

What's for Breakfast~

I only had a cup of coffee for breakfast.  I had to get ready and leave the house to make my chiropractor appointment. 

Looking Around the House~

I need to pick up some. We got bins to box up some stuff for Therese's room and Michael's old room. We are making room for a few new additions. 

On My To-Do List This Week~ 

Change the Sheets

Clean the bathroom

Box up some books

Clean out the fridge

Organize my classroom supplies

Plant some new flowers we bought

Vacuum and mop

Laundry

Wash the dog beds

Happening This Week~

The only thing I have on my schedule is the chiro appointment this morning. Michael and I both had appointments, so we took trash, stopped by the dollar store, and then had our adjustments. 

On My Reading Pile~

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis

Christmas Wishes in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington

One Kind Heart by Christine DePetrillo

What I'm Listening To~

I've been going back and forth between the 80s and the 90s playlists I have.  

On TV this week~

Netflix

Sullivan's Crossing

Call the Midwives

Blindspot

Amazon Prime

Reacher

YouTube

Cooking Videos

Quilting Videos

Exercise videos

On the Menu this Week~

No clue yet this week. I'm sitting down to plan the next two weeks, but I need to get everyone's schedule first. 

Monday~ 

Tuesday~ 

Wednesday~ 

Thursday~

Friday~

Saturday~

What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

I hemmed Michael's pants for the academy. I'm also working on sewing some decorative dish towels for fall. 

My Simple Pleasures~

I've been chatting with the girls when I go out to feed them in the morning. They have been quite rambunctious lately. Talking a lot and trying to get pets and cuddles. I still have one hen that is broody. She's been broody for a few months now and just won't give up.

Praying For~

My parents

My husband and children

Our country

Friends and family

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspiration~ August 24, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspiration~ August 17, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Wednesaday Hodgepodge~August 13, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Hello friends!  I'm joining Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday's Hodgepodge. Each week, she hosts a weekly link-up that is a collection of questions for bloggers to answer. It's to help bloggers get to know each other better and have a little bit of fun! It's a great way to hang out with friends. So grab a cup of coffee or tea if you prefer and join in on the fun. 

So, what is a hodgepodge? A hodgepodge is an unorganized mixture of various things, a jumble of items that don't belong together. 

Here are this week's questions and my answers for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge~ 

1. August is National Golf Month...do you play? Do you enjoy following golf? Have you ever been to a professional tournament? 

Does mini golf count? I've played mini golf since I was a kid. We had a place when I was growing up that we went to as kids. It had mini golf, batting cages, and the best part, it was next to an ice cream cone place called the Arctic Circle. It was a popular hangout for us. It was right across the street from the drive-in movie theater (which is now closed). 

I'll admit, I have never played "real" golf before, and I honestly have no desire to. 

2. Astronaut Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 fame passed away this past Thursday. Are you interested in outer space and what's happening today in terms of space exploration? If space travel became common in your lifetime, would you go? How do you personally relate to the idea of exploring something vast and mysterious...does the idea excite you, intimidate you, or something else? 

I really don't keep up with space news or exploration. I did hear about the ladies going to space a few months ago. Do I believe that they did? No. 

Was it a publicity stunt? Most definitely. But either way, I don't really care. 

I personally have no desire to travel to space. I've never been interested in it. When we studied it in school, I was not a fan. I actually found it rather boring. I'm not a big science person. 

3. Describe your communication style in three words. 

Quiet but friendly

4. Do you have a favorite cookbook? A favorite celebrity chef? Do you watch any cooking shows on TV? 

I don't really watch any cooking shows. I'm not a big TV person. When the kids were little, my son loved to watch Rachel Ray, so I watched that back in the day. 

I tend to Google or find recipes online I'd like to try, and then give them a try. If we like them, I'll print them out and put them in my recipe binder (which is overflowing now)

The one cookbook I go back to time and time again is my very first cookbook, the Betty Crocker Cookbook. Mine is from the 1990s. It was a gift from my mom when I moved out after college. When I went searching on Amazon, I saw my mom's cookbook from the 60s, and they were trying to sell it for $100! I have a second one, which I got when my kids were little, but some of the recipes had changed. I tend to go back to my first one. It's beat up and missing the cover, but it still works. 

