We are in the thick of summer, friends. Swimming holes and popsicles and lazy afternoons and slow mornings and the beauty of green grass and blue sky. It’s been awhile, so today I want to share what I’m loving right this minute in the midst of sweet, sweet summer.
What I’m Loving in June
Quarry Afternoons
This year I am trying to get our kids to our local swimming hole as much as possible. We have been making time for it despite the sand and three loads of laundry that comes with it. My three oldest kids are at a point where they can swim and I can be a spectator and cheerleader for the most part. Our youngest, at two, still needs constant supervision to make sure he doesn’t wander off back to the car to open and close the van doors. It’s his favorite thing right now. Because my husband is working from home (one of the good things that came out of covid), I can leave Jack home during nap time and take the oldest three swimming. It has been magical and it makes me hope quarry afternoons never end. This is at the top of my list for what I’m loving in June.
Apple Watch
My husband gifted me an apple watch for Mother’s Day. When I opened it, I was quite surprised as it was unexpected. I’ll be honest when I say I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep it. I didn’t want a mini phone on my wrist to tempt me. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. What I’ve loved most about it is being able to track my movement and make and meet fitness goals. I’m highly motivated by a ‘carrot’ and ‘closing the rings’ each day for calories, movement, and standing has helped me be more aware and intentional with how much I’m moving my body. It has inspired me to go on more walks throughout the day, something I have been wanting to do, but didn’t think I had the time for. Now I make time because I want to close the rings. I know it’s silly, but I’m enjoying the way my watch helps me to take action and move each day.
Fresh Food
Summer is for everything fresh. Our Old Tree Farm CSA has been wonderful, as always, at sharing their beautiful, ripe, yummy produce with us. We have been making goat cheese salads with farm fresh hard boiled eggs, roasted asparagus, and chicken salad sandwiches with spicy micro greens. If you’ve never tried a CSA, but love fresh, local food, I highly recommend you try it! It’s so fun to get different ingredients each week and to try new things. If a CSA share is too much of a commitment for you, go to a local farmer’s market and buy all your produce for the week. It’s fun and supports local farmers right in your community.
Planning Travel
This summer we don’t have much for travel on our calendar. A trip to the state fair, a staycation, and a road trip to see family is about it. After our Intentional Living Experiment, it feels good to stay put for a bit. We are starting to plan travel for this fall and next year and it’s one of my favorite things. Choosing Airbnbs, booking flights, scoping out what to do locally. All of the groundwork before the trip lights me up. This fall we are taking our oldest on a trip alone with Mom and Dad. We have been planning this trip with him and it’s been super fun to plan our adventure together.
Growing
It’s a funny, curious thing to watch a plant grow in summer. A tomato plant, with enough water and sun, will grow tall and branch out. It will form small round balls of green that turn to orange that turn to red. The plant will produce a thing to eat, to nourish, to enjoy. I love watching things grow in the summer. Day lilies, hydrangeas, zinnias, tomatoes. The abundance of color and the miracle of things growing is something I can’t help but love right now.
There is so much to love about this time of year. What are you loving in June?