10 years ago on 7/7/7, Marissa and I thought it would be fun to stay at the lake and head to the casino to try our luck (7s are lucky, right?). We headed there with her friend, Ashley, and we found that the water at the lake was murky and green and stinky. We decided to take out the boat – something I’d never done on my own – and we got instructions about how to do that. We took the boat to the middle of the lake where the water was clearer, the girls could swim, and we could breathe in the air. We brought the boat back up to the dock to make lunch and when we next looked, the boat was sitting on the bottom of the lake (which is less than 3′ deep at that spot) filled with that green stinky murky water. The plug had fallen out somewhere during our ride and the boat filled with water. Family back home was chuckling while we were buckling down to put in a new plug, bail the water out and then hose down and bleach out the boat. And remember, the lake water is murky and stinky and green. Ugh. Needless to say, I haven’t taken the boat out by myself since – and really have no desire to! 7/7/07 was not a lucky day for us!
And 3 years ago on this day, Chris and I got engaged (7/7/14 – 7+7=14!)! We drove to Cabela’s and sold some of his guns for cash and then went ring shopping. The ring I’m currently wearing is the one that I first tried on. We looked in a few other stores but I was always looking for this ring.
Today we are both going to work after another week off – a week filled with more organizing and settling in our new house, with family time at the lake, and our first dinner guests. Looking forward to more continued goodness!
I should be packing. We are moving in less than two weeks and packing is intense de-cluttering and culling at this point. We have a lot of things in boxes, taped shut, labelled, ready to be moved, we have made two trips to Goodwill and set overflowing garbage cans at the curb – but there is still much to do.
When I have a lot to do, I spend a lot of brain power on it – and I also spend a lot of time avoiding it. I think the amount of time I spend playing Candy Crush is a direct reflection of how much I should be doing. I also spend a lot of time, sleepless, planning, making lists, trying to configure things. Last night I looked through 10 year old newspaper articles, trying to decide what to keep and what should go in recycling tomorrow. (Most will go in to recycling with a few kept for posterity.) I also found all my pictures from Korea, water damaged and dirty, but spent time looking through and remembering and telling Chris stories.
I will be done and ready on 6/16 but I will also be sleep deprived. I’m setting a goal right now of NO CANDY CRUSH until I’m in my bed at my new house! (Who’s my accountability partner??)
Just a few of my favorite photos from Cancun. Certainly they don’t compare to the many lovely photos by the photographer/family friend, Matt, but here’s just a few from the lovely time we had there. It was relaxing, warm, quality time with family.
The wind LOVED my hair in Mexico!
A sweet pic – momma and son
Wedding day!
The beautiful bride…
LOVED watching August run around with the Super Cousins!
It’s IMPOSSIBLE to land on May 1 and not think of the song from Camelot – the Lusty Month of May (as evidenced by two blog posts in my history referencing the song!). So go ahead, take a minute and have Alexa play it for you or find it on YouTube…
Ok. So I’ll forever think of that and sing it often – in my head and aloud – throughout the month.
Since it’s May, that means it’s TIME FOR A WEDDING! Last March (2016) Marissa got engaged and dreamed of a destination wedding – so here we go! She and Adam are celebrating their marriage on Cinco de Mayo in Cancun! How fun. We are all looking forward to warm weather (upper 80s during the day! 70s at night!), family time (every Grimsrud child and grandchild will be there!), and fiestas galore! I’m hoping I’m not a blubbering fool because it’s going to be a joyous day – so I will do my best not to blubber! I worry about finding words of wisdom or having an eloquent speech, but actually there is lots of life ahead to share wisdom, so I’ll try not to stress about that.
More about the wedding when we get back… it will be a memorable time!
Haven’t done a post in a while, so I’ll just blather on here a bit about what’s been making me happy in these last few months. So much to be thankful for (always!).
We have been searching – first casually and then more seriously – for a new home. It all started with wanting a gas stove. We tried to see if it would be possible to update the kitchen in our townhome. And then we started dreaming about aspects of our dream homes. Me, I wanted big windows, lots of light, an open floor plan, not too big but big enough to be able to host gatherings. Chris wanted a fabulous bathroom with tile shower and a glass door and granite countertops. We both wanted that elusive gas stove. Well, we found it. It’s just big enough for us but with that open floor plan that will make it fun and possible to host Christmas and Thanksgiving and singalongs and game nights and backyard BBQs. But it’s small enough that we won’t have to spend all our free time taking care of it. It’s just perfect. More on that later, as well! We will close in June, so this summer will be filled with changes!