5. As a child, did you have any back-to-school traditions? If so, did you carry on those same traditions with your own children? Do you have any back-to-school traditions you've started on your own? 

The only first day of school I remember is my first day of Kindergarten. After that, I don't think our parents took them. I didn't get new clothes, since I went to a Catholic school and had to wear a uniform. We got new shoes if our feet had grown. We did go shopping for new school supplies every year. I remember getting new pencils, notebooks, etc. I loved Hello Kitty, Lisa Frank, and my Trapper Keeper. The little cute erasures were my favorite!

We homeschooled, so no new clothes here. I did the first day of school pictures with the kids. I did let them go to the store and pick out cute school supplies they liked. When we did co-ops, they did get to pick out backpacks, pencil cases, and unch boxes. They liked doing that. We used to take packed lunches to the park, so they could use their lunch boxes more. 

6. Yesterday was our sweet girl Ruby's gotcha day. She's been with us for 2 years now, and life has not been the same. 

She has an eternal alarm clock that wakes her up at 5:30 every day! Her belly says it's time for breakfast. She's the sweetest, most lovable dog. She loves to cuddle, go for walks, and play with her big sisiter. She's afraid of the cat. She's not a fan of water, which is strange since she's a Labrador retriever. 

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

10 Quotes for the Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Good morning, friends. The church's feast day for the Assumption of Mary is quickly approaching. While looking for quotes for my Sunday Inspiration post, I came across these beautiful quotes that we can reflect on, pray on, and hopefully inspire us to draw closer to Mary, our Blessed Mother. 

~1~ 

The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady prompts us to acknowledge the basis for this joyful hope. Yes, we are still pilgrims, but our mother has gone ahead, where she points to the reward of our efforts. She tells us we can make it. And, if we are faithful, we will reach home. The blessed Virgin is not only our model, she is the help of Christians. And as we besiege her with our petitions- "show that you are our mother"  -she cannot help but watch over her children with motherly care."

~ Saint Josemaria Escrivá

Christ is Passing By

~2~

“Today too, the dragon exists in new and different ways. It exists in the form of materialistic ideologies that tell us it is absurd to think of God; it is absurd to observe God’s commandments: they are a leftover from a time past… Even now, this dragon appears invincible, but it is still true today that God is stronger than the dragon, that it is love which conquers rather than selfishness…The message of my life was: I am the handmaid of God, my life has been a gift of myself to God and my neighbour. And this life of service now arrives in real life. May you too have trust and have the courage to live like this, countering all the threats of the dragon.”

~ Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

~3~

"Mary’s Assumption is an event that concerns us precisely because every human being is destined to die. But death is not the last word. Death – the mystery of the Virgin’s Assumption assures us – is the passage to life, the encounter with Love. It is the passage to the eternal happiness in store for those who toil for truth and justice and do their utmost to follow Christ.”

Saint Pope John Paul II

~4~

“When finally the Blessed Virgin had fulfilled the course of this life, and was now to be called out of this world, all the apostles were gathered together from each region to her house…and behold the Lord Jesus came with his angels and, receiving her soul…at the break of day the apostles lifted the body with the couch and laid it in the sepulcher, and they guarded it awaiting the coming of the Lord. And behold the Lord again stood by them, and commanded that the holy body be taken up and borne on a cloud into paradise, where now, reunited with (her) soul…”

~ Gregory of Tours

~5~

 “While she lived on this earth she could only be close to a few people. Being in God, who is close to us, actually, “within” all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God. Being in God and with God, she is close to each one of us, knows our hearts, can hear our prayers, can help us with her motherly kindness and has been given to us, as the Lord said, precisely as a “mother” to whom we can turn at every moment.”

~ Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

~6~

“By a special privilege, she was enriched by divine grace from the moment of her conception, and Christ, who ascended to the right hand of the Father, opened the doors of his kingdom to her, first among human creatures. Now from heaven, where the Queen of the angels and saints is crowned, the Mother of God and of the Church is close to the Christian people before whom she shines as the ‘new and immaculate woman (who) mediated for the guilt of the first woman." 

