A monthly roundup of things to do, buy, read, watch, and more.
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Hello and welcome to another monthly Good Things list. I hope your summer is going well — I’m soaking up the warmth and sunshine and enjoying the little wins, like finally getting our ground squirrel problem under control (16 caught so far!) and harvesting the first vegetables from the garden (more below).
We had a lovely summery vacation in June, but lately it’s felt like summer was slipping by with too many ordinary days. So Brian and I made a simple pact: every Sunday afternoon we’re home, we’ll go for a short hike or a nearby kayak outing. No long drives — just a three-hour break to get outside and enjoy the season before the rains return. It’s on the calendar now, so it’s happening.
How are you making the most of summer? Depending on where you live, that might mean staying cool indoors and saving big outdoor plans for fall — and that’s okay too.
Also — I read some great books last month. Be sure to scroll down for reviews.
Good Things List:
Eugene River Walk & Rose Garden
Each summer Brian and I take a date night along the Willamette River in Eugene and stroll through the Owen Rose Garden. It’s peaceful and beautiful, and we love seeing others enjoying the park alongside us.
Sometimes we picnic, but this time we stopped at Mod Pizza first (we shared a pizza and a salad — so much food!) and then enjoyed the walk. August isn’t peak rose time here (June is), but there were still blooms. If you grow roses in western Oregon, you’ll likely deal with blackspot — even formal rose gardens aren’t immune — which makes me feel better about the roses I grow at home.
The bi-color rose ‘Summer Festival’ was perfect for the season. An old-fashioned variety reminded me of a David Austin rose. If you’re local or visiting, the riverfront park and rose garden are worth a visit.
New Kitchen Faucet (for Cheap)
The faucet in the manufactured home we’re using during the farmhouse remodel broke recently. We didn’t want to spend remodel funds on this temporary place, so I searched for an affordable no-name faucet with good reviews. I’d previously had a positive experience with an off-brand bridge faucet, including excellent customer service when a part failed, so I decided to try another budget option.
The gooseneck faucet I picked has clean lines, solid reviews, and was inexpensive. Installation took about 30 minutes and the faucet feels well-made and heavy-duty. The pull-down sprayer has a weight so it retracts smoothly, it’s easy to operate, and stays clean. We’ve had it for a few weeks without issues so far — a great inexpensive solution, especially for a laundry room or temporary kitchen. There’s currently a small coupon available that makes the price even better.
$20 Bathroom Makeover — Before
We’ve been living in the manufactured home for a year and a half, and the master bathroom’s wall color and exposed 1980s floral wallpaper finally became impossible to ignore. The previous owners had replaced fixtures and mirrors but left the original wallpaper exposed around them. I see this space every day, and I wanted it to feel brighter and more intentional.
I picked up a ready-to-paint gallon of white for under $20 and spent about five hours one Saturday prepping and painting. It felt great to make a change that improves daily life without a big budget.
Bathroom After
Painting the walls and mirror frames transformed the space. I used a can of silver paint from the garage for the frames, which coordinates much better than the dark wood. I painted the sink and shower area completely, covering the wallpapered sections above the shower and brightening the room overall — much better for makeup and hair routines. The small refresh made a big visual difference.
Salvaged Wood Towel Rack
The existing towel rack was an oak-and-brass style from the 80s, so when it came down I didn’t want to reinstall it. Rather than buy something new, Brian found a weathered board left over from the farmhouse remodel and I used some spare hooks from our hardware bin. The result: a simple, no-cost towel rack that I love. A small project that should’ve happened months ago.
Paint Brush Test #1
Remember the paint brush test I mentioned in February? The bathroom provided my first chance to try different brushes. I evaluated them on three factors:
- How the brush feels to hold and use.
- How cleanly it cuts in along corners.
- Coverage after one and two coats.
Surprisingly, a no-name brush performed most consistently across those categories for wall painting. I’ll test them on cabinets and wood next before a final write-up, but for walls the budget option is currently winning. Stay tuned for more details.
Early August Vegetable Harvest
Here’s my early August harvest: beans, tomatoes (our first Cherokee Purple tomatoes — delicious), everbearing strawberries, and onions. We’ve also picked zucchini and basil, and have sunflowers and sweet peas for vases. After losing lettuce, carrots, kale, and broccoli to ground squirrels, harvesting anything felt like a victory.
I adjusted the garden watering system to run every four days during the heat, and everything is doing well with minimal fuss.
July Reads
Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman — Brian and I listened to this together, drawn by Gaiman’s authorship and narration. He provides thoughtful introductions to his retellings and brings Norse gods and stories to life. The collection reveals differences between popular culture versions and the original myths; a few scenes are grisly, as the material demands, but the storytelling is compelling.
The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women, Elizabeth Norton — This history examines the lives of Tudor women across all social classes. It explores childbirth, legal pressures, witchcraft accusations, and how limited choices shaped women’s lives. If you enjoy history, this is a fascinating and often sobering read.
Prayer, Richard J. Foster — This book deeply influenced my prayer life. Two key takeaways: intentional time is required for prayer (it won’t simply appear in a busy schedule), and prayer is sustained within Christian community rather than as purely private practice. Foster includes practical forms and approaches to prayer that helped me incorporate them into daily life.
Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling — This was my first time reading Harry Potter. Listening to the audiobook while gardening made the world easy and delightful to follow. Now I finally understand references like Quidditch and the golden Snitch. It’s charming and I’m eager to continue the series.
The Unhoneymooners, Christina Lauren — A light, romantic comedy premise: two people who dislike each other take a honeymoon trip their siblings can’t use. It’s a fun, breezy read with witty moments and the usual romantic misunderstandings. The book is relatively mild in explicit content and entertaining overall.
The Secret Wife, Gill Paul — This historical fiction imagines a story connected to the Romanovs, inspired by journal entries and historical figures. It blends fact and fiction to explore romance and escape during turbulent times. If you like well-researched historical novels, this was an engaging listen.
Watching
TV
Hulu: Parks and Recreation — Our daughter introduced us to this show and we’ve been watching it together. It really comes into its own after the first couple of seasons with lovable characters and plenty of laughs.
Netflix: Dead to Me — We tried watching this and made it about halfway through the season before deciding it didn’t hold our interest. It’s had strong reviews, but it didn’t click for our household.
Movie
Toy Story 4 — While not quite as strong as the earlier films, our family still enjoyed it. It felt like comfort food: familiar characters, warmth, and humor.
That’s it for this edition of the Good Things List. I’d love to hear your thoughts — if you’ve tried any of these items or have recommendations, leave a comment and share what you’re enjoying this month.
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