Movies – not as many of those lately, but we did get to one movie during the International Film Festival. We saw a Romanian film called Two Lottery Tickets. It was a funny little film. So glad the festival is here in Rochester and so glad that I got to at least one movie.
Books – I’m on a bit of a reading streak, so that is fun! Book Club is meeting MONTHLY so that helps! Recently we read “The Light Between Oceans,” “Euphoria,” “Big Little Lies” and “Thirty Rooms to Hide In.” Next is “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.” I’m also reading “When Breath Becomes Air” for a book club at work. Looking forward to beach book time in Mexico!
Food – We haven’t been going to as many restaurants because we are cooking at home! We have now tried Marley Spoon, Hello Fresh, and Blue Apron in the past few months. We are going to stick with Marley Spoon, because all the meals were so very tasty, although the most challenging to make, and you have control over the meals you get (unlike Blue Apron) and have an option for 2 meals in a week rather than 3 (unlike either of the other two). We find it hard to cook at home 3 days out of a week and most need to be eaten within that time frame. So we have had some really good food at home recently – today we had a spicy rigatoni with lemon ricotta. Looking forward to cooking on our gas stove in the new house! I do love having the house smell like good food!
Wedding Wedding Wedding! – There have been showers, bachelorette parties, a USA wedding, too-many-to-count Mother of the Bride dresses tried on and returned, and the various ablutions that come with a fancy to-do. So that has taken up quite a bit of time recently! The day-long mermaid themed bachelorette was an incredible time on a beautiful April day (April 1!). We had mimosas in the morning with a Beyonce drag show, failed an Escape Room in the afternoon, had a patio party at Betty Danger’s in the evening and then went clubbing into the wee hours. Oh my. So fun! Looking forward to more such shenanigans in Mexico!
Be of love (a little) more careful than of anything. — E. E. Cummings
May you find many things to be happy about in this Lusty Month of May!
Hefe Rojo on 2/1 – our attempt to have date nights on the 1st!
In NH we hit an Italian favorite – Bertucci’s
And another NH favorite, delicious sandwiches at Christopher’s!
We brought some Fluff back with us from NH – I see fudge in the future!
I told Chris that in our 3rd year of marriage I wanted to eat at home more – it’s healthier, it’s cheaper, and it could be fun to cook together!
But it isn’t easy. When we work our long days, we don’t eat much at home except fast breakfasty foods – poached eggs, yogurt, frozen waffles. I’m terribly out of practice with meal planning and prepping. And on days we aren’t working , we are recuperating and don’t want to plan meals or clean up after cooking. (Excuses, excuses.) So in an effort to try, I signed up for a few food subscription services! I also heard about a meat counter in a little grocery in Minneapolis that has the best meatloaf, so we picked some of that up and cooked it at Marissa’s for her birthday (read about it here – http://heavytable.com/meatloaf-everetts-foods-meats/)! Easy peasy!
Wow. Meatloaf from Everett’s Foods with Lingonberry sauce from Ingebretson’s – a delightful combination! Let’s do it again!
The first subscription service arrived this week. I tried Martha Stewart’s Marley Spoon. Had a great coupon and received 3 recipes in my first shipment. See below for packaging.
The shipments arrive in Rochester on Tuesdays by FedEx.
Each recipe is packaged in a brown paper bag.
The meats and cold items were under a false floor with ice packs.
The ice packs in question. Anyone need ice packs? Otherwise they are recyclable and I’ll dispose.
The box is lined with this batting material.
The first recipe I made was a Parmesan crusted chicken breast with basmati rice. We didn’t eat the lettuce salad that came with that day but saved it. The second recipe we made was for a Vietnamese style turkey burger with quick carrot and cucumber slaw.
Yum. The prep time was longer than stated, but I am out of practice in the kitchen. It took about an hour for the turkey burgers but that really isn’t too long. Sunday we will make a broiled beef stir-fry with broccoli and sweet onion.
Portions of butter and parmesan!
The parmesan crusted chicken with rice. Pretty good – a little dry, but could have been the preparer!
The recipe card – it’s important to read before starting!
The bag with fresh carrots, jalepeno, ginger, and cilantro!
