I won’t do that, though. Even when I think I’ll really write the Finish the Sentence Friday Freewriting posts in five minutes, I sometimes go above that and write for six minutes. Or you know, 600 minutes. And my photo share posts? It’s share one photo and the story behind it. So I usually share six photos and six stories behind them. Or you know, 600. That’s my way, I guess. I’m learning a lot about my ways lately. I always get so scared it will all disappear POOF, but you know I don’t believe in that stuff. It’s always two steps forward, one step back. One step up and two steps back. It’s all here to stay, is what I’m saying. The mixed bag. All summers are summers of learning and love, because every day is made of learning and love.
I’ve decided to go my own way, as usual, but don’t worry. I’ll share at least one photo and at least one story behind it! Or maybe the photos will tell their own stories. I’m also going back in time and finding an old Old School Blogging (remember that?) end of summer questionnaire. I don’t know why I don’t fill this out at the end of every summer, like I do with New Year’s Eve. This is where I call it, though. The end of summer vacation (but not summer itself, you non-calendar-watching fools). We’re less than a week away from the dreaded school. I feel sick thinking about it. So let’s think about summer.
It starts now!
What was your favorite thing you did alone this summer?
OMG, did I do anything alone, OTHER than putter around the house muttering to myself, try to build my media empire, and skip a lot of lunches? I was alone for most of the summer, actually. Camp is way longer than school and I got quite used to long days alone. I’m losing them now. Favorite thing I did alone.. does it count if Astro was there? Crap. No. Ok, my favorite alone thing I did was to sink down into a warm and herbal bubble bath with a Liane Moriarty book or two. Mm.. that’s right.
What was your favorite thing you did as a family this summer?
Cape Cod, of course. And we had a good streak going where we’d sink down into air-conditioned movie theater seats three movies in a row! Ant-Man, Incredibles 2, and Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. Also, being together and doing functional and domestic things as a team is awesome. Like I said in another post – I’m trying to rein in the chaos and go for the structure.
What books did you read this summer?
Yum to that. I read “The Great Alone,” “Into the Water” (not a fan), “The Wife Between Us”, “Young Jane Young”, “Little Fires Everywhere” and I’m currently more than halfway through “The Hypnotist’s Love Story” – a great bath book!
What do you WISH you had done this summer?
I can probably quote Hamilton here. “Talk less. Smile MORE.” It’s more like, “Work less. SMILE, love, drive, hug, kiss, get away MORE.” I wish I had taken the kids to Six Flags. I wish I had rented that cabin in Moosehead Lake, Maine, although to be fair – fall is a better time for that. I wish I had done more photo shoots and more photo fun and more dog walks and more domestic structure. Niagara Falls. New cities. Long drives with the windows down. More being completely in the present.
What movies did you see this summer (if any)?
Aha, I answered that above! Ant-Man, Incredibles 2, and Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom.
Where did you travel this summer?
Some fun day trips in and around New England – like New York. And of course, Cape Cod. And tomorrow I’m going to Teaneck, NJ for a big photo job, but it hasn’t happened yet. It’s for my dad’s 50th reunion and I have a hotel room too!
What was your favorite treat (as in dessert) this summer?
I can’t imagine a world in which I don’t answer that it’s Village Green Ice Cream’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae to go. With cookie dough ice cream, but hold the cherry. I used to hold the hot fudge, but I’ve since corrected that error!
What did you celebrate this summer?
Scarlet’s birthday, so really, my birthday of becoming a mom! And then my real birthday too. As well as landing the biggest contract I ever did land. Whoa to that one. And I’ve celebrated Astro’s awesomeness pretty much every day.
Did you grow anything this summer?
hmm.. not really. I didn’t grow any babies or plants or foods. Cassidy grew squash, peppers, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, berries, plums, kale, green leaf lettuce, and a whole lot of other impressive and gardeny- things at our house. I grew love.
What is a favorite post (if you blog) that you wrote this Summer?
I never, ever read them again after I publish them but I seem to remember loving writing this one.
What do you want to do next summer?
Well, I want to talk less, smile more. Work less, love more. I’d love to rent that cabin in Moosehead Lake, Maine and exercise more and take the kids to Niagara Falls. They’ve been asking. We just need passports. Sheesh. It’s magic.
What is a favorite photograph that you took this summer?
So, I kinda used it with the one of my mom! I’ll find another two, though. Just phone photos but FUN:
This is me linking up, as one of my favorite things to do, with Finish The Sentence Friday. This week’s topic is Photo Share Friday And there’s still time to write yours. Come link up with your spin: HERE. What’s your photo? What’s its story?
