Celebrating 80 years of MOM

I had a fun time planning a simple birthday party for my mom, who turned 80 on June 3rd.  I picked her favorite restaurant The Old Grist Mill Restaurant in Seekonk Mass.  We didn't tell her too much but did tell her we were going out to dinner on the day of her birthday.  Several months prior my aunt and cousin in Colorado said they were making plans to come.  We decided to keep that a secret.  It was a beautiful day and she really enjoyed the party.  She especially loved that everyone was there.  All 13 of us.  Her two children, their spouses, her four grandchildren +1 grandson's girlfriend, her sister, niece and husband.  She had baked stuffed shrimp (which was yummy as I had it too) and
Jo Jo's cupcakes for dessert.  It was a wonderful day!!

Here are some pictures of the day:

What's New with You? AUGUST 2018

I thought it would be fun to link up with Kristen @ See You In A Porridge for What's New With You? on the 1st Thursday of every month.

Reading:   I am pretty well on target with my Goodreads Challenge (75/100) and also trying to get up to speed with Erin's 9.0 Challenge (have read 3). Currently reading:

Also loving my BookBeaus

Watching:  I have been trying to keep the television off (especially the news) but we do tune in for Big Brother (three times a week which seems like alot)  Mindless fun!

Beaching It:   In the summer I go to the beach at least twice a week.  Here are some of my recent pictures of heaven on earth ;)

Seaglassing:  I have been seaglassing for about 10 years.  I love the adventure of not knowing what you may find.  Here are some of my recent finds.

Photographing Flowers:

Working:  Things will start to get busy around the end of August.  I have two planners ready to go and am getting some new business cards made up at Vistaprint.  I am an educational advocate and support families as they are going through the special education process with their child/children.  This will be my third year doing the work as my own small business.  Cheers to back to school time!!

I'll end this long post with a few quotes I've saved over the past month:

JULY READS: SHOW US YOUR BOOKS!

WOW It's already time for my favorite day of the month!!!

July Reads

I'm linking up with Jana and Steph (Show Us Your Books)

every 2nd Tuesday of the month to let you know what I've been reading

I had a pretty good reading month overall.  I read two books that I liked but took me forever to get through (The Immortalists and Not that I Could Tell).  I listened to When Dimple Met Rishi and loved it!  I was glad to finally read (listen) to some poetry.  You have to listen to A Good Cry, Nikki Giovanni has a wonderfully melodic voice!  I enjoyed Just Mercy but think it is a book I will definitely have to read again (lots of detail).  How to Raise an Adult and  Mystic Summer were good just o.k. and I wasn't that impressed with Summer at Beach Street Bakery or The Year of Less.  Found both boring.   
Happy August Reading!!