The best part of summer!

Are you a brat or burger person? July 15th Newsletter

Hi Dear Readers!

How have you been?

Summer is in full swing in Minnesota. There are cookouts, county fairs, fireworks every weekend in our town, town festivals, the farmers markets, and lots of time in the water.

It always seems like it flies by so fast, especially up here. We have been busy going to family functions with our little person. There is always a lot of food and it’s fun to watch Baby Bock try new things.

Standard fair for Upper Midwest cookouts is brats, burgers, hotdogs, watermelon, corn on the cob, bake beans, and some sort of Jell-O. My grandma makes this wonderful green pistachio fluff. Hubby’s mom makes a delicious orange fluffy Jell-O.

The question of the week is: are you a brat or a burger person? When you go to a cookout, which do you put on your plate?

Let me know what you like with a comment!

I’m definitely a brat person. My hometown butcher shop had the best brat (at least I think so). My dad would boil them in beer before placing them on the grill. They were so delicious. I’m not a sauerkraut person. Shame, isn’t it? So, I eat mine with mustard.

In my books, Sunnydale is a small town in Texas. It is totally fictional as it’s a mashup of all the small towns I’ve lived in. I love living in small towns because everyone knows everyone. And a lot of times it seems like people are more welcoming in a small town. Being a veterinarian, I get to know a lot of the people, at least the ones with animals.

One Saturday afternoon, I received a call from a client that she noticed that her cow was calving. If I had time, would I please come to help. Of course, I said absolutely, and I’ll be there in 15 minutes. I changed into my scrubs and coveralls. (Calving get messy and it was a Saturday.) Hubby and I get in the truck and head to her place.

We arrive to the place and a cookout is in full swing. There’s a grill going, several coolers of beer, and tables of food. Not to mention people. It seemed like all the neighbors and relatives were there. Nothing like performing to an audience. So, we head out around the barn to where this cow is trying to have her baby.

It was a wet summer and there was a lot of mud. The woman’s husband, who wasn’t a rancher, jumped into the pen with his white tennis shoes and khakis shorts. He sloshed through the mud to chase the cow into the chute. His shoes weren’t white anymore.

He was puffing but the cow walked calmly into the chute. I gave her an epidural to lessen her contractions and helped her push out her baby. She had twins and they were all tangled up. Once I got them untangled, they popped out. Two healthy baby boys.

Photo by Serenity Mitchell on Unsplash

Once the cow and calves were moved to a small pasture, Hubby and I were invited to stay for the cookout. I don’t remember what we had for food, but everyone teased the woman’s husband about his ruined shoes!

The joys of being a vet in a small town!

That’s all I have for you today. Below you’ll find some summer reads to enjoy at the beach, on the lake, or just on your patio. Hope you’re enjoying your summer!

Hugs,

Allie

Summer Reads for you!

Cowboy Ever after by Jennie Marts

This first book is one I just finished reading. I actually borrowed it from my library’s ebook app. I enjoyed it and thought that you might like it too. Plus, it’s a Hallmark story.

Book Blurb:

Kaylee Collins, a shy city-dweller, is writing a Western romance—and getting the details wrong. Her editor insists that Kaylee learn more about country life by spending a week at a working ranch. Kaylee reluctantly agrees as long as she can bring Gladys, her slightly overweight Corgi.

To rustle up her courage, Kaylee channels the spirit of the fearless heroine of her story. But she’s shocked when she meets Luke Montgomery—the spitting image of her handsome cowboy hero!

As far as Luke’s concerned, Kaylee’s books are pure fantasy. Love hurts, and he should know: he lost his wife a few years back. But he finds himself amused, and then enchanted, by this woman who bravely tries new things and whose heart seems to be as big as the Montana sky. Can they both dare to start a new chapter together?

This clean romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Extra Delicious Carrot Cake.

Heather By Chris Keniston

I really enjoyed this story. It was so sweet and a perfect beach read!

Book Blurb:

Boston cardiac surgeon Heather Preston has invested everything to achieve her dream of working at a world renowned hospital. When an unsettling call from her grandfather the retired general brings her back to her childhood lakeside home, she rediscovers the appeal of life in a small town, the joys of free-spirited youth—and Jake Harper.

After serving in the military, Jake Harper has returned home. The slower pace and neighborly spirit makes Lawford the perfect place to settle down. Pitching in may be second nature to the former Marine, but while helping out at Hart House he discovers things may not always be as they seem, especially one irresistible surprise—Dr. Heather Preston.

Borrowing Armor By Kat Bellemore

I found it on my Nook as I was searching for my next read. Have you read it yet?

Book Blurb:

A small-town mayor. A stranger with a sketchy past.

Two weeks before Christmas, Katie is kicked out of her apartment. Again. Rather than wander the streets and continue to work for a dirty cop, she escapes, determined to disappear for good. Until her car breaks down in a small New Mexican town, and everything is threatened when she falls for the charming mayor.

Sam Freedman is the first bachelor mayor of Amor. After convincing the locals that having a mayor without family responsibilities means he can dedicate all of his time to the community, they watch his every move. Then Katie Andersen shows up. Against Sam's better judgement, he hires her to replace his former event coordinator. Now he can barely think straight, let alone run a town. 

In the midst of half-truths and outright lies, Katie and Sam desperately search for the place where honesty and trust lead to love. But they have to find it before the past catches up with them.