I don’t know if it’s a culmination of the last two years, the lousy spring weather, or the beautiful bright party plates that I’m clearly obsessed with in store, but I am ready to have THE MOST FUN this summer. And by THE MOST FUN, I mean working my way through a list of beautiful little projects and experiences I always mean to get around to planning and executing, but never really do. Right about now, you might be asking what it says about me that the most fun thing I can imagine for myself is a list of tasks to plan and execute and to that I say, THAT’S BETWEEN ME AND MY THERAPIST (but yes, I am a Capricorn, thanks for asking).
It’s my hope that over the next couple of months one project will flow into the next and by the end of August, I’ll have made memories and had a series of lovely little experiences, a golden thread of joy woven throughout my summer. I’ll be documenting everything with the hope that some of you might join me in trying one or two items from my list, or maybe even in creating a list of your own. If you decide to participate in any form, use the hashtag #ahrmostfunsummer so we can share in each others joy! Ok, without further ado, here’s my list for THE MOST FUN SUMMER.
Was slush a thing where you grew up? I grew up in Manitoba where an ice cream pail of slush was sitting in the freezer for most of the summer. Let me be clear, this was not a kid friendly slush- it involved vodka. I’ve been thinking about making it for years and this is the summer.
As an added perk, making slush requires the purchase of a 4-litre pail of ice cream. How you choose to empty it is none of my business and if it involves a single spoon and a long night of chick flicks, you’ll not be judged by me. Their size and lid make ice cream pails the perfect vessel and if there’s classier way to keep slush, I don’t wanna hear about it. I have two recipes I’m going to try. The first is this recipe for Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush, and the second is Citrus Vodka Slush. Will this involve me buying a combined 8-litres of ice cream? Yes. See the part about not being judged, above.
When our kids were little, we used to throw a white bedsheet over the swing set, grab their bean bag chairs and some blankets, and put on a movie using our iPad and a small projector. One summer, we travelled to France and had the opportunity to watch The Invention of Hugo Cabret at a park on a warm evening in a very old, very small French town, shooting stars streaking across the sky. We were told there’d be subtitles, there weren’t, and it didn’t matter one bit. I’ve been chasing that vibe ever since. Our backyard may not be France, but there will be red wine, good cheese, Haribo candy, fleece lined throws, plush pillows, cozy chairs, and a great line up of movies. What will we be watching?
Backyard Movie Schedule
- The Great Outdoors
- Sleepless In Seatle
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Summer makes me want to stock up on great books and every year I look forward to picking out a few fun titles to read on holidays. I imagine warm sun, ice cold drinks and lazy days with nothing to do but read. What I’ve come to realize is that nothing limits your holiday and reading time like opening your own store (and also giving yourself a MOST FUN SUMMER to do list, but I digress) so this summer I’m committing to making time to read. I’m talking daytime, fully awake, not scrolling Instagram reading. I’ve picked one book for July and one for August and if either sound interesting, I’d love to have you read along.
The biography of iconic Vogue editor, Anna Wintour. Even if you’re not interested in fashion, Anna Wintour has lived an unbelievable life at the pinnacle of the notoriously fickle fashion industry for 34 years. She is extraordinarily influential and intensely private, which makes it all the more exciting that Wintour gave permission for some of her closest friends and collaborators to be interviewed for the book. I can’t wait to dig in.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Addie LaRue makes a deal that she’ll live forever but be forgotten by everyone she meets. This novel spans centuries and is reminiscent of one of my favorite books, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. Bonus points if you add that to your reading list, you won’t regret it.
Pretty sure I don’t really have to expand on this one at all, but it will involve chocolate in many forms, various types of marshmallows, peanut butter, cookies, Nutella, and maybe some fruit for good measure. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta try every combination to see what’s best, and I’m happy to do it.
I have an image in my head of what it would look like: an open field, at least three antique chandeliers hanging mid air over a long table, candlelight, and free flowing champagne. The reality? I can do the candlelight part. One day, I will put together my field of dreams dinner party, but for this summer my goal is to have a lovely little dinner party in our back yard with our very good friends, great food, and of course, candlelight.
So that’s it, THE MOST FUN summer according to me. I’d love to hear what makes your list, and if you decide to try any of the above, or something from your own list, remember to use the hashtag #ahrmostfunsummer so we can share!
"Don’t you love Okotoks in the Fall? Makes me want to watch You’ve Got Mail."
Well, I guess if I’m being completely honest, I always want to watch You’ve Got Mail, but the urge is especially strong at the first hint of Fall. In a lot of ways, I’m not typically nostalgic when it comes to the 90’s. I’m not eager to revisit my grunge phase, but I do have a special place in my heart when it comes to 90’s interior and set design. Enter You’ve Got Mail and, more specifically, Meg Ryan’s apartment.