The Housewife Journal ~ July ~

  ~ July 2025 ~ 

We're right in the middle of Summer, and there is a lot going on!! Unfortunately it's been super hot, reaching 95 degrees some days, so I haven't been able to sit on the porch very much. But Jonathan and I have made up for it by going out and doing lots of fun summer activities! I even made us a Summer bucket list, which we've almost completed. Our garden harvest reached it's peak and is just now starting to slow down. We have been so blessed this month!

~ Out And About ~

 We spent the Fourth of July at a family friend's lake house. Both sides of our family were there and it was a nice day full of sunshine, good food, a kayak race to a waterfall, laughter and making memories with family! We were so exhausted that we drove home and went straight to bed. This was probably the first Fourth of July that I didn't watch any fireworks!

~ In The Home ~

Our AC went out this past Saturday. Not the most ideal season for it, but we made the most of it! Not having something, not only makes you miss and appreciate it more, but it also makes you think about our ancestors... It's hard to believe that people lived without air conditioning, especially in the South! But they did- and for longer than people have lived with it. And some still live without it today. This experience reminds me of a chapter from the Summa Domestica, where Auntie Leila, in all her wisdom, gives instructions for keeping the house cool without AC. 

I remember reading it and seeing the benefits of saving electricity and being more connected with the outdoors (Here is a starter if you don't have the book) I wanted to try living without it.

Of course, for us it's hard because my husband works outside all day and I know the last thing he wants to do is come into a warm house after a day in the heat. Also, losing the AC in 90 degree weather really made me rethink my position...

So while there's a part of me that kind of likes when the AC or the power goes out, (yes, our power went out too a few times haha, It seems to always happen to us and the neighborhood next door...) I am trying to learn to be capable of living without these modern luxuries, in case we need to be, and utilizing some of the tips to work alongside our air conditioning. Maybe we can use it in this intense Summer heat, but turn it off in September or October. 

~ Kitchen Happenings ~

I can't link the recipes because they are from my Hearth and Field subscription that I was gifted on birthday. They sent me some recipes early that all included raspberries. I am not usually a raspberry girl, but I was going to a party so I thought I'd make the raspberry icebox cake (not sure why I didn't take a picture but) It turned out great, although a little on the warm side. I don't think icebox cakes were designed for potluck style parties...

Anyway, to make the cake, you must first make a raspberry syrup. So I went to Aldi and found some very ripe looking berries and made the syrup! With the syrup, you can also make jam or a drink called a Raspberry French 75. A Summery twist on the traditional French 75. Delicious! I guess I like raspberries more than I thought! 😋

~ Things I'm Grateful For ~

Family, beautiful weather, a bountiful garden harvest, a loving husband, and the gift of confession! Also realizing I don't need to explain everything I'm grateful for in a paragraph... I can just state it and soak in my gratitude! 

~ On The Bookshelf ~

This month I decided to read a novel. I needed a break from nonfiction, and since I was going to the lake for a weekend, I knew I needed some fluff! I chose Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. 

My mom had given it to me years ago but when I realized it didn't take place in the same era as Emma, I put it on my shelf and kind of forgot about it. Fast forward to this month and I finished it in literally three days!!! It was so cute! I feel like I've explained the premise ten times in the course of those three days, so I'll let you check it out for yourself. The characters were believable and fun. The story was so good that tears were shed. It was a story of finding faith, family, and trust. I highly recommend it for those that like fiction! It made a great vacation book! I'm going to find another one by the same author for my beach trip in September!

~ My Spiritual Life ~

Earlier this month, we went to a workshop on prayer. It was three Tuesdays in a row. We only made it to one, but what we got out of it was so worth it! The workshop was centered around St. Francis de Sales' works on prayer in the Introduction to The Devout Life (my favorite spiritual read!) 

I've never been very good at mental prayer, but since this workshop, it's been better. I think the most beneficial thing I got was praying for those who annoy me in that moment. Try it. It will change the way you see people. Because after saying a Hail Mary for someone after they annoy you five or so times, you start to realize that they aren't the enemy and by thinking negatively about them or saying uncharitable things, you're not helping either of you in the long run. 

~ Other Random Things Worth Mentioning ~

This month I was able to do some organizing! There are some things, I guess I'd call them "paperwork" projects, that I'd really like to complete before we have kids; things like writing down/organizing recipes, scrapbooking, and coming up with creative ways to organize or use sentimental items. I have the time, so I really ought to get on it so that when we do have kids, I can make their own scrapbooks and be more present with them since everything is organized. 

Anyway, I am so proud of this project! I took all of Jonathan's pictures that we'd been given by my mother in-law over the past couple years and organized them by his age in a photo album. I didn't make it a scrapbook with fun paper and stickers, but I simply stuck them all on white paper and put them in an album that I had. I labeled what I could, like "Baptism Day" and "First Holy Communion" and I had some fun categories outside of age like "Friends" and "Jonathan's Many Costumes" 

Now, Jonathan can go look at his childhood photos whenever he wants! It beats them being in a bag in the garage where nobody can enjoy them. I just hope we don't get any more pictures because that album is stuffed.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the rest of your Summer!

Gina 💕