Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

Stories from the Porch in July

August 1, 2018 by Kristin 10 Comments

I know it’s August, but I really didn’t want July to end. So I’m going to hang on for a little longer as I share some stories from my porch … and wherever else our adventures took us!

Highlights

July included our second big trip of the summer! We joined my siblings, their families, and our mom in Lake Placid, NY. My sister lives in Buffalo, NY, so we headed up her direction (and beyond …) for this year’s vacation. I blogged about how I loved this adventure in ways I didn’t expect. (Read that here.)

After we returned home, we went to Holiday World – an amusement park about 2 ½ hours away in Indiana. My friend Abbey told me we only needed 15 people to get a group discount (which is everyone paying the kids’ price!) so we gathered some others and enjoyed the day on roller coasters and spinning rides. My part of the group opted not to go to the water park and enjoyed some super short lines to ride the rides. Rachel was free, but at 36 inches she was able to ride more than expected.

Summer adventures have included staying home too. Several local friends have come to hang out on our porch and in our pool, and my dear Sarah and her kids also came for a few days. I ended up seeing her a second time when we were passing through Louisville on our way home from New York. Likewise, earlier in the week on our way to New York, we met up with a couple friends.

Seeing people I love is definitely one of my favorite parts of traveling (and adventuring at home!). I’m glad Greg also likes to incorporate visits with friends along our way.

Favorite Things

Camera card cord for my iPhone – I take a lot of pictures in the summer with my waterproof camera (which I also recommend!) and now I can transfer those pictures directly to my iPhone with this nifty little cord. I store all my photos on the iCloud, so having them on my phone is the easiest way to get them all to the same place. Before this cord I was uploading the pictures from the SD card onto my laptop and then emailing them to myself so I could post onto Instagram and save in the iCloud. This cuts out that whole step. My husband is probably going to want to use it for his trail cam pictures, so I may share it!

(They also make these cords for Android devices.)

Pickles to Penguins – This was an impulse purchase from zulily a while ago, but we really love games and this is one we can play with our two oldest kids. It’s quick and easy but fun.

Swim trainer life vest – I’m a longtime fan of Puddle Jumpers, but Rachel really loved this swimming vest a friend brought over one day. I ended up getting her one, and I really think it’s what propelled her to truly swim. She was close. She’s never been afraid to stick her face in the water. But this swim training vest gave her arms the freedom they needed to reach and swim. (It’s not Coast Guard approved, so we still use a Puddle Jumper in the boat or when we’re in the lake. Safety first, obviously!)

Magazines – I have a degree in journalism, so the fact I like magazines isn’t a surprise but with all the books and electronics I had forgotten. I recently subscribed to “Southern Living” and remembered why I love magazines. (Plus I wanted to read Rick Bragg’s column regularly!) I also picked up a couple to read when we traveled. “The Magnolia Journal” is also lovely.

From the bookshelf

“Beartown” by Fredrick Backman – It’s going down as one of my favorites this year. The writing and characters are excellent and real. There is intriguing foreshadowing. And the story provokes thoughts on life. It had a “Friday Night Lights” feel from the beginning.

“All the Missing Girls” by Megan Miranda – The story was intriguing and kept me reading this one. I needed to know what happened, even though I thought some of it was silly.

“Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah – This one surprised me. After I read the synopsis, I didn’t know if I would care about it. But I loved it. Not as much as “The Great Alone” or “The Nightingale” (or even “Firefly Lane” probably), but I still highly recommend it.

“The Things We Do For Love” by Kristin Hannah – This one isn’t as good as “The Great Alone” or “Nightingale” either, but I’m still really enjoying the storyline and characters.

Cate started the Harry Potter series. She read the first book in two days and is now on the fourth. We bought a couple books at a used book sale, she borrowed one from a friend, and then we discovered they’re also on Kindle Unlimited. This week she began the fifth one.

On the screen

I was happy to see the eighth season of Hawaii 5-0 on Netflix. I’ve only watched one episode so far, but I’ll catch up with the crew soon. Greg and I are still making our way through “Suits,” which we’re loving as we begin season three!

*****

How was your July? What adventures
and stories do you have to share?

{Tweet that.}

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: books, Cate, family, summer, travel, TV

Comments

  1. SUSAN SHIPE says

    August 1, 2018 at 7:19 am

    You know how much I love your life and family! What a fun summertime. I feel so out of the loop but coming around. That Rachel…what a sweetheart. And, Cate, growing up. BLESSINGS TO ALL. xo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 1, 2018 at 8:14 am

      I’ve been a little out of the online loop too with the pace of summer, but I’m always glad to show up here. I’m glad you’re here today too. xo

      Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    August 1, 2018 at 7:29 am

    I guess I’m going to have to check out Kristin Hannah’s books. I can’t even count how many references I’ve run into lately.
    And I’m smiling, because Hawaii 5-0 is one of our family’s crazy excuses to sit in the family room together eating popcorn (or ice cream). I don’t think season 8 was as good as other seasons. It takes time to bond with new characters, and there was a strange blip in the ending . . .

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 1, 2018 at 8:15 am

      Kristin Hannah is one of my favorites, obviously. I love that about Hawaii 5-0 being your family’s show. Glad to share the porch with you today, Michele!

      Reply
  3. Lauren Sparks says

    August 1, 2018 at 8:36 am

    Loved reading your updates! laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 2, 2018 at 7:23 am

      Thanks, Lauren!

      Reply
  4. Barbara Harper says

    August 1, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    Sounds like a busy but very fun summer!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 2, 2018 at 7:23 am

      That’s an accurate assessment. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Barbara!

