It's Monday! What Are You Reading? = Link-Up!

Today I'm linking up with Unleashing Readers for:

Life in the Wild Series by Nicholas Oldland

Due to a family health situation, I retired last June.  When I left, I took these books by Nicholas Oldland with me:

These books are entertaining and wry.   The author uses a lot of figurative language which I love.  Every year on the third grade MCAS, there were questions about figurative language, and these books give an excellent opportunity to introduce and reinforce this concept in a fun way.

Click here to hear Hockey in the Wild read by me on my Youtube channel!

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dagliesh

I fell in love with this "based on real life story" the first time I read it, and I made sure to read every November when I was teaching.  Sarah is an 8 year old girl who travels through the woods of Massachusetts and Connecticut to help her father build the family's new home.  Sarah meets and plays with the Native American children.  

Check out me reading this book on my Youtube channel!

Now that I'm retired, I really miss reading aloud to my students.  It was always one of my favorite times of the day!

Friday Favorites: Plants that clean the air and more!

Hello there!  Thanks for popping over to visit the blog!  Today I am linking up with Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals my favorites include snake plants which are natural air purifiers; 

Snake plants clean the air!

Growing up, my mother always had a plant called "mother-in-law's tongue."  Recently, I found these plants while food shopping:

The tag said they were snake plants!  Upon further research, I learned their nickname is "mother-in-law's tongue."  I bought the plants because I loved the pots they were in.  

Even better, these plants are super air purifiers so I keep them in my bedroom.  Snake plants remove toxins from the air during the night.  In addition, they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.  They are basically living air filter powerhouses!  

Click here to check out a small business that sells these plants on Amazon or check out your local supermarket/greenhouse.  Most importantly, snake plants are really easy to take care of, and the return will improve the air quality in your home!

Two Books to Check Out:

I recently finished Sandwich by Catherine Newman.  

This books takes place on a one week family vacation on Cape Cod.  The main character, Rocky, is in her 50's, and she is "sandwiched" between her adult children and elderly parents.  I felt like Rocky was talking to me during the book.  She feels alternatively happy and heart-broken on the same page.  Rocky feels like a friend.  I especially liked her interactions with her daughter, Willa.   

This next book is delightful and enchanting:

I really loved and enjoyed this book.  The story takes place mostly in Dublin.  The three main characters:  Opaline, Martha and Henry love books and reading.  The characters are lovely and lovable.  I highly recommend this book.  If you want to read more, click on the cover to go to Amazon.

I always wanted a pair of Tretorn sneakers!

I picked up a pair of new sneakers, and I really love them:

I've always wanted a pair of Tretorn sneakers since high school when I played tennis.  Well, I finally got a pair, and they are really comfortable.  I get a lot of compliments on these sneakers for their color and retro looks.

I wish summer could be endless!

Here is one of my favorite pillows that keep on my bed all summer.  

Summer is definitely the season that goes by the quickest!

What's Up Wednesday? Check it out!

Hello there!  Today I am linking up with Shea and Sheaffer for their link-up:

What we are eating

In June, my husband had an esophagectomy.  The procedure is called Ivor Lewis  surgery in which the surgeon removes the tumor from the esophagus but needs to relocate the stomach between the lungs (the esophagus is not elastic, but the small intestine is long enough to reach the stomach's new location).  After the feeding tube which he had for three weeks, my husband advanced from clear liquids, to more substantial liquids like smoothies to bland, small meals.  We eat a lot of rice and mashed potatoes with small pieces of meat.  

What I'm working on

I am currently working on profound cleaning.  This is my term for deep cleaning such as washing windows, curtains, the areas underneath and behind furniture.  

What we've been up to

We have a new granddaughter who was born on July 21, 2024.  Her name is Cecilia Reese (Reese was my maiden name).  She is quite adorable and beautiful:

Cecilia's middle name is Reese which is my maiden name!  

What I'm reminiscing about

Now that I am newly retired, I am actually reminiscing about Back to School and getting my classroom ready.  I always got excited about decorating and cleaning my room; meeting my new students; picking out a new outfit for the first day.  

  

What I'm excited about

I started a new cross stitch for the baby.  I haven't cross stitched for over 30 years due to kids and work.  Now I have time to take up a hobby.

I bought this kit online at Love Crafts.  I really loved the variety and quality of their products. If you want to get 30% off your first purchase, type in my name:  Susan Krevat, when checking out.

What I'm watching

We are watching Lady in the Lake on AppleTV.  

The series is based on a book by Laura Lippman.  Natalie Portman plays Maddie, one of the main characters who is undergoing a huge life transition.  The show takes place in 1960's Baltimore is full of racial and religious tension.

What I'm wearing/shopping for

and

What are my recent Amazon purchases?

I just bought my daughter 3 new pairs of Little Blue House by Hatley sleep shorts and a sleep shirt.  

As always, thank you for checking in and reading the blog!