The items ready for preparation.
I did get lots of help! He’s not as excited as I am – it’s not his goal, after all!
The finished product – oh my! This was delicious!
Garnishing his sandwich. Delicious quick pickle.
I look forward to more Marley Spoon recipes next week and Hello Fresh! in March.
Emma turned one last January (1/18) and celebrated at the Bounce House and Valentino’s with pizza and cake. She toddles around, loves her pets, and always has a smile on her face.
August turned 1 in September (9/27) and celebrated with a space-themed party on Grimsrud Way in Rushford. He loves the kitties, the Zoo, dancing, bath time, books and bubbles. He’s always on the move! We Skype frequently and I love the smiles when we talk!
Kaydee just turned 5 (12/11) and we had her favorite foods and birthday cake while playing with the pink tractor she wanted for her birthday! She loves to learn and is so fun to talk to!
Our “children” are now all “adult children”!
Marissa turned 28 in February, Tyler turned 24 in October, Sierra turned 20 in August and Kevin turned 18 in November!
Retirement looks like fun!
We celebrated the “Permanent Vacation” of Mom and Dad Grimsrud in February with a tropical themed family gathering. They spent 6 weeks after basketball season in the warmth of Florida and with the sale of Grimsrud Way this December they downsized to a townhome in Rochester, and are looking forward to the ease of worry-free travels and living!
Family Time is Precious!
We had a few weekends where we could all get together at French Lake this summer. The cabin hasn’t expanded to fit the growing family, but there are tents pitched, a new platform on the dock, and air mattresses galore, so we make it work. Memorial Day, Father’s Day and the Fourth of July were familyfun-filled.
August’s birthday and Thanksgiving were the last big events at Grimsrud Way. When we’re together, we always eat well, laugh a lot, play games, and enjoy each other’s company. That won’t change, wherever we gather!
Friendships are so valuable and valued!
Cosmo Girls continue to meet monthly September to May since 2010 – we learn and grow together, and laugh – a LOT!
Ferragosto at French Lake has been a yearly tradition since 2010, as well! This year was rainy, which meant more books and movies, but the time spent with friends is always appreciated!
Marissa said “YES” to the dress at the first bridal salon and then spent a fun day with girlfriends picking out bridesmaid dresses – the wedding in Cancun is coming up quickly!
Trips to the MN State Fair, the MN Zoo, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Little Mermaid, chick flicks, book club, or quick walks and lunches. SO thankful for my many girlfriends!
We love adventures – big and small!
We got our passports in 2016, so we are ready for international travel! We broke them in by visiting Canada twice (Thunder Bay, ON in June and Niagara Falls, ON/Montreal, QE in October) and are getting ready for Mexico in May. We look forward to working on our international bucket list!
Chris’s birthday wish was to go “Up North” – I guess he’s fully Minnesotan now??? We road-tripped to Grand Marais and Duluth, exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior. This was our first venture into Canada – Thunder Bay for Tim Horton’s lunch on Chris’s birthday! Great food (Betty’s Pies! Gunflint Tavern! Grandma’s Saloon! Amazing Grace!), beautiful accommodations and perfect weather for sightseeing… we do travel well!
MINI Takes the States 2016 – a coast-to-coast motoring adventure for MINI COOPER owners – went through MINIapolis this summer and we joined in the festivities for the day! We met MINI owners from Minnesota and beyond. It happens every 2 years, so we hope to join more fully in 2018! This year our 2 week road trip to New England was a priority!
Road Trip! Driving the MINI to New England was a whirlwind tour, to be sure – we were on the go! We stayed in Niagara Falls and Montreal before heading in to New Hampshire to spend time with Dad Walsh and Jen and her family; we stayed in a mountain lodge in the White Mountains, we drove up mountains and on beautiful scenic byways. We had a great time with extended family (Chris’s maternal aunts and uncles, paternal aunt and granny), visited friends Tony and Tien in Rhode Island, and spent a few days in NYC with Troy. In RI we toured the Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers, and walked in beautiful old neighborhoods. In NYC we saw two Broadway shows (Fiddler on the Roof and Waitress), saw the New York Public Library, the Strand Bookstore, the Museum of Natural History, ate at Carnegie Deli one last time before they close, and walked a LOT.
A few things we learned on our road trip:
Chris wants to pass ALL the cars on the road. He drove most of the time, including into and out of NYC. A skilled driver he is! No “souvenir” speeding tickets obtained!
