A Very Low-Key Summer Checklist
What’s on your summer checklist? I’m excited to read in bed with the fan on. And here are 10 more low-key things I’m hoping to do (and I’d love to hear yours)…
1. Lean into drinks o’clock. When visiting our relatives in England, we always gather for ‘drinks o’clock’ at 6 p.m. with friends, neighbors, and anyone else walking by my aunt’s house. Back in Brooklyn, my kids and I sometimes head to our stoop at that time, as a way to shrug off the workday and kick off a chill summer evening. If we get to choose, we like Sprite and lingonberry, but even a nice glass of ice water does the trick.
2. Lie on the sofa and read magazines. Especially New Yorker short stories, which are funny, moving, and spoooooky.
3. Play cards outside. Our beloved CoJ contributor Alex Ronan has played the card game Spite & Malice with her girlfriend infinity times, she told me. “I cannot express how many rounds we’ve done on trips, at bars, or on Sunday mornings with coffee, but I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. The cadence of every game feels different. It’s the perfect two-player game.” Tonight Freddie and I are actually meeting Alex and Grace to learn the game — we’ll report back. [Ed. note: The game took a minute to comprehend, but it’s really exciting. And they are hilariously competitive!]
4. Take photos of your friends with their kids, especially when you notice a sweet moment. Above is my friend Claire with her daughter at Toby’s recent baseball game. Moms in the pictures, always and forever :)
5. Watch a ’90s movie. We always watch ’90s movies on trips. They’re fun and familiar, so you can turn your brain off a little and chat during the movie. A few to get you started: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Clueless, Fargo, Boyz n the Hood, The Firm, The Fugitive and Goodfellas. When Harry Met Sally came out in 1989, so maybe that counts, too.
6. Eat potato chips from a mug. This is my brother’s brilliant idea, so people around you won’t steal any. Otherwise sneaky hands come swooping in from all directions.
7. Write an acrostic poem for a friend. This might sound random, but hear me out. My friend Liz once wrote acrostics for us when we went over for dinner, and I have never forgotten how beautiful it felt. Such a simple and personal gesture. I wrote one in Freddie’s birthday card this year, and it was fun to include inside jokes and nicknames. Bonus: They’re supposed to be quick and imperfect, that’s part of the charm :)
8. See some art in real life, if you feel so moved. You could go the professional route, like Amy Sherald at the Whitney (coming to D.C. in September) or the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Or ask a child you know to show you their artwork and ask lots of questions.
9. Treat yourself to some soft serve, like vanilla-chocolate twist. Or ice cream. Or popsicles.
10. Stay inside and don’t feel bad about it. As an anxious person who can’t always turn her brain off, I love this one. My friend Sharon encourages everyone to take “catch-up days,” where you all need a break, so you stay inside and do nothing. Maybe eat a bowl of cereal? Take a cold shower and see how many seconds you last? Just don’t do anything productive because that’s against the rules.
What’s on your list for summer? I’d love to hear. And here’s the best parenting advice I ever got.
P.S. Low-key summer checklists from 2019, 2022, and 2023. They all hold up!
Tags: Summer checklists
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141 commentsPro tip for anxious busy bodies for #10 (have a do nothing day): plan it ahead of time and announce it’s coming to your family. Everyone knows they’re on their own, my husband knows he’s default parent, and because I planned it, technically I’m just checking a to do box off as I do nothing ;)
We dream all winter of the summer so we can go to the cottage as much as humanly possible. Most of my bucket list revolves around cottage things. I’m also 12 weeks pregnant and feeling sick all the time so won’t get to do one of my all time favourite summer activity of oysters and bubbly on a patio, but am using it as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things: – play football on the sandbar – have friends over for brunch on the rooftop – spend a weekday on the islands (we live in Toronto and this is the best, quick escape) – get butter tarts from the roadside stop – outdoor movie night – lobster feast with family on the deck – lots of tea-briefs (walks with tea to debrief about our week) with friends – at least one outdoor concert – boat trip to lunch in port carling – dinners at the Farmer’s Market – go swimming with my toddler at the community pool – eat as many peaches and local corn as possible – make a strawberry rhubarb pie – do a “camping trip” at the cottage with friends who have young kids like us – make the perfect 90’s playlist for the drive up to the cottage
90’s movies! Our friend group does a Sexy Science Summer marathon so movies like: Twister, Congo, Jurassic Park, The Net, Jaws, Armageddon, etc etc. Any additions you can think of??
Contact!
I live in Phoenix where it’s already beastly hot. We shifted our schedule to get up earlier to walk the dog. As soon as we get home from the am walk, it’s a 15 minute dip in the pool with iced coffee. Using this indoor weather to tackle some house projects like organizing closets (you need dimensions and post purge inventory for maximum efficiency) and update baseboards.
I am indulging in books audio, library, kindle all of them I also want to paint my nails neon yellow and generally slow down. Summer is a hard season for me, it’s outrageously hot where I live. I come alive in the cooler months but summer is for hibernating and trying to get through these hot months.
Re: Moms in the picture. . . I have made sure every one of our photo Christmas cards has included all of us. Our family is about all of us, not just about our offspring, much as we love them! It felt like a small empowerment, especially when I was in the midst of teaching/coaching/parenting small humans/being married/trying to stay myself!
