So long, sweet summer!

Reading a few of the really lovely summer send-offs that friends and favorite bloggers have posted lately, I was inspired to do a little of my own remembering of things {in the not so distant} past. This summer flew by faster than many in recent history, but only because it was so full, filled to the brim with wonderful people, places... and food! It was truly a time to savor the little big things in life.


Just a few of the summer moments that I'd like to remember to remember...

Took my first trip to Lake Winnipesaukee and stayed in a cottage perched on the lake shore and built by a friend's grandparents in the 1930s when lake cottages were just what they should be... charming retreats for friends and family to gather & really spend time together... which we did, over good meals and good news.

Traveled with a very creative and talented friend to Nantucket to visit other creative and talented {and industrious!} friends who spend each summer out there running a picture perfect market by the shore. Ate more than my fair share of lobster, learned how to shuck an oyster, sang along during after dinner sing-alongs, and swam in the Atlantic under a nearly full moon.

Went to the first concert that I've been to in ages and was reminded of that feeling of instant communitas that can happen when a whole crowd of people are together, so absorbed and in the moment, dancing and singing their hearts out.

Spent many afternoons on boat trips and ferry rides from Maine to Martha's Vineyard and was invigorated by the restorative powers of salty sea air and the New England seashore. Boating out to explore little island summer communities in mid-coast Maine reminded me that there is a slower, more summer-y way of summertime living.

Celebrated my birthday by throwing a mid-week pizza cook-off party attended by thoughtful and caring friends... an outpouring of friendship and love that made me actually feel pretty wonderful about turning a year older!

Ate many beautiful and delicious meals al fresco, including this gorgeous salad niçoise. Eating outdoors, especially in a region of real seasons, is such a simple summer pleasure that it seems to make the food taste that much better.


Spent some real quality time with my mom during her visit from the west coast and was reminded by the too-soon-passing of a family friend of just how precious that kind of time together, just being, is and of how important it is to treasure those moments.

Celebrated the marriage of beautiful, wonderful friends in the mountains of Virginia where we feasted {oh, how we feasted!} and swam and danced into the wee hours to send the lovely couple off into a happy and full life together.


With such an optimistic note to end the summer on, how could one not look forward to the fall? It only gets us nearer to next summer!