June Lately List

Bring on the books, creative combinations of food already in my pantry, reading Scripture with a toddler… let’s do this.

I hope you find some great resources, books, and dishes in the June Lately List!

You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.

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Dwelling on these Scriptures

My study

I’m continuing to slowly meander through Mark using my study Bible and the Enduring Word commentary site. My learner-input strengths are loving this!

Family bible reading – bedtime + mealtimes

Each night we read The Rhyme Bible Storybook with Little Man, but I also want to read Scripture with him each day. My conundrum is that he adores flipping quickly through books and has a knack for ripping out pages… I’d really like my Bible to last longer than some of his books have…

My current solution? I’ve been bringing my study bible to the breakfast table to read my section for the day with Little Man. Then, after mealtimes, I take it back to my bedroom and put it up high.

Scripture resources

Here are some resources if you’re interested in a deeper study into Scripture and/or little kid-friendly Bibles (though their pages are still not super tough for eager fingers):

Reading

I tend to retreat to books when I can’t sleep, I’m hurting… whatever. So, here’s the long list of books for June!

Nonfiction

Your Blue Flame: Drop the Guilt and Do What Makes You Come Alive by Jennifer Fulwiler

This book has been on my list ever since I first heard Jennifer Fulwiler speak on a podcast. (In fact, quotes from that podcast partially inspired this post: 3 Encouraging Truths to Remember When Putting Yourself Out There is Scary !) Your Blue Flame is so, so good. Ideas like engaging others in “good drama” – leaning into the unique mission God has given for you versus the bad drama of comparison traps are throughout the book.

Fiction

Anne of Green Gables, Complete 8-Book Box Set by L.M. Montgomery

If you didn’t know it yet, Anne of Green Gables doesn’t just stop there. Lucy Maude Montgomery wrote 8 books about Anne and her community! The series continues Anne’s story through college, career, marriage and motherhood. Each time I re-read the series, it’s like coming home to spend time with a kindred spirit.

The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury by Marc Levy

So intriguing! I think the publisher describes it best…

Alice Pendelbury believes everything in her life is pretty much in order—from her good friends to her burgeoning career. But even Alice has to admit it’s been an odd week. Not only has her belligerent neighbor, Mr. Daldry, suddenly become a surprisingly agreeable confidant, but he’s encouraging her to take seriously the fortune-teller who told her that only by traveling to Turkey can Alice meet the most important person in her life.

What’s more, the peculiarly insistent Mr. Daldry has even agreed to finance Alice’s trip—one that against all reason seems to be predestined. It’s on this journey, crazy from the outset and strangely irresistible, that Alice will find out that nothing in her life is real, that her past is not true, and that the six people she’s about to encounter will shape her future in ways she could never have dreamed.

The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury

I’m Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagán

I don’t typically seek out books about struggling marriages. This one, though, sucked me in. From the publisher:

Wife. Mother. Breadwinner. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is doing it all—and barely keeping it together. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to be sailing through life. As close as the two women are, Jenny’s passionate marriage, pristine house, and ultra-polite child stand in stark contrast to Penelope’s underemployed husband, Sanjay, their unruly brood, and the daily grind she calls a career.

Then a shocking tragedy reveals that Jenny’s life is far from perfect. Reeling, Penelope vows to stop keeping the peace and finally deal with the issues in her relationship. So she and Sanjay agree to a radical proposal: both will write a list of changes they want each other to make—then commit to complete and total honesty.

What seems like a smart idea quickly spirals out of control, revealing new rifts and even deeper secrets. As Penelope stares down the possible implosion of her marriage, she must ask herself: When it comes to love, is honesty really the best policy?

I’m Fine and Neither Are You by by Camille Pagán

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson 

Another fun young adult read – this time about a teenager whose best friend disappears with just a random to-do list with 13 bizarre tasks to complete. In addition to revisiting what it’s like to be in high school (so many feelings and ideas!), it’s also a great read to ask yourself – what’s on my list of things “I’ll never do” – that I should actually try?

Making and Tasting

I set a goal to try 3 new recipes each month by shopping in my own pantry and not going out of my way for bizarre ingredients.

My addiction to trying new combos of foods keeps going strong… here are some options YOU might want to try, too!

• Blueberry waffles
• Blueberry sauce
• Japanese-inspired ground beef – recipe DIYed by the hubs
• Tomato ground beef rice casserole – recipe DIYed by the hubs
• Chocolate peanut butter frozen yogurt – My son is a chocaholic and this is a fun way to eat chocolate but also be healthy.
• Cocoa chocolate white chocolate chip cookies – Holy moly, these are delicious and super comforting.
• Coconut milk + sprinkles popsicles – Ridiculously easy and pretty. Note: your child may just try to eat the sprinkles and toss the rest of the popsicle…

Curious about making your own popsicles? Here’s a toddler-friendly option that we use each month if not every other week…

Want to make more popsicles than those in the mold? Grab some wooden popsicle sticks to freeze more in the mold. (Freeze a batch, pop ’em out, freeze some more).

We call them tilty popsicles because we’re classy like that.

200 Pcs Craft Sticks Ice Cream Sticks Natural Wood Popsicle Craft Sticks 4.5 inch Length Treat Sticks Ice Pop Sticks for DIY Crafts

Learning how to…

Let go of miscellany items I’ve been holding on to for far too long. It’s beyond time to let go of things that don’t bring value to my life. Can I get an amen?

Film + edit videos. It’s a blend of frustrating and invigorating!

Other posts related to the Lately List

• 3 Encouraging Truths to Remember When Putting Yourself Out There is Scary
• 5 Best Mealtime Products for Babies through Toddlers
• March 2021 Lately List
• April 2021 Lately List
• May 2021 Lately List

Wrap-Up of the June Lately List

You’ve seen what’s been on my lately list… what’s on yours? Book suggestions? Foods to nosh on?

Let’s talk in the comments!

P.S. Want some crazy simple steps to start living intentionally? Grab the Embrace Your Potential Playbook. It’ll help you zoom in on your God-gifted personality and give you practical tips to be more intentional, passionate, and purposeful as God’s beloved so you can become the best version of yourself.