1. Get. Pregnant. Been trying since April 2023 with one loss, send prayers. We are so ready for our second baby. 2. Eat tons of fruit especially wild berries. 3. Family swims 4. Drink an iced matcha 5. Grill like on the daily 6. Buy a house!? 7. Ideally travel around Europe a bit 8. Launch two businesses Been in a place where we are living with others and on no income, but we’re on our way up, manifesting big things. My kid deserves it, heck so do we adults :)
garden, swim, read, do the NYT creativity challenge
I am planning on reading actual books, not just digital ones, just like when I was a kid and read all summer. Yes, some pages will get warped from humidity or maybe rain, but that’s part of the nostalgia fun for me.
an amazing 90’s movie suggestion: one fine day! michelle pfeiffer! george clooney with dark hair still! a very cute mae whitman! hits all the marks.
I recently started a new routine with my children (ages 9 and 11) where they have to write a card to someone on Saturday and Sunday mornings before they turn on cartoons. My son wrote an acrostic poem to my friend Caitlin, but it was not about her so much as him finding words to fit with the letters, such as “Island”, “Tool” and the like – it definitely had me giggling.
haha this is amazing
Spite and Malice! I’ve never heard of anyone else playing that, but I played it with my grandmas endlessly.
Ohmygosh, I can’t believe I didn’t write this comment myself. I LOVED playing spite and malice with my grandma. We would “play” for money and she would always tell me how much I would have owed her. I don’t know anyone else who plays Spite and Malice. I have thoughts of going to the local senior homes near where I live to look for a playing partner.
Me too!!!!!! I had forgotten how much I loved playing with my grandma. Will have to brush up on it and teach my kids!
I love a low-key summer checklist. Often times, I feel like there is too much pressure placed on summers, which absolutely defeats the purpose. This summer I plan to: 1. Eat copious amounts of the gorgeous summer fruits – cherries, nectarines/peaches, melons of all varieties. 2. See movies at our local, tiny theater (especially on hot days when I need AC relief). 3. Outdoor concerts at a nearby winery! 4. Sitting at the marina, pretending I own one of the yachts and listening to the ocean.
starting running again outside reconnecting with my kids in new ways reconnecting with my parents we stay in their house for 2 months enjoying being frugal riding the train to the beach
I love a summer check list! I have a artsy friend who makes one for me each year! Also, love the idea of cards in public. My friend Liz, her therapist friend created this Friendship Deck. Several girlfriends have it. We’ll whip it out at the bar, the park, dinner out, a porch hang, when cozy on couch, etc… It always ignites deep convos that come with sides of tears and or laughs! https://www.blakeblankenbecler.com/thefriendshipdeck
Oww I’m in the throws of hyperemesis and I can’t quite picture a normal summer yet. Hopefully by the time I get to Cornwall in a couple of weeks I’ll be out the other side.
Kimberly I can totally relate HG is the ultimate life suck!!! Here’s to hoping yours passes soon and you have a healthy baby.
Oh I had that with both my kids so I know how much it stinks!! Hoping it passes quickly and you can enjoy life again!
Oh gosh, Kimberley. I’m so sorry to hear. The only HG relief that I got that was not from medicine was a ferry ride. Something about the waves and movement on the water totally eased up the relentless nausea & puking, plus the diesel was a scent that worked for me. I hope you are feeling so much better in Cornwall!
Ahh so many joyful and low-pressure ideas here! My list is: weeknight picnic dinners at the neighborhood pool, splashing with my toddler in the baby pool, reading lots of romance novels on my Kindle, and leaning into “nothing days” when the southern heat is too much to bear! Overall, I want to slow down and spend time with my 2.5 year old doing things she loves and enjoying watching this magical age!
Greatest plan ever!!
Just reading about a “catchup day” actually brought tears to my eyes and relief in my chest. I am a working mom to 3 boys under 5 and have moments where I’m unproductive (like right now) but I’ve been ruining it by feeling guilty! Thanks for the reframe!
I’m so glad! Xoxo
Liz, right there with you! We have to tell our pesky brains to quiet down (just like our kids, ha!).
My family calls these “should-less days” after hearing that term from Ellen Burstyn in an interview on Death, Sex and Money. I rarely take them, I’d love to do it more!
We just brought home our baby girl after 299 gruelling days in the NICU. She has complex medical needs so once we settle into her care routine I hope to make the most of our first summer together at home. My husband bought a plastic kiddy pool for the patio. Long days on the living room floor in our pyjamas. Sunsets from the couch. Soaking in the miracle of being together.
Wow I am so glad she is coming home! Enjoy her XXX
That sounds so lovely, Shel. 299 days — my mind is reeling. You made it! She made it home! I’m so happy for your family and wishing you the sweetest, softest, most beautiful summer.
