This is officially the first August in well over a decade that our front porch is not “hidden” by gigantic hydrangeas… and I love the simplified look!
Here’s what it looked like before this past spring, when we transplanted the hydrangeas and changed the bedline on the front of our house.
It’s a slightly different angle, but you get the idea — still super pretty, but it was starting to feel like “too much”.
We’ll have a lot more color next summer when the roses are healthier (we had to transplant many of those too, and they haven’t bloomed as much this year).
I was worried I might regret moving the hydranges… but it has been so nice to have smaller beds, cleaner lines, and the ability to actually see out of our front windows!
Plus, we still have thousands of hydrangea blooms around our property.
Favorite Moment = The Mundane
As many of you know, Dave and I aren’t big travelers — mainly because neither of us wants to do the work of planning vacations, trips, excursions, etc.
Plus, it just feels like so much unnecessary work, time, energy, and money to leave our home, when we all really like being home.
In comparison with most families, we have very “boring” summers. Thankfully, I don’t care about keeping up with the Jones’… and I absolutely love our boring, mundane summer days at home together (most of the time!)
Truthfully, we do all sorts of little fun things — a picnic lunch, friends over for pool parties, an ice cream or slushy run in the middle of the afternoon, mornings at the zoo with neighbors, Rebounderz on rainy days, impromptu kickball games in the backyard, movie nights, bonfires, hot tubbing under the lights…
Nothing fancy, nothing over-the-top, probably nothing the kids will be overly excited to share on the first day of school. But I have no regrets, nor do I wish for a different way to spend our 10 glorious weeks of summer.
My kids might resent their lack of family vacations at some point, and they may choose to do it differently with their kids. But I think they secretly love our slow summers at home together. 🥰
RELATED READING: Upgrading the Everyday
Favorite Routine = Waking Up On Time
I alluded to this in one of my weekly newsletters earlier this summer — the fact that for the first time in roughly 15 years, Dave and I are actually waking up “on time” (6:15ish) by our own choosing, every weekday over the summer.
Normally, we are morning people and wake up much earlier than 6:15. But over the summer months, we’ve always enjoyed sleeping in (see note above about our slow summers at home).
Every spring, we give ourselves a pep talk, trying to convince ourselves that we should continue waking up early throughout the summer… but then June rolls around and we find ourselves sleeping in until 8:30 all summer long.
Not this year!
We literally have 2 extra hours every day (while the kids are still sleeping)! I’ve been going to a weightlifting class at 6:30 and Dave has been running. Then we jump in the pool, sit in the hot tub, and make breakfast as the kids start to wake up.
It’s likely a much better use of our time than sleeping… and it feels good to get a few things crossed off our list before the rest of the family wakes up.
No promises that we’ll stick with early mornings next summer… but for now, it’s been a very good routine for us.
Past Favorite = Bunch O Balloons
I first shared self-filling water balloons as a Favorite Thing back in 2017, and ever since then, we’ve needed to buy at least one “Bunch O Balloons” every summer for an epic (and very easy) water balloon fight.
While my preference would simply be “no water balloons”, the kids love them. And… if you’re going to do water balloons, these are one of the best inventions ever, especially as someone who has issues tying balloon ends into knots!
I’m still not sure how they work so well, but I do know that I can fill up hundreds of water balloons in just minutes using their quick and easy method. Costco usually sells giant packs every spring, but if you miss those, you can stock up on Amazon any time of year!
Favorite Clothing = Athletic Shorts
Believe it or not, I haven’t gotten a new pair of athletic shorts since college! I had some sweatpant material shorts and linen shorts, but nothing light-weight or quick-dry… until I found this 5-pack on Amazon with really great reviews.
These shorts are super lightweight, extremely comfortable, and can easily be “dressed up” a bit with a casual shirt for running errands.
They are perfect for yard work as they dry quickly and have zippered pockets to keep things from falling out while I walk through the yard.
They also have a built-in “liner” so your underwear doesn’t show — and honestly, they aren’t as short as the picture above shows them to be.
I’ve been living in these shorts all summer and consider them a fantastic wardrobe “investment”.
