Just in time for summer

We are finally replacing our deck. The original was built when the house was built 20 years ago, and has been decaying rapidly. In fact, if you dared to go down the stairs (it is on the upper level of our home), you were taking your life in your hands.

The old deck was small, and didn't have enough space to really be useful at all. But now? Oh, it will be terrific! We extended it by 4 feet, and it's amazing what a difference that seemingly little bit makes. The base of the deck is that wonderful recycled plastic that looks like wood. Easy care, long lasting. So much better. And the railing will be wrought iron posts with wood rails. I need to get some wood sealer for the few wood parts, but it will be so much nicer than it was before. Here's where we are at this point:

The little dogs approve. And it's done enough that I can go out and sit on the edge and hang my feet over. Loving it already!

Life is busy . . .

but what's new? I am glad I have lots of options to keep my busy actually. And lots has happened here in the past few weeks.

First, I have actually been crocheting still. I have two new shawls started, but neither one of them is finished. I will get them done soon and post updated pictures, but for now you can see the starts of them. I like both patterns very much and am glad I chose to make them.

Shawl #1:

And shawl #2:

Second, my daughter and her husband cam home from Germany (where they've been living for the past  10 months) last week! We had them here at our house for a week. It was nice to have them here and be able to spend time with them after not seeing them for so long. She is crazy sometimes Here is a picture that she took of herself on my iPad:

and she is an awesome blogger. You should go read her blog. You can find it at http://www.itsalyx.com/. Really, she's pretty good at this blogging thing. Lots better than I am! And she even writes about me once in a while. But that's not why you should read it. :-)

Third, I love reading good books. I love reading, but I love it when I come across an outstanding book, and I did this week. One of my book clubs is reading "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh this month, so I sat down yesterday to start it, thinking I'd read for a little while, then do some other things. The other things? Yeah. They never got done. That book demanded to be read in one sitting. Those characters? They needed my attention. Oh my goodness, it was an amazing book. I loved it. I know I will read it again. I highly recommend you read it too.

Oh, and on another reading note, I just updated my list of books read this year. I haven't checked my pacing to reach 100 for the year in a little while and I think I might be just a little behind on my pace, but I've got some really good titles all lines up. You can see my updated list if you just click on that little tab up there.

On another book-y note, I got to go to another author signing tonight. Our independent bookstore is amazing at how they get authors in. Tonight was Laura Moriarty, and she was wonderful. Here she is talking to the group:

She was funny, and entertaining, and kind and fun to talk too. I was near the end of the signing line and got to spend a few minutes visiting with her. I had already met her before the signing as she was sitting with the owner of the store, who I happen to know. What a lovely person Laura is. And her writing is lovely too. I have not read her newest book, but am very much looking forward to it.

If you've read this far, thanks! And I'll try not to save quite so much up for next time!