OK so is blogging even a thing anymore? I have no clue…I just know for me-I felt like I had a lot I wanted to tell people. Good stuff that I would want you to tell me. One day I texted Mychele like 10 tens in a row. Did you know about this? How about this? Often I repost great things to facebook…then I thought I should do a newsletter to share…but wait. I have a blog. Read it or keep for later-but I have come across so many great things I want to share.

Got Books?

Amazon Book Clubs-it’s a new thing. I feel like it is a Facebook for books I am reading. Of course I started one to try it out. I am in three bookclubs and this is one way all my book friends could be in one place. Let me know if you want an invite. I will post books I’m reading and invite discussion. You can join public amazon bookclubs. I am keeping mine private-invite only. Trying it out for now to see if I like it.

Eudora Welty Fans-check out the virtual book club. I have enjoyed rereading this favorite author.

Bookaccino– not sure how I found this, but I get invited to author talks and twice I won the book. I think if you sign up for the newsletter you will get email invites to events. Of course I don’t make every one-but they send out the recording if you register for the event. Lots of great stuff.

Book Club Reads for June Affiliate links below
The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules

The House in the Cerulean Sea

A Bend in the Stars

It’s My Favorite-I know I say “it’s my favorite” a lot. But it is…

The Next Right Thing Podcast
I Listened to one when it was mentioned in a book I was reading. I loved it so much I started back at #1. She has several books and I have some on my TBR pile. This podcast is faith centered.

The Handmade Book Club-I pay to belong and it is worth every penny. Right now it says it is closed, but there is a waiting list to get it. It may not be for you but I love this club. Making books is my favorite thing. As member I am introduced to so much content and guest artists and lessons. I love it. Follow her on FB /YouTube if you like making books. She offers reasonable challenges and free lessons-did you see my washi tape journal?

One of my bookclubs had a bee themed meeting so I made Honey Oatmeal Soap. It was so easy and a big hit! I have lots of molds-feel free to borrow or come over and we will make it together.


Something to believe in…so many good things out there

Ready for Life– I recently starting doing volunteer work with this organization that wants to change lives after aging out of foster care. I mentor, teach lifeskill classes, and hope to do more.
I so believe in this organization.

My Church– when our preacher retired, we decided to check out another church. After just a few times attending, I knew this is where I am supposed to be. I love the variety of people, my online small group, and the depth of community involvement. I found out about Ready for Life when a speaker visited.

Creative Faith Cafe-don’t know how I found it…and the story is amazing. One of the leaders actually lives on my street. We have Bible Study Online on Mondays. I guess I was drawn to it because we do art responses to our study. It is not a huge group which has allowed us to become close. Even if you do not go to the Monday night Bible Study-there are other things for Bible Journaling on the Facebook page.

More love letters-this is a ministry for me. People send in names of those that need encouragement and we send cards (I send postcards) I feel this is something simple I can do. I know if it was me getting them, I would love it.

Love Notes Fairy-another ministry where I send postcards. Such a simple act, but so many are hurting right now. It’s the least I can do.

Drone Animal Rescue-I love how this guy uses his drones to find animals in disaster areas. His service is so requested he encourages others to think about doing it. If Zander was of driving/travel age-he would be great at this.

Art & Classes-I am featuring local artist/now friends this time
People ask about my art all the time. It did not come naturally friends, it was learned. Every bit of it. Below is a list of artists/classes that I have learned from-I am featuring locals this time.. Many have a variety of things available-facebook groups, membership sites, free lessons, and YouTube.


Mychele Boardman-Inner Journey Studios (lives in Clermont)
We have been friends a long time. That is another amazing story. We have been getting into trouble, I mean fun, for years.
https://www.facebook.com/InnerJourneyStudios
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySRaqb-1z9fljEwIC79tBg

Mary Correa (lives in Lakeland)
I fell in love with her when I met her at Art More Place and have been following her ever since. I drove many times (3 hours one way)…just to take her classes.
https://www.facebook.com/marycorreastudios
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hiWnw-BmxAfpFWafjp5LQ

Rachelle Eason (lives in Lakeland)
I do art journaling with her On Tuesday nights-not every month but when I can. This month we are in Italy! She also taught me plant stained papers.
https://rachelleeason.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelleEasonArtist


Good to Know-Great FREE stuff
Let’s Make Art– LOVE these people. So many videos available to learn from. A great place to go for watercolor tutorials, etc. They have subscription boxes, but you do NOT have to do that to learn from the videos.

Tracy Weinzapfel-Free watercolor demo on her FB page 8:30 eastern time on Wednesdays. She also offers many reasonable challenges through the year. I am not exaggerating to say she changed my life. She offered a $10 postcard class-in watercolors (which I could never get). I loved the class and became so confident, I did postcards for my 100 day project and have been doing postcard ministries every month.

Jeanne Oliver Newsletter-this newsletter inspired me to blog again. I always want to share great things I find. This newsletter is very art focused and it is jam packed with great things every month. Go to the very bottom of the page.

Did you know? My recent aha moments….
Plant id on iPhone-who knew! My daughter Megan told me.
Take a picture of a plant
Open it in the camera app
Look for the lower case i with a circle around it
Press it and you will see Look Up Plant
Press that and it will id

Sticker Paper (affiliate link to follow)-never thought of it before. I print my Friday Freebies for bible journaling on sticker paper-then I can just cut them out and stick. Then got the idea to print my art, or art pages I am given, onto sticker paper. Much easier than gluing things down. The possibilities are endless. https://amzn.to/3mz6Ddd

Save those avocados! Putting your avocados (skin on) in a jar/bowl of water , and then in the fridge, prolongs their life substantially. Be choosy about when you put them in as it stops the ripening. We have had avocados last two weeks! I learned it on TikTok!

OMG help me I am sharing and I cannot stop! OK…I am stepping away. One thing about blogs/newsletters…they are there to serve you. You can file them away to read when you want to. The good thing, everything is in one place.

Until next time….

I would love to know what you liked best!