Congrats, Shel, to you and your husband! I’m a former NICU nurse and understand those marathons in the NICU before discharge. Wishing you guys a beautiful summer with your baby! Y’all have got this! ❤️
I once read that Oprah prefers rainy days to sunny ones because then she doesn’t feel bad about staying inside relaxing lol!
this is my take on rainy days as well…but I live in the PNW, so this only goes so far, lol
Thank you for the great idea, Jo, and the great lists, everyone!! I’ve been trying to figure out how to squeeze the most out of summer (why is that so hard for me??) and this exercise really helped <3 1. More D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) time – learned about this when my 21-yr old was in 2nd grade. You announce it when the mood strikes and then head for the couch (winter) or porch (summer), hoping everyone in the house follows suit. 2. Movies in a real movie theater on a blazing hot summer day, with popcorn and Coke Zero 3. See real art (about to do this weekend at the Whitney!) 4. Walks with friends or podcasts 5. Less wine and more fun mocktails 6. Finish my latest writing project 7. Sit on the beach and watch the waves 8. Decide whether to retire this December 9. Set and keep boundaries 10. Plan some trips 11. Next declutter zone: looking at you, guest room
This list is perfection. (D.E.A.R.! Mocktails!) (and love the casually thrown in “Plan some trips”)
I have finally come out of a years-long depression; in these past few months I have experienced joy like I haven’t been able to in a long time. I’m eager to soak up all of the joy and sunshine and pleasure and connection that this summer has to offer. To that end, just tonight I sent about a dozen families a text saying that my 5 year-old daughter and I plan to spend every Monday evening on X beach starting at Y time. If they’d like to join, just drop me a text and we’ll keep an eye out for them. We (and they) can pick up burgers across the street or pack a picnic. My kiddo and I are eager to see who shows up, keeping in mind that it’ll be fun whether it’s just us or a few friends or lots. We’re especially looking forward to low tide evenings as they make for the best beach exploration time.
This sounds like such a lovely plan and encompasses my forever desire to have standing but casual plans with my friends!! I can sense the hope and joy in your message – wishing you a beautiful summer and continued respite from depression. :)
Just got home a few hours ago from spending 6 days in Charleston SC. with a bestie that I haven’t had a vacation together since our Nashville 2019 trip 😀 Life events got in the way but this was on our bucket list. She flew in from LA, I flew there from Pgh. We had an absolute blast staying in a boutique hotel in the historic district- the Loutrel – loved the entire atmosphere and vibe of the place! Did lots of sightseeing, dinners,and shopping, and it was just what we needed to recharge our friendship that began as med surg nurses on the same unit in 1984!
Reading until I get hot then swimming till I get cold is summer magic. I bring crunchy veggies cut into long, elegant strips (very important that they be pretty and packed upright in a jar of ice water) and eat them alongside a truly giant gas station fountain Diet Coke.
This does sound like pure summer magic!
There is nothing better than a fountain soda! Heaven.
I want to be yourrrrr friend !!!! Save me a lounger next to yours plz
Almost finished with this bucket list (normally I stink at finishing lists). https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/books/summer-reading-bucket-list.html?searchResultPosition=1 My neighbor and I are teaming up to deal with plumbing and electrical fixes for our apartments this summer. Because we’ll be spending any “vacation money” we might have had on repairs, our plan is to do a staycation by our apartment building pool. With umbrella drinks and fun conversations. Can’t wait!
This is amazing! You and your neighbour are lucky to have each other!!
I’m reading the comments while scarfing a bowl of perfect cherries. My husband and I went to “Mission: Impossible” the other night and shared a giant bag of movie popcorn for dinner. My bestie is coming over for a glass of rose on the deck in a few minutes. We’re doing college tours and going to art museums and pontooning and seeing multiple plays… I thought we didn’t have much going on but once I started thinking about it, I realized I already have a Low-Key Summer Checklist!
Lounge on a blanket at free outdoor concerts. Burrito run at the cash-only spot with my wisecracking younger brothers. Eat a popsicle on the post-lunch walk back to the office. Sew a quilt. Read a book on the porch. Sit in my car in the driveway blasting one more song in surround sound before I get out. Chomp corn on the cob. Climb outside and get a cone from Dairy Queen on the drive home. Have a friend over for burrata/heirloom tomatoes/basil/balsamic salad. Have cereal for dinner because we accidentally bought TWO gallons of milk and need to use it up. Take PTO just to stay home and putter around.
This is where I’m at this summer: getting my dose of lexapro right. Cuddling more with my kids. Knowing my capacity. Giving my husband lots of affection.
Been there! Hope you find the right dose/right medicine soon. Your kids are lucky to have a mom who takes care of her self (your husband is lucky too ;)
ice cream in a mug, always. nobody can see how much you took or how you dug in to get the chunks and items! and it melts so perfectly at the bottom…. summer activity: swim in a lake somewhere. eat a tomato I grew. walks walks walks. hot dogs.
100% Team Ice Cream in a Mug Also all for swimming in lakes– the best!
It just tastes better!
The other snack hack is to take a paper cups on road trips. When you stop for snacks, you can divide them evenly and the driver can use the cup to deliver snacks instead of trying to root around in a bag.
My daughter wrote a book using Illustory (have you heard of this product? AMAZING to give as a gift to kids of all ages), so we’re just counting down the days until her book gets mailed back to us so I can throw her a “Book Launch” Party!
I put cottage cheese in a bowl with eveyrhing but the bagel seasoning and then get a few tims cascade salt and vinegar chips and scoop cottage cheese and eat them. It’s so GOOD and filling and I eat less chips.
ooooohhh that sounds so good!! I read once about eating chips dipped in yogurt with za’atar and have enjoyed that many times since, but with cottage cheese would be so good too…
Oh I love this! We eat cottage cheese with fresh cracked pepper but this is next level! Must try!!
