Nurture, Naturally
60 Brewery St Baden, ON, Canada

Another ‘real’ book this week. I have been enjoying the ability to put books on hold at our local library, and walking the dogs up for curbside pickup. It’s the perfect distance to tolerate cold weather and Charlotte’s sore leg. I am definitely a #mysteryliterature lover, so I’m always in search of new (to me) authors with many books series. I found The Sunday Philosophy Club an enjoyable read. I did find myself skimming some of the wordier chapters, to weed out a bit of th...e superfluous details, but enjoyed the premise of the characters and storyline. I will definitely try out the second book of this series after I finish up a couple other books I picked up this week. #alexandermaccallsmith #isabeldalhousieseries #wrlibrary #badenbranch #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nonbookclub #keepreading

I’m always up for an #alanbradley novel. I read this book many years ago, and stumbled across the author name again recently. Any of the Flavia De Luce series is always guaranteed a good read, and I’m excited that I have some new titles in the series to read once I re-read the first couple books to refresh the characters. This was a treat to read a physical book for leisure reading. I’ve been doing a lot of ebooks and audiobooks because I like the ability take on chores whi...le enjoying a book, but I decided to indulge in a hardcover read this week just to get back to some ‘old school’ reading. #books #readingmakesmehappy #bookstagram #reading #mysterybooks

Really enjoyed this read (listen) today. Atomic Habits helps break down the overwhelming feeling of creating new tasks. I’ve already downloaded some of the material to start identifying how I can incorporate new habits into my daily routines. #abookaday #atomichabits #nonbookclubbook #readingmakesmehappy #ebooks #audiobooks #librarybooks #selfhelp #selfcare

I didn’t read the preview for this book, so I was expecting a non-fiction read. But I was happily surprised with a fictional read. A great mesh of stories that carried the storylines compassionately to the end. A Definitely a recommended read. #fictionbooks #anxiouspeople #nonbookclubbook #reading

Wow!! Talk about bio-hacks!! This book was definitely a very interesting read about breath. This author takes you through his long journey through various methods and beliefs of the significance our breath, and how we can use it as a bio-hack to a variety of medical concerns (including a number of common issues like snoring and apnea). I feel inspired to try some of the techniques included in his research. Who knows - maybe one day I’ll even try the Wim Hof Method (admittedly... I was already a little curious about it anyways). Another book I’d definitely recommend for the curious reader. #breaththenewscienceofalostart #jamesnestor #audiobook #nonbookclubbook #readingmakesmehappy #books #booklover #bookstagram #biohacks

I’ve had this book in my borrow list for a bit, and finally decided to start it the other day. I really enjoyed the candour of the author (and the fact that she was the voice for the audiobook). I enjoyed her choice of quotes, and the plans of action she recommended. I will likely buy the physical copy of this book to put some of her recommendations to use. I also enjoyed that it was a quick read - at 1.75 speed it was less than 4 hours of listening time. If you haven’t rea...d this book, and are looking for inspiration for getting out of your own way - I’d definitely recommend this book. #youareabadass #jensincero #bookstagram #reading #readingmakesmehappy #selfhelp

I thoroughly enjoyed this month’s #bookclubbook This storyline takes you through the lifetime of a character who was abandoned by her family as a child to live in the marsh on the outskirts of town. The character development made me feel invested in her journey through loneliness, love and life. Again, I used the audiobook format which allows me to indulge in ‘reading’ while still carrying on with my day to day activities. But to be honest, I found myself sitting down to en...joy the story often, rather than sharing my time between two activities. I feel a bit sad to say goodbye to the characters of this book. #booklover #bookstagram #reading

Outliers is a great book that takes a closer look at how outliers are created in our society. We all love a hardworking tale of rags to riches, but if you look closer at the many contributing outside factors, like birth months/years and cultural backgrounds that help to propel individuals into the category of outliers. Definitely some good food for thought. #reading #books #readingmakesmehappy #audiobooks #audiobooksrock #abookaday

I’m really digging the audiobooks this weekend. I started this book this afternoon while working in the backyard. I like that I can still be doing hands on stuff and enjoying a book. I like to listen to the books at 1.5 or 1.75 speed, because my brain has to focus closer on the words at that speed, which means I take in more of the story and spend less time to get through the book. The first Celeste Ng book I read was Little Fires Everywhere for bookclub, and enjoyed the plo...t enough to try out this title when it was recommended on the app I get my audiobooks through. This storyline is based around a family impacted by the disappearance of their teenage daughter. As with Little Fires, I enjoy that the book is written from the different perspectives of the family members, and how interactions are viewed from those involved. I found it a bit predictable, but it kept me coming back to listen to another chapter and another to the point of finishing it in one day. Lol I’m excited to start Where The Crawdads Sing tomorrow... which is actually the book for bookclub this month. I just received confirmation that I can check it out from the library today shortly after I started this book. #reading #books #booklover #celesteng #audiobooks

