Hello, Reader.

This week's newsletter is coming to you from Virginia, where my family and I have been vacationing all week.

Technically, we were in Washington, DC until yesterday, enjoying the Great American State Fair and as many Smithsonian Museums as we could pack into three days. But now we are 2½ hours southeast of the capital in Williamsburg.

It's been a fun way to mark 250 years of American independence -- and to spend a lot of lesser-known July holidays to boot, such as "National Cherry Pit Spitting Day" and "Father/Daughter Take a Walk Together Day," among others.

So, since we're just a week into the month, I'm sharing a few of my favorite quirky holidays for this week's link list. Have fun!

Free resources for you this week:

• July 10: Pick Blueberries Day - eat fresh off the bush or bake a yummy blueberry crumble​
• July 14: Cow Appreciation Day – it's back!! free food for cow-clad Chick-fil-A customers
• July 17: World Emoji Day – to celebrate, challenge friends & family to take our emoji quiz​
• July 18: World Listening Day – review James 1:19 with our Quick to Hear Coloring Page
• July 28: Parent’s Day – Pray for your parents & spend some time with them today if you can
• July 29: National Lasagna Day – why not try our 3-Cheese Lasagna for dinner tonight?

What I'm reading this week:

​1776 by David McCullough My family listened to David McCullough's 1776 on our 3-day drive up to Washington, DC. It was a great refresher on the American Revolution. This book focuses primarily on the role George Washington played in the war as the leader of the Continental Army. Although it is written with scholarly attention to detail, the narrative is engaging, giving the reader an appreciation of both American and British points of view.

What we're eating this week:

We've been eating lunch out daily while on vacation, but have made our other meals at the Airbnb, which has consisted of lots of fresh fruit for breakfast and ample helpings of rainbow salad for dinner.

What we're watching this week:

We saw Young George Washington at a theater that was walking distance from the Mall and thoroughly enjoyed it. All-star cast. Great acting. Compelling story. Felt like a patriotic thing to do in honor of America's 250th!

On the podcast this week:

No new episode this week, but here's another from the archives you might enjoy...

Loving Life at Home: Episode 75 ​EMPHASIZING YOUR HUSBAND'S GOOD POINTS​ This week on the Loving Life at Home Podcast, we are discussing something of vital importance to marital happiness, and that is learning to focus on your husband’s good points. I hope you’ll listen in and be encouraged. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I only finished 75% of last week's to-do list. I ✅ packed for our trip, ✅ stitched a stuffed "F" for Flanders, ✅ finished crocheting daisy blanket, ✅ made some great family memories on vacation, ✅ sent a new memory passage to my kids and grandkids (the most recent of which -- #26 -- was just born at 3AM this morning! 👶🏼), and ✅ redeemed (but ❌ haven't spent) my Fetch points for a $50 Amazon gift card.

However, I ❌ haven't edited a single chapter of my new audiobook, nor have I ❌ stitched the "Beloved" banner I planned to make on the road (mainly because I got distracted stitching this American flag sampler instead).

Personal goals for this week:

• enjoy the last few days of our road trip
• finish my BELOVED banner
• finish my American flag sampler
• record a new podcast
• wash/put away our colonial costumes
• edit at least 3 chapter of audiobook

If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to support my work, there are four ways for you to do that:

1. Say a prayer for me & my family 🙏
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4. Buy one of ​my books​​ 📚

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