Deb Perelman recommends adding some cut up summer tomatoes to this and it is sooo good
Red Doritos with cottage cheese as the “dip” is one of my most favorite snacks! I thought I was the only one! :)
I just ate cottage cheese and everything bagel seasoning last night! Such a good snack.
Yesterday I was making dinner and I got out some chips and outed some into a mug. Genius! My daughter came and asked my am I eating chips out of a mug as she took a few. I said it’s a hack I read on cup of Jo, so people don’t steal them. She said who would steal them here, there’s no one here to steal them as she took another chip. I raised my eyebrows and smiled. No one huh? Well it’s pretty fun I realise to eat chips out of a mug. Want your own. Yep. So we both had our mug chips and just walked around the lounge a bit eating them. I’m a forever mug chip person now. Thanks Cup of Jo’s brother :)
I feel like summer snuck up on me and I’m busier than I have been all year! My hopes for the summer are: – At least one river day – Renaissance Faire – BBQs I force my friend with an outdoor patio to host (she loves it) – eating all the stone fruit I can eat, then eating more – finding new-to-me restaurant patios – trying NA cocktails around town
yessssss stone fruit!!! the past few years I buy all the plums I can get when they’re ripe (more end-of-summer thing), pit and freeze as many as I can, and then make this cake which is insane: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/late-summer-plum-cake.html
Parenting advice request! How do you reconnect with your kid after both of you got angry at each other? My 10 year old son and I had a tough morning and we weren’t in the mood to deal with each other. I felt terrible afterwards. I also don’t want him to give me the silent treatment. This is new parenting territory- my son has always been a sweet cuddle bug who always wants to connect even when we are working through big feelings. He turns 11 in August so maybe he is starting puberty? Any ways to connect while both of us are navigating big feelings? ❤️
my boys are exactly there, 10 and 12. puberty is definitely starting! I’ve heard that the repair work after a disagreement means much more to kids, makes more of an impression, than any disagreement or conflict. I cling to that! my advice would be to perhaps wait and let him come to you? show him that he can still be a cuddle bug when he wants and that he can also have some space when he needs it. good for him to know that a rough morning won’t change anything. and I want to tell you that it won’t too! it won’t. even many rough mornings, and afternoons, and evenings….
Forgive him and you will feel the light. It’s a miracle, forgiveness.
AMK, not sure this would apply to every tween and teen, but my daughter loved satire and so got introduced to The Onion articles as they became more appropriate for her. “Unconditional Love Given to 15-Year Old Who Just Called Mom a Bitch In Middle of Hollister” was a touchstone for us. We had a couple of phrases to jokingly say “I’m pissed” or “I’m having a bad day” in a way that was not confrontational but would signal the feelings. Let him know its ok to tell you when he wants to be left alone. Maybe the most important thing is to remember you are the grownup and this is a great opportunity to model what to do after a fight. Approach when everything is calm and have a conversation. Talk about what you feel you did wrong, try to express your needs and wants in a calm way, try to identify their needs and wants in a calm way, and ask if you guys could have handled it better for next time.
In my house, we’ll say “Can we start over?” Meaning ‘I’m ready to move on and done being upset, let’s re-set.’ My spouse, teen, and I all use this to show we’re ready to reconnect. It’s very possible I learned this here!
Call out to ask him to help you [in this moment!] with something that is going to have a nice outcome. Examples: “Hey Sam can you come help me real quick? I have butter all over my hands!” – and you need him to get eggs out of the fridge, or you need him to turn on the sink so you can wash your hands [because you’re making cookies]…and then you ask for something else while he’s there, like “I was thinking of maybe putting cinnamon in these, do you think that would be good or no?” And then just casually continue: can you pull out the measuring cups? I forgot to do that. What do you think about nuts? I heard some people put cereal in cookies – I wonder if we should pull out a little dough and put cereal in them…? Draw him out with low stakes conversation and try and ask his opinion, ask for help, (and ask questions that are open ended as much as possible rather than yes/no questions when you can). And then while you are both *doing* something together (i.e. you are not sitting him down and staring at him) say: hey, we had a tough morning and I was feeling ____, and I did ____, and I shouldn’t have done that. I wish I’d done ____, and then asked if we could take a break when I felt myself get _____. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have ___ when I was ____. That something I need to work on. And then keep baking your cookies. Another idea to ask for “help” with: when you’ve made a smoothie and are pouring it into popsicle molds – you need “help” holding them up. right? ;) Or asking for “advice” about what to make: “hey, can you come here? I need your advice!” And you ask them if you think you should make ___ or ___ for snacks later. With boys especially, doing things alongside them *first* and *then* talking while your hands are busy or you’re walking the dog together and you’re looking ahead, or you’re playing a game and looking at your hand or the board…actively doing things alongside them (rather than sitting down and looking them in the eye) when bringing up something to talk about works wonders.
As the grownup in this scenario, you need to model how to make amends after an argument. Go on in and say something like, “I’m so sorry about that argument. I got riled up because (reason). Part of that isn’t your fault, it’s because (reason that particular thing riles you up). It probably didn’t feel awesome to see me like that. I’m ready to talk calmly whenever you are. I love you.” You’ve got this!
I am no expert, but as the mom of a 14 yo I wait until we are both calm and apologize for my behavior (I’m sorry I lost patience with you, etc). As for his part, I validate his emotion but not the behavior (It’s OK to be mad at me, it’s not ok to slam the door).
