Here we are summer!

Gosh, I’m a bit late about memorializing my summer bucket list. I mean, the days start getting shorter NEXT WEEK! But, I am ahead of where I was last year so there’s that.

My friends and I always give ourselves a summer to-do list, but after last year…The Lost Year, we sort of got out of the habit. And while we really shouldn’t be talking post-pandemic because we’re not…really, I’m calling it that because here, at least for now, life has taken on a semblance of normal. Of the before times. Of the times before we were afraid to go to the grocery.

So here we go with summer, plans for now. 

Lake Life is such a Michigan thing and I never really truly understood what it meant until last year. To the lake almost every weekend, for sun, fun and almost-too-old-for-it obstacles courses, no doubt followed by grilling at Mom’s.  Ham and I got it going last weekend and we have no plans to stop.  Just going to add a few more friends as the summer goes by.

Make lots of ice cream. DUH. I kicked off the season with this lime and coconut varietal, and after eating an awesome chocolate tahini tart at dinner last night, I’m thinking I’ll twist up my chocolate-peanut butter ice cream into that. Maybe add some graham crackers. In any case, get excited.

The travel highlight for the summer is going to my road trip of New England with Ham. Last year, being grounded, we went UP North and this year we’re heading to New England, my unrequited love. Get ready for our #MASSivelyAwesomeMaineRhodeTrip.  Still working on that one. Would love any suggestions for places to eat in Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport, Salem, Cape Cod, Newport and Providence.

Play lots of tennis is always on my list once the snow melts. Next year I’m plotting my own Grand Slam tour: Australia, Paris, London and New York. Keep on dreaming.

A quick trip to Washington D.C. is done and dusted. It was a necessary jaunt since Lettuce is moving to Switzerland and I needed to visit her one last time at home before I head overseas for a visit.  Our own little Swiss Miss. #AdventuresinSwitzerland to come.

I’ve been keeping up with my doodles, even though you don’t seem them every day.  Can’t say enough about Grace Callie. Love her! Anyway, practice practice!

After one hundred years of solitude, I’m excited to actually see my friends! Near, far, I want to see them all. Doing a pretty good job of playing catch up so far. Hopefully I’lll see a few more with a trip to Chicago later this summer. Not sure when that will happen exactly since I’m also selling my house and maaaaybe going to Canada? That I feel like is out of the question, but until Intrepid cancels my tour or I decide to postpone until next year, it’s still on my to-do.

Yo, I turn 40.  Whaaat? How am I celebrating? TBD. I am not feeling the extravagance. 

What I am feeling is berry picking. Blueberries were an awesome July activity last year and we certainly plan to repeat. Maybe throw in some strawberries and peaches while we’re at it. Gotta have my blueberry muffins and peach cake, or else what even is summer?

And finally, and really what sums up a lot of the above, is just to get outside.  Lots of trails to explore. Lots of ice cream to eat after. As we do.

I’m not limiting my excitement to what’s on this list. In fact, a last-minute road trip to New Hampshire is brewing for next weekend. But, in any case, we’ve got a plan.

What’s on your to-do before the leaves change?

Hello, Monday.

The first long weekend of summer! Let’s do it.

Summer was here, and then it sort of morphed back into fall and/or spring over the last three days. But at 70 degrees, I’ll take it!

The weekend ended up being busier than I thought (which is why you’re getting this today instead of yesterday) and I think that’s the way summer’s heading. I am guessing it’s the same for a lot of you, especially we all endured The Lost Year. Working on my summer bucket list to make the most of it. What’s in store for you?

Kicking it off in style next weekend when I head to D.C. for some time with my girls. Can’t wait to eat, laugh, hug and gossip over wine and ice cream.  

Anyway, if you’re lucky enough to have today off, I hope you do everything you want to do and then some. Here’s some reading to extend your couch and coffee time a little longer:

Did you watch the Friends reunion? It made me so happy: I smiled, laughed and cried and realized how I missed not only my TV Friends, but my real life ones as well.  I started rewatching the series and it really does stand the test of time. In that vein, details we might have missed the first few watches.

Talk about a crazy play! #GoCubsGo

This high schooler has moxie.  

We are being trained not to care.  Sad, but so true.

Have you ever heard of citrus stock? I’m into it. Recipe here.

Making tuna salad today? Up your game with this idea. I love tuna pasta so I’m definitely adding this to my to-try list.

Naomi Osaka is refusing the participate in post-match press conferences to protect her mental health. And it’s costing her. How will this end?

Related: self-care that’s free and feel-good. So simple!

Grillers’ Block on what to make as we kick of summer food season? Here are some good ones!

And from THB archives, this is a good one for the grill.

Have a swell week!

Holy moly, a recipe! I made a recipe! A good one, too.  Let me tell you about this Paratha Egg Breakfast Sandwich.

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