It’s the weekend!

Tomorrow, we’re decamping to the Vineyard for the summer and I feel like a kid at the start of summer break! On summer evenings, I plan to look for fireflies at dusk and shooting stars in the dark.

Have a great weekend! Happy Father’s Day and happy Juneteenth!

Summer officially arrives next week. Are you ready?

Wouldn’t it be great to recapture the feel of summers when you were a kid? My childhood summers were centered around the beach and it seemed like the best way to spend the summer. My friends and I would walk barefoot from one small beach to another in our neighborhood. We swam for hours!

The sounds of kids playing in the evenings is such a familiar summer memory. As I type this, I hear the children next door calling to each other and laughing. Kids play basketball at the end of the street. When we get to the Vineyard, we’ll hear the kids jumping into pools, playing badminton or bocce. As soon as we have company, there will be the sound of croquet balls hitting each other as someone is sent off course or used to get another shot. I cannot wait for those summer sounds!

I have a few things to share this weekend.

• Nicole Taylor’s Juneteenth cookbook celebrates Black joy amid sorrow — This sounds like a good cookbook. I want to try the sweet potato syrup in a cocktail. (The Washington Post)
• A Love Letter to the Stand-in Fathers — Thao Thai’s tribute to stand-in fathers is beautiful. I hope that those who stand in have the chance to read how much they are appreciated. (Cup of Jo)
• Summer Reading — I love a good beach read and this list has plenty. (The Blond Mule)
• Bacon Jalapeño Smashed Chicken Burgers — Putting this on my summer cooking list! (Joy the Baker)
• Sorrel Mayonnaise — Try this on some grilled salmon or asparagus this weekend. I think that you’ll love it! (Sea Salt and Sailor Stripes)
• Favorite Things, Venetian Hardware — I have a thing for interesting door hardware, thus the seahorse handles in the photo above and this older post. (Sea Salt and Sailor Stripes)
• Goodness: Optimistic women are more likely to live past 90, study finds — Time to start thinking positive thoughts! (Upworthy)

About the photo: Seahorse-shaped door handles on a Martha’s Vineyard cottage.