With my super sensitive tween, I always apologize first. In a calm moment, I acknowledge what happened, why I am sorry for the interaction, what I have learned, and that yes, even grown ups make mistakes and are wrong. Sometimes I will actually say “I was not a great grown up at that moment, I understand (whatever the thing was) and I am sorry for that”. She absolutely melts at that. And it takes so very little to offer it up. We then reconnect easily, and she understands what “repair” means, to both of us.
What Kate said– Brilliant!
As a parent of multiple children who have gone through this age (I swear, tween is harder than teen – just me?), it’s great you’re thinking about this because it will happen a lot :) It will depend on the kid. One of mine needs a granola bar and an acknowledgement-if-not-apology immediately, otherwise they spiral. Another needs time to cocoon before they are ready to reconnect, because they stay angry waaaaay longer than me. Another needs to state their feelings and objections first and not be interrupted under any circumstance. But absolutely agree with all that as the adult you need to demonstrate the resolution. If you’re still really upset, say “I’m upset and not helping, so I’m going to go to the other room to cool off.” When you’re calm and regretful, go to them and say “I’m sorry I got angry.” Etc. Agree with Carey can memes help. Someone we all – parent and kids – need reminders that we’re not the *only* ones who have ever been annoyed or embarrassed, and a good meme can illustrate things we need to hear with humor. That Onion headline has me cracking up. For me and one of my kids, our relationship noticeably improved because of this one: https://imgur.com/a/54Tu5kk (they are an INFP; I am an INTJ) And always remember the very sage advice I received from COJ years ago: They aren’t *giving* you a hard time, they are *having* a hard time. Which pairs nicely with the advice from my own mother: Kids express their anger and frustration with safe adults. The tweens are a stressful, shifting time at school and with peers, so it often gets bottled up and uncorked at home where they feel safe. I don’t always succeed at keeping a cool head (it get easier with practice!) but these two pieces of advice help me so much :)
Thank you all sooooo much!!! I feel seen and heard by each of you and it means a lot to me ❤️
Bravo to chips in a mug! I’ll drizzle pickle juice over the chips. I love chips with pickle juice sandwiches. Great list, reading The New Yorker is a will do that as well as see art in person. Visiting art galleries and museum is on my do summer list. A summer focus for me is to have meals outdoors as much as possible, even it is sitting on the porch when it rains.
We will soon be spending our annual week at the beautiful South Carolina coast. I won’t say where exactly, because we don’t want the secret to get out. Our children are now older, but it is the same family beach week to me. We will eat shrimp fresh off the boat and have good old southern tomato sandwiches (Dukes mayo ONLY, please). It’s my favorite thing ever.
OMG love all these! Yay summer!
Yay! Minneapolis Sculpture Garden shoutout! And another tie-in is that I was there this weekend with my family after Father’s Day brunch. I was taking a picture of my kids with my husband the blue chicken when a friendly bystander offered to take my picture, saying that with my rainbow dress, I was basically the star of the whole thing and should be included. It was such a kind gesture on a weekend where everyone in Minnesota was feeling particulary on edge. :( I also want to learn Spite & Malice! I grew up playing card games everywhere with grandparents and friends and friends’ grandparents! I remember playing in hotel rooms before weddings with all of my friend’s aunts. So much better than everyone being on their phones!
Whoa! Didn’t know you have a brother!!!
Thank you for continuing the tradition.
Ana D you made me lol
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James
Exactly!!! I’m always writing this quote to people !! <3 loved it for years. So glad to see it mentioned here ! Yes,yes,yes.
I just started my summer bucket list: 1. Go to the beach. We live really close to Lake Michigan and we spend a lot of time there the rest of the year, but we never just go sit at the beach in summer like we do on vacation. Maybe it’s too close to home and I can’t relax thinking about all the chores and projects we need to finish at home? Anyway, we’re gong to make an effort to do it. 2. Outdoor music concert at least once 3. Make the Southern Peach Skillet Pie my 14 y.o. son and I found in a really old (1950’s or 60’s) Betty Crocker Cookbook. 4. Find friends who like to play cards!!! I love it so much, but I don’t have my card people!
Read! I love love love cheering my kids on during their summer reading. I love talking to them about what books to read, I love crafting their progress charts, I love going with them to the library. I also read all summer – I read so much more when I can sit by a body of water ;-) Also looking forward to our annual vacation to the shore, listening to live music at the pool on Fridays, my birthday (45!), not waking up at 6 am with my middle schooler, spending more time hanging out with my kids and just doing knock around stuff with then. We do camp but not every week – sometimes you just gotta watch movies all day in the overly air conditioned family room under a blanket.
When I was a kid my grandparents had a weekly Spite and Malice game with another couple. They all loved it so much, thanks for the fond memory.
Thanks for mentioning Spite and malice card game. Installed iOS app on my cell. It’s so much fun. It’s by multiplayer Solitaire https://apps.apple.com/us/app/spite-malice-card-game/id699884193 I found a great video explaining the rules https://youtu.be/quQIMZPqnHM?si=DZAd-1knpUNhucVY I recently joined a group of women playing canasta. I found it quite challenging till I practiced using an app. Too many rules. It’s a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.
