Hello on the first summer Friday of August!
EATING
Keeping things light after vacation, I’m focusing on easy, flavorful meals. This weekend I plan to make a slow roasted tomato farro salad—hearty but fresh—and I’ve been craving a Thai avocado salad for something bright and creamy. For lunches next week I’m leaning toward a Mediterranean kale salad. I didn’t set out to eat only salads, but these all sound delicious. I’ll probably throw together bruschetta chicken and smoky grilled chicken pitas for quick dinners, and I want to prep tropical peach overnight oats to have ready for busy mornings.
DRINKING
I’m making a batch of lavender lemonade—after trying a fizzy lavender lemonade recently I remembered how much I love a homemade version. It’s light and floral and perfect for hot afternoons. Also, after a few too many rosés and spritzes on vacation, a little rosé/aperol detox sounds ideal.
MAKING
Once we’re back I’m prepping a bunch of make-ahead smoothie packs. Eddie does these every weekend and rotates the mix—right now he’s heavy on apple, orange, and spinach—but I want a stash for the kids and myself too. I like combining dry add-ins like chia, hemp hearts, ground flax, and collagen powder in small packets so it’s easy to toss them into a smoothie without measuring every day.
BAKING
I’ll bake a batch of our favorite whole wheat pita bread on Sunday. It’s simple to make, stores well, and always disappears fast—Eddie tried a great pita last week and has been craving more ever since.
LISTENING
We’re listening to our road trip, vol. 2 playlist while driving home. I made a similar playlist last year and wanted another one for this trip. Eddie has been replaying the DMB station on Sirius nonstop, so I put together this playlist to give him something fresh while still keeping a road-trip vibe.
READING
I didn’t read as much on vacation as I usually do, but right now I’m enjoying The Unhoneymooners—light, funny, and a perfect summer read. It’s hard to believe it’s already August. If you’re looking for more suggestions, my summer reading list has a few favorites to check out. Also curious if anyone has read Three Women yet?
SHOPPING
I’m still browsing the final days of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and finding a few tempting items. I’m especially eyeing a scout tote my sister-in-law has for beach and kid life because it has a zip top—practical and durable. I already own a scout bag I like, but the zipped version seems unbeatable for keeping everything secure.
FEELING
I feel refreshed after the trip and ready to dive into the rest of the year. I even brought my planner for the ride home to get organized—can’t believe there are only five months left in the year. Lots of exciting things ahead, including my next book and a few fun projects that I’m eager to start.
Only place I want to be.