Despite being in a season of life that has been all about upheaval and waiting, July was a good month full of favorites.  I actually like writing these favorites post for that very reason…it gives me an opportunity to look at the past few weeks with a lens of gratitude instead of complaint.  My foot is still broken, I was told to stay off of it and use crutches and a knee scooter, we’re waiting for so many pieces to fall into place regarding our future, but there were sweet times, beautiful moments, and things I thoroughly enjoyed that are worth sharing with you.

I hope whatever season of life you are in, you can still find some favorites.  Here are mine from July 2022…

July 4th in Gettysburg, PA

We spent many July 4ths in Gettysburg and I forgot how enjoyable it is.  If you’re a little rusty on Civil War history, there are two significant dates celebrated in Gettsyburg.  One is November 19, which commemorates Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  The other is the date range of July 1-3 when the battle of Gettysburg was fought in 1863.  Every year, early July brings out thousands of reenactors, tourists, and history buffs to remember the battle.  I have memories of swimming in my parents’ neighborhood pool with the boys to the soundtrack of cannon fire.

The 150th anniversary was particularly a big deal and there was a reenaction of Pickett’s charge, which my dad participated in.  People from all over the nation carried flags from their states or units their ancestors fought in and marched across the field behind battlefield guides and reenactors dressed in period uniforms while northerners waited at the stone wall.  You can watch a short video of it here…

Anyway, it was cool to be back here to hear the cannon fire echoing through the area and to watch the fireworks from my parents’ driveway.  (And to know that you weren’t going to get hit by a stray bullet or have a cannonball lodged in your house!)

I’ve loved soaking in the old farmhouses and fields as we’ve been driving around the area on errands.

thrifting & antiquing with my mother-in-law & mom

Well, this had to make the list!  I have had such a good time hitting up some thrift and antique shops with my mother-in-law and mom.  They have been so gracious to drive me around to places (since I still have an Aircast on my right foot) and help me with my purchases.  I have found all sorts of goodies from ironstone to French glasses to gilt frames for paintings.  It’s been a nice diversion during a time of limbo.

The Chesapeake House

This is such a good book about historical homes and I’ve been pouring over it through the entire month of July.  If you like older homes and architecture, you would love the book .  You can read a full review of the book HERE.

Persuasion on Netflix

If you have read my blog for a while, you know I love a good period drama movie, series, or show.  They just can’t crank them out fast enough for me.  So, naturally, I was all over the new Persuasion on Netflix.  I really loved how it was made and would suggest it if you’re into Jane Austen movie remakes!

You can find lists of my favorite period series and shoes HERE and HERE.

ten days of art

I took the class Ten Days of Art by Roselyn Pratt through Jeanne Oliver’s website and I can’t express how much I enjoyed it.  The class encourages you to explore master studies in different mediums and styles.  It really got me working in my sketchbook and I am learning so much.  If you’re looking for a creative boost, this is a good one!

I don’t love painting portraits in acrylics because I can’t slide them around like oils, so this one was a good challenge.  It’s teaching me to lay the paint down and leave it alone.  I’m also having to discipline myself to keep paintings and drawings I don’t like in my sketchbook instead of ripping them out!  It’s a record of my growth and it doesn’t help me to edit it.

Ingres, Eakins, & Picasso

I have also been taking time to study a few artists through new used books I’ve acquired and these three artists have been a focus lately.

I was able to see some Ingres portraits in the Louvre and I was excited to find the book at a used book store for a great price.  It’s a beautiful book that not only shows finished portraits, but sketches, studies, and paintings in process.  I find I learn more when I can see unfinished works from artists.  This book also has some great graphite portraits that are fun to study.

I also found at a used book store and it is excellent as well!  The book shows a variety of works from landscapes and seascapes to formal portraits and scenes from daily life.  I have been doing some studies from that book as well.

I will admit that I have never been a big Picasso fan.  I have learned, though, that I can’t make a judgment on an artist based on his or her most well-known works.  I don’t really care for the color-spotted Seurat paintings, but I am so in love with his charcoals.  Most of my favorite Monet paintings are ones that are lesser-known.  So, I decided to give Picasso a chance and I have enjoyed studying his early works.  You can see the progression from very traditional drawings and paintings into increasingly rebellious work. is a fantastic book that is just the way I like my art books – big, lots of colored photos, and plenty of good information.

I’m now a Picasso fan and that surprises me.  Of course, I am smitten with his blue period.

shopping for clothes

I thought I would hate clothes shopping, but it really needed to be done.  I have been avoiding proper in-person clothes shopping for a variety of reasons and just wearing mostly sweatpants and t-shirts.  I’ve been able to get away with that through the pandemic, moving, traveling, and having a broken foot, but I felt like I didn’t have very many nice things to wear that fit me properly.  Buying online wasn’t productive.  I needed to try on clothes to learn what fit, flattered, and felt comfortable.  So, I shopped with a vengeance!

You can see the pieces I bought to start rebuilding a classic navy and white wardrobe HERE.

One of my favorite pieces was this.  I can’t wait until we get into fall and it’s cool enough to wear it regularly.

Now that I know what fits in which brands, I’ve bought a few more things online and there have been sales and discounts.  I am enjoying getting dressed up a bit to go out instead of schlepping around in crocks and sweats.

evenings at the dock

When we were in Lake of the Woods at my cousin’s lake house, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed just sitting out by the water.  I would bring a backpack down with a sketchbook and my journal to write and draw.  I put on some music quietly and just enjoyed the surroundings.   It was a therapeutic time.

that’s the kind of God you are

Last but not least, I wanted to share a song I’ve been enjoying lately.  I have been playing with the worship band at our former church in Gettysburg while we’ve been staying here and learned this song when they introduced it.  In times of waiting or uncertainty, the truth about who God is cuts through the anxiety and impatience.  This is a great song!

I hope you’ll find some of your own new favorites as you read through mine.

Do you have favorites from July to share?