Favorite Book = Little House Series
Often in the summer, I reread the Little House on the Prairie series. I know it might sound cliché, but it truly is one of my favorite book series — and some of the only books I’ve read more than once.
As a girl, I wished I lived “back then”. Now, I’m more practical and realize I would never actually want to live without indoor plumbing, heated water, and refrigeration… but it’s still fun to think back on what life was like for so many Americans as they settled out West.
The books are mostly quick and easy reads (outside of the Long Winter — which, in my opinion, is much too long!)
READ THE BOOKS: Little House on the Prairie Series
Favorite Media = Frozen Musical
We recently watched the Frozen Broadway Musical (on Disney+) and it was absolutely AMAZING!
We had to pause and “rewind” it a few times because the special effects were so fantastic. We’re still not sure how Elsa’s costume “flew off” towards the end when she magically morphed into a new outfit on center stage.
Obviously, the singing and acting were superb as well — totally worth whatever we’re paying for Disney+ these days!
Favorite Hobby = Decorating on a Dime
Since childhood, I’ve taken great joy in transforming spaces with items I already have on hand or frugal thrift store finds. It’s so much more fun than buying brand new; plus, there’s no buyer’s remorse if I decide I don’t love something after a few months.
I haven’t had a chance to totally overhaul a space in a while, so it was fun to do this little office at our church.
For less than $200, I purchased everything in the picture below to create a cozy little space with a Mid-Century Modern flair (at least that’s what I was going for)!
Every item came from a thrift store or Facebook Marketplace. 😊
Yes, there’s a chip on the top of the table, a few scratches on the wall-side of the loveseat, and a frayed corner on the rug… but they honestly aren’t super visible, even in person (certainly not in pictures).
I could have easily spent thousands creating this same look. The quality would have been superior, but likely not necessary for what this space will be used for. And now it won’t matter nearly as much if things get broken or banged up a bit.
Another fun way to overhaul your space on a tiny budget is to rearrange the furniture in a room OR rearrange full rooms in your home. We did this a few years ago, and it was so much fun!
Favorite Recipe = Zucchini Banana Sheet Cake
Need a delicious recipe that will feed a crowd and use up a bunch of farm-fresh zucchini?
Try this easy zucchini banana sheet cake! It’s a one-bowl kind of recipe, with a really yummy cream cheese frosting that is nearly impossible to mess up.
TRY THE RECIPE: Zucchini Banana Sheet Cake.
Favorite Archived Post
One of my best tips for saving space (and money) is not buying “sets” of things — except socks, that’s OK in my book!
We have sets of luggage, but really only need 1 or 2 sizes.
We have sets of knives, but use the same 4 over and over while the others collect dust.
We have sets of bedding when we really only like the comforter, and end up storing the sheets just in case we need them someday.
You get the idea…
We likely all have partial sets lying in the back of our storage closet, the corners of our attic, or the bins in our basement… items we don’t need, use, want, or love… but is it really OK to donate or sell just part of a set?
Yes, yes, yes!!!
If you want to save space, separate your sets and only keep the items you DO need, use, want, and love.
Read the full posts here: Save Space by Separating Sets.
That’s all for this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
leigh says
My kids love those water balloons too. Last year we dipped our toes into their reusable water balloons, I was skeptical, but they have been fantastic. I got more this year at Costco and we have yet to break one.
Andrea says
that’s awesome!
lynn greenhalge says
Andrea!
Little house- there is an accompanying set of books by Melissa Wiley
they are made up stories about Laura’s ancestors.
I think you might love them!
Little House in the Highlands is the first.
Enjoy!
Lynn
Andrea says
Oh wow, I thought I had read ALL the books related to the little house books, but not these. I’m off to put them in my library holds list!
Thanks!!
Suzanne says
I thought it was so sweet that you like to read Little House on the Prairie books. My Grandma loved to read those books because she thought her childhood was very similar to Laura’s. She was born in the late 1800’s. I think we all yearn for a simpler time but I am very grateful life isn’t quite as hard as it was back in those days.
