This week's post is all about family. From fond memories to good books with some dynamic sisters to getting to know one another better.
Nostalgic Art
Growing up, my brother and I would spend weekends at my grandparents house. We would have the best time building castles in the foyer with big Styrofoam connecting blocks, playing "tennis" in the backyard, rolling down the hill the house was built on, and so much more! But it wasn't just the things we were able to do that made the home so special, it was the people who lived in it. The love and laughter and things that I learned and learned to love that I still carry with me today because of them, like listening to jazz on Sunday mornings and what unconditional love really is. It's amazing the impact a person (people) can have on your life.
I painted my grandparents house (now my dad's house) and hung it in my home and every time I look at it I have a moment where I feel pure joy.
But that wasn't the only home I had great memories in. There were a lot of good ones in my childhood home too, including my first cat, Ursula, who is featured in the window!
I highly recommend hanging a work of art or photo of a place that brings you joy every time you look at it, in a place you will see it often.
Entertainment
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has come out with a new mystery: Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths.
I watched this the other night and I really enjoyed it.
Nikki and Nora are fraternal twins who are total opposites. Nikki has a steady job and is responsible. Nora is a struggling actress who is about to get evicted from her apartment. It's been ten years since they've spoken, but the inheritance of a detective agency brings them back together. Will they keep the agency or sell it? Will they let go of past hurts and stay in touch? Solving a murder together and figuring out who the mystery man from their past is may give them the answers.
I like the dynamic of the sisters. There's a little humor, a little reminiscing, a little sadness, and a whole lot of sleuthing. If you like cozy mysteries, I think you'll like this one.
Book Review
The Schuyler Sisters Novel series, by one of my favorite authors, Beatriz Williams, does not disappoint. The trio of novels (Along the Infinite Sea, Tiny Little Thing, and The Secret Life of Violet Grant) will captivate and keep you reading for hours.
Each book is filled with secrets, turmoil, laughter, beauty, and everything real life offers all in the dynamics of one prominent family. My favorite of the three is Tiny Little Thing.
Set in the glamourous summer of 1966, Christina "Tiny" Hardcastle looks like she has the perfect life. A handsome husband who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives and dreams that are about to come true. But the marriage isn't as rosy as it seems and droplets of the past have a way of showing up, one way or another, with the threat to turn her world upside down.
Brilliantly written and captivating. I highly recommend this book - I highly recommend all of her books!
Displaying Family Heirlooms
A great way to display family heirlooms is to group like items together.
A coworker of mine sent me an Edible Arrangement after my mom passed away in 2016. A little while later my brother and I started going through her house and we found the cooking utensils she use back in the 1970s when we were kids. We also found a recipe she wrote out for a Greek dish from my dad's side of the family.
I brought the items home and housed the utensils from the 1970s in the vase the Edible Arrangement came in and I framed the recipe card. I now have them grouped together on my kitchen counter where I can enjoy them every day.
Family Q&A
This is a quick Q & A session I thought would be fun to do with your family. A way to connect and bring about a few laughs and maybe a tradition or two.
Have a great week and go create a fun memory with your family!
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