Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Hello from Quarantine... (our life at home, nest updates,... some book reviews)

Greetings from my little part of the "Quarantine" world...
We are trying to make the most of this situation,
 sheltering at home...
I am so thankful for spring weather and all that it brings.



I am so thankful for spring weather and all that it brings. 
Our yard is filled with beautiful blooms, their delicious scent fills the air
 and somehow it helps me 
to remain calm. 
 We are blessed to live very close to an amazing place of beauty...
Carter Caves State Park
We have been out almost every day trying to exercise and stay healthy...
all the while keeping our social distancing..
(which has not been difficult, as we have not seen one person on our trails!)
 the Spring nests are coming along...
and will soon be finished.
~
I have been giving a lot of thought
to the release of these nests
in this time of turmoil and hardship.
~
I will be back soon with an update
and some "unprecedented"
options... 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile...
(I've been doing a lot of reading...)

 


As someone who lives near the John A. Roebling bridge
(Cincinnatti-Covington Ky bridge)
I found this book to be absolutely intriguing...
Being the wife of an engineer myself, 
I could not wait to read this book...
(and I absolutely hated for it to end.)
An amazing insight into all that is involved in the building of such an immense structure
while carefully weaving the story of the personal  involvement 
of the wife.
This is a story of a woman's determination 
to carry out her husband's dream
of building the Brooklyn Bridge
while making her own personal sacrifice in order to do so. 
There is great loss within these pages, 
the loss of life, the loss of love, the loss of personal dreams...
all for the purpose of making her husbands dream come true. 
The story of Emily Roebling's commitment to this project 
has largely been lost to history.
I was happy to learn that a plague in her honor
is to be found on the Brooklyn Bridge.
~
This book has just recently been released for publication.
While I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy prior to publication...
this review is my own and is in no way required by the publisher.


A story of the crippling and isolating effect of unimaginable grief.
Iris has devoted her life to creating and maintaining a "secret garden"
 type of oasis for herself...
this is how she survives and lives with her grief and loss.
She devotes every single day to her magnificent
"healing garden".
A duel story that focuses on Iris, and also Abbey,
 a young woman and her family 
who move into the house next door to Iris. 
Abbey's young daughter becomes ever curious about the house
next door and the garden that she has seen when she stood on a chair
and peeked over the large fence. 
She is also fascinated by the old woman who tends to that garden
every day.
Over time, Iris softens and allows this young girl to come into her garden
and also her heart. 
There are so many reasons to LOVE this book...
The story of the garden, the flowers, their smells and blooms...
this is a powerful story of healing.
You can easily picture this beautiful garden in your mind... 
 the descriptions are so real.
This is a lovely book...
one to cherish as you read the story.
~
This book will be available as published on April 28.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book prior to publication.
This review is my own, and is in no way required by the publisher.





You won't be able to put this one down!
Reading this story is like being on the receiving end
 of THE BEST SUMMER GOSSIP...
Summer Darling's transports the reader to Martha's Vineyard
in the early 1960's,
home to the rich, famous, and spoiled.  
The story centers on Heddy,
 a college girl who dreams of a better life for herself,
and longs to be part of the jet set society on Martha's Vineyard.
She takes a job there as a summer nanny to a privileged couple.
All to soon she comes to realize what life is really like for the powerful
 social set on the island. 
This could be considered a coming of age story 
as Heddy comes to realize what is really important in life. 
If you ever wanted to be a little bird on the windosill
of lives such as this...
this book will put you there!
~
You can look forward to the publishing of this book on May 5.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book prior to publication. 
This review is my own and is in no way required by the publisher.


To all my friends... 
please stay safe at home. My prayers are for us all, that we will soon be on the "back to normal" side of this difficult time. 
Never again...
 will I take things for granted.
If there is anything good that has come from all of this..
it is that I have a new appreciation for all that is a part of my daily life. I love my front porch, my beautiful yard, this quiet time at home, the feeling on not being rushed to get hings done... because after all, we have months to do it now. This slower pace is not a bad thing. We are getting projects done at home, my back deck is already scrubbed and ready for flowers,.... and today I plan to totally scrub down the front porch and wash the walls and furniture! 

My love to you all...
xoxo,
Vicki
 
 
 
 




 

 
 
  
 

7 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your yard looks so pretty! Haven't seen any spring flowers here as yet, but there could be some out there. We have been staying home so no going out to see what's happening around us. Thank you for the book reviews - once our library re-opens I'll see if any of them are available. Take care of you - stay safe, stay well.

Sherri said...

Vicki, I just love your photos and I love to go on adventures with you! The photo of your barn with the flowers and trees blooming is just spectacular!! Hugs!

Sue Kosec said...

... and my love to you, my sweet friend.

Stay healthy!
xo
SuZeQ

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's wonderful to hear from you! We live in Florida and the weather is nice but we are having to stay home most of the time. I walked in the neighborhood today just to get some exercise. We will NOT ever take our hiking trails for granted again! Take care and stay healthy! Sweet hugs, Diane

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm said...

The gift of time at home and so many still seem to be discontented! Your porch is beautiful (saw on fb) and I've been working on mine as well. When the men delivered my washing machine I paid extra for them to bring in the leather reclining sofa that's been boxed on my front porch for far too long. It's sitting in the middle of the living room and the plan today is to unbox it, re-arrange furniture and settle in again.
I've been reading Agatha Christie, James Herriott, Alexandra Stoddard, Jan Karon...all cozy favorites that transport me to a different time and place that's cozier, less crazy and beneficial to mental health.
Stay well, you and yours are loved and tucked in prayer. Sandra at ThistleCove.Farm

Monica Baker said...

So good to see your post! Love the book reviews and the positive notes on enjoying this unexpected "Staycation" for so many people. At such a stressful time I have witnessed my little town becoming closer (figuratively) as people check on neighbors and offer to get food & supplies for others who are not able to venture out (due to all types of situations) as well as visit from the end of driveways. Stay safe & healthy sweet lady <3

Julia said...

Hi Vicki, it's so nice having an update from you and I'm glad that you are all well and liking the slower pace. So do I.
Those books sound interesting, especially the first one for me.

Have a blessed Holy Week.
HUs, Julia