Andrea says
yes, I love the books because they were written about the late 1800’s which is when our farmhouse was built. So I sometimes think about what the children in our home lived like back then 🙂
Debbie says
Wow! I commend you both for sticking to your morning wake up schedule even through the summer break. I was just thinking that I am missing sitting out on our porch through this summer. It gets way too hot when temperature is in the 90’s but it’s perfect in the morning or when it’s within the 80 degree range. I try to schedule my workout in the morning too, but waking up at 6 am just barely gives me time to do that and get ready for work. I am definitely not a morning person so that 6 am wake up call takes everything I can muster. From time to time, I even just stay in bed. Haha! If I make it earlier it would be nice to sit in the porch for a relaxing cup of coffee though.
I just ordered the shorts you recommended. I need to refresh my workout shorts and that’s a good price. Hopefully, my sizing estimation works out. Someone said to size up because the waist line is a bit tight, so I did.
Andrea says
Oh fun! I hope you love the shorts too! I have a medium and I do usually wear a small, so that was probably wise to “size up”.
And yes, mornings in the summer are extra nice b/c it’s light out so early and the kids sleep so late. We have lots of time “alone” in the mornings — I think that’s what keeps me getting up, even when I really just want to hit “snooze”.
Kristen C. says
Hi Andrea,
I love when you share new recipes (especially for summer produce). Here is a recipe below that I recently came across for a Crustless Zucchini Pie. It’s very good and great way to use up all the zucchini. Always enjoy your Favorite Things posts and family updates. Keep spending time as a family doing what works for you. Our children will remember time spent creating memories, whether traveling or at home. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
https://brunchandbatter.com/crustless-zucchini-pie/
Andrea says
Thanks Kristen (for your kind words and for the recipe!)
I think I’ve tried a similar recipe and it was yummy. I’ll need to give this one a try next!
KARLYN NANCE says
Your plan to replace plastic food containers with BPA-free plastic or glass caught my eye, since I have also been on this same mission recently. I could not believe how much Tupperware (and other plastic containers) I had on hand–likely made before it became BPA-free. I have done quite a bit of research, and learned how the recycle numbers on the bottom of plastic relates to its relative food safety. (Generally, #’s 2,4, & 5 are food safe). However, there is one marketing trick to watch out for. Recycle #1 is constructed of PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate). This type of plastic is generally safe for single use, and many store-bought products are packaged in this type of plastic. However, it is not recommended for re-use due to possible microplastic migration & antimony leach, which has many potential health issues. I have encountered quite a few plastic storage containers on Amazon, marketed as BPA-free, which is true, because no PET contains BPA! However, they avoid stating the product is made from PET plastic, which is not food safe for reuse. Bottom line: BPA-free doesn’t necessarily mean safe for food storage re-use, unless it is specified as constructed of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or polypropylene.
Andrea says
Good to know Karlyn! Another reader emailed me something similar. So crazy how they sneak all these chemicals into products!
Thanks for sharing.
Shelly Anderson says
Please create a post on how to care for hydrangeas. Cover starting from choosing them at the nursery, the best places to plant, and when to prune. You make it look so easy. I am at a loss. Thanks in advance.
Andrea says
oh my — I don’t think I’d be the best person to write that post because we basically do nothing. We cut the blooms off every spring, and then just let them grow. We’ve never fertilized them once in 14 years, but they do get watered with our irrigation, so that helps. I think we just have the perfect amount of sun/shade for them in our yard.
Beth says
Nice thrifting? What room is that?
Andrea says
An office at our church!
Natalia says
Thank you for another wonderful list of favorites! I love your sort of summer days! I’ve got to stay home alone this summer for an entire week and it was my best vacation ever!
I bought my (large collection) of glass AND (fewer) plastic containers from IKEA. Only rectangle shaped (as opposed to other sets that have all sorts of shapes, for no other reason than raising the blood pressure when it is time to find the proper lid).
I love that their lids are interchangeable for a handful of sizes and stay closed. I can transfer the glass ones from fridge to oven (just remove the plastic lid and cover with foil). Having several containers of the same size means that they stack well for storage, transport and serving. I only use the plastic ones for storing fruit and veggies. I use the glass ones so much, I truly don’t know how I survived before having them!
Andrea says
A week home alone in the summer sounds glorious!
