Andrea Dekker

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A Few of My Favorite Things (June 2026)

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graduation

Summer break is here, and I’m ready for it.

We survived the last week of school and ALL the many extras — including Nora’s 8th-grade graduation (pictured above).

We don’t have any big summer plans, but hope to finish renovations on our outbuilding before school starts up again — oh my word, progress is so slow!

The kids are all doing a variety of summer sports and music camps, and we have a few little things on the calendar, but we’ll mostly be home — which I’m not sad about.

graduation kids

Last year at this time, I was busy putting together a giant list of my 40 Most Favorite Things (in celebration of my 40th birthday).

While I don’t have 41 favorite things for you this year, I do have a fun list below… and, as always, you may comb through 14+ years of My Favorite Things if you’re looking to kill some time!

Favorite Moment = Burning School Papers

We put our favorite fire pit to good use this past weekend, burning all the kids’ school papers (and then roasting a few marshmallows).

A few of them had been intentionally saving their old papers for a fire, so it took a while (and was a little smoky), but a fun way to kick off our summer break!

burning school papers

Favorite Routine = Hot Tubbing

We didn’t use our hot tub at all from January through March (it was just too cold), but Dave and I have gotten back into our nightly hot tub “dates” again, and it’s one of my favorite routines.

We recently made a hot tub rule that we can’t talk about church, school, home projects, or kids while in the hot tub. It’s surprisingly difficult. 🙃

hot tub

Favorite Clothing = Cute Swim Suit

Several years ago, I found a cute swimsuit on Facebook Marketplace that quickly became my favorite go-to suit. It didn’t have a brand name inside, but I’ve been searching for similar styles ever since.

I finally found the same style on Petallush, and I snatched it up for $13!

swimsuit

I had never heard of the website, so I was skeptical (especially since it was a final sale)… but I figured it was worth a gamble for that price.

To my surprise, the suit arrived in just a few days, it fits well (I sized up), and it’s pretty decent quality.

The top fits more like a cropped shirt than a swimsuit, which I love. It’s likely not supportive enough for larger chests, but that is not an issue I struggle with… so I’m loving this suit! 😉

Favorite Book = The New Perimenopause

I thought I had already shared The New Perimenopause as a Favorite Thing — but I actually just shared it in my email newsletter (if you’re not already on my email list, it’s free!)

This is the newest book by Dr. Mary Clair Haver, and a companion book to her best-seller, The New Menopause.

If you think you’re “too young” to read it, you’re probably not — anyone over 30 will benefit from this book!

She also has a very informative podcast if you like listening better than reading.

READ THE BOOK: The New Perimenopause

the new perimenopause

Favorite Summer Find = Clip-on Fans

We have broken/ruined several of our fans over the last year, so it was time to invest in a few new ones for the summer season.

The kids all requested new clip-on fans for their beds… and while I was skeptical this VERY inexpensive fan would do the trick, they seem to love it (we’ve had them since spring break).

clip on fan

The fans clip on or stand on their own, and the heads swivel from side to side and up and down — so it’s pretty easy to get the perfect angle of air movement.

I got 4 thumbs up on this fan… which makes it a new favorite in my book!

Favorite Product = Vitamin E Oil

I’ve been using coconut oil as my main moisturizer for a couple of years now… but about 6 months ago, a dermatologist recommended using Vitamin E oil on my face and neck every night.

My skin has felt SO soft and moisturized — even during the dry winter months.

I’m a fan!

vitamin e oil

Favorite Recipe = Cheesy Sausage Quinoa Bites

These easy Sausage Quinoa Bites are a family favorite – especially for summer mornings when we don’t all wake up at the same time or eat breakfast together.

I usually keep this glass bowl filled with sourdough pancake or waffle mix in the fridge, so kids can make their own waffles or pancakes whenever they are hungry. They add some fresh fruit and reheat a few of these sausage bites to round out their breakfast.

The Sausage Bites are also great for a quick snack or even served with potatoes and veggies for dinner.

sausage quinoa bites

Past Favorite = Giant Griddle

Speaking of kids making their own breakfasts in the summer, our giant electric griddle is helpful because it’s easier for them to use than cast-iron pans on our gas stove.

We’ve had our griddle for many, many years, and it has been featured as a favorite thing at least twice in the last decade.

I specifically like the size (more of a square than a rectangle) because it fits perfectly in the cabinets above our refrigerator.

kitchen cabinets and fridge

Favorite Quote

A friend recently texted me this photo — which I thought was very fitting for Dave and our current season!

summer quote

Back when we first got married, we made 2 somewhat counter-cultural decisions…

  1. We would live off one income and put the rest towards savings, retirement, investments, etc.
  2. Dave would not get a summer job after we had kids, unless we absolutely needed the extra income.

Compared to many, we have a fairly boring life… but we’re thankful Dave can be home with us every summer.

Simon recently commented about how strange it was that his friend’s dad had to work all summer. I told him it was much stranger that his parents did NOT have to work in the summer.

I’ll take a boring, frugal life at home every time!

Favorite Archived Post = 40 Years in Photos

I celebrated my 40th birthday last June, and put together a fun post with 40 pictures – one from each of my 40 years.

It was so fun to write, and even more enjoyable to read it again this week!

40 years

That’s all for this month.

If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!

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Comments

  1. I’m not sure if it’s worth leaving my thoughts on the ninja creami because I’ve really only used mine once ….but the keto peanut butter ice cream I made was delicious! And it’s expensive to buy at the grocery store. The problem is that we’ve been busy moving and downsizing. But now that we’re in our new place and it’s summer, I want to get into a routine of making some every weekend. For your family, I think it would be a great addition to your life and provide yummy treats of all kinds for less money.

