Happy Labor Day Weekend friends! Where did the summer go? It feels as though it was just April…right? I had a great summer and just when I thought things were winding down, my life got hectic with an array of new dog sitting/walking clients! I walked 17.5 miles just last week… can you believe it? I can because my legs are tired and I feel as though the dogs have been walking me! Dog breeds are so fascinating to me and each breed has their own personality, set of rules and obnoxious habits! And the sizes… last week I took care of a two pound Chihuahua named Pierre Le Fue and this week I’m in charge of walking two Wolf Hybrids, Foxy and Wiley; 160 and 120 pounds each!

When I was a kid, the end of the summer not only signified the beginning of a new school year but the end of the library’s summer reading contest! We were given these small pamphlets at the beginning of each June to record the names of the books we read and we would rate them too. I don’t actually think there were prizes but it was a big deal if you could read up to 20! I probably thought that was impossible then, but now… no problem! I am literally amazed with how many books I read this summer… guess how many… yep, 20! I did it! Only 30 or so years later! I have my Ma to thank for telling me about most of these books. We have both become obsessed with Jojo Moyes and Liane Moriarty, two Australian writers who are taking charge of the American market and I think we’re both trying to read all the books these two women write as fast as we can! My Ma works in a bookstore and she’s at the library a lot like me so she always has plenty of suggestions… the apple does not fall that far from the tree my friends!

Here’s my Summer Reading List, in order of when I read them, June through August. I rated and reviewed most of these books on my GoodReads page so if you want to read more, find me here! I love suggestions too so if you think I might like something, comment below so I can put it on my to-read list!

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1. Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain

2. The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

3. Dog On it (A Chet and Bernie Mystery #1) by Spencer Quinn

4. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

6. We are Water by Wally Lamb

7. By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham

8. Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris

9. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

10. Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn

11. Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

12. The Last Anniversary by Laine Moriarty

13. The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

14. FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell

15. The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty

16. Landline By Rainbow Rowell

17. The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe

18. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

19. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

20. Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Dedman and Newell

There’s nothing better than a good book and an excellent glass of wine!

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We don’t have any plans this weekend, maybe just a small BBQ with friends and some wine tasting… but that’s a given! It’s been so hot out lately that I’ve been having salads for lunch and dinner so I have two new little combinations for you to try if you’re a salad freak like myself! These salads are perfect ways to get rid of produce lying around or about to go bad. Not sure how to use that extra peach or pear? Chop it up and toss it in with some greens and you’re good to go! I love salads because they’re quick and easy to make, are super healthy and make a great addition to any party or BBQ. Enjoy the weekend!

Ingredients for this salad: Arugula, Brie Cheese, Cucumbers, Bosch Pears, Italian Salami and Pepperoncinis on the side!

Ingredients in this salad: Fresh Salmon, Spinach and Arugula, Brie cheese, Cucumbers, Bosch Pears, Italian Salami and Pepperoncinis on the side. Not sure how to prepare salmon? Details below!

Honey Dijon Salad Dressing: 2 T olive oil, 2 T rice vinegar, 2 T apple cider vinegar, 1 T dijon mustard, dash of salt, sugar and pepper.

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To cook your salmon, first get a frying pan very hot and add some olive oil. Then place the salmon on the hot pan for about 2 minutes and then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Wallah!