JUNE — The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For

Hello Dear Reader,

I have a cool fact for you today, or at least, a fact that I think is pretty neat. This is the 24th issue of the newsletter and it’s being released in 2024! Small, I know, but a pretty sweet observation I made. Now I’m sure you can hardly wait to read who won this year’s giveaway, but as my mother always said to me, “patience is a virtue.” This issue is packed with a whole bunch of fun and interesting things for you!

Summer, like all months except Winter, is just flying by. We have already reached the end of June, believe it or not (I know I hardly can). While many people have plans for the summer, like taking trips or other types of excursions, for some it might be a summer of free time. When we have those summers, sometimes we waste the time away because we don’t know how to adequately fill it. Maybe it’s only half days and not whole ones, but nevertheless, the time is there. From one reader to another, I’ve come up with a small list of some of the things that I do to keep myself living life to the fullest during these months of glorious sunshine! But before that, onto the regulars:

KNEE SLAPPER THURSDAY 

Is it too obvious to say that this summer has just been blazingly hot…

Verse of the Month

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 NASB

Servina

Here’s Servina getting one of her favorite things — a chin rub!

How to Make the Most Out of Your Summer

Here are my top 4 things to do in the Summer:

Pick Up a New Sport

Before you jump the gun, let me say that you don’t have to be athletic to pick up a new sport. I think that’s something that deters a lot of people from trying, but shouldn’t! Some of those sports can include golf, badminton, or even bowling. I’ve personally picked up pickleball, which I like to see as a cross between tennis and ping-pong.

Drive-in Movie

This is something low-key that still lets you experience the summer fun. Drive-in movies offer the luxury of seeing both new and old movies alike, while getting to experience the comforts of your vehicle. When I go, I bring blankets, snacks (like sushi), and pop the trunk open, making it the perfect sitting spot. 

Read, Read, Read

You can never learn less by reading. Whether it’s self-help books, fiction, biography’s, studies, or any other type of genre, each one has something that they can teach us. And most of the time, we have fun while doing it! If you’re at a loss as to what to read, here are a couple of recommendations. You can also join my 2024 Classic Reading Challenge (more about that on my Instagram @saraxgherasim). 

• “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis
• “The Abditory” by Sara Gherasim
• “Day of War” by Cliff Graham
• “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

Try a New Recipe

Sweets are a particular favorite of mine to try out in the summer. There are so many cooling desserts that go with the summer heat. Pinterest is definitely my go to place for new ideas, but there are other websites from chefs as well. If you’re still looking for something, here’s the recipe to a delicious Brazilian Limeade that is a staple in our home and was featured in a previous newsletter!

Brazilian Limeade 

Servings: 4 cups

Ingredient:  

• 4 limes, scrubbed and washed
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• half of a 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 cups cold water
• 4 cups ice
• optional: bag of frozen strawberries

Directions:

• Wash you limes and place in blender.
• Add ice, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and cold water (and frozen strawberries).
• To avoid bitterness, pulse 5-8 times, just until ingredients are combined
• Strain
• Pour over ice
• Garnish with strawberries or limes

Note: Traditionally, strawberries aren’t included in this recipe, but it was a yummy and fun twist that I added to the drink. Again, totally optional, but highly recommended!

“Pride & Prejudice” Book Review

For May, our book was “Pride & Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

My Overall Opinion:

Having read this book before in my childhood, I can say that I was quite looking forward to reading it once again. This book is a classic for a reason, telling an interesting story, while still bringing insight into the motifs that Austen was displaying about England and its people at the time. 

My Favorite Character:

I feel it’s cliche to say that Elizabeth Bennet would be my favorite, but how can she not be as the heroine. Her forthcoming tongue, wit, and charm is hard to not be impressed with. I will say, though, a close second would be Mary Bennet, if only for her love of reading. 

Things I Didn’t Like / Would Change:

To be frank, there isn’t anything that I would change. Austen does a superb job of making the story enticing, while still giving readers enough background into the period, as well as the family life. 

Ranking:

5/5 — Romance and nostalgia go hand in hand. With Austen’s writing, it’s easy to transport oneself to England and become one of the Bennet sisters. 

Other Comments:

There have been many adaptions and retellings of this story, from books to TV shows, to films, and so on. A personal favorite of my mother’s is the 1940s film adaption starring Greer Garson. That is indeed a classic depiction, but I feel I am guilty of joining the host of other Millennial girls that hold the 2005 Kiera Knightly version in high respects. Between the filmography, dialogue, and soundtracks, it’s a hard version to beat. Speaking of soundtracks, there is one retelling that I am quite fond of and holds the second-place spot secure in my opinion – the 2004 Bollywood version, “Bride & Prejudice,” staring Aishwarya Rai. While I’m not one for musicals, this film uses music to its advantage through storytelling and bringing life to the Indian culture. Also, having other name stars, such as Martin Henderson and Daniel Gillies, is always a plus.

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for:

AND THE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS…

A big thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway! You are so important to me, and I appreciate all your love and support thus far. This is just a small way of my thanks and gratitude towards you – that and completing Rivka’s story (stay tuned)!

Congratulations, Fatima!

COMING NEXT MONTH

Loads of summer fun!

See You Next Month!