Sunday Salon

I can't help but be a little saddened by the fact that summer is almost over. Even though the weather this week has been nice, there have been signs that the fall is rapidly approaching. It's been getting dark out at 8:30 pm, and we've even had a few sweater-worthy mornings. I've made sure that the boys and I have enjoyed lots of leisurely activities this summer (trips to the library, the nearby beach, and the park complete with a spray 'n play), but it feels like I could have a couple more summer months and still not fit in everything that I had hoped to do! Summer, with its warm weather and long days, is my favourite season by far. Friends of mine prefer the coolness of fall, but I'm a summer girl at heart. There's nothing quite like stretching out on a beach towel and reading a good book!

That said, I am looking forward to the "meatier" reads of fall. In the summer I tend to prefer "lighter" reads, and in the fall I switch to reading more in-depth books. I'm particularly looking forward to reading Elusive Dawn by Gabriele Wills, a Canadian author. I've read the first in her Muskoka series, The Summer Before the Storm, and have had the second in the series on my TBR shelves for a while. I was waiting for the right time to delve into this rich, historical novel and I believe that I will be picking this one up soon. I also have a few review books on my shelves that are slated for fall reviews. I will still be reading my chick lit and women's fiction, but I will be making room for different kinds of reads as well.

Our summer is not quite over yet, though! My hubby, myself, and the boys will be leaving for a mini, end-of-summer vacation this week. A friend has generously lent us his trailer for a couple of days and we will be spending two nights at Sandbanks Provincial Park followed by two nights at the cottage that my parents rent every year. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family members, and I'm looking forward to relaxing at a favourite childhood vacation spot before returning to the hustle and bustle of the school year. This week will be spent getting ready for vacation, as well as getting ready for school. We will be returning home on the holiday Monday, and school starts the next day. My oldest will be going into grade 6, and my middle child will be home for one more week as his school has an integration program for junior and senior kindergarten students. Kindergarten is old hat for H., as this is his second year, but he still has to wait for the 14th for his first day. My youngest is home with me for one more year, but he's desperate to go to school like his older brothers. I have to say that I'll be enjoying him as much as I can as he's at such a fun age.

So, forgive me if I'm not around much this week! I'll still be reading, posting some prescheduled reviews, and visiting your blogs when I can, but I have a ton going on this week and won't be online as much as usual. Enjoy your week!