Chris was right about the fall foliage in New England being unlike anything we see around Minnesota.
Flip-flops are great travel shoes.
I always over-pack.
Bunk-beds only sound appealing in theory.
EZ Pass is the way to go.
A road trip playlist for daily listening is an excellent idea!
But, I still would make up words to the songs, even after 12+ days of listening to them!
Working these crazy shift jobs means more days off without using PTO!
Chris has been working at Land O’Lakes for more than 4 years now. He is working 12 hour overnights (5P-5A) as a cheese dryer operator – one of four operators making the cheese powder for Cheetos! He works every other weekend, so time off during the week gives us opportunity for some of our many adventures.
Chris spent a good portion of November serving as a juror on the US District Court in Minneapolis. He spent 11 days in court, so missed about 8 days of work. He enjoyed the metropolitan lifestyle for a while and learned a little about non-compete clauses.
I have been working at Mayo Clinic for 5 years this January (2017), still in the Emergency Department. It’s a 24/7 job, so there is opportunity for a variety of 12 hour shifts, and every 3rd weekend means days off during the week with Chris = #dayofftogetherness. We can run to the Cities to see Marissa (or August) on a Wednesday night, or get tickets to events or touring plays during the week (If/Then or Louis CK), see late-night movies, or have epic dates on a Tuesday. So far it’s working.
Can’t Cure Chris of his Car Craze
Chris learned that his Honda CRZ did not hold its value.
He thought he’d keep it forever (or longer than 18 months) but he is now driving a Toyota 4Runner.
He has great ideas for modifying the MINI Cooper, but I’m fine with my Pumpkin as she is.
Ever learning, we are! We can’t wait to experience the adventures of 2017. We hope that you and yours have a blessed holiday season and that 2017 brings you joy and happiness! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
I haven’t blogged since August. Four months have gone by!
Today a new season starts – winter – and autumn is history.
Autumn is always busy… this year there was football to watch, a 2 week road trip in October, and precious time with family and friends. A few more books have been read and we started our third year of marriage.
There’s something soothing about the change of seasons. I’m looking forward to a day of reflection of the year that was, planning and dreaming of the year that will be, and hopefully celebrate by driving around and looking at Christmas lights on the longest night of the year.
Below are quotes and poems that I found on quotegarden.com – I hope you enjoy them and they give you cause to reflect on winter!
“Yule, is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were “wassailed” with toasts of spiced cider.” – Yule Lore
I love the above information – it reminds that we are moving towards light; more sunlight, Christmas…
“Every year at just this time,
In cold and dark December,
Families around the world
All gather to remember,
With presents and with parties,
With feasting and with fun,
Customs and traditions
for people old and young.”
– Helen H. Moore
“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!”
– Charles Dickens
It’s fun to reminisce about Christmas past… childhood, parenthood…
“Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ring Out, Wild Bells
This feels like a New Year wish… a wish for shrugging off difficulties and bringing in the good. It’s a hopeful wish…
“May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.”
– Ada V. Hendricks
Hope your Christmas is all of these…. full of hope, peace, and love.
Summer of 2016 is marching on. Today is National Happiness Happens day (8/8/16), so I thought I needed to catch up on what has been making happy memories for the summer of 2016! *the question I ask myself most frequently on the blog
Gathering with friends and family:
At graduations – a few friends had kids who graduated this year – fun to watch them get through this emotional time with grace! Gracie also graduated from 8th grade, and boy, does she have grace. She wrote a letter to the principal and he read it to everyone…. uff. There were tears.
At the cabin – Several weekends in June and July have been spent with family. We kind of thought Memorial Day would be the only time we would all be together there, but there have been so many wonderfully relaxing days spent there. Looking forward to Ferragosto 2016!
At Berne Woodfired Pizza – We went in June with Sierra and family and enjoyed a beautiful night with great music. I went again in July with various family members. It was a HOT night but mom and dad got there early and scoped out a perfect spot in the shade of those big trees and the nice breeze kept it so very comfortable. Definitely a must-do in the summer!
At Whistle Binkies on the Lake – birthdays, book club, and “no-more-class” celebration all at Whistles! Also met with Troy and Cheryl there for a lovely lunch on their patio. He had to see the place that is such a big part of us! So good to see him anywhere!
