How is everyone doing today?
I don’t know about you, but we had a lot and wet spring before summer finally showed up. Even now in what should be the throes of summer, we’re having more rain than usual and temperature fluctuations that make the air conditioner optional some days. Trust me, though – I’m not complaining! I’m not a huge fan of hot.
Of course, my crawl space isn’t a huge fan of rain, either. We had an itsy bitsy flooding problem. Thank goodness for friends who have water-pumping equipment and know how to use it. One brand new sump pump later, and I’m still trying to convince my husband that he wants to spend three days down in the crawl space with our teenager so they can seal the space up with an all-new vapor barrier to protect us from future water damage….
Let’s just say the convincing isn’t going all that well.
Maybe I should try to bribe him with grilled hamburgers. Or his favorite ice cream. I’m sure I could come up with a creative way to make him think he wants to be down there with the spiders and who-knows-what-else.
Hm.
The more I think about it, the less appealing I keep making the job sound. Maybe I should stop while I’m ahead. What do you think?
So what are your plans for the 4th of July weekend? Any grand home improvement projects that you’re trying to trick, bribe, or cajole someone into doing for you? If so, share your tips! If you haven’t already noticed, I could use a few pointers. :)
If, however, crawling around in the dirt during the heat of the day (or getting someone else to do it for ou) isn’t your idea of a fantastic holiday, tell me what is. Anything special planned? Family recipes that’ll be getting a workout?
Have a marvelous and safe holiday!
Heather
Remember – our July blab is coming up on July 5th! We’re looking forward to chatting about new releases with Valerie Comer and you! 8:30 p.m Eastern — and if you haven’t subscribed to the July blab — please do!
Are you a winner?
Colleen is the winner of one of the author’s books from Merrillee Whren’s post God’s Creation on June 25th.
Mylittlegrayhome is the winner of an e-book copy of An Informal Arrangement from Heather Gray’s post Kissing Advice on June 28th.
Rachael Birch is the winner of a $10 Amazon gift card from JoAnn Durgin’s post about Two Favorite Movies Where They (Gasp!) Don’t Ride Into the Sunset Together
Winners, please contact us at
prizes at inspyromance dot com
Last Week on Inspy Romance:
Monday: Sally Bradley talked about classic romance movies.
Tuesday: Heather Gray discussed kissing advice.
Wednesday: Debra Lynn Collins recommends a good book.
Thursday: JoAnn Durgin takes a look at some classic romance movies.
Friday: Autumn Macarthur addresses the idea of a 50/50 marriage.
Saturday: Staci Stallings shares an excerpt from Mirror Mirror.
Next Week on Inspy Romance:
Monday: American Independence Day
Tuesday: Deb Kastner
Wednesday: Narelle Atkins
Thursday: Marion Ueckermann
Friday: Jessica Keller
Saturday: Carol Moncado
NEW RELEASES
July 2016
A Bond of the Heart (Sacred Bond Guardians 6) by Lee Tobin McClain
Secrets of Sunbeams (Urban Farm Fresh Romance 1) by Valerie Comer
Teapots & Tiaras (Love in Store 5) by Autumn Macarthur
August 2016
Small-Town Girl (Goose Harbor) by Jessica Keller
When I’m Weak (Grace 2) by Staci Stallings
Butterflies on Breezes (Urban Farm Fresh Romance 2) by Valerie Comer
Heather Gray loves coffee, God, her family, and laughter – not necessarily in that order! She writes approachable characters who, through the highs and lows of life, find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her. And, yeah, her books almost always have someone who's a coffee addict. Some things just can't be helped. Despite their different lives and situations, Heather’s characters have something in common. They're all flawed...but loved anyway.
We’re vacationing at the beach! All three of our children, son in law, three grandchildren. Everyone traveled here safely from three different states! Thank you Lord! Our youngest gets married in two weeks, so it’s a pause in busy preparations. Thankful for family!