My current summer “To-Do list includes a lot of cleaning out of things – storage unit, kids closets, etc – and doctor visits like eye exams and my annual mammogram. After reading this, i’m thinking my list SUCKS! So i’m going to rethink this and add in: 1. Popsicle-o’clock 2. Pool Cannonballs 3. Beach Sunsets 4. Lazy movie days
Yeah was thinking the same thing reading your first list ! Ha.. Yes your revision is much better. Have fun !
The artist Brooke Swenson has a delightful calendar with a bucket list for each month. They are beautiful pieces of art, and also lists of great ideas! I think she posts them on her IG as well. https://brooklynswenson.com/a/downloads/-/6468d12808e566fe/2e44d191f84256f8
This is AMAZING! It even has completion stickers!!!
This is really cute and looks fun. I love stickers.
I love these low-key summer posts so much. For various reasons, I won’t be doing my usual summer forays to scratch at my wanderlust this year. So I figure why not open up my home for airbnb and let others come to me instead. I’ve done this many years ago when my work schedule allowed it, and loved seeing my home and city anew through fresh eyes. Even though it does take some effort, the ephemeral connection with wanderers passing through, breaking bread together and sharing a glass of wine in the glow of late summer evenings, all that does me no end of good.
Hi Lykke! I’d love to hear more about your experience opening your home for airbnb travelers. Do you have a completely separate space for guests? How much do people interact with you/how do you know what level of interaction they would like? Hosting visitors sounds like an inventive way to expand your world when you don’t have a chance to travel as much.
Hi Rosie, Happy to share, and hope others will chime in with their experiences too. My advice is to set guidelines in your ad and try to tune into your guests’ body language and vibes iwhen they are on site, and have fun adjusting your MO over time as you figure out your hosting style. My husband and I have had many wonderful Airbnb stays, ranging from zero (due to auto lock/code/let yourself in) to a fair amount of interaction. It is the latter that we recalled most fondly of. One was with 84yo Ingrid in the middle of Norway, village of 300? In her ad she made it clear that guests must absolutely accompany her at breakfast “to keep her brain young”. Second was Herbert, 70s, in an off grid farm middle of Sweden who insisted on the same. So when we started as hosts, we agreed to state we’d provide a simple breakfast. During the stay, if they showed up for breakfast the same time as us, we’d welcome them to either sit with us in the kitchen or to feel free to sit alfresco under a fruit tree or under a roofed deck. Almost always they would join us :) Otherwise we’d leave a note on where to find things in the fridge/drawers etc. I’d also offer something to drink (juice, coke) when they arrived, and if I felt the vibe was ok for them and us, I might offer a glass of wine (never more than one, it’s just my policy). Apart from these interactions we didn’t cross paths so much. Our home is small but it has different nooks so four persons can get some privacy(us and two guests). Regarding the setup, we used to Airbnb a room with access to shared spaces (living room, bathrooms, kitchen, outdoor seating areas (we’d marked some rooms and closet doors private, and everybody respected that). Now we have extended the home so it is possible to rent out a separate space (BR, LR, K, bathroom). So long notes, hope it helps give you some idea. :)
Hi, just a reminder that AirBnb is on the BDS Boycott list – as they offer rentals in illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land. My summer list: to keep pushing for an end to the genocide.
Suzy, 1000%
Love this! My low-key summer summer checklist: 1. Play pickleball 2. Pool 3. Float trip 4. Good tomato on toasted bread with olive oil or good mayo
My horse is recovering from some medical procedures so while my summer may sound boring or mundane (doing PT and rehab on him, getting us both back into competition ready shape, etc), it has been a blessing. It forces me to take the 40 min each way drive every day to check on him and do what needs to be done. I see baby foxes, sunrises, sunsets, sometimes my husband comes along and takes the BEST pics…(seriously his IG is @_alltheadventures and I think he is so talented for a guy with a crappy camera and no training lol). While I’m there I tend to the barn cats, ensuring they get their daily allotment of scritches, I water the plants, I make sure the other 20+ horses have water, and I enjoy just being on this planet in this place that quiets my mind. Other than that, I’m looking forward to a trip to visit new friends this weekend, tomatoes from the garden, my new chickens laying their first eggs, and hopefully less mosquito bites than last year :)
This all sounds quite lovely!
What a gift. My son just started horseback riding and I arrived one day with so much stress (had been driving around all morning, rushed to pick him up, then drive again to the lesson) but as I sat there in the little corner of forest we are so lucky to have and watched the horse move, it all just melted away. How much better our world would be if we could organize our society around time outside with animals for every human being.
1. Eat peach frozen yogurt, I stalk the daily menu at our local yogurt shop for this flavor 2. Eat dinner outside by the firepit 3.Turn on the BBQ! 4. Swim in the lake 5. Eat a juicy peach over the sink, that tastes like summer to me!
Number 5 screams SUMMER!
We have a Dairy Queen spreadsheet! Our local DQ only opens during the summer months. Last summer, my 9 year old announced that he wanted to try “all of the Dairy Queen ice cream treats”. We weren’t able to quite accomplish that last year so we are continuing our quest this summer.
This is awesome.
Day Designer has this free Summer Bucket List printable: https://daydesigner.com/products/summer-bucket-list (I don’t work for them. Just where I get my planners.) Thanks for the nudge to put this on my fridge! I’d like everyone in the fam to add some ideas.
