Welcome to Summer Fridays 2019!
I debated bringing this series back for most of the year, but so many of you asked and I’m thrilled to be sharing it again. It means a lot that you wanted these posts. If you missed last year, you can read about why I started Summer Fridays then — and seriously, what’s better than a summer Friday?
Well, maybe a summer Thursday that leads into a long weekend, but otherwise I don’t think so.
Summer Fridays are about making summer weekends feel extra-special and savoring the season. Here’s what’s going on around here on this first full weekend of June.
EATING
It’s strawberry season and I’m obsessed. If you want recipes that let strawberries shine but still make something impressive, try the copycat Panera strawberry poppyseed salad — I live for it. The strawberry pasta salad is also fantastic. For dessert, I’m all about the strawberry cobbler bars or a classic fresh strawberry cobbler. All perfect for summer gatherings or a simple weekend treat.
DRINKING
Rosé all the way. I shared my 2019 rosé guide recently and that’s my plan for the weekend. I’m also into frosé drinks — watermelon frosé and frosé lemonade are both musts when the weather heats up. Light, fruity, and perfectly summery.
MAKING
I’m heading out of town for a few days and wanted to stock the fridge for Eddie and the kids. I made a small pan of ground turkey enchiladas, froze half of a bolognese for later, and prepared the smoky grilled chicken from pita flatbreads for easy lunches. These dishes work well for dinners and lunches—Eddie often brings dinner to work—and I wanted plenty of ready-to-eat food. I also made a batch of my favorite egg salad for quick sandwiches.
LISTENING
We’ve got the summer kickoff playlist on repeat. It’s a great mix of upbeat songs and easy-going tracks that feels perfect for warm-weather weekends.
READING
I’m starting Mother-in-Law this week based on a bunch of recommendations. Don’t forget to check out my summer reading list if you need suggestions—the comments are full of good picks. I’ll recap what I’m reading each week here on Summer Fridays, like last year. What are you reading this weekend?
TRAVELING
I’m beyond excited: in a few days we’re taking my mom to Nantucket for her birthday. It’s a full girls’ trip, and I’ve been talking about it forever. We made reservations at Galley Beach and I’m craving a lobster roll at Cru — after our lobster roll tour of Maine, it still stands out as one of the best. Lacy and I plan to bike all over the island; if you’ve been recently, I’d love recommendations on what to do while we’re there.
BUYING
This week I bought my first pair of white jeans in ages — honestly, since before Max was born. I’ve been loving the Good American jeans I mentioned a few months ago, and after reading reviews I grabbed a white pair. They’re high-waisted and the right length if you’re on the shorter side. Now the question: am I brave enough to wear them?
CRAVING
All the donuts. It’s National Donut Day, after all. I have several favorites, but right now I’d pick the salted dark chocolate donuts as my top choice. Rich, slightly salty, and dangerously good.
WORKING
I’m working on book number three. I haven’t shot photos for it yet and I’m trying to streamline the process so I don’t spend months doing nothing but book photos. Would you be interested in more behind-the-book posts as I go through the process?
TRYING
I’m working on a better nighttime routine. My mornings are dialed in: six days a week I hop on the Peloton right after I wake up, which has been life-changing. Nights are harder—I still get sucked into my phone, then read for a while. I usually have everything ready for the morning by 7 PM, but those quiet moments of doing “nothing” are tempting. I know it may be a stage of life and will improve over time, but I’d love to hear your nighttime routine tips.
Enjoy a lovely Summer Friday!