Aw, your summer looked and sounded to me quite perfect! And if I had to sum my own up in word, I would say “magical” as Disney being a part of it how could it not be š
Aww summer. I miss it, but I really am looking forward to Fall this year. It has some good vibes. I sure love those pictures of your smiling Astro š
I love this post, and as always, you pictures. Looks like you had fabulous weather during your Cape Cod trip. It’s been a few summers since I’ve been back. I must go next year!
Those garden photos are definitely favorable. I’m glad you chose them. I said it last time but the garden is SO beautiful. Christopher is at the age that he didn’t want to be seen seeing Incredibles 2 (a younger sibling or cousin would have helped) but he’ll see it once it’s on DVD. It’s hard not to see the second of something when you loved the first regardless of how old you are.
We haven’t seen Ant Man yet but it’s on the list and LOVED Incredibles 2. The photos you chose are awesome. My favorites are the one of your mom and the one of Des with the water and bubbles. Pure bliss, both of them. Also I said it before but your garden is amazing!! And HUGE! I can’t believe summer’s over (for us) and almost over for you – it went too fast. As they do I suppose. Still.
Great read, thanks, Tamara!
Too much going through my mind to answer those questions now.
I’m sure I said it before, but I adore that bubble photo (unless you posted one just like it before, I’m sure I’ve seen it)! This is the first year in about the last 6 years we missed going to the Cape. š Maybe it was the crankiest but it looks pretty good on “paper”.
THAT GARDEN! Wow looks so beautiful! Love your photos! My favorite would be those I took on my Cabo vacation. I need to look at those again.
I have seen zero movies in the theater this summer, but I’m catching up on Netflix and Amazon video. That way I can watch in small doses.
I’m half ready for summer to be over, and half not. I love the fall and getting back to routines, but I’m sad it will be my last back-to-school, kind of. This time next year I’ll have an empty nest.
I love your hat…and how beautiful your family all are…and how you have learned to truly live in the NOW. Mazal tov…and I’m like you: I cannot, absolutely CANNOT, write to a timer. My brain either seizes up and nothing comes out, or I get on a tear and when the timer goes off, it interrupts my train of thought and like Aladdin’s genie…POOF!….the thought is gone forever, because as my daughter used to say when she would lovingly pat me on the head…”Mommy’s oooooooollllldddd head…”
That Village Green Ice Creamās Peanut Butter Cup Sundae sounds absolutely amazing. I now want that dessert in my life ASAP. Your summer sounds so lovely, and those pictures are so summery and joyful. My word for the summer would be āhardā because itās been a lot of adjustments as my husband graduated and then started a new job, and summertime is the busy season for my job at the library. I also dealt with a foot injury that kept me from enjoying my summer in the usual outdoorsy hiking or going to the beach ways. But Iām optimistic about September. Weāre settling into our new routine, and thankfully, weāve got an 8 day vacation planned to Myrtle Beach planned at the end of that month so I feel like the fall will more than make up for things. ššš»
Your photos and your blogs always come together so perfeclty Tamara, and we’re always wanting more of both to enjoy. Healing and Hopeful are words that best describes my Summer 2018. I still have quite a ways to go for my healing physically, and l’m still trying to be even better at accepting the reality that l’m not going to be able to do all the things that I once was able to. This has been the most challenging part, but l’m still trying and still hopeful that I’ll be as healthy as l can possibly be again.
I canāt believe you are going to be so close tomorrow me this weekend!! Thatās so exciting and Iām sure everyone will love you and youāll take incredible photographs this weekend.
There are so many things to sink my teeth into with this post. The movies, the puppers, the garden pics, the peanut butter cup sundae (whoa that sounds amazing), the alone, the together, the biggest gig (congrats girl, and Iām always so happy that you are moving and groovingāno one deserves it more than you do!!), the figuring-it-outness of it all and the wonders of summer. Also Iām wishing you happy moose hunting and vacation taking.
I miss you much. Xo
I love seeing all these photos again, but my favorites are of the bubbles and the garden. The one with the bubbles just speaks excitement and the one of the garden speaks peace for me.
I really have so many photos that I could really pick because my summer was/is super magical but can you believe I am already planning a cross country trip for my new family of 5?! I don’t know how I’m going to make it happen but I’m gonna!
Loving the Hamilton references! And Iām envious of Cassidyās garden. Iām now delving into gardening, so l tip my hat to him and his green thumb.
Love your sun hat, and The Hypnotistās Love Story sounds really good!