Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best co-host this monthly sharing of tips, tricks, and conversation starters. It's been a minute since I did one of these and I don't think I have interesting answers for about half of these questions . . . but I told myself I was going to jump back in for the May edition so here I am!
1. What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Right now I'm most looking forward to getting together with all the kids for our family vacation home getaway. We did it for the first time last summer and everyone had a good time (as far as I know!) and we're hoping to do something like this regularly. We decided to rent an Airbnb vacation house where we can all meet and that has plenty of room for all of us to be together. This summer we have a house near Deep Creek, Maryland for a long weekend.
Photos from family vacation 2024:
2. Any favorite summer traditions?
It's a little too early to call the vacation home get-together a tradition at this point, but I hope it will become one. Fireworks for July 4th are a long-standing tradition, of course. Lots of little things like going out for ice cream, and going to local carnivals and festivals. We have a pool at the apartment so that has been a recent tradition, I think. Outdoor concerts and movies when we get the chance.
3. Any summer travel plans?
At this point the only firm plans we have are for the Deep Creek weekend, which is the first weekend in August. We have unconfirmed plans to go to Maryland and visit the kids a couple other times, but haven't settled those dates or booked the time off from work yet. I have one less week of PTO than my husband, and I've already used one of my weeks, so getting time away from work could be a challenge for me.
4. How do you red, white, and blue?
Fireworks, I guess? I love fireworks. I do some summer decorating with red, white, and blue. I'm very patriotic, but I'm having trouble answering this question! I'll be singing the national anthem with the chorus at the local baseball game next week - does that count as doing red, white, and blue?
5. Beach, lake, or pool?
For me, it's the pool. I don't care for swimming in a lake or in the ocean, and while I enjoy being at the beach I'm not one of those people that craves the beach time. I also like the pool because it's a one-minute walk from the house and I don't have to pack in and out. No sand to deal with! I can go every day if I want, instead of waiting for a long weekend. I'm determined to enjoy it as often as I can this summer, since we're hoping to move next year.
6. Favorite summer sweet treat?
Ice cream! I'd have ice cream every day if I could.
7. Favorite sunscreens and self tanners?
I don't use sunscreen and seldom use self tanner, so I don't really have any favorites here. My sun protection consists of my sunglasses and a hat.
8. Best flip flops or sandals?
I used to wear flip flops all the time, as in all year round! I prefer them to sandals, but I can't wear them if I'm going to be walking a lot. I have a couple pair of flip flops with memory gel soles and that offer a bit more arch support so those are the ones I go with. I have a pair of Vionic sandals I got a couple years ago that are surprisingly comfortable, but I'm kind of on the lookout for a new pair of quality summer footwear that will be good for my feet.
9. How are you staying fit this summer?
Well, I guess I need a better plan because I should get more fit than I am currently! We're planning to make use of the pool as often as possible, though I don't swim laps or anything like that. Walking and hiking are my main exercise and we'll be doing that more often now that we have longer and warmer days.
10. Favorite summer themed movies?
The final question is where I'll bow out, because I'm not much of a movie watcher, so nothing is coming to mind at the moment. There are a couple of places that show free outdoor movies during the summer, so I'm hoping we can get to a couple of them, but I don't even know what's playing!
What are some things you're doing to kick off summer? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Oh I love Deep Creek. That will be fun! Lots of people come to visit us for the first time and say they won't swim in the lake, but everyone changes their mind once they see it in person. It is so clear and so clean, one of the cleanest in the US. Singing the National Anthem definitely counts : ) Have a nice summer!
ReplyDeleteI think I prefer to be ON a lake rather than IN it. LOL The photos you've shared of your lake are always lovely, so I would love to see it in person! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteYour weekend away with the fam sounds like perfection!
ReplyDeleteI only wish it was longer, but it's the best we can do this year! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteTo see your vacation pictures, makes me want to go too ! But I am not yet sure we have so many strikes here in Europe, and I don't want to stay for hours in an airport.
ReplyDeleteI don't like being stuck at an airport either. I hope the strikes are settled and things calm down. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteThe trip sounds wonderful for your family! I enjoy outdoor music as well. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteWe are looking forward to that get-together and any others we can manage over the summer! And outdoor music and movies if that works out too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteHi, we have several things in common. I too am not much of a movie person. I enjoy walking and hiking. I will take the pool over the lake. And I do not use sunscreen. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you to sing the national anthem, that is a fantastic way to celebrate the red, white and blue.
Interesting the preferences we share - I figured I would be in the minority with the sunscreen thing ;-) Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI always wanted to have a big family vacation with our kids and their families. I thought we might do that the winter after Covid, but it just didn't work out. Now, they're all so busy. I agree about the pool though I do love the ocean but not the sand. It seems like the last few times I was at the ocean, there were jellyfish. I love flip flops but my feet don't. I think I want to try a pair of Vionic ones, but geez are they expensive!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
That's my thing with lakes and the ocean - I love being there but there are too many things that COULD be in the water that I'd rather not be surprised by! The expense of Vionic and other high-quality supportive sandals is why I'm still thinking about getting a new pair and not actually doing it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI hope your vacation rental home becomes a wonderful new tradition for you all. I love ice cream too! A 1 minute walk to a pool where you don't really need to pack up anything sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIf it's up to me, I'll make the vacation home a summer tradition for the family, but we'll see! I think if I had a lake right outside my back door I'd probably love that too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI'm belatedly catching up on my Monthly Musings reading :) The weekend away with your whole family sounds like a lovely tradition! Enjoy!
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