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18 06, 2026

How to Host a Cozy Backyard Book Club

By |2026-06-18T07:23:27-05:00June 18th, 2026|Guest blogger, Writer's Life|0 Comments

A Blog by Jenna Sherman

A backyard book club gathering should feel warm, relaxed, and personal—not like a pop quiz under string lights. If you’re hosting a book club, your job isn’t to impress people with literary analysis. It’s to create an atmosphere where conversation flows, snacks are easy, and everyone leaves already excited for the next meeting.

In Short

  • Comfort first: soft seating, layered lighting, and blankets if it’s chilly.
  • Keep food simple and shareable.
  • Guide discussion with a light structure, not lectures.

Step-by-Step: Setting the Scene

  1. Anchor the seating area.
    Arrange chairs and outdoor cushions in a loose circle so everyone can see each other.
  2. Layer your lighting.
    String lights overhead, a few lanterns on tables, and battery candles for glow. Avoid harsh floodlights; aim for warm and inviting.
  3. Plan for temperature shifts.
    Keep a basket of blankets nearby. In warmer months, set out a small fan or citronella candles.
  4. Create a natural “food zone.”
    Use a side table or bar cart so snacks are easy to access without interrupting conversation.

Simple, Crowd-Pleasing Food and Drink Ideas

A Cozy Tradition

When book clubs meet outdoors in fall or early spring, a small, shared tradition can make gatherings feel special. Some groups have started bringing matching sweatshirts to slip on as the sun goes down. It’s a simple way to signal, “We’re part of this.”

Ordering customizable hoodies for every occasion has become surprisingly easy. Many online platforms let you upload a design with your club’s name, a favorite literary quote, or even an inside joke from a memorable read. You can order exactly the number you need—no massive minimums required.

Structuring Discussion

Segment What to Do Why It Works
First Impressions One word or short phrase from each person Gets everyone speaking quickly
Favorite Moment Share a scene that stood out Encourages storytelling
Open Question “What surprised you most?” Invites diverse perspectives
Real-Life Tie-In How did this connect to your own life? Makes the book personal

A Resource for Choosing Better Reads

If picking the next book is always a struggle, Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com) is a helpful place to browse lists, read reviews, and see what similar readers love. You can even create a private group shelf to vote on upcoming titles.

FAQ

How long should a backyard book club last?
About 90 minutes to two hours is ideal. Long enough for real discussion, short enough to keep energy high.

What if someone didn’t finish the book?
Let them come anyway. Focus on themes and reactions rather than plot specifics.

How many people are too many?
Six to ten tends to be the sweet spot for meaningful conversation.

Hosting a cozy backyard book club isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. When guests feel relaxed and included, they’ll associate your backyard with connection, laughter, and stories worth sharing. And that’s what keeps them coming back.

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Jenna Sherman is a mom of three (two girls and a boy). She created Parent-Leaders.com to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources.

Take a minute to visit Jenna Sherman’s blog for helpful tips.

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15 06, 2026

What is Flag Day?

By |2026-06-14T17:15:38-05:00June 15th, 2026|Holidays|0 Comments

On June 14, we celebrate the official adoption date of our national flag. During the Revolutionary War, each colony had its own flag with various symbols—rattlesnakes, pine trees, and eagles—and slogans like “Don’t Tread on Me,” “Liberty or Death,” and “Conquer or Die.”

The Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution of 1777, which named the Stars and Stripes as the official American flag. The official announcement of the new flag was made on Sept. 3, 1777.

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson made the observance of Flag Day official by a presidential proclamation.

Who designed our flag?

Although many people believe that Betsy Ross designed and sewed that first flag, there is no true proof. Betsy Ross did make ensigns and pennants for the Philadelphia Navy during the war, and she likely inspired the design of the current flag.

Based on colonial folklore, the American flag was first flown in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777. But we don’t know that for sure. We do know:

  • The first flag designs arranged the 13 stars in a circle, depicting the equality of all the colonies.
  • In 1818, the United States Congress decided to keep the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union.

The current design was created in 1958 by a high school student named Bob G. Heft, who sent a flag design that included five rows of six stars and four rows of five stars to the White House. To his surprise, President Eisenhower called him. His design is what we fly today.