At Four Daughters – the social work department is attempting to promote more social activities! The first was at Four Daughters. We were a small group but we were treated to a tour of the wine and cider making equipment and had a delicious dinner together. And the ED social workers kept the party going by visiting various rooftops in Rochester. A fun night out!
At Thursdays on First – Also had a fun night with co-workers listening to music at Thursdays, followed by eats and treats in various locations. A great night!
At the Minnesota Zoo – We spent a steamy day at the zoo in July! What fun to wander there with grandkids and to watch them watching the animals. Such a great day!
At the Minnesota Twins – We had prime seats to watch the Twins (vs. Chicago White Sox) on a beautiful day! It was Chris’s first game at the Target Field in Minnesota – he thought it was only for concerts and food & wine shows! Even though they lost, it was a great game (extra innings) and good fun with the family.
At Skyline Raceway – with Chris’s work family (ha!) we rode go-karts, played mini-golf, and ate great food.
At Flapdoodles – we’ve visited the new south Flapdoodles a few times… have to celebrate National Hot Fudge Sundae day, and National Ice Cream Day, and whatever else needs celebrating….
At various new (to us) restaurants – we’ve tried out some new places, in addition to our favorites. Luna Rosa Wine Bar in Stillwater with Marissa and Adam, Pittsburgh Blue in Edina after a hair appt, Fogo de Chao in Minneapolis for Chris’s birthday, Hen House Eatery for breakfast downtown Minneapolis, World Street Kitchen and MilkJam Creamery for dinner before a movie in Uptown, and Modist Brewery before the Mini Takes the States gathering in Minneapolis. Ah, good memories!
A Birthday Road Trip – Chris and I took a road trip in June. We celebrated his birthday at Fogo de Chao and then the next day we headed north: destination #1 Grand Marais! We motored in his Honda and stopped briefly at our hotel in Grand Marais (incredible view!) before continuing on up to Thunder Bay, Ontario for dinner at Tim Horton’s! First passport use together! Grand Marais is beautiful, and home to the World’s Best Donuts, so of course we had to try that for breakfast. The next day we motored our way back to Duluth, with stops at Cross River, Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and finally our hotel in Duluth. We ate at Grandma’s Saloon, Amazing Grace for breakfast, toured the William F. Irvin shipping boat, and then made it back to have some dinner at Rochesterfest. We know how to pack in a lot on a road trip! We are planning our great big Birthdayversary Trip to the East Coast now – so much fun to anticipate these trips!
Movies – At home I’m binge watching The Gilmore Girls in preparation for this FALL! Can’t wait to catch up with them all again! So not many movies on Netflix of late…. Seriously, just checked my “recent activity” on Netflix and it’s all Gilmore Girls and episodes of Grace and Frankie! I love Grace and Frankie and recommend it! It’s a Netflix series with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. I thought Season 2 was better than Season 1. Good stuff!
In June I did buy a streaming live ticket to see She Loves Me live from Broadway! Invited some girls over and we had Ice Cream during intermission (“Ice cream! He bought me ice cream!”). It was fun to see a Broadway show and exciting to know that it was LIVE! There were technical difficulties in the beginning so that was a little frustrating but we got through… and it was great fun!
In the theatre:
Me Before You – Thought it would be all book club mamas but there were a lot of teens in the audience! It is a good rendition of the book. Not as detailed but the things they left out were ok. Shock ending to those that hadn’t read the book!
Don’t Think Twice – So. Fun. For weeks I had on my calendar that there was a showing of this new movie written and directed by Mike Birbiglia, playing in Minneapolis. When I went to get tickets eventually, it was sold out. So I was thrilled to get the newsletter from Mr. Birbiglia saying they added another show and I quickly bought tickets. He was there at the end for a Q&A and it was very fun. Chris got a high five from him (he collects high-fives from famous people, evidently – well, Mike Birbiglia and Glen Hansard, two of my favorites!). The movie was great, as well. An improv troupe in NYC is facing changes as they all strive to be noticed for national television shows (ala SNL) and their theatre space is being closed for some big expensive NYC thing. I recommend you see this if you can – and it is being released in Minneapolis and other big cities, so you can! Good stuff.
Ghostbusters – took a crew to see who was ‘fraid of the ghosts! I realized that I wasn’t a super fan of the first movie but this was great fun for me. It was great to see all the cameos, I was just scared enough (I hate being scared) and knew that it was silly fun scaredy-stuff, and the ‘busters were fun to listen to.
