Season 26
*If you see an asterisk next to a link, that link takes you to a video with sound. Just a heads-up in case you need to turn the volume down or pop on your headphones.
HOME & TRAVEL
We had hoped to stay cool this week by taking advantage of a pool day pass at a local hotel, but life had other plans for us. We spent our anniversary at the emergency vet instead. Luckily our pup is recovering well.
In the past, we purchased a pool day pass at a hotel nearby as a relaxing staycation. I’m sure we’ll try again soon. If you’re interested in trying it out yourself, just stop by, call, or go online to research if your local hotel has a similar option. You usually have access to the poolside bar or restaurant during your stay, and most daily pool passes are available during the weekdays on Monday-Thursday. Enjoy cooling off at the hotel pool without even packing your bags!
After 18 years of marriage, we’re replacing many of our dishes, glasses, and serving dishes as they begin to wear out after years of use. I came across a gorgeous Texas pecan bowl and charcuterie board from Aaron Friend Studio ($), and was delighted to see both were made just outside of Austin, Texas.
We completed the interior demolition work in our 1980 Airstream International a few weeks ago. Now we’re waiting to have the interior sealed up and painted by a local business before building the new cabinets and countertop, beds, and dining bar/table. We’re doing some research into having the work completed just in case we run out of time to do the build ourselves! In our demolition we came across a coupon from 1977 for Chex cereal.
Looking for a unique spot to camp or park your trailer? Let Campspot help you explore!
GARDEN
Summer in the garden looks different around the world. While we are weeks past berry season and deep into peaches, melons, and okra, most cooler weather climates have just begun to harvest strawberries and tomatoes.
What to do with all the bounty in the garden?
We’re cutting zinnias, cosmos, bishop’s flower, and marigolds by the armful these days. When I’m cutting flowers in the garden, I try to save seed heads for drying, and then use the seeds for planting in the fall or spring or help scatter them in the garden bed to begin the next succession of flowers this season.
Heat-loving Flowers and Foliage - a post by Floret Farms
WELLNESS
Hot weather can feel heavy in our bodies and our minds!
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and add cooling cucumber slices or citrus to your water each day.
Put your feet up, grab a good book, and treat yourself to a Brazilian limeade.
Cooling Ayurvedic recipes for the pitta season
CREATIVITY
Evident by the many memoirs in my TBR (to be read) book pile, I love listening to people tell stories about their childhood and their journey in life. Recently I gifted all my parents Storyworth ($) gift certificates to begin recording their life stories. Each week, Storyworth sends them a prompt which they answer by email and have the option of including photos to accompany the story. At the end of the year, the responses are typed up and bound in a beautiful book.
Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas - I think this would be extra fun with a Polaroid or vintage camera!
A Photo Guide to Staycationing With Intention
9 Travel Photography Tips Worth a Return Ticket
BOOKSHELF
Did you know there is a Victorian language for flowers? The Language of Flowers is a thought-provoking fictional book about the very real issues associated with the foster care system, belonging, and how flowers can both tell a story and transform lives. It got me thinking about flower meanings around the world.
The Downstairs Girl ($) by Stacey Lee is going to be a tv series!
Reading: Sparks Like Stars ($) by Nadia Hashimi, Do Less ($) by Kate Northrup, Let’s Talk About Hard Things ($) by Anna Sale, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous ($) by Ocean Vuong, The Secret World of Weather ($) by Tristan Gooley, and Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man ($) by Emmanuel Acho
Listening to: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together ($) by Heather McGhee
Recently Finished: Charming As A Verb ($) by Ben Philippe, We’re Going to Need More Wine ($) by Gabrielle Union, The Language of Flowers ($) by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, and Luck of the Titanic ($) by Stacey Lee
Up next: Finding by Voice ($) by Nadiya Hussain, Caste ($) by Isabel Wilkerson, The Mountains Sing ($) by Mai Phan Que Nyguen, What Could be Saved ($) by Liese O’Halloran Schwartz, Northanger Abbey($) by Jane Austen, The Whispering House ($) by Elizabeth Brooks, I Was Anastasia ($) by Ariel Lawhon, and The Stationery Shop ($) by Marjan Kamali
In case you are looking for book recommendations for kids (or yourself!), gift ideas for all ages or want to peek into my TBR List for 2021, head over to the 52 Seasons Book Shop on Bookshop.org.
COMMUNITY
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu
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