Sunny Side Up

ways I'm savoring the short months of Summer

Jul 07, 2024

"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August." - Jenny Han

I’m sharing a mood board for July and some Field Notes to start the month with zeal. This month my notes include the little things I’m savoring in these short months of Summer. We aren’t traveling this Summer so enjoying small bits of joy makes this Summer feel special. ☀️

Dining al fresco: breakfast, lunch, dinner, apps, snacks, happy hour, any hour. This is my favorite way to savor the warmer days and perfect cooler nights. Food + outdoor dining is my idea of heaven.
Getting lost in books and stories for hours a day just because I can: What I love about Summer is the feeling of slowing everything down and having an open agenda for most days to spend them however I choose. My boys have reached the age where they are more independent and have friends to enjoy their days with swimming, playing basketball, cornhole, jumping on the trampoline, and playing video games. I love the lazy afternoons of Summer when I can sink my brain into a good story and get lost in it for hours.
Last week I shared that I started the book Margot’s Got Money Troubles which is still in rotation but I have also been reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore which takes place at a teen Summer Camp in 1975 and one morning one camper named Barbara is discovered missing. This book is fast-paced and utterly addicting. I’ll finish it by tonight, I’m sure of it.

But Barbara isn’t just any camper; she’s the daughter of the wealthy family that owns the camp—as well as the opulent nearby estate and most of the land in sight. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared in this region: Barbara’s older brother also went missing sixteen years ago, never to be found. How could this have happened yet again? - Liz Moore

Sleeping in…till 8am: this happens in the Summer and only in the Summer and only sometimes on the most magical of mornings. 😆 I’ll take it!
tote, earrings, espadrilles
Indulging in Summer fashion: something about a nice summer tote, a cute pair of espadrilles and shell-themed jewelry makes me feel like I’m on vacation.
Trying new recipes: this rum punch reminds me of vacation in Turks & Caicos, this dry rub BBQ chicken was a family hit and this potato salad is a new 4th of July staple.
Photographing Summer Family Sessions: Summer in Colorado is arguably the best time for family photos. The beautiful pink, cotton candy sunsets, snow-capped mountain tops layered with green grass and wildflowers, and the family connection is always the star of the show.
Hiking in the mountains: A dear friend recently visited and we (lightly) hiked a favorite trail in Boulder together. Walking in nature is healing and energizing in a way that makes me feel alive. A favorite Summer activity that I vow to do more of!
Bone Valley, Airpod case, Playlist access
Laying poolside while binging my favorite podcasts and playlists: Binging podcasts (and playlists) is a year-round activity for me but with a slice of poolside it feels extra indulgent and satisfying. A friend and reader of this newsletter recently (hi Emily!!) reminded me of the Podcast Bone Valley which will have any true crime listener invested in the real-life agony of a man serving a prison sentence for something he did not do.
The playlist I’m always adding to is one I created for my online photography course called, The Family Album which is exclusive to students who take the course!
Taking evening family walks with our dog
Making frequent visits to our favorite Gelato spot