Jason Bourne – we watched all the Bourne movies at home over the past year, so this was the first one seen in the theatre. Uff. It’s a wild ride. When I’m at home I can walk to the kitchen, remaining in ear shot, and avoid the stressful stuff. In the theatre I just closed my eyes a lot. A. Lot. Not going to overanalyze the Bourne, just enjoyed a night at the movies!
I’m reading Books again – Since my last post in June about the 3rd Provence book, I’ve read a few books! Maybe I’ll legitimately reach my book goal for 2016!
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain (author of The Paris Wife) – so captivating! Based on real people and real events, a story of ex-patriots living in Africa. The main character is Beryl Markham, a fascinating woman with a fascinating story. Highly recommend!
Life’s a Beach by Claire Cook – a light summer read. Nothing earth shattering or remarkable. Just something to keep me reading!
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly – for FC book club. A story of three women in WWII and how their lives connect. It was up to the brink of horrifying (WWII is so filled with horrifying stories) and led to great discussion at book club. As usual, I finished the book in time to wipe away the tears and run off to discuss it. We had good discussion (about the book and otherwise – also, as usual!).
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner – a compelling book about a successful woman’s spiral downward with addiction to pain pills. It showed the hard work she had to do to maintain her addiction, her lifestyle, and then the hard work she had to do to start on her road to sobriety.
Currently reading All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank.
Also currently listening on Audible to Hamilton by Ron Chernow.
And Four Friends by Robyn Carr (taking too long, may drop it).
Phew! I’m tired. This is a glimpse into our life. So much to be happy about! Right now I’m looking forward to Ferragosto 2016, hoping for relaxation at the end of the dock for days and days… more books, some movies, good talks with good friends. What else could you want? We are also having a lot of fun planning our East Coast adventure this fall. We are going to do some leaf-peeping, hoping for a good showing of autumn brilliance, but most importantly we will see the people that are important to Chris out there! Looking forward to meeting the people he talks about. And seeing his dad again. 🙂
So enjoy your August, enjoy the photos below, and if you feel so moved, let me know what is making you happy!
I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to read the third in the Love in Provence trilogy in advance of release date. I reviewed Patricia Sand’s first book in the trilogy, The Promise of Provence in July of 2013 (and it is a pretty great review, if I do say so myself, so please click through on this link and re-read it!), so when Emma from Words and Peace sent out an email looking for reviewers for the third in the series, I quickly devoured the second and signed up! I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. See below for a giveaway so that you can get your own copy!
Patricia’s books read like travel guides with some plot thrown in. The descriptions of the locales and the food and the people make it feel as though you’re there! It helps that I follow Patricia’s Instagram account (@patricialsands) and see her eautiful photos of France and her travels ! Click HERE to see her travel journal and Fall in Love with Provence!
The second book (Promises to Keep) finds Kat remaining in France with Philippe and exploring their relationship. There’s some drama and intrigue, but nothing scary. I don’t do scary, after all. The book ends with a cliff hanger and I Promise You This picks up with Kat returning to her native Toronto to care for her great friend who was in a bad auto accident.
This third and final book in the Love in Provence series has Kat looking in her heart and wondering if she can leave the first and only home she has known for a new life in France. Being in her childhood home while her friend recuperates from her life-threatening accident brings Kat closure – with her ex-husband’s betrayal and with her mother’s death. She packs up her treasured memories and boxes them for their voyage to her new home in France, wondering if she will ever return. She is never unsure about her feelings for Philippe and their life together in Provence, even though an old beau professes his feelings.
This is a satisfying resolution to this story of a woman starting her life over after an emotional crisis. In the first book her mother taught her that “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Her friends taught her to “Take a chance. Make a choice to change your life.” In this final book in the trilogy, her new found friend, Simone, teaches her “Once you choose to do what you really want to do, you will begin living a different kind of life. It will be the life you are meant to be living in that moment of time.” Kat and Philippe are looking forward with great happiness to opening their Inn, to developing the website blending their love for photography and cheese (Fromagegraphie – love it!). Their happiness exudes and Kat realizes that home is, truly, where your heart is.
