Shayla Dugan, Learning to Swim, How much is enough, fall fashion and more on Monday Musings.
MONDAY MUSINGS NO. 136
Good morning friends, happy Monday musings to you. How was your weekend?
It has been beautiful here, cool in the morning, not crisp, just cool. A welcome respite from the hot August days. Of course once the sun is up the heat is back but it is nice.
This month has been a bit of a “holiday.”We have been doing less, less blogging, baking, working around the house, just less.
The last few months of the year seem to go by in a blur of activity and our calendar is already filling up. We have several trips, friends and family coming to visit, next week in fact, and weekend roadtrips. Not to mention the holidays. So we are taking the opportunity to take a breath and just relax.
This year I really want to SLOW down and just enjoy. Life is short friends and time seems to speed up the older I get. In November I will be 58!
What about you, what did you get up to this weekend?
Ok, on to +5 Things.
1.READ~Learning to Swim
Learning to Swim
Gabrielle Malone shows up on her mother’s Arizona doorstep with nothing more than a few belongings, her teenage daughter, and a car with no air conditioning (don’t ask). The rest she left behind—her house, everything she owned, and her ex-husband. Her estranged mother Ida, a former Olympic swimmer and current chain smoker, needs her help after a significant health scare. Gabrielle hopes this is their relationship’s opportunity for a fresh start, and a new beginning for her too.
Thirteen-year-old Juniper feels stranded at an old lady’s house she barely knows. She’s frustrated that her mom uprooted their entire life for a strange place and misses her dad. Forced to attend the pointless last week of school, she embarrasses herself on the first day and is certain she’ll never make friends again. As if that weren’t bad enough, her mother’s nightly binge-eating and cry sessions are concerning to say the least.
Ida is her own woman, resenting being tethered to the oxygen hoses winding through her house. She looks darn good in the old, framed cigarette ads on her wall, holding her gold swimming medal. Heck, she still looks good. Her neighbor Morton certainly thinks so. She had one little health scare. What’s the big deal? Heart surgery. It’s coming for her. She knows it but likes to pretend she doesn’t.
Ida is shocked to learn her own granddaughter can’t swim. The one legacy she had hoped would carry on for generations is at stake. While her health certainly limits her activities, she knows she must teach the skill that brought her a lifetime of pride. Gabrielle may have laughed at the idea of her frail mother getting back into the pool, but that’s exactly what Ida would do. Teach her to swim.
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.Â
2. WATCHED~Living without. How Much is Enough?
I love this Youtube series. I think you will too.
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
20 Life Lessons from an 80 year old
In Zimbabwe, schoolchildren face threats from animals. Now they are learning how to spot the dangers
Tasty haute couture: Why certain food and fashion collabs just make sense
An Apocalyptic Meditation on Doomscrolling
What Tweens Get from Sephora and What They Get from Us
Your Microwave Is The Key To Faster Poached EggsÂ
More Than 4,000 Moth Species Flit Across Texas. One Scientist Photographed 550 in His Yard.
How the seasons mess with your moral compass.Â
Love this answer from someone who has visited every US National Park.
4. SHOPPING BREAK~FINDS & SALES
OUTFIT DETAILS
If you have been here awhile then you know I love dresses. They are just so easy to wear and make getting dressed effortless. This Fall there are many beautiful and versatile dresses that you can wear to work, out for the day and for the holidays as well.
Simply add boots, or a pair of flats, grab your bag and you are ready for whatever the day has in store for you!
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT THIS WEEK
Monday I shared this transitional outfit for Fall, a great book and lots more.
Chocolate mocha cookies and cream no-churn ice cream is not just for summer. It’s an easy and delicious dessert all year long.
Last but not least, Friday Favorites! Recipes(scrumptious tacos), books, fashion(including this outfit) and so much more.
Here are the outfit details. Simply click the photo.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings and found something to read, watch or even add to your cart.
What did you do for fun this weekend?Â
Are you looking forward to Fall?
Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
On My Radar & On Sale
Happy Monday Elizabeth, lost
I immediately got the kindle book , Learning to swim. Hoping to use it as a distraction as I in transition from one state to another. We’ll call it self- care , time to get lost in a book, a diversion from the stress. So looking forward to whenever the trend of adult women’s dresses having smocking detail- gone. For fun this weekend, got reacquainted with people I haven’t seen in a couple decades & it was delightful & what the heart needed. Enjoy your week!
Moving is stressful, so do take care of yourself. I hope that you find the book a distraction from the stress.
Have a wonderful week!
Love love love this blog, but please don’t get political here. There is enough noise already everywhere else….. and we just don’t need to see more of their ads!
Janis,
I am sorry but I do not know what you are referring to. I very rarely if ever talk about politics.
IF you are referring to an ad that was on the blog I have no control over that. All of the ads are placed by my ad network. I apologize if that is the case.
Monday was a day of rest and quiet after watching 2 young grandsons for the week, bringing them to our home and then lots of playing with 5 cousins here for busy happy Thursday and Friday then parents for the weekend. We had lot of easy to make pasta!