Summer Reading List and an Apology

For starters I want to apologize to the few of you who do read my blog.  Life has been crazy and I have been in a bit of a funk lately so blogging took a bit of a back burner. 

To make it up to you I want to give some reading inspiration.  These are some of the books I have either already read or plan to read this summer.  The list is long and diverse.  With no television reading has become my primary source of entertainment and I am not complaining one bit.  Here are some of my recent favourites and upcoming reads.

• The Help by Kathryn Stockett (one of my top 5 favourite books of all time!!!)
• Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay (so sad)
• The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson (so interesting!)

• Every Last One by Anna Quindlan (just finished, started slow but finished strong)
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (currently reading)
• The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha (funny, quick read)

• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (next on the list for my book club)
• No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (I read The Road and can't wait to read this)
• The Success Principles by Jack Caufield (recommended by a friend)

 So, do any of these sound interesting?  What will you be reading on the beach this summer?

My Secret Garden

I spent all day gardening.  I was literally working on my gardens from 8:45am - 3:30pm today.  Thankfully, my mom stopped by around 12:30 to lighten my workload a little.  We turned the soil, weeded, edged and raked all of my gardens in the front, back and side yards.  This is no small task. 

Once everything looked clean and fresh we headed off to the garden centre to pick up some plants to fill a few empty spaces.  We MAY have stopped for a Marble Slab Creamery ice cream treat before heading home.  It is important to stay cool and refuel when gardening you know.  Once we got back from our excursion it was time to plant all the new stuff in their intended homes. 

My mom is a rock star gardening guru and the time spent working was actually pleasant with her to talk to and offer her sage gardening advice.  She has taught me a lot about gardening and I am so glad she is around to help.  I have a lot of gardens to manage all by my self and she made things seem easy.

My gardens now look like this...

Front Yard

Back Yard

Back Yard

Back Yard

Back Yard

I also planted some tomato plants and a small herb garden this year.  This will be my first attempts at growing something I am supposed to eat...I love fresh tomatoes in the summer and I can't wait to see if these bare some lovely salad additions.  Yum!

Basil, Lemon Grass and Rosemary

Once all the work was done it was time to play.  Bella has been learning to catch a Frisbee for the past year.  She is so quick and determined when we play.  It is amazing to watch.  She is a true doggie athlete.  Look at that form!!!  Remarkable.