Peter Pezzelli, Cherry Menlove, An English Cottage Summer, 4th of July Outfit and more on Monday Musings.
Monday Musings No. 177
Good morning friends, did you survive the heat this weekend? It’s been hot, in fact there were days when it seemed hotter in the house than out. We have not had air conditioning for a week. Fingers crossed the part will arrive today and be installed before the end of the week.
Not having air conditioning reminded me of when I was a child. I grew up in a house without central air conditioning and in fact I remember when we got our first window unit. On very hot days my siblings and I would have a campout in the living room where the air conditioner was. Thankfully in Wisconsin we did not have too many really hot days and we lived about 2 blocks from Lake Michigan so we have a breeze.
My step-dad was telling me that as a little kid in the summer he slept on the sleeping porch. Did you have air conditioning as a child? A sleeping porch? How did you stay cool?
We are spoiled here in the US where central air is a luxury. I have many friends in France, Spain and the UK that do not have air conditioning and this past week has been a bit of a challenge for them with the record heat. We have been trading tips back and forth on Whatsap.
On a bright note, the 3rd brood of NC wrens are getting ready to fly the nest, in fact yesterday I go to close and one jumped out onto the porch. It did fly back to the nest but only after I left, I watched from the window. They bob up and down at the top of the wreath and I can see their little heads looking for mom and dad.
Tell me about your weekend? What did you do? Are you looking forward to the 4th of July? Do you have plans? Will you be traveling or staying home?
On to +5 Things!
1.Read~
Where There’s Food, There’s Family
For years, Francesca Campanile was the queen of her home. Standing in her Rhode Island kitchen, Francesca dispensed advice as liberally as she did the garlic, arguing nonstop with her son and two daughters. It was wonderful.
But now, her children and their children have moved away. And for the widowed Francesca, no longer having a family around to pester, annoy, guide, love, and, of course, cook for, makes her feel useless. What she needs is another family who needs her, and when she sees Loretta Simmons’s ad in the Providence paper for a part-time nanny, she’s sure she’s found it. All the single mom wants is someone to fill in for a few hours a day. But it’s obvious to Francesca that Loretta and her kids need a lot more. Loretta’s struggling to make ends meet. Every man she brings home is a disaster. And her kids could definitely use some guidance–and a little lasagna, frankly. It’s time for Francesca to work her magic…and the best place to start is the kitchen.
MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
2.Watched~Cherry Menlove An English Cottage Summer
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
Why summers can be hard and learning to learning to slow down in this busy season.
The Souths’ Mrs tBeautiful Boneyard Beaches
Vivian Howard Shares Some of Her Favorite Charleston Eats
The Best Films of 2025(so far) According to Elle Magazine
The 50-20-20-10 Budgeting Method Claims to Make You More Money
The 3 Types of Empathy and How to Increase Them in Your Relationships
The Keys to Raising Brilliant Kids.
10 False Beliefs We Let Go of Too Late in Life
4. SHOPPING BREAK~4th of July Outfit Inspiration
Friday is the 4th of July, we have a parade, cook-out, pool time and fireworks. I’ll be wearing an outfit very similar to this one except my shorts are linen. The casual layers of this look , the stripe, t-shirt, and sweatshirt are perfect for the heat and the chill. After the sun goes down and you find yourself sitting on a blanket waiting for the fireworks you might need a sweatshirt.
Outfit Details~Click the Photos
Pack your L.L. Bean or similar tote with everything you need, your water bottle, a book for the pool, sunscreen, your swimsuit, snacks for the fireworks or any other things you might need. This tote isn’t just for the 4th it is a staple that can be used for years, and years to come. I have one that is 12 years old and we take it to the beach, for groceries, to carry and ferry stuff around.
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT THIS WEEKEND
On Saturday I joined Kim and Juliet for Weekend Meanderings, I shared the movie Grains of Sand, The Unwinding, Camellas Llore, 4th of July outfits and desserts and more on Weekend Meanderings. Don’t forget to check out my friends’ posts as well.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings.
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On My Radar~Red, White and Blue
Your words about air conditioning brought back memories for me. I grew up in Florida and other than about 8 years, have lived here all of my life. We didn’t have a room air conditioner until I was in the 8th grade, and before we got one, I couldn’t really appreciate the contrast, but it was life changing! We slept with fans going in the bedrooms. Of course, now I couldn’t imagine life without central air conditioning! It changed life for the better but at the cost of more outside time and the detoxifying benefits of sweating.
Paula, I lived in FL for many years and I cannot imagine it without air-conditioning!
It is not until we are without that we appreciate what we have. I do not like the sound of air conditioning but I sure miss it.
Have a wonderful week.
Hi Elizabeth,
Oh no, and oh my goodness you have been without air conditioning. How have you been able to sleep? I feel for you. Hopefully your unit will be up and running this week. When it gets super hot that is enough to wear you out and at times turn you into a “crab muffin.” This comes either no or restless sleep.
As a child growing up in our home back in those days in Northern California we did not need A/C. I do recall my mama would strip down and walk around the house with little on. Like you she did not take well to the heat.
Today in AZ it’s supposed to reach 113. I’m hosting a birthday luncheon for one of our Precious Petunia’s today. Mary turned 99 years young yesterday. Can you imagine, and she is still walking. She is the mother of one of the PP and she is the “Queen Mother.”
Take TLC of yourselves today.
Katherine,
I hopet that your birthday party for Mary was a great celebration. 99! I can only imagine what she has seen over the years. I would love to know more about the Precious Petunias! This sounds like an interesting group.
113!!!! Oh no I do not think I could handle that. I always laugh because we have been to AZ many times to visit and when it is scorching hot people always say “yes, but it is a dry heat.” I don’t care if it is dry or humid 113 is still hot, correct me if I’m am wrong.
Still no air but we are surviving. It is actually not too bad unless it is 99 or above outside. Typically by the time it is time for bed it’s about 85-88, not the best sleeping conditions but fine. It’s the pups that are the most uncomfortable.
Have a wonderful week!
I grew up in SoCal in a two story house without air conditioning. I have fond memories of steamy summer nights spent downstairs in our living room sleeping on air mattresses to avoid the heat of the second floor
Mary, even though it is hot it is fun to reminisce about all of the summer fun we had as children.
Have a wonderful week.