If we were having tea

 

I'm trying to be a little more personal on the blog, so for the second time in a month, let's chat honestly.

I'm still deep in Summer Reading. The summer is half over and it's been really busy. But it's also been full of meaningful moments and getting to see some favorite families now that they have more time. It's nice to catch up with everyone. Who do you need to catch up with?

It's the family reunion week and because of work obligations and being down a full-time person, I'm not attending this year. I will miss the ocean and catching up with all the people and the ice cream. Guess it's time to take a trip to Mel's! What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

It's almost Christmas in July and that makes me want to get started on crafting ideas for the holidays and making Christmas cards. I might have listened to a few Christmas songs recently. I make my Christmas cards, and I send out a lot to family and friends and author friends, so I get started early because they can take a long time. I just bought some new stickers/washi tape and I'm eager to play with them. When do you start holiday crafting?

I've also started reading Christmas romance books - from Netgalley and I'm pretty excited about all the ones coming out this year, especially the number of YA books. I'm not trying to rush over fall (which is my favorite season), but Christmas in July does hit me. Plus, there are so many great looking ones, I never get a chance to read them all. Do you read Christmas romances books all year round or save them for the holiday season?

The produce scare has been changing up my eating habits. I did pick blueberries from a local orchard last weekend. And I used the last of them to bake blueberry buckle (a favorite treat my grandmother used to bake for me). I'm not sure regular berries are safe and I love having berries in my cereal in the mornings. It's also rough because this is the best time of the year for fresh produce. I love strawberries and blueberries in cereal, raspberries in baked goods, and melons. What kind of fruit is your favorite?

I would ask, what's new with you. What do you want to share?

* This idea was taken many years ago from Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner

If We Were Having Tea

 

I haven't done one of these since last year. Maybe I need to start writing these posts once a month. 

I will tell you this year has been similar to last year. We just got back from a trip to Acadia. Summer reading is almost here. I'm nervous and excited about all the programs and all the people. It is the best of time and the hardest of times. It's going to be harder this year because of budget issues and being down a full time person. I would ask, what adventures do you have planned for this summer?

Because of some health reasons, I'm watching certain things I eat and I hate it. I don't bake as much and it's really hard. I miss baking. If you were baking something fun this week, what would it be?

I'm starting to post more bookish posts on instagram. If you're on there - maybe give me a follow? I'm trying to build up my profile. I would ask what types of posts you like to see bookish photos, pictures of my life, or bookish creations with canva? Do you like to take pictures too?

After the article last year in SLJ, I created a YA Romance Book Trope database. You can read more about it here. You can view it here. It's a work in progress, but I hope it's helpful for librarians for displays and whatnot. I would ask, do you like tropes in romance? What's your favorite one?

My blog has gotten many more hits this last year. I'm grateful for you all reading it. I'd ask, what brings you here? Have you read any books I talk about? What book would recommend to me?

I haven't been good at different crafts lately. I was hoping to get back into paper quilling this year, but honestly, I've spent the majority of my crafting time painting. Here are a few paintings:

I would ask, what have you crafted lately?

I would ask, what's new with you. What do you want to share?

* This idea was taken many years ago from Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner

Kids Summer Reading (3): Food Ideas

 

Two weeks ago, I shared Rainbow craft ideas.

Last week, I shared more craft ideas

This week is all about food crafts. Last year, I had a s'more theme and I really liked it.

So, this year, I'm going with a rainbow theme. 

If you're new to the blog, here's a recap of the program we call Foodie Fun. 

As always, these come from Pinterest. 

Marshmallow pops

Decorate Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Rainbow Necklace or stand up Rainbow

Rainbow Pretzels

Rainbow Bark

Rainbow Wafers 

(for a T&M, I could change the bananas to frosting but in person, I would leave the bananas)

Paint brush Rice Krispie Treats

Better in-person:

Yogurt parfait

Bread Painting

Enjoy! Come back next week for another post!

Summer Reading Kids (1) Color Your World

I'm starting gather up all the Summer Reading Program ideas. 

At my library, this year, we're using the Color Your World Art theme.

One of the first things this theme screamed to me was RAINBOW CRAFTS.

So, here are some rainbow crafts ideas from Pinterest:

3d Rainbows

More 3D Rainbows

Textured Rainbow

Curled Rainbow

Chain Rainbow

Tissue Paper Rainbow

Construction Paper Rainbow 

Pom-pom painting rainbow

Rainbow Collage

Coffee Filter Rainbow

For these projects, I would have the kids cut/rip/fold/curl the paper so the craft is a little more elevated than just gluing. But obviously have some ready to go for the really little kids. 

Come back next week for more craft ideas! 

New Paintings

 This is a very different post of paintings. These were done for work. We created an outdoor obstacle course for kids on the sidewalk outside the library. It's themed as an outdoor course for Adventure Begins at Your Library

Here are a few details:

Logs

Bee

Bear in a cave - the original bear didn't work out, so it was fixed.

Firefly

Duck (kind of looks like a dinosaur)

Elephant Cloud

Rainbow

Summer Reading Kids (4): Adventure Begins @ Your Library

For the past couple of weeks, I've been sharing Summer Reading ideas.

Today I'm sharing puzzles and word search and scavenger hunts all found on Pinterest.

Sure, you can make your own, but why bother if it's already done for you? Just a sample here.

Count and Color

Camping Out

Moose Word Search

S'more Maze

Back Yard Scavenger Hunt

#2 hunt

Outdoor Hunt

And don't forget the coloring pages!

Summer Reading Kids (3): Adventure Begins @ Your Library

This is the 3rd segment of our Summer Reading Program ideas.

Today we're talking about Parks and Park Rangers. Learn about how to become a Park Ranger, what their job entails, and how it differs from park to park. Learn about the Parks. 

I'm a big fan of the National Parks. I've been to a few of them and have several more on my bucket list.

Even if you don't have a National Park close by, here are some program ideas for you:

Create your own park ranger name tag

Become a Junior Park Ranger from the comfort for your home

Create your own parks journal

Go Fishing 

Learn about the environment of hiking and camping - leaving no trace behind

Use your imagination and create your own park! 

Coloring Pages 

Make a hat

Create a cosplay for a park ranger 

Create a park ranger name

Go to the source:

Learn a little about the parks with worksheets

Take a look at ALL the webcams

(this is Hurricane Ridge and it's very cool!)

Just for fun:

Adventure Cabot