Happy Wednesday! I’m posting this in the afternoon because time got away from me this week. I made evening plans on Monday and Tuesday so there was no blog writing. First I’m linking up with Jennifer to share what I am currently doing.

I am loving…

The books I’ve read lately! I am reading Summer Beach Reads and they are good! My list included 29 books and I am hoping to read them all. So far I’ve read 7 and I am in the middle of my 8th. These are my favorite books to read!

The Peloton app! I am getting back to strength training and I love the choices and that I don’t have to leave my house to do it. That being said, getting back to strength training is pretty humbling when you haven’t done it in a while.

I am looking forward to…

Going back to the beach! My first key lime crush of the summer! A fun girls’ day! At least two more concerts!

I am savoring…

Every sunny day! I go back to work in 54 days and I am trying to enjoy each and every one of those. I am enjoying time with Jack and Luke. I am enjoying time with Jeff. I am enjoying time at the pool. I am savoring this relaxed schedule.

I am celebrating…

My mom’s birthday!

The 4th of July! We aren’t going anywhere to celebrate but I am counting on the neighbors to put off some fun fireworks tomorrow night!

I am remembering…

I am hopefully remembering everything we need for the beach. I started my lists last night and things keep popping into my head to add. We’ve done dozens of beach trips so I’m hoping it all just hops down off the shelves and into the car when it’s time to go. Ha, wouldn’t that be wonderful! Luckily we keep all of our beach stuff together so it should be pretty easy to find and pack.

I am also joining Joyce for Wednesday Hodgepodge today. Here are her 6 prompts.

1. It’s a big week in the US of A as we celebrate Independence Day. Do you have any special plans? How will you mark the day? BBQ? pool-lake-beach time? fireworks? homemade ice cream? If you’re not an American you can tell us what’s happening in your corner of the world on Thursday. 
We will spend the afternoon at the pool. We’re having hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner. I’ll probably pick up some corn and make deviled eggs, too. We might get snowballs or ice cream in the afternoon for a fun treat. If we aren’t at the beach for the 4th, we don’t usually do much.

2. What’s your favorite ‘All-American’ dessert? 
I love a hot fudge sundae.

3. Does that patriotic feeling come easily to you, or are you having to work for it more these days? What’s something that makes you proud to be a citizen of your country?  
The patriotic feeling comes pretty easily to me, especially with the Olympics coming up. Recent events have made it a bit more challenging, but I still have hope for us.

4. Your favorite ‘patriotic’ movie? Favorite patriotic song? 
I don’t have a favorite patriotic movie, but I do love my playlist for the 4th of July

5. One simple pleasure on your July ‘bucket list’? 
Well, I am going to do two. 1 – going to the driving range. It is a fun thing we can do as a family and it’s easy to do. 2 – a manicure and pedicure. My hands and feet could use it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 
I am trying to make different versions of the food we already eat often this summer. We eat chicken A LOT, but I tried BBQ drumsticks this month. They were delicious! I have a pork tenderloin in my freezer and I am going to try a pineapple pork recipe. Even though I have more time in the summer, I get a little bored and unmotivated to make dinner in the summer. Do you have any recipes that you reach for more often in the summer?

I hope you have a great 4th of July tomorrow if you celebrate! I’ll be back Friday with my favorites from the week. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!