YES to cards outside! Spicy Uno and Cribbage for us! * Summer reading with the kids! In addition to the library’s program, we ususally come up with some goals/bingo for ourselves, too. * Evenings around the firepit * Blueberry pie with _fresh_ berries (so much better than frozen!) * Snap peas and cherry tomatoes right off the plant * Attend at least one of the music in the park events
Another inquiry for Spite & Malice! Spouse is from the Midwest and played Euchre all through college. You need four players, and with kid #2 now 7yo, we’re playing as a family and it’s really sweet. We all sit on the floor in our little living room with the breeze coming in. Youngest caught on really fast and is clearly a risk-taker. It is hilarious the number of times we have to tell the kids “hide your cards!!!” Still mastering that skill. The ice cream truck is coming down our street right at bedtime and it’s a mild form of torture. We promised kids last night that next time we’ll run out, even if it means a late second dessert.
Literally finished writing my summer bucket list yesterday — how does Cup of Jo do it?! I’m currently 11 weeks pregnant. Because of various health reasons, I’m at higher risk of late miscarriage/pre-term delivery, so my number one goal for late summer is to CHILL and hopefully keep this baby cookin’ until their due date in January! Please send all your good thoughts our way. Other than that, my bucket list looks pretty much exactly the same as it does every summer: -eat as many perfect tomato sandwiches as possible (mine includes Eric Kim’s maple milk bread, lots of mayo, CSA tomatoes, and maybe a sprinkle of furikake if I’m feeling extra) -swim in the lake and get peanut butter soft serve afterwards -read outside on our deck with an iced coffee -make raspberry and chocolate chip scones using raspberries from our bushes -watch The Parent Trap (the Lindsey Lohan version, which is 100% a perfect 90s summer movie) -afternoon orange creamsicles -have friends over for a cookout All pretty food-centric, but honestly that tracks for me generally and even more so now that I’m pregnant lol.
Sending you all good wishes Abbe
Sending all the well wishes and chill summer vibes! I’ll send more when I do my annual Parent Trap outdoor screening!
I’m pregnant too and chasing around my 18 month old. I also work full time and I’m so tired!!! My summer plans: 1. Fruit smoothies 2. Lots of fizzy water with a splash of lemonade to cool down 3. A monthly pedicure 4. As much reading as I can in the 80 minutes I have between bedtime for my toddler and bedtime for me! Some summer many years from now I can relax but the next few years are about keeping everyone alive. Including myself.
Cold showers, cold ocean plunges, spraying kids with a hose, attempt to get back in kayak after jumping out for a swim—is that even possible?
No big travel this summer and I am very happy about it. Planning on lots of pool time, preferred in the evening under the stars, time with friends, hiking in the early morning, perhaps a little roadtrip with the husband, looking at some outdoor concerts and theater with friends. Even though work has not changed, and a big quarterly event happens in the middle of August that requires lots of prep, I am trying to slow down – read more, enjoy more, swim more, see more friends.
This is THE BEST. My low-key summer list includes: – Making sun tea – Watering the garden every morning and telling the vegetables they’re doing such a great job growing (they really are!) – Reading on the couch in the air conditioning for at least 30 minutes in the afternoon – Flexibility with screen time because sometimes the kids are just worn out and so am I!!! (I recently learned it’s much better for kids’ brains to watch a 90-minute movie — with at least one other person, ideally — than a bunch of episodes of shows. So I’m really pulling for kids’ afternoon movies this summer!) – Being home as often as we can.
Maybe we watched the same interview clip, re screen time? Yup, we’re about to switch our 7 yo and 10 yo to watching a set show together daily, rather than holing up on their own with tablets or whatnot. I need to find old episodes of Doug or something like that!
I played a lot of Spite & Malice with my older sister when we were kids. Now that I’m a mom, I’ve taught it to my own kids. My youngest misunderstood the name and called it “Spider Malice.” Having my three year old request more games of Spider Malice was one of life’s little joys.
Spider Malice is so sweet!
hmm ,I realized people might have vastly different ideas of what can be called Spoooky I kept waiting for the spooky part while reading “the guest” by emma cline but it never felt spooky ?
I’m going on a hike in a different place at least every week! I go on lots of hikes and walks (that’s my main form of exercise) but the goal this summer is to take new routes. I’ve been getting my friends to join as well, it’s such an easy, low key friend date.
My family and I live out of the country, and my very favorite part about the life we are building is that we are able to spend about 3 weeks where my husband is from every summer (East Coast), and 3 weeks where I am from every summer. Once we get there – I try to really limit plans so we can soak in a slow summer, and lots of time together. Items on my bucket list this year: eat burrata/peach salads & homemade ice cream cones, driveway hangs with our kids + cousins, walks to playgrounds & splash pads, popsicles on the porch, stay up late watching TV with Grandma and Grandpa, replace scrolling & bad TV with books, & hang out with my sister as much as I possibly can. My husband and I spent early adulthood traveling – to Europe, to Africa, to South America. To afford these summer trips “home” we are no longer doing those big, fancy, international trips. Sometimes, I really miss that old life, but man, I would not trade this precious, uninterrupted time with my kids (while we are still their favorites!) and our extended families for anything!
This sounds incredible, Katrina. So happy for you & your family that you can do this! This is exactly what my husband and I want to do when we have start having kids.