I think hiring someone to do the job for the crawl space will be your best option?. I am on vacation (staycation) but staying home since my family is here visiting. Our weather for this week has rain in the forecast all week. I hope there will be at least one day of sunshine.
We are getting together for a family reunion picnic at the beach and watching the fire works being presented by the city across the water from us! Happy 4th of July!!
Hubby and I are headed out shortly for a two-day camping trip by a mountain lake. I’ll be back “just” in time for the July Blab on Tuesday. Mmm. Hope he catches some fish.
Retired, so every day is a holiday. Relaxing on the deck. Staying away from the crowds that invade SW Michigan community beaches and towns. Pray for no shooting at Silver Beach, as occurred from a visitor over Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately nobody was hit and hurt. Over the Fourth crowds are larger because of concerts on the beach, scrumptious pizza and fireworks. Often residents stay away due to visitors from Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.
Favorite recipes are anything grilled – steak, burgers, brats, chicken, ribs, veggies and steamed buttery sliced potatoes in a foil pouch (our family favorite with any grilled meat). Happy Holidays!
A bunch of cousins are coming to my house for a barbecue, and we’ll make homemade ice cream! Our city is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, so we plan to go to the parade, with fireworks later!
Yay! Sounds like you’re going to have a wonderful time! Enjoy every moment of it!
It was supposed to be rainy all day today, and there was a cookout and picnic planned for after church. Thankfully, that rain held off while the cloud coverage kept the temperature bearable. I do, however, think the rain will turn up in time to ruin people’s plans for fireworks tomorrow. We shall see. Enjoy the remainder of your staycation!! :)
Sounds like a blast Lori! I have a friend who visited Boston for the 4th one year and got to watch the fireworks, and she said they were spectacular. The music and the fireworks were awesome, but they watched from a bridge across the way from the actual fireworks display, and my friend said there was just something spectacular about watching while also catching the reflection off the water. Have a wonderful time!!
I’m not generally a fish-lover, but I used to go fishing with my grandfather, and my grandmother could do crazy good things with those fish we caught. Enjoy!!
Sounds like you’re going to enjoy the holiday Renate! I’ve never mastered the art of grilling potatoes – and not for lack of trying – but I’ve never thought to do it in foil. I’ll have to try that – thanks for the tip!!
Homemade ice cream! Do you need another cousin? I’d be happy to fill in! ^_^ Enjoy your holiday, your town’s special anniversary, the fireworks, and that ice cream! :)
Happy Sunday Heather! Sounds like you have it all planned out for your husband, I think the grilled hamburgers and his favorite desert just might convince him, lol! They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach…and my hubby does like his sweets I make for him! :-)
Our 4th plans are always the same. A few of us gather at our church for a potluck BBQ & fireworks afterwards. Since it’s practically over the beach, we get a great view without all the crowds! For our part in the food, my husband makes a mean homemade macaroni salad that was his mom’s recipe. And we bought a huge 3lb package of hot-dogs and buns to go with it. I also made some chocolate fudge brownies…although not my homemade ones but the Pillsbury ones are almost as good :-) It’s always a fun time with our church family & someone usually brings some sparklers for the kids. Can’t wait really!
By the way, it’s great to be back in cyber-space. I took a self-imposed sabbatical for the month of June. My mom and her husband (of just over a year) came over from New Zealand to visit for the month & be a part of my son’s graduation on the 13th. It was such a wonderful and precious time with family! I sure do miss them and wished they didn’t live halfway across the world. It was also a refreshing change of pace for me to “unplug” from all I do online. I’m already coming up with ways to cut down on my online time :-) Like maybe reading more!
Anyway, looking forward to being back to my online friends and participating in the posts each day! Blessings everyone and have a happy & safe 4th of July! Remember who paid the ultimate price for our freedom….Christ Jesus :-)
It’s so good to have you back Trixi! And kudos to you for putting family first and spending June with the ones you love. I hope your son’s graduation went well! (And by the way, feel free to invite me the next time your church has a picnic!) ^_^