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  2. Congratulations to the graduate and Happy Birthday to you! I have been reading your blog updates for quite a few years now. Your family has grown up and beautiful. I enjoy reading your updates. Thank you for everything you share. Have a wonderful summer!!

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  3. Happy birthday! Here’s to many more years together with your loved ones. Have a relaxing and fun summer break!

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  4. I was wondering where you purchased your picnic table…or what brand it is…I’m guessing it is foldable. Enjoy your summer!

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  5. Happy Birthday, Andrea! Summer break with your family is an awesome gift! I love seeing your kids grow up!

    What length # do you use to keep Simon’s hair longer? I have the same set as you, but it cuts my son’s hair shorter. He loves to grow it out on top a bit.

    What is your favorite birthday dessert? I always enjoy asking people and hearing their replies.

    Reply

    • Thanks friend 🙂
      You noticed Simon’s longer hair! I actually have to use a scissors now for the top and just use a 1/2 and 1/4 to taper the edges.

      As for desserts, my go-to birthday dessert is my favorite strawberry pie (perfect for June in Michigan). Also, I’m always a fan of cheesecake.

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  6. I have been following you while you were pregnant with Nora. Nora is a beauty. Enjoy your summer with the family.

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  7. Congratulations to Nora for making it through middle school and to your whole family for making it to another summer! Nora is so beautiful, and she looks so much like you in the last picture that you posted of your 40 years. I’ve followed you since before Nora was born, and I can’t believe how far you and Dave and your family has come. Kudos to you both for being amazing parents, and may God continue to bless you all!

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  8. I was thinking of buying a Ninja Creami too but I backed down as I don’t think it works for a large family. You need extra containers and they have to be all cold when you make it. Or you mix the ingredients in the container and then you freeze it and then make it. Too much for me. What I’ve been hearing lately (from RuthAnne Zimmermann) is about an ice cream maker more expensive, but you don’t have to freeze the container at all. It’s built up to just pour in your ingredients and its churns it on the spot.

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    • interesting… we do have an ice cream maker attachment for our mixer, but it takes FOREVER to actually make the ice cream.

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  9. Thanks for the book recommendation! I was the first to read it from my library (after seeing it in your newsletter). I am about your age, and it was very educational!

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  10. Getting ready to wash windows and came here for the recipe. Your family is beautiful and Nora is gorgeous!

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  11. I’m not sure how extensive your outbuilding renovation is going to be, but if you had an ice cream maker maybe it could live out there instead of taking up valuable space in your real kitchen? I bet the target audience for ice cream treats would be easier to reach out there too (i.e. hungry kids in the pool!)

    My husband (also a math teacher) jokes he’s been looking forward to summer break since last September 🙂 Only 2 more days to go for him and the kids!

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  12. What a fun tradition, burning the school papers! I love your nightly date idea too. I bet it would be hard not to talk about those things. 🙂 I always love your Favorites posts.

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  13. I highly recommend getting knowledgeable about perimenopause. It can start earlier than you think. I had a very hard time with menopause. All the drs had for you was antidepressants, which I didn’t want. Hormone replacement therapy is easier to come by now. However, my sister had very few symptoms. So, it’s different for everyone.

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  14. First, how have I been missing your newsletter! Thank you for mentioning it. Second, both my kids (early 30’s) have Ninja ice cream makers and use them all the time to make uniquely flavored ice creams and even more often to make their smooties. I have no experience, however. Third, the clip on fan! My daughter is one of those people who attracts all the mosquitoes. I’m getting her a fan to clip on something near her when she’s poolside or otherwise sitting outside because the mosquitoes will leave her alone if the air is moving. ALWAYS ENJOY STARTING MY WEDNESDAY WITH YOU!

    Reply

    • Thanks Linda 🙂

      Just a note about the fan — they are not battery powered (they plug in) so if she’s sitting outside near a plug, it would work — otherwise, you should look for one that’s battery powered.

      I’ll keep thinking about the Creami!

      Reply

  16. I have been thinking about getting an ice cream maker. I have not looked at the Ninja Creami, but at a couple of the Cuisinart ones. We were recently on vacation in Grand Marais, MN and visited Superior Creamery, they make all their ice cream. It was so good and I didn’t have an upset stomach afterwards. I wonder about how often I would use it and question do I want another appliance to store.

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    • I’m sure your stomach felt better because of the better ingredients! That’s an interesting (but not surprising) observation!

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  17. We’ve had a Ninja Creami for a few years and really like it! We don’t use it as much because it makes a LOT of ice cream that our small family can’t consume so quickly, but results have been tasty. It also comes with good recipes and you’ll find lots more great ones online.

    Idk if I’d get it used, though.. Costco has it on sale often (that’s where we got ours) and that deal includes the most accessories.

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  18. I like Nora’s dress. It’s sometimes tricky to find spring/summer dresses for girls that age. A lot of them are really short or skimpy, or else the long ones are too “frumpy”. Good job shopping!

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    • I don’t have a Ninja Creami, but I have seen a lot on facebook marketplace for sale lately if you are interested in buying one. I think a lot of people are getting rid of them because they don’t use it as much as they thought they would.

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      • I had this thought too. I wondered about tring used first to see how much we use it — summertime would be a good time for it. 🙂

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    • Thanks — it was a VERY long process. I was not willing to let her go short and skimpy, but she didn’t want the frumpy… so we tried on lots of dresses and were both happy with this one 🙂

      Reply

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