The last week of school passed in a blur of fun, emotion, community, baseball, and exhaustion. Summer break feels like a drink of icy lemonade on a sweltering day. We are ready! See #5 below for how I’m approaching summer for myself.
What is something I can do for our home?
What is something I can do for/with our family?
What is something I can do for myself?
Today for me it’s cleaning bathrooms (glamorous!), attending a party to celebrate the end of 5th grade for my son and his classmates, and sketching out our first week of summer so I can make a game plan for my time and energy.
here’s this week’s take home folder, enjoy!
We are fortunate to have a large storage room in our basement. We’ve never had a house with anything like this space - it’s home to all of our holiday decor, out of season outerwear, kids’ clothing in the next size, gift supplies, painting supplies, paper product overstock, our deep freezer, luggage, etc.
And also, it is the room in our house that things get tossed into willy nilly behind closed doors. It’s been a mess the last few months and I finally spent an afternoon in there getting it back into decent shape.
My biggest takeaway? I never ever want to buy more stuff. Ha! But really, isn’t stuff shuffling the worst?! After a couple of hours, I had a full bag of garbage and one box of items for donation. Nothing too wild, and yet, going through the room was the perfect reminder that I don’t want to add to the current inventory of our home. I’m maxed out maintaining the things we already have.
So, next time you’re feeling spendy or filling an Amazon cart - consider taking an hour to chip away at an area in your home that feels overwhelming. Because taking care of what we already have can really scratch an itch that buying more and more doesn’t.
Wowza, my reading life has been fun lately.
Just finished:
June Baby (physical book) - beautiful writing and setting! Not necessarily a standout for me but I did enjoy it
The Calamity Club (audiobook) - I worried I wouldn’t get through this 28 hour (!!) audiobook before it was due back at the library but I was so drawn to the story that I flew through it in a week
Currently reading:
The Burning Side (physical book) - highly anticipated second novel from Sarah Damoff, author of The Bright Years which was one of my favorite reads of 2025. Only 50 pages in but loving it so far.
Whistler (audiobook) - found my way to this Ann Patchett new release after a book hangover from The Calamity Club. I’m using my Spotify audiobook hours to listen.
Up next:
Dolly All the Time (physical book) - so excited for this one. Nora Goes Off Script is one of my favorite romances ever and this new release by the same author is getting lots of buzz.
(audiobook) - not sure! Any recommendations?
related: my monthly reading recaps are back in a new format, May’s is linked here.
These mini ice cream cones from TJs have been a staple here the last few summers. They’re the perfect size for a little sweet treat but won’t spoil anyone’s dinner if consumed on a sunny afternoon. Love having them on hand for our family and to offer our kids’ friends.
One Simple Question that Changed Our Home
Mother’s Helpers, House Managers, and the Search for Relief
The Reframe podcast - this listener questions episode. I appreciated hearing Kathleen talk about how they have set their kids (teens) up for spending money.
For summer of 2026, here’s what’s guiding me.
Let go a bit - the house will not be perfectly clean or tidy. Our schedule will vary by day. I’m bound to drop some balls. It’s ok.
Be kind to myself - wear the dang swimsuit/tank top/shorts. Instead of spending energy picking apart my body or trying to hide, I’m planning to enjoy summer in my strong and soft and capable body. No one cares.
Prioritize what makes me feel like me - Knowing myself deeply and honoring that has been a welcome part of my 40s. When I’m walking outside and reading every day, I feel good. When I get time to recharge at home, I feel good. May we all carve out time for the things that make us feel our best.
see you right back here next week,
recent favorites
browsing Big Hill Books in Mpls
our kitchen runner - washed it again this week and it’s held up beautifully. soft underfoot. discount code: NICOLE15
this athletic stay cool dress - comes in sizes xs-3x and a few colors. I recommend sizing up. I’m usually a size L but wearing XL in this.
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