June 14 is not an official federal holiday, but many fly their flags, and towns and cities hold parades and events to celebrate.

Why Red, White, and Blue?

The Continental Congress gave no reason for its choice of colors. But, in 1782, the Congress of the Articles of Confederation chose those same colors for the Great Seal of the United States:

  • white for purity and innocence
  • red for valor and hardiness
  • blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice

Flying the flag

In 1942, the United States Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 5–10) set up a uniform standard for the respect and display of the American Flag. It is a guide to proper etiquette rather than a set of laws carrying penalties. Read the full code here: https://nationalflagfoundation.org/us-flag-code/

There are eleven places where the flag flies around the clock:

  1. The Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia
  2. The White House
  3. The U.S. Capitol
  4. The Iwo Jima Memorial to U.S. Marines in Arlington, Virginia
  5. The Revolutionary War battleground in Lexington, Massachusetts
  6. The site of George Washington’s winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
  7. Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland
  8. The Jenny Wade House in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (she was the only civilian killed in the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War)
  9. The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
  10. All customs points of entry into the United States
  11. Any US Navy ship that is underway

How to fold the flag

Old Glory is folded into a small triangle made of 13 folds. Each fold has a special meaning and symbolism. The first fold is life, while the third honors the veteran who has departed, and the fifth is a tribute to our country.

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8 06, 2026

The Wedding Dress

By |2026-05-31T16:11:06-05:00June 8th, 2026|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Before the 1800s, brides rarely bought a special wedding dress, opting instead for a homemade dress or their best outfit. White fabric was impractical and expensive. It was reserved for the wealthy.

Other wedding dress colors also have symbolic meanings.

Married in White, you have chosen right
Married in Grey, you will go far away
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Blue, you will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.

Wearing a white wedding dress originated in 1499 with Anne of Brittany’s marriage to Louis XII of France. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, wearing a white gown, the white wedding dress became popular.

Nowadays, a white wedding dress is the traditional classic.

But brides often choose colors based on personal style or cultural traditions. Colors like ivory, blush, and blue, as well as black or patterned dresses, are now common.

What Does the Groom Wear?

The groom’s suit should match the bride’s choice. That might be a dress suit, a cutaway suit, or a tuxedo.

A cutaway suit is distinct from a tuxedo or a standard suit because it has a unique tailcoat design with a front that tapers away into long tails at the back. The cutaway is usually worn with a waistcoat (vest), a crisp dress shirt, and a tie or cravat and matching striped or checked trousers.

Accessories might include a boutonniere, a pocket watch, and sometimes a top hat, depending on the formality and wedding theme.

There is no symbolism in his clothing like the bride’s. There is meaning in the boutonniere he chooses. Different flowers traditionally represent love, devotion, or gallantry.

A red chrysanthemum means “I love you,” a white rose means “I am worthy of you,” and a sweet William stands for gallantry. Find out more about the meaning of flowers here.

If you are married, what was your wedding dress like?

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1 06, 2026

Wedding Traditions

By |2026-05-30T09:21:00-05:00June 1st, 2026|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

It’s June, the most popular month for weddings. What makes June so popular for weddings?

First, the month is named for the goddess Juno, protector of women, especially in marriage and childbearing. A wedding in Juno’s month provides a providential start.

The second reason comes from the Celtic calendar.

On the Cross-Quarter Day of Beltane, May 1st, young couples would pair off to court for 3 months then be wed on the next Cross-Quarter Day, which was Lammas Day, August 1. Impatient couples shortened that to mid-June, and thus June became the month of weddings.

Another contributing factor is June’s pleasant weather, which makes it easier for guests to travel to your wedding.

Sunday used to be the most popular wedding day until the Puritans strict adherence to no festiveness on the Sabbath stopped that.

In the United States, Wednesday used to be considered the luckiest day for weddings. Friday was avoided as the “hangman’s day.” Now Saturdays are by far the busiest day for weddings.

Brides seem to ignore the old rhyme:

“Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all; Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.”

Wedding Party Traditions

Traditionally, only an unmarried woman could be the maid of honor, and only the brother, best friend, or father of the groom could be the best man.

