Oh, June. I’m into you. I didn’t expect to be. Maybe the surprise of it is what makes it so mesmerizing.
The snow cones don’t hurt, either.
Words:
Poetry, food, and friends. Even with two jobs in full swing, June demands vacation reading. I moved my reading lamp to the bedroom, so I have been drenching myself in the poetry collections I keep on my bedside table every night and every morning. Suddenly, waking up isn’t so hard to do.
Chocolat – Long-time lover of the movie (because Johnny Depp. And chocolate. But mostly Johnny Depp), I knew I’d love the book as well. This book will make you hungry…in so many ways.
Ruth Reichl’s debut novel Delicious! was wonderful. I am biased, because having collected most of her other books and tried most of the recipes within them, I love her and sort of want to be her when I grow up, but Reichl knows how to tell a story. Also – don’t worry – the gingerbread recipe is at the back of the book.
And my friend Beth Morey’s The Light Between Us was launched this month. I ordered a paper copy but I couldn’t wait for it to get to me, so I grabbed an e-copy as well. It’s a fast read, because you don’t want to put it down. This book + beach + mai tai = perfect day.
Friends:
June was full of fun.
Our Supper Club went to Wine Squared for Sumptuous Sundays on Father’s Day. We enjoyed a wonderful three-course meal with wine pairings for each course which included the most glorious pork loin I’ve ever eaten and a port I actually enjoyed. We, of course, hastily signed up for their wine club. We’re hooked.
Summer seems to be the time for transitions. Several friends have moved/are moving/got new jobs, so I got to celebrate with them. My old boss Dennis got a job at another school, so the Dean of Students office (where he worked at UNT) had a farewell party for him. Lisa from my book club moved back to the east coast, so we had a special book club meeting (read: night of wine and Texas-themed food/presents) to send her off. And Jayne and Connor are moving to Juneau soon, so I got to see her last week and will see her again at their garage sale on Saturday. Added bonus – I bought this adorable thing from them, which is the perfect cabinet for my liquor:
Dear Savvy turned two. What she’s into? Daniel Tiger and butterflies.
(And cake. And Daddy.)
Because none of us could make the in-person Story Sessions retreat in Austin, the DFW Story Sisters decided to have our own party. Adela hosted us for an evening of wine, food, and conversation, and it was a balm to my soul.
Products:
Um, who knew about Arbonne and failed to tell me? Kim lured me to a party one Friday with the promise of wine (pretty much the only reason I’ll ever leave my house on a Friday evening), and I’m so glad she did. I tried all the things, and I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THEM. This never happens. I ordered the daily face regime for sensitive skin and the deodorant, but I want to buy everything. I’m having a party in August, and I’m at least going to sign up to be a preferred customer.
Equal Exchange’s Red Cherry Challenge -in addition to their already stellar business practices that ensure a livable wage and a workable business model for coffee farmers, Equal Exchange is donating ten cents for every pound of coffee purchased this year to the Red Cherry Fund, a grant program for farmers in El Salvador and Guatamala, where climate change has wreaked havoc on their businesses. I pledged to buy five pounds of coffee a month (which is actually a pretty conservative estimate for me). Will you join the challenge?
TV/Movies:
The first weekend of the month, I did a little dogsitting, which means I also did a lot of Netflixing. In one weekend, I watched Season 3 of Sherlock (!!!) and both seasons of Orange is the New Black (also !!!). The dogs were incredibly calm, aside from during that pesky storm incident, and I like to think it had something to do with my good taste in programming.
Well, I say they were calm. This is the look you get from Maddie when you suggest that she “go outside” during OITNB:
No one gives side eye like Maddie.
I also watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I liked it, but I don’t know if I would have liked it as much as I did if I hadn’t been chatting about it via Facebook with the Story Sessions while watching it. It was clever. You should see it.
The Internet:
– June 4 was National Hug Your Cat Day, and The Bloggess encouraged all of us to celebrate.
– This was followed two days later by National Donut Day. Mmmm….donut….*salivates*
– Addie Zierman wrote The Non-Blogger’s Guide to Blogging series. This is the first blogging series that hasn’t made me want to throw my hands up in the air (and wave them like I just don’t care) and erase everything I’ve ever done online because why bother if I’m not going to be perfect at it. If you want to improve your blog but can’t stand advice on how to improve your blog, go give it a read.
So you can see why I have such a crush on June this year. Link up with us over at Leigh Kramer’s blog to let us know what you were into in June!
M. Suzanne Terry 
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