~ Saint Pope John Paul II

~7~

“We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”

~Pope PiusXII

~8~

"By looking at Mary’s Assumption into Heaven we understand better that even though our daily life may be marked by trials and difficulties, it flows like a river to the divine ocean, to the fullness of joy and peace. We understand that our death is not the end but rather the entrance into life that knows no death. Our setting on the horizon of this world is our rising at the dawn of the new world, the dawn of the eternal day.”

~Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

~9~

As Mary was assumed into Heaven, she beckons us to follow her path of obedience, faith, and unwavering trust in God."

~Unknown

~10~

"Mary's assumption is a sign of hope for all of us, a reminder that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of eternal life."

~Pope Francis

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspiration~ August 10, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

The Saturaday Book Report~ August 9, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

What Did I Read This Week?

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

Summer Nights in Wild Harbor (Wild Harbor Beach Book 2) by Grace Worhtington

Hour is Come ( A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery) by Victoria Tait

One Kind Heart (One Kind Deed Series Book 1) by Christine DePetrillo

Framed and Frosted (Cupcake Catering Mystery Book 3) by Kim Davis

Books I Finished~ Don't Tease Me by Renee Rose 

What Book Did I Buy/Borrow This Week?

No new books this week!

What is the Book I Most Want to Read Right Now?

I'm still trying to finish up The Things We Leave Unfinished. I'm about 65% done. My plan this week is to finish this book and hopefully finish up a few of the other books I've been reading for a few months now. I'm definitely a mood reader, so I have to be in the mood for certain books. 

What are My Reading Plans for the Upcoming Week?

My plan is to finish The Things We Leave Unfinished, as well as 3 of the other books that I am currently reading.

What Did I DNF This Week?

I wanted to finish The Things We Leave Unfinished, but that didn't happen. 

What Did I Work on this Week?

I worked on my lessons for Sunday school.

What is Feeding My Creativity Right Now?

I love taking a peaceful walk through the neighborhood. We live in the mountains, so often I see deer, foxes, birds, and occasionally a bear. 

I'm linking up with The Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, It's Monday! What are you reading?, and The Sunday Post.

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Wednesday Hodgepodge~ August 6, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Hello friends!  I'm joining Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday's Hodgepodge. Each week, she hosts a weekly link-up that is a collection of questions for bloggers to answer. It's to help bloggers get to know each other better and have a little bit of fun! It's a great way to hang out with friends. So grab a cup of coffee or tea if you prefer and join in on the fun. 

So, what is a hodgepodge? A hodgepodge is an unorganized mixture of various things, a jumble of items that don't belong together. 

Here are this week's questions and my answers for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge~ 

1. The midpoint of summer (believe it or not) is August 7th. Describe a perfect summer day. Have you had one this year? 

I would usually say sitting on a beach with the waves rolling in, feeling the cool breeze blow. Of course, I'd be reading a book. However, this summer, my hubby, daughter, and I visited a lavender farm for my birthday. It was beautiful. The rows and rows of lavender were gorgeous. I love lavender. We strolled the gardens, tried some lavender wine, and even both some lavender-smelling body products. It was a beautiful day. 

2. What's one thing you wish you knew before starting high school? 

Be yourself and don't worry what others think of you. In the grand scheme of life, it's just 4 years. Twenty years later, the hot guy is bald, the popular kids are just normal parents, and the geeky kids come out ahead most of the time. Life changes, and we aren't stuck in the roles, people put us in. 

3. What's something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly? 

I'd have to say folding clothes or towels wrong. Putting things back in the wrong place. It drives me crazy when people put the dishes away in the wrong drawer or cabinet. Everything has its own proper home. 

4. What's the most overrated food you're convinced people are just pretending to enjoy? What's a trendy food you actually do enjoy and would say is definitely not overrated? 

The most overrated food, I think, people are pretending to enjoy is Kale! That stuff is disgusting. I've tried it cooked, in smoothies, and as chips. Yuck, yuck, yuck! I can't think of anything trendy that I actually do enjoy. Since I have Celiac Disease, most trendy foods are not for me. I'm limited in what I can eat since I can't have gluten and dairy for the most part. No doughnuts or ice cream here. I do like dark chocolate, but I'm not sure that it's trendy. I really don't follow all the trendy foods promoted on TikTok or Instagram. I'm just trying to eat foods that won't bother my stomach.