I too try to stick with rectangular containers… but I haven’t thought to look at IKEA yet. We don’t have one close by so I never think of them.
Amy F;) says
Your “new” office for $200 is amazing! Well done!
Andrea says
Thanks 🙂 I’m happy with it!
Nancy says
This is off the subject but I know your family loves family photos. We got a digital picture frame recently. I have never had one and it’s a lot of fun. Mine is Frameo from Amazon but there are lots of brands.
Andrea says
Yes, I’ve thought about this — the kids would love it. My parents have one and like it too!
Nancy says
I also have the Costco glass sets and they’re so much more pleasant to use. No staining, freezer to oven or microwave. The lids are plastic, but dishwasher safe, they haven’t warped. They are a little heavier if you pack your lunch to work.
Andrea says
yes, the heaviness (and breakable-ness) are what stop me from switching to glass. We’ll see, maybe I’ll do a bit of both for a while.
Heather says
I love how you’ve redone your front flower beds (they were beautiful as well before, but the simplicity looks so nice).
It looks like you and your family have had a wonderful summer. I would love to hear more about your weightlifting class. Enjoy your last part of the summer!
Andrea says
Thanks Heather — we are enjoying the simpler planting beds out front. Hopefully the roses look better next year!
Our summer has been fantastic… and the weigh lifting has been great. I go with a group of friends every morning so it’s pretty fun! Feel free to email me if you’d like specific details 🙂 (an****@**********er.com)
Kathy says
After using Tupperware for years, I switched to glass about 5 years ago. I bought several sets at Costco. Like that they don’t stain, lids are easy to snap on and stay on, and they go in the microwave. I try to keep a stack of the reusable disposable containers from Costco for “sharing” with others or if I know I’m sending food home with friends or family. And I didn’t put Tupperware in my dishwasher, but I do the glass ones, although they are very easy and quick to handwash.
Andrea says
Ok thanks for your thoughts, Kathy!
Linda says
I got rid of the plastic in my kitchen this past year. I purchased these glass containers on Amazon. I love them!
https://amzn.to/40Q7L0P
Andrea says
Thanks for the link!
Lana Wallace says
I swapped to glass containers a couple of years ago and have zero regrets. The containers still look brand new, since there is no staining, etc. Also, love that I can pop them in the oven to reheat leftovers.
Andrea says
I know, we do lots of re-heating in the toaster oven so I was thinking glass could be nice for that.
Jennifer Renard says
From your email question about plastic or glass containers….I switched to glass and absolutely love it! No stains, stays put better in the cabinet, I think they are better looking as well.
Andrea says
Good to know. Thanks for your thoughts!
Kimberly Beaty says
Ohhhh. I confess….. without meaning any negativity!!!…… I will miss those amazing hydrangeas welcoming us to your front porch.
Andrea says
I know… but we still have almost 40 hydrangeas in our yard, lining our driveway, on the sides of our house, in front of the garden, back by the hot tub, etc. They are everywhere… and now we can see out our front windows 🙂
Kim says
Who is the author of the book, Hope, that is shown stacked next to the Little House books in the picture?
Thank you!
Andrea says
It’s Billy Graham! We love Hope for Today!
DONNA MARIE says
Again, a great blog!!!
Andrea says
Thanks Donna Marie 🙂
Clare says
I love the Little House series too. They were my favourite books as a child and I still love them as an adult. If you’re interested in the history behind the stories I can highly recommend the Laura Ingalls Wilder biography Prairie Fires. It’s a great book and won the Pulitzer prize.
Andrea says
Yes, I’ve read all the biography books about her (there’s some great biographies in the kids/youth section too that are easy to read). So interesting.
One of my favorite lines from her biography is “All I have told is true, but not the whole truth”. I think she did a great job of romanticizing life out west without all the less fun things to read about.
Tammy Burns says
What’s your favorite Little House book? I have especially loved Farmer Boy.
Andrea says
Dave absolutely LOVES Farmer Boy. Mine is probably the “Little House on the Prairie” book, Farmer Boy would be #2 for me. I just loved reading about their life on the prairie out west. It felt so magical as a kid!