Unmarriageable *book review*

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

I loved this book. I love the cover- it makes me feel happy just to look at it. I even loved the author's little note about Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice at the end. I am even contemplating giving it 5 stars... It is one I would like to re-read and also add to my personal library as well.

It is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. As I began reading it I decided I should finally tackle Pride and Prejudice as its been on my to-read list FORVER! I so long to be a Jane Austen fan!

I was reading Pride and Prejudice in tandem with this book.  I finished this one first because I was due back today so I read about the 2nd half in the last two days.  It was intriguing to see how similar the thoughts and attitudes were in Austen's time in England and modern day Pakistan.  It did drive me a little bit crazy at how quickly couples became couples and married.  Indeed the mother was scheming from the beginning to catch wealthy husbands for her daughters.

One of the other things I wanted to do this year was read more books that expanded my horizons. From classics to foreign novels to books that peeked into other cultures and religions or just peoples lives that are different from my own.  I feel like in ways this book accomplished all of those things.  It made me delve deeper and make it farther in Pride and Prejudice than I ever have before, with a determination to finish. It brought me to the other side of the world, to view women's lives vastly different from my own.

BOOKS

For Today {Thursday July 25, 2019}

Looking out my window ah summer! It feels like its speeding by.

I am thinking how to be more eco-friendly.  Mikayla recently got me to started using reusable bags at the grocery store.  I love it sooooo much.  The bags are easier to carry and now we do not have an overflowing stock-pile pouring out of the cabinet.  It won't fix all the world's problems but then... little things can add up to big things.

I am thankful today my heart is so thankful. <3  I just feel happy and content.  I am savoring that while it is here.

One of my favorite things BOOKS! I have been reading so much lately. The more I do, the more I want to.

I am wearing summer dresses! I love wearing dresses and skirts in the summer!

I am creating  I'm finally sewing the place mats which I have had fat quarters for forever! Also some napkins as well.

I am reading so many things! I have 5 books I am actively reading / listening to right now.  Which seems a bit excessive.
   
Currently...

• Steve and Me by Terri Irwin
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Unmarriageble - this one is a take on Pride and Prejudice set in Pakistan- which is why I am finally reading Pride and Prejudice along side. I want desperately to be a fan of Jane Austen.
• Where She Went- sequel to If I Stay... I'm liking it better than the 1st one.
• Listening to Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evens- I also bought the paperback... I have a lot of thoughts on this one.  There will be a review coming in the future.

I am learning to speak kindly... to myself.  Remind myself what it TRUE.

A moment from my day - Saturday was a hot one! I spent a lot of time doing this...

 While Bruno snoozed under the coffee table.

Puppy Buddies

Last night we took the pups for a walk to the park... this was Bruno's first walk excursion.  It was a little rough at the start but they both enjoyed it. As did Mikayla and I.  It felt good to be out in the fresh air and moving albeit humid and sticky.

 They particularly like splashing in the stream.

We ran a little bit on the trails because who can resist.

 Another break on the way home.

 Chance still finds the puppy a little hard to take sometimes but its getting better.

Soon hopefully they'll be best buds.

the weekend...

I spent a bit of time reading yesterday, enjoying the hammock, the pups and the nice summery day.

I read quite a bit of Meb Keflezighi's book 26 Marathons.  It is basically the story of the 26 Marathons he ran in his professional career. The why and how of each race. His average pace absolutely astounds me. How a person can run a full marathon in less time than I can even run a half marathon!  Not that I am fast by any means.

My two favorite things so far, no make that three are 1- how he always says he "runs to win" and while in his case it is often literal.  But not necessarily. He says Run to win means to run to do your absolute best no matter what- in running and in life in general.  2- he always seems so upbeat and optimistic. He always seems to speak from a glass half full time of perspective.  3- he talks about the camaraderie of the running community.  While often its a competition there is also so much support and from other runners. I love that and its something I have experienced myself over and over at races and even just out on every day runs.

Once the day and the road cooled a bit I took Chance for a little walk and then a three mile run myself.  It was kinda hard and I was tempted to be discouraged but I just set my mind to do the best I could.  

Saturday was family day at the mister's work, they had tons of food and games.  Plus we got to walk around the facility.  Its nice to get a peek into where he spends his days. =)

Ryan got home from the camp he has been working at for a few short hours before he and Hannah left for the youth group mission trip to Kentucky.  I talked briefly to them both last night- letting me know they arrived safely.

Tonight we are making a new recipe- Rainbow Veggie Pad Thai.  I am excited to try it out. I'm also excited to spiralize a beet!  I have never cooked with a raw beet before. It's the simple things.  I'm planning to do a live video on my facebook pampered chef page while we prepare it.  It is from the Half Baked Harvest Cookbook I currently have out from the library.

Friday night I picked up some fabric for my next quilt project ;-)

Summer Adventures...

I'm having a little problem with the passage of time.  This summer has been hard on me. This fall my little babies are turning 20, 17 & 13. This does not seem possible. They are growing up and I am having a bit of an identity crisis here.

I mean seriously... wasn't this just the other day.

This week I caught a glimpse of my future as I sat alone at the kitchen table to eat my dinner. And my heart is sad.

All the more reason to savor and treasure those moments.

Tuesday the girls and I went to see the new Aladdin movie.  We loved it!  I thought Robin Williams would be a pretty hard act to follow for the genie. But I have to say Will Smith did a great job.  Plus I just love Will Smith ;-)

Wednesday Hannah and I spent the day at Darien Lake with Girl Scouts.

Leader Selfie on the Ferris Wheel

Last night we hit up the libraries.  We went to one library.  Mikayla had a book on hold. I had an overdue one that needed returned.  We wandered and savored the stacks.  As I checked out I mentioned I thought I had one on hold.  Nope.  Turns out it was on hold at the other library I frequent.  So after checking out we headed to library #2.

 I'm pretty excited to be signed up for the summer reading program!

I guess they still need and appreciate me for some things ;-)

And just because. Dogs. <3

My oh my! Its July!

I can not even believe July is here! I am super duper excited to have a 4 day week- even though the mister was rubbing it in that he has Friday off too. :P  I'll take what I can get!

I really didn't accomplish much of anything in June.  It's pretty sad really.  But hey, new day, new month. Fresh start. Again.

My focus for July is savor- to enjoy each day- say yes! to all I can and pack in as much summer fun into these summer nights as I can.  To go with the flow and not stress about the little things I can't control anyway.
Some Goals-

• run streak until its time to start training for the Syracuse Half late this month
• make a summer bucket list
• start my Bible Journaling Adventure 
• sign up for summer reading program at the library
• start my new nephew's quilt
• start training for Syracuse Half!

June: 

Miles: roughly 34 Lower than I would have liked... getting the puppy messed with my routine a little. Working to get back on track.

2019 Accumulative Miles: 141.67

Books: 9 - I'm not sure what happened to beginning of the month but I didn't finish a single book until the 13th! But somehow managed to get back on track.

Favorite book this month: The Crown (The Selection #5)  I loved this series so much!

2019 accumulative: 49 just shy of 50% at the 6 month mark

Highlight of June: Getting Bruno!

It's kinda hard to believe we have only had him a couple weeks.  He's starting to grow on Chance.  Rhett and I were dying laughing at them playing in the yard the other day.  I think they will be good buddies soon.  Chance even tolerated Bruno snuggling up with him.