It’s officially summertime here in the south! If the calendar didn’t tell us so, the heat wave this week coupled with the growing humidity certainly would be evidence. The garden is exploding. The chicks are growing real feathers. The kids are waterlogged with pool and lake water. And I’m buckled in and enjoying the ride.
I saw someone recently share about effective summer rhythms/routines and it made me smile because that was 100% me when my kids were younger. We loved our morning pool time then home for lunch and naps routine. I’d have an hour or two of quiet time in the afternoon to get things done, then we’d take to the driveway for chalk, books, popsicles, and yard exploration before coming in, turning on an episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates while I prepped dinner, winding down the day. It was a super sweet phase.
Summer Rhythms (or the Lack Thereof)
Now summer seems shorter and faster; I am simultaneously being pulled in more directions while also having a stronger desire to just be at home. I’m grateful to have so many good things filling our time from family and friends to new hobbies and responsibilities. Gone are the predictable days of a regular laundry schedule, and here are the days of letting our whims pull us where they may, from hosting friends to spending evenings at the pool to deciding to can 12 jars of pickles in a frenzy in fear of a single homegrown veggie going to waste.
I made a couple different varieties, blending my Nannie’s pickle technique with a few tweaks from other methods and a variety of spice combinations. I can’t wait to taste each one, decide on a favorite and pickle even more. The idea of having homemade pickles to enjoy and gift thrills me. This is 41. All my canning supply recommendations can be found here.
This past weekend David stayed home to work on the coop (it’s so close to done; I can’t wait to show you!) and care for Finley and the chicks while the girls and I headed to Georgia. Our first stop was my aunt and uncle’s house to celebrate my cousin’s baby on the way! We are so excited for Andrew and Natalia and had the best time helping celebrate this exciting time in their lives. I may be a sentimental sap, but showers and holidays feel more and more meaningful as years go by. These occasions to join others in commemorating some of life’s biggest blessings are truly special and should be celebrated well.
It was a family shower, so kids were welcome and my uncle delighted all of them by showing them how to feed his koi fish watermelon by sticking it between their toes. It was hilarious! Many shrieks and giggles ensued.
Afterwards we headed to mom’s house where we squeezed in a ton of summer lake fun into a mere 24 hours. The kids jumped off the dock, went tubing, rode on the jet ski, and devoured a fancy ice cream dessert Nana had prepared.
I did my best to stay out of the sun (and unfortunately the lake, too, as my face stitches from my recent mole removal are still healing). My wide brim sun hat (similar) and skirted swimsuit kept me comfortable enough to enjoy the lake fun without getting to be in the lake.
That brings us to this morning. David and I got up at 5:30 (look at us sticking to our new routine!). We did leg day (though slightly modified since technically I’m supposed to working out with my stitches). Then I gave the chicks‘ pen a thorough scrub down. We are needing to clean it every other day at this point and since we had been gone 72 hours, it was in need.
David took Finley on a morning run beside the golf cart while I poked into the garden to pick off a couple squash bugs and evaluate my tomato plants that are so top-heavy that they are falling all over the place despite tomato cages and tying supports to the trellis. I’ll have to figure out something better for next year but this year I’m just hoping I get a few before the plants break at the base and topple over.
Then I got the girls up and moving so we could be out of the house by 8:30 for musical theater camp. It’s the only camp the girls are doing this summer, and it’s just a half day. I’m eager to here what they think, as they were both looking forward to it: K for more practice doing what she loves most, and H because she’s had a growing interest in plays and singing.
I’m using my couple hours to say hi here and see how summer is going for you. Do you have a good routine going? Are you flying by the seat of your pants? I definitely am, but despite my love for routine, I’m really enjoying it. I know routine will return when our fall schedule does, so for now it’s all footloose and fancy free (even though I’ve also been researching curriculum and book lists…). Now I’m off to knock out a few emails, make a brain dump to do list, then pick up the kids. I hope this Monday is treating you well! <3
Laura says
I love how you are embracing your new “farm” life! The chicks are adorable. I forget- did you also talk about goats? My SIL started out with the big garden and chickens and then fell in love with raising goats, she breeds and sells them and also milks the goats and makes/ sells her own soap. I’m in awe of the work she puts into it, and I know she loves it. They pay some local 4-H high schoolers to take care of all of it when they leave town.
I remember those past summers also when the boys were little. Lots of backyard play and local hikes with PB&J. It’s so different now for sure! My routine was pretty solid for the whole school year, and I’m only slightly exaggerating when I say my diet was Cheetos and energy drinks on our last road trip. I’m good with it. We’ve traveled now 21 days of the 30 days I’ve been off from school, and I’m embracing (and loving) the chaos of it. Not that I won’t be fitting in some strength training and a huge fresh produce/ protein haul today now that I’m back home. With new teacher training I only have just under a month of “summer” left, and I’m acknowledging that there will likely be no set routine this summer. And months before I settle into and figure out a new routine!
Brittany Dixon says
I have so enjoyed your travel pics!! You have such a knack for planning trips and capturing it all so well. I can only imagine how good that fresh produce will taste after 3 weeks of Cheetos 😉 Enjoy the season of no routine!! I know I am 🙂
Sandrah says
I love seeing all the things you do for the summer. Have to ask if the summer heat is unbearable there and are there alligators in the waters 😁?
Your content just inspires me so much. Thank you 🤗
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Sandrah! The heat just kicked up to pretty insane this week (highs of 96ish + humidity), but at least there are no alligators in the lakes near us! 🙂
Stephanie Whyte says
As an OG reader- you just seem to be in the prime of your life really taking in the changes you and David have made for yourselves! I love it.
My son is now almost 6 and this is the first summer it just feels like “freedom summer” lol. I have him enrolled for a summer “camp” at his pre-k/daycare he attended but he also stays home with me. He is swimming and enjoying life and we dont have any set schedule at all.
I also recently deleted my facebook and IG apps as social media has become too noisy for my world and I want to get back to living in the moment so I appreciate your updates on here!!!
Brittany Dixon says
Freedom summer!! Sounds exciting 🙂
I totally understand about social media apps. I have a sincere love/hate with them. Love the people. Love the connection. Don’t love the number of hours it takes from life. I’ll always be a blog first kind of girl, so I’m so glad you’re up for hanging out with me here! Enjoy your more peaceful, less noisy days <3
Anne says
Loving the garden harvests! I’m trying to keep my squash from blight and squirrels (losing) but the salad leaves and kale are doing great (winning)!
I am starting a new job soon so not much of a summer ahead. My daughter will be attending a sports camp daily and we have a week in France to look forward to at the end of summer. Feeling thankful all around.
Brittany Dixon says
A week in France!! Amazing! Whereabouts?
And congrats on the new job! I hope you settle in quickly. I recall always feeling a little frazzled in the first month trying to learn how to do everything the right way.
Anne says
Thank you, I have a steep learning curve ahead but will take it in my stride and feeling blessed for the opportunity.
As for France, we will be driving to Le Touquet. The coastline is fabulous. We might go to Bruges (Belgium) and Paris (birthday!) for day trips.
Would love to hear more about the garden, what worked and what to try for next year – perhaps an end of summer recap? Our spring is cold, and summers are short so it’s trying to find the right vegetables ti grow, and when vs pest control!
Brittany Dixon says
France sounds lovely!
I’m planning on a garden update soon. I’ve already learned so much and am having so much fun with it all!