In the past, bridesmaids were used as “stand-ins” for the bride to protect her from evil spirits. They would look and dress much like the bride to fool the spirits until the wedding.

Another theory is that bridesmaids were necessary as witnesses at a wedding. That one comes from the fact that ancient Rome required at least ten witnesses to get married.

Still, another reason for the bridesmaid and best man was to help capture a runaway bride or recover a bride kidnapped by a rejected suitor. They also made sure she got to the church on time and kept hostile family members away.

These days, bridesmaids usually help the bride with dressing. The groomsmen usher guests to their seats, and the best man carries the ring and offers a toast at the reception.

Flower girls were once meant to protect the bride from the Devil with their shield of virginity. Today, a girl, a boy, or even a dog can be seen as the ring bearer and/or flower girl.

Why Be Given Away?

This tradition evolved from the days when men bought brides from their fathers. Today, brides may ask either or both parents to walk them down the aisle. Or not.

The Wedding Vows

The declaration of vows symbolizes the moment when a couple officially becomes one, though the wording varies by religion. Or couples can write their own vows.

The most often used vow is the traditional version.

Wedding Rings

At most wedding ceremonies, the exchange of rings follows the vows and seals those promises. The ring symbolizes the unbroken circle of love, and, at many ceremonies, more vows are spoken as rings are exchanged.

While at some religious ceremonies only one partner receives a ring, many couples choose to have a double-ring ceremony. A practice that became popular in the United States after World War II.

Throwing Rice

Wedding guests usually toss rice or birdseed as the couple leaves the ceremony. The practice predates Christianity and signifies the guests’ and family’s wishes for good fortune, a prosperous marriage, and children if they desire.

Interesting that the ancient Celts tossed grains to appease spirits and ask for blessings and fertility for the couple. Ancient Romans used wheat. Italians toss candies or sugared nuts. The Polish use rice and place coins at the couple’s feet to ensure prosperity. In Morocco, it’s dried dates or figs, and in Eastern India, the tradition is a rain of flower petals.

Why A Diamond Engagement Ring?

Before 1477, engagement rings held different stones. The diamond engagement ring was first used in Austria when Archduke Maximilian presented Mary of Burgendy with a diamond. After that, the diamond became the symbol of love.

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25 05, 2026

MEMORIAL DAY and a Wedding Anniversary

By |2026-05-17T16:00:27-05:00May 25th, 2026|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Today is Memorial Day, a day established for reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

From 1868 to 1970, the official date for the holiday was May 30, whichever weekday it fell on, not the fourth Monday of the month. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which passed in 1968, created three-day holidays. In 1971,  Memorial Day began being celebrated on the last Monday in May.

There’s a reason I remember those obscure facts.

Many, many years ago, my husband and I chose Memorial Day for our wedding ceremony. For years, we celebrated the holiday along with our wedding anniversary. Not anymore, because now Memorial Day changes its date. Our anniversary doesn’t.

Why did we pick that date? Back then, we were financially strapped college students. Time off from work for a honeymoon was out of the question.

That particular year, Memorial Day, aka May 30th, fell on a Thursday, which meant we only had to take one unpaid day off work to prepare for our wedding.

To save more expense, I wore my mother’s wedding dress, which she’d worn twenty-five years earlier.

My mother is in the dress in the picture on the top left.

I’m in the picture below her, wearing the dress with an altered neckline and a let-out hem.

The larger picture is our daughter in the same dress for her wedding, twenty-five years later. We added lace to the hemline and around the neck.

Otherwise, the dress, made by my grandmother from imported French Alençon lace, is exactly as it was when my mother wore it. Now safely stored in my mother’s cedar hope chest.

Memorial Day was set up to mourn and honor our nation’s fallen service members. It’s evolved into the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of travel and discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.

Today will be filled with happy thoughts of our wedding, coupled with deep sadness for friends and family we’ve lost in military service. There are so many families out there that don’t have loved ones around to celebrate their wedding anniversaries with.

Join me at 3 p.m. for the National Moment of Remembrance to give them some silence, to say a little prayer, and acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice.

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