I really enjoyed The Untethered Soul by Michael A Singer. It was a good read (listen) about what is happening when our minds are constantly reacting to everything. He touches on a number of different believes and religions, and gives examples of how to just be present with the moment, and allow ourselves to witness our thoughts but not cling to them. I would definitely consider adding this book to my library as a future re-read. #reading #audiobooks #michaelasinger #anuntetheredsoul #selfcare #books

I love when a vacation allows enough time to read a book, and this last week didn’t disappoint. I’m a fan of Kathy Reichs books (if you aren’t familiar- her books are what the television show Bones are based on). I found a couple of them on sale at Costco a while back, and have them for when I have downtime from bookclub. I like the combination of science and police work, and enjoy the persona of the main character Tempe Brennan. #kathyreichs #booklover #reading

Happiness is a handful of cucamelons from the garden. This is the first year trying these in our garden, and I think that they will be a regular going forward. Have you ever tried a cucamelon? What did you think of them? #gardeningmakesmehappy #growyourownfood #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #backyardgarden

I finished this audiobook yesterday. I’m still fairly new to audiobooks but I love the idea that I can still be ‘reading’ while doing other things on my to do list. Earlier this year (or maybe at the end of last year?), I read my first Jodi Picoult book with my bookclub, and enjoyed it. So I decided to give this one a try as well. The story is set around an active shooter in an abortion clinic, and writes from all of the characters perspectives, including both pro-life/pro-...choice characters. I think what I really enjoy about this author’s books is that she does write from more than one characters perspective. I think I will pick a physical book for my next read just because I do like the feel of turning the pages, and the satisfaction of putting it down when it’s done, but I am definitely going to look for more audiobooks for the future. #reading #jodipicoult #asparkoflight #readingmakesmehappy #audiobooks

Found a little heart leaf in one of my planters yesterday. Nice to see there’s some love growing in there this year. #naturesartwork #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #growingupsomelove #hearts

This was a #greatread!! Before we had definitely decided on our book for bookclub this month, I put requests in for all of the possible books at the library to try to make sure I could get my hands on whichever book was picked - especially with the limited access to the library system as well), and this book was one of the options. We ended up picking Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel (another good read but I could only get the audiobook version and it’s not the same a...s reading a physical copy of a book). When I started We Are The Ants, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get into the main character - who is a teenaged boy who is abducted by aliens. But I quickly changed my opinion and ended up reading more than a third of the book the first night. Since the pandemic I have had a hard time getting into books and then staying with them, but this book was hard to put down, and I finished it in under a week. Definitely a great read in my opinion. #wearetheants #shaundavidhutchinson #summerreading #books #bookclub

Another photo of my Black Swallowtail caterpillar friend. This is the second day it has been hanging out in my dill plants. I can’t even be mad about it because it’s so darn cute. I’ve also learned that they dill, so I will be making sure to increase my dill plants next year in the herb garden. I’m sure there will be more pics to come in the following days of this multi-footed visitor. #blackswallowtailcaterpillar #dillpatch

Some different views of the some of the garden beds, and of course my brave guardian pup keeping watch over me while I water. #backyardgarden #happinessis #howdoesyourgardengrow #bringingnurturetoyounaturally

Lavender in bloom. I moved my herb garden into the ground (from pots) last year but then didn’t have much time to tend to it. So while everything survived, nothing really thrived. But this year, I am proud to say the herb garden is a great success. #howdoesyourgardengrow #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #herbgarden

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar Dill Patch July 2020 #howdoesyourgardengrow #blackswallowtail #caterpillar #bringingnurturetoyounaturally

A different view of the main bed and some of the planters. #howdoesyourgardengrow #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #backyardgardens

Found a little friend while watering/weeding tonight. Because I didn’t do a water this morning, I decided to spot water each of the accessory beds and then weed/remove cucumber beetles while the spray sat in each bed. Our goal this year is to improve our watering routine (anything is better than navigating the 5 lengths of hose to get to the back bed), but it’s been a slow process. I’m hoping this month will see the installation of the rain barrels at the very least. Anywho... - I normally only notice the giant toads in the backyard, so tonight I thought I’d share the itty bitty cohabitator. #backyardgarden #babytoad #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #southwestontario

That and dishwashing #truth #gardenerslife #bringingnurturetoyounaturally

Some of the pretty flowers that are in bloom throughout our gardens, and the beautiful sunset last night. #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #backyardgardening #gardeningmakesmehappy #pollinators @ Baden, Ontario

My kind of style! #bringingnurturetoyounaturally #croptop

#treatyourself #nationalbuyyourselfaplantday #seemslegit #bringingnurturetoyounaturally