I’m taking a two-week German course in Berlin with one of my best friends! We can’t wait for our “summer camp” – school in the morning and then we’re planning special activities in the afternoons and evenings (museums, our favourite restaurant, boat tour down the Spree…)
This sounds so great! Interested to know the organization you are going through, if you are willing to share.
We are taking the course through the Neue Schule. My friend took a course with them last year and this year I’m joining him – if you’re employed in Germany, you may be able to have your employer cover the course as a Weiterbildung or Bildungsurlaub :)
My forever summer bucket list is to see free Shakespeare in the Park performances in Seattle. I don’t even like Shakespeare much, and rarely know the plot of the plays, yet the performances are always stellar and I laugh endlessly. A picnic and a sun hat to block the setting sun and a low chair and watching live performance and I experience sincere joy!
I must admit, I feel like my summer has been obliterated by all the rain we’ve had – (PA) and I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia after having a big flare up. I’m so tired all the time, and I haven’t totally accepted that this is my condition now. I’m in PT and OT and just starting to figure out how to feel a little better. Despite that, my summer list is: Go “down the shore” and swim in the waves (a must every summer) Go to VT to spend over a week with my sister and my hometown While in VT, take my kids to every swimming hole I know Get a bit of a tan – most likely from self tanner this year Encourage (nag til I collapse) the kids to deeply clean their rooms Eat as many peaches as humanly possible I hope we all have the summers of our dreams.
Hershey PA here.. the. rain. :( June is almost gone and it’s been rain/cold since… forever? Last time I even was able to open a window was maybe May?
Because it’s almost the solstice, and up here the sun is going down around 10 now, I stared up way too late last night and went for a 4.5 mile mountain hike to see one of my favorite wild flower spots. Friends!!! It was beyond magical. I usually wake at 5 am, so go to bed early, but this was so worth it. My BFF went with me, and ALL WE DID was ahhhh! Ooooh! Look over here! Indian paintbrush in every color, columbine, lupines for MILES, hillsides coveted so full of balsam root they were pure butter yellow. And the fragrance. The best perfume in the world. We also had the whole place to ourselves. And the sunset!! We also cried about missing our dads. And for my two dogs that died this spring, and loved this hike. Here’s my IG, in case you want to see my pics. @sashalindberg I feel like this was the pinnacle of my summer so far. I’m still feeling so joyful this morning.
Sasha, I love your comments and your love for your state. I always KNEW I’d move to Montana at some point in my life but as of yet, nope. Some of my best memories have been trips to Glacier National Park,to Helena to see the minor league Brewers baseball team eons ago, Lincoln, Red Lodge and Cooke City and that gorgeous Beartooth Hwy in between where I first saw snow as an adult in July. Kalispell, the amount of pie and donuts around (!), your wildflowers, clear rushing streams, cabins, and the best billboard in my life – for a haunted house somewhere mid-state: “Get your mother’s day gift here!” … And of course quoting the line from the book, A River Runs Through It about Missoula, while walking through town. I think I need a return trip to refill my soul which has been feeling crushed so often lately. Please keep sharing, Sasha!
Bonnie, this is the best homage to Montana I’ve read!! That billboard! Lol, cackling. When you come back, start in Billings, drive the BT highway from Red Lodge to Cooke City. Drive through YNP (explore as many days as you can, but look for wolves in the Lamar Valley), exit to Gardiner, wave to all the bison and elk, drive the Paradise valley up to Livingston. Stop at Marks In and Out burger for a burger and shake and tots. Wait in line, no matter how long! Drive through Bozeman (give me a wave!), take a small detour to Helena to get a piece of Earl Grey chocolate cake at Park Avenue bakery, stop in Drummond on your way to Missoula, at Parkers restaurant and hurt your brain trying to choose from over 100 burger options (and say hi to chef Brent for me). In Missoula, stop by Butterfly Herbs for all of the delights, if the owner is there, ask if he’ll show you his Beatles snap shots. Get Biga pizza for dinner and walk along the river. Head up to Glacier ❤️
* Making smores * Hot tub movie nights – with La La Land and Jaws * Picnics picnics picnics * Oysters and white wine on a hot afternoon * Beach days! * Reading on my deck, reading at the park, reading at the beach
Pure genius.
Oysters!
Summer lists help make this season one to remember, if not they go so fast! I always pick a theme, I’m getting married in the fall so I want this summer to be slow and juicy, Nancy Meyers meets Pamela Anderson. 1. Lobster rolls (either making at home or eating somewhere in a bikini) 2. Dinner party with oysters 3. Make a fresh peach pie 4. No phone for a day x 2 5. 10p al fresco dinner on Ossington (vibrant Toronto street) 6. Sunrise skinny dip 7. Bike to a farmer’s market 8. Paint outside 9. Make croissants
Oh wow, Paulina! Nancy Meyers meets Pamela Anderson is definitely a mood – I’m in! I’m reminded that it’s been too long since I’ve returned to Toronto. And congratulations!!
My sisters and I call it Campari o’clock which is when you’ll be handed a Campari Soda or a Bellini without being asked. Bonus if there are chips knocking around.
It’s Martini o’ clock round these parts. ( ;
It’s magical hour here. Our five year old has a “special drink” usually sparkling water. She pretend makes my husband and I our orders. Wine for me and bourbon for him. Judge me, but it is literally the sweetest time of the day.