Kat and Philippe are living the life of their dreams – doing what they love, loving what they do. Seems like I just read some articles about happiness that insist that very same theme – live authentically! (Like this one and this one!) And here are some quotes:
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Ghandi
“The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.” – HH The Dalai Lama
“Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.” – Helen Keller
As I said earlier, these books read as travel guides and make you yearn for your own travel adventures – thankfully I now have a fresh passport and am always ready! France is definitely on the list!
Suddenly single after twenty-two years of marriage, the calm of Katherine Price’s midlife has turned upside down. Seeking to find her true self, she took a chance on starting over. A year later, she is certain of this: she’s in love with Philippe and adores his idyllic French homeland, where he wants her to live with him.
But all that feels like a fantasy far removed from Toronto, where she’s helping her friend Molly, hospitalized after a life-threatening accident. Staying in her childhood home full of memories, Katherine wonders: Is she really ready to leave everything behind for an unknown life abroad? And if all her happiness lies with Philippe, will it last? Can she trust in love again?
Searching her heart, Katherine finds the pull of the familiar is stronger than she thought. An unexpected meeting with her ex, the first time since his cruel departure, and a stunning declaration of love from an old flame spur her introspection.
With sunlit backdrops and plot twists as breathtaking as the beaches of Côte d’Azur, author Patricia Sands brings her trilogy about second chances to a provocative and satisfying close that proves that a new life just might be possible—if you’re willing to let your heart lead you home.
BOOK TRAILER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A confessed travel-addict,
best-selling author Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada,
when she isn’t somewhere else,
and calls the south of France her second home. I Promise You This,
is Book 3 in her award-winning Love in Provence series.
Find Patricia on Facebook,
on Twitter
on Instagram
at her Amazon Author Page
or her website
Subscribe to her mailing listand get information about new releases.
You can enter the global giveaway here
or on any other book blogs participating in this tour. Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook,
they are listed in the entry form below.
Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday
of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time!
[just follow the directions on the entry-form]
Global giveaway open internationally:
10 participants will each win a copy of this book, print or digital
Prepping for summer, the Cosmo Girls created a list of Summer Events in the area so that there is always a social event at the ready! I typed up an excel sheet and emailed it to all, including the websites that provide further information, but I will post a condensed version here and trust that you can do your own research if you are interested in learning more about what is happening! Of course, the list is not exhaustive, as we live close to Wisconsin and close to the Twin Cities, where something is always going on, but these either close to Rochester or involve a few bands I think are a hoot! (If you’d like an emailed copy, write a comment below and I’ll email it to you – so you can sort to your heart’s content!)
Enjoy!
Date
Event
Location
TIME
Type
29-May
Arch Allies
Boiler Days in Arcadia, WI
Live music/Dance
2-Jun
Thursdays on First
First St and Peace Plaza
vendors / music
4-Jun
Rochester Art Center 70th Anniversary Party
Rochester
celebration
4-Jun
Rhubarb Festival
Lanesboro, MN
small town celebration
7-Jun
Community Singalong 7-8:30
Peace Plaza, Rochester
singing
11-Jun
Movies in the Park – The Intern
Central Park, Rochester
9pm
movie
June 15-June19
Steamboat Days
Winona, MN
town celebration
June 17-June 18
Straight River Days
Medford, MN
small town celebration
June 18-June 26
Rochesterfest
Rochester
town celebration
June 21-June 23
Rochesterfest Book Sale
Roch Public Library
?
sale
15-Jun
Hairball
Steamboat Days, Winona
Live music/Dance
18-Jun
Hangar Fly-In & Dance
9am-sundown
planes and a dance (5-11)
19-Jun
Art in the Park
Lanesboro, MN
10A-5P
vendors / music
20-Jun
Happy Hour Entertainment – Six Mile Grove
Rochesterfest grounds
5p-
Live music/Dance
22-Jun
Phish
Minneapolis
?
live music / dance
23-Jun
Rochesterfest Hot Air Balloon Glow
??
Dusk
celebration
24-Jun
Rochesterfest Parade
Rochesterfest route
6:15start
parade
June 24-June26
Lake City Waterski Days
Lake City, MN
small town celebration
25-Jun
Hairball
Cresco, IA Howard County Fair
Live music/Dance
25-Jun
Movies in the Park – Alexander and the Terible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
Grandchildren are the best, aren’t they?
I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to read the third in the Love in Provence trilogy in advance of release date. I reviewed Patricia Sand’s first book in the trilogy, 
Walkie Talkie Book Club 