It took me over a month, but I finally figured out how to fix the back end of this ol’ Internet page (i.e. I Googled stuff + flexed my tiny patience muscle) — so here we are, strolling into the second half of summer. This weekend we were back home to celebrate my younger brother’s wedding and it was just heavenly. They really are the most wonderful couple, and I sort of wish we could do it all again next weekend.
Except for maybe the part when I had to give our three-year-old my necklace in exchange for a promise he’d keep his pants on. I guess I’d do that part again too. We’re headed back to the beach tonight, but first — here’s what’s on tap this week.
MEALS
- We joined Cape Abilities Farm’s Salad Club for the month of July, which includes a bag of farm-fresh produce (including their famous tomatoes) each week — it was such a fun way to stock up on salad staples, while supporting the great work they do on Cape Cod.
- In a similar vain, the Harwich Farmers Market reopens this week after being closed due to tornado damage (Yes, we were in Harwich for that — and yes, it was wild.). I’m looking forward to picking up some local favorites there for easy summer meals.
WORKOUTS
- I’m on my third round of the Mama Beasts Metamorphosis program and still really enjoying the strength training workouts and using heavier weights. Getting back in a running groove after my knee injury has proved to be slower (and frankly, more annoying) than I would have liked. But such is life.
- I’ve also been fitting in 2-ish Peloton rides a week (I use the app on my regular person spin bike) — making sure one of those is a replay of the Lizzo theme ride from this past weekend.
READING
I put a huge dent in my summer reading early on, thanks in large part to the multiple trips a week we’ve been making to our local library. Here’s what I’ve read so far (clearly very heavy on Beatriz Williams):
- Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams
- American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson
- The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins
- Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams
- The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
- A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
- Do Less by Kate Northrup
This month, I’m re-reading The Course of Irish History and The Miracle Morning, and awaiting holds on Three Women and Very Nice.
I love picking up whatever seems interesting on the new release or recommended reading shelves at the library, but have also had great luck with recommendations from both Girls Night In (my absolute favorite weekly newsletter — I highly recommend it!), this Black AF Summer Reading List by Tamela J. Gordon, and The Cauldron.
WATCHING
I’ve been watching virtually zero television this summer. The upside is that I’m getting all that reading done. The downside is that I have no general awareness of the outside world. (Except that I know we all need to reach out to our senators and demanding universal background checks and other commonsense gun safety measures.)
I do make an exception for Derry Girls (so good — Sister Michael is just perfection) + Queer Eye, though, both of which have new seasons available on Netflix.
WORKING ON
- I am trying to fight my true nature (Last Minute Larry) and do a little bit of back to school prep before, you know, Labor Day. Grace will be starting kindergarten (I blinked, and this happened) and Nicky will be back at preschool, with slightly different schedules.
- Consistent weekly meal/snack prep and other things that just make life easier (including keeping my one New Year’s resolution)
- Plans for fall perennial planting, both at the Cape and at home. I have a few wish list items (lilacs, coneflower, hibiscus, more lavender + hydrangeas) and we have a few holes to fill after the tornado, so I’m hoping to take advantage of late summer sales and fall planting conditions. Both houses were nicely landscaped by the previous owners, and I’m excited to add our own favorites here and there.
- Our summer bucket list items (hit me up if you need Cape recommendations!) and our license plate hunt (we are missing only Hawaii + W Virginia) and savoring these hazy, hot, humid… and lovely days.
Also On Tap for Today:
- What Happens When You Give Up Plastic // The Guardian
- Updating our storm preparedness kits
- Making a few new playlists for upcoming car trips
What’s left on your summer bucket list? Read anything great lately?