5. Wrapping it up this week with five fun this or thats...

personal stylist or personal chef? 
dance like nobody's watching or sing like nobody's listening? 
Unlimited tacos or free pizza? 

bookshelf organization by size or by genre? 
ten minutes late or ten minutes early? 

Personal chef, especially if they clean up after cooking

Dance like nobody's watching

Unlimited Tacos~ gluten-free/dairy-free pizza is not good

Bookshelf organization is by size and author 

Ten minutes early~ I hate being late

6. It sucks getting older. Our porch was wet yesterday, and that didn't go well with my flip flops, so I slipped, caught myself, landed wrong, and twisted my ankle, which caused me to fall. I fell backwards, hit the corner of the porchstair with my bum, twisted again and fell on my wrist. I woke up this morning in more pain than I was yesterday. My whole right side hurts. Back in the day, I would walked away with nothing. Getting old is not fun and I'm not enjoying all the aches and pains. 

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Reading~ My July Reads

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Well, another month of reading has come to an end. July was a busy month, so I didn't read as much as I wanted. I also had a few more migraines this month, and reading can be difficult when your head is pounding, your eyes hurt, and you just want to sit in a dark room. 

2025 Reading Goal~ 125 Books

I've read 90 books so far this year. Good reads says I'm 17 books ahead of schedule this year, so I may exceed my goal. 

Here's how my book recap goes. 

~I have included pictures if I have them and have provided links to them on Amazon so you can find out more about the books before you buy or check them out at your local library. 

~ If I left a more detailed review for a book, I'll include the link under the book so you can check it out. I leave reviews for books I really like or have received for reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and this blog. 

~If I receive a preview book, I'll include the release date for you.

~ Each book will have a rating in bold. I rate each book with a numbered star.

The rating system I use is as follows ~

*5 This book was amazing! I couldn't put it down. I loved the book so much that I either bought the book or planned to buy it to add to my ever-growing collection so I could reread it. 

*4 This means the book is definitely worth reading. I really enjoyed the book. I liked it, but not enough to buy it and add it to my collection. 

*3 This book was good. It wasn't the best book I've read, but I did enjoy it. I wouldn't need to read it again. 

*2 This book was okay. I finished it, but had to force myself to. I probably didn't like the plot or the characters. The story just didn't work for me. 

*1 This means I didn't like the book at all, and I couldn't finish it.

Here are this month's books~

1. Dangerous Pursuit by Bethany Rosa   3***

An age-gap erotic romance. The characters were okay. The story was predictable. I won't continue with the series. 

2. Summer in Sweetbriar Cove by Meloday Grace   5*****

I really enjoyed this small-town spicy romance story and enjoyed meeting the characters. 

3. Love at Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington   4****

A chocolate shop, a fixer-upper, three sisters, and the small town boy returns home. A sweet love story comes to life. 

4. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune   5*****

Good things happen at the lake, at least that's what Alice's grandmother says. This is the perfect read for summer. 

5. The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Dr. Mary Claire Haver   4****

A great book for those of us dealing with all the craziness that comes with perimenopause and menopause.

6. All For You by Meloday Grace   4****

This is the second book in the Sweetbirat Cove series.

7. Sam the Guardian Angel by Lis Luwia   4****

This book is perfect for teaching little ones about their Guardian Angel and the importance of Mass. 

8. Jesus Enters Jerusalem by Jane Fryer   3***

This book retells the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem.

9. The Week That Led to Easter by Joanne Larrison   3***

This book retells the story of Holy Week and Jesus' crucifixion. 

10. A Week to Remember by Ruth O'Leary   5*****

I loved this story about three Irish women on the journey of a lifetime. I enjoyed the book so well that I plan on reading more from this author. 

11. Possessive by Willow Winters   3***

Unrequited love, maybe? I read it. It was okay. A quick read, but it wasn't really a great story. 

 Well, that's it for today! Stay tuned for my August reads. I'll get them posted in the first week of September. I have some good ones I've started!

Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us! 

Till Next Time,

Monique