      Reply
  5. Lisa notes says

    August 1, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    I still love magazines too, although the only one I get now is Time. And I basically only read it when I’m on a trip. ha. They’re piling up now so I need to read them at home as well. Thanks for sharing this fun list of your summer, Kristin!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 2, 2018 at 7:22 am

      Thanks for being here, Lisa! I hope you get some time to catch up on those magazines.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to SUSAN SHIPE Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Nine Ways to Go for God
  • 20 years of marriage!
  • God always finds them
  • 5 skills to raise kids well
  • Cheesy, breezy Wisconsin Dells

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

What a perfect day for a back-to-school party for What a perfect day for a back-to-school party for some @ncca.lions 7th grade boys and their siblings! A new student wanted to meet some classmates, so we hosted some friends & made new friends. 

#backtoschool #momlife #middleschoolers #boymom #poolpeople #morethangroceries #bettertogether #siblinglove #88daysofsummer #countryliving
Introducing Backroads and Blooms Photography by Ca Introducing Backroads and Blooms Photography by Cate Taylor 🎉 

Cate has five different prints available as 5x7s or 8x10s and then matted and framed. She has in stock two of each print in each size, but she will order more. 

🖼 5x7s matted in 8x10 frame = $12
🖼 8x10s matted in 11x14 frame = $20

🌵 Cactus
🌸 Pink flower
💦 Daisy with water drops
🌼 Yellow & orange flower
✨ Starburst flower 

Let Cate know in the comments what you’d like to order or message me. Local pickup/dropoff only right now. 

You can send PayPal friends & family to kristinhilltaylor@gmail.com, send Venmo to @KristinHillTaylor, or pay cash at pickup.

#buddingphotographer #momlife #firstborn #entrepreneur #photography #outdoorphotography #naturephotography
I took a break from my work & chores to read yeste I took a break from my work & chores to read yesterday and I’m so glad I did. I had to stay up late to finish it last night. 

First of all, don’t judge this book by its cover, which I don’t like. (I’ve seen another cover for this same book, so I really don’t understand!) 

Anyway, I loved the story of first love and loss and reconnection told in the dual now-and-then timeline. I thought the end was a little abrupt, but maybe that’s just because I wanted a little more about Macy and Elliot. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #88daysofsummer
Today I’m thankful for a productive stretch of t Today I’m thankful for a productive stretch of time making my way through a to-do list, this view from my kitchen window, a little more Summer Break with my kids, a book that has me distracted from other things I “should” be doing, and lots of wide-open space in our day. 

#mondaymotivation #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #countryliving #momlife #reallife #88daysofsummer
We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission trips and hope to go on more. They’ve served locally. We support missionaries. We want our kids to be open to wherever God calls them and incorporating missions into our small-town life is one way we, as parents, have hoped to teach that. 

I’m incredibly thankful @hardinbaptistchurch comes alongside us with the same message. The middle and high school @hardinstudents spent the summer looking at different aspects of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Youth minister @cbright2 spent the last Sunday of the series looking at nine practical ways that students – yes, even middle and high schoolers – could participate in and pray about going for God. 

Chase shared these 9 Ways to Go with students' parents, and I asked him for permission to share them with you because even as an adult I want to remember to live on mission – even right where I am. 

9 WAYS TO GO FOR GOD: https://bit.ly/9WaysToGo

#linkinbio #ontheblog #bloggerlife #momlife #churchlife #faithlife #livingfaithfully #missions #missionminded #youth #teenagers #parenting #parenthood
“Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, “Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what’s important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if it’s just for a few hours. Helping them feel happiness through watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that.” 

And, let’s be honest, love stories about writers make me happy too. “Meet Me in the Margins” was cute, predictable, and a good way to escape for a little while. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #authorlife #librarybooks #poolpeople #weekending
This is the only picture I took tonight. You can’t tell, but there was a porch full of people talking, more kids playing basketball, and another group around the kitchen table. We covered a lot of ground in our conversations. Nobody cared that I didn’t have hot dog buns or tomatoes for the burgers. I ran out of paper plates and am happy to hear the dishwasher cleaning all the “real” plates. I’m grateful for come-as-you-are community, where we share real life. 

#88daysofsummer #PorchStories #livingfaithfully #morethangroceries #choosingJOY #bettertogether #reallife #hospitalitymatters #poolpeople
While Ben had a great week at @memgrizzyouth camp While Ben had a great week at @memgrizzyouth camp with some school friends, the girls and I soaked up some more of summer with our friends. 

#88daysofsummer #boymom #bettertogether #girlmom #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY
I’m getting ready to get in my van again to pick I’m getting ready to get in my van again to pick up a kid from basketball camp. It’s the third time today I will have driven from my house to somewhere else and back again. And this is still Summer Break, when things are supposedly a little slower. 

My friend @marycarver gets me. She knows us moms spend a million hours a week taxiing people to school and sports and church and friends’ houses and errands and appointments. And maybe we linger longer before coming in the house with arms full of groceries and bags and papers and books … because we just need a minute. Or maybe we answer some texts before we pull away from the store and catch up on phone calls while we drive or show up early to pickup to read a book that has captured our attention. 

We spend a lot of time and accomplish much in our cars. Mary knows this and is giving us the encouragement we need in her new book, “Prayers from the Parking Lot.” It’s a perfect size to keep in your car or purse. Each of the 50 reflections are practical and inspiring and meet moms on the go right where we are. 

Preorder this gem now so you have it the next time you have a few extra minutes in a parking lot, school pickup line, or waiting room. It officially releases next week and is available from @revellbooks on Amazon and wherever else you buy books. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #momlife #reallife #livingfaithfully
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM