“Helloooooooo!!” she hollers with an embarrassing amount of enthusiasm!
*Waves wildly in your direction*
I know it’s been a minute since I posted a “Few of My Favorite Things” article. There’s been no small amount of life going on here behind the scenes, but we’re now back to regularly scheduled programming!
Plus, it’s off-ic-ial-y summer. Hallelu and glory be!!
As always, I love to share goodies here that might come in handy as you serve yourself and your people by building a tradition or two. I know some people love a good tradition, others find them tedious. I love them because in my life and my family’s lives, traditions have been one kind of light guiding us towards familiarity during times of unfamiliar change.
So forward march to a few of my favorite things that will help us spring right into summer!
American Flag: We like to fly a flag outdoors during the summer, but our spot for the flag off the front of our house gets INTENSE sun. So, the flag really needs to hold up, and this one from Ace Hardware has–at least so far!
Blue Ruffled Shirt: In May, we attended a VERY special family event, and I needed a cute, bright blue shirt to go with some fancy floral pants I planned to wear at said event. After ordering about 27 shirts (give or take), this shirt was the winner. So comfy and cute, and it comes in tons of colors! If you’re interested in getting it and are between sizes, I’d size down.
Paris Tea: A new friend gave me some of this tea, and I love it! It’s Earl Grey-like with notes of bergamot but jazzed up with citrus and other fruit flavors. LOVE.
Toiletry Travel Bottles: Normally, I’m a high-maintenance gal who likes to take her full-sized bottles of products with her when she travels. But last year, after taking four out-of-state trips one right after the other, I decided I really needed some travel bottles that would hold my products and fit well in my travel bag. Enter these! There’s a good selection of various sizes and shapes, and using several of them has definitely made traveling easier for me!
Lady Clementine: A Novel by Marie Benedict For whatever reason, summer always feels like big time historical fiction time for me. (Not that I don’t read historical fiction at other times of the year. Heh.) This novel offers a deep dive into Clementine Churchill, wife to Winston. While I did find parts of the book moved rather slowly, I still thought it was a fascinating read into the woman who steadfastly supported her husband through a variety of trials and tribulations.
Easy Dinner: Salmon cooked in parchment paper (with a side of roasted broccoli) is still my favorite kind of easy dinner. (I use parchment like this right here for the salmon as well as baking all manner of things.) If the kids are home and I’m once again cooking enough food to feed a platoon, then this orzo salad recipe is a winner. (I do add chicken though.) But if the kids are all gone and it’s just my husband and I for dinner–or if the kids ARE home for lunch–I sometimes throw out some yummies from the grocery or Trader Joe’s for us to eat charcuterie style. Some TJ favorites include Wine Country Chicken Salad (SO GOOD), Artichoke and Jalapeño Dip (!!!), and Everything But the Bagel Yogurt Dip with veggies and/or crackers. I also add some Unexpected Cheddar Cheese with apple slices and crackers. I throw on some pickles and/or olives, and voilà! Dinner that doesn’t heat up the house, either.
Teatime Discipleship by Sally Clarkson: I’ve read Sally’s books for years because they nurture and encourage me as a wife, mom, friend, and overall person. This book shares the kind of wisdom that both mothers and ministers to me in the art of friendship and discipleship.
Elta MD Face Sunscreen: I first heard about this from Melanie and Sophie of the Big Boo Cast eons ago, and I adore it. I use sunscreen every single day, and this is my favorite kind to put on my face because it’s light but covers oh-so well. 5 stars!
Eye Makeup Remover: I tried this Nutrogena brand recently after my daughter gave it a thumbs up. Yep, it works beautifully!
Hanging Plant Laptop Sticker Pack: Our daughter is a plant lover, and I found these as a fun little gift for her birthday last month. She loved them, and they look so darling on her laptop! Might be a fun gift for yourself or for the plant lover in your life!
Breckenridge, CO: Oh, this town has my heart any time of the year but most especially during the magical season that is Colorado summer. If you’re looking for a cute place to stay in Breck, my friend, Jamie, has darling rental properties in the Breckenridge area, including Chestnut Hill Cabin and Southern Pines Cabin. I haven’t stayed at Southern Pines, but I can vouch for the fact that Chestnut Hill is especially spacious with two en-suites. So, you and extended family or you and friends could vacation very comfortably there together! And if you have no travel plans to Breckenridge but enjoy beautiful pics and videos of idyllic mountain vignettes, then I suggest following Jamie just the same.
27 Ways to Be the Kind of Friend You Want to Have: If making friends has been hard for you as it’s been for most of us, I’m here to help with a brand spankin’ new FREE resource.
(Visit here for last summer’s list of A Few of My Favorite Things.)
That’s all for now, dearhearts! May summer bring you some of your most favorite things, and may the air conditioning temps be ever in your favor.
Sending you much love!
Kristen
I’m so happy you like the tea! And I love your favorite things lists. 💗