Mid afternoon last week during the heat wave, I noticed a house finch on a branch above my birdbath, panting. The birdbath was almost completely evaporated! I quickly filled it and another one nearby. Within five minutes I had 14 sparrows and finches drinking and fluttering in the water, 6 in one, 8 in the other. Now I know to check the bird baths mid day in the hot weather for the survival of my feathered friends. They were so fun to watch!
My summer to-do list is very long! Baking scones and taking them along for a picnic in the fields between all the summer flowers, eating the first cherries, cooking and baking with the first harvest from the vegetable garden, making my own lemonade, learning to identify bird songs, reading more, spending more time in nature, creating more with my hands, ... 🙏🌻🌳
I’ve already checked some of these off my list. There’s still a lot left, and I’m letting myself be guided by that sweet, languid feeling that the advancing summer is slowly bringing with it.
Unfortunately, I have a 9-to-5 job that I can’t quit anytime soon—and don’t want to, either... That’s why I’m sometimes too tired to enjoy life outside of work the way we all really should.
This summer, I want to try to focus less on the time my job takes up and shift my focus to where life actually happens.
I really love your newsletters and posts—they always put a smile on my face. ✨ Here in Aachen, Germany, it’s going to be 30°C today, and right now I’m sitting in the office. My husband and I have planned to go to the forest after work and enjoy the wonderful coolness the trees will offer us. 🌳💧
I love your list! I want to bake scones now. I used to make ones with fresh raspberries folded in. They were so good. The wonderful thing about summer is the extended daylight after work – it gives everyone some time to enjoy those summer nights.
I bought a Eurail Pass in my 20s and traveled across Europe. My friend I was traveling with wanted to stop in Munich. I fell in love. I had no idea I would love Germany so much. I hope to go back one day! I'm sure it has changed since then.
So glad you enjoy the newsletter! It makes my day to hear!
Yes, I have to admit that Germany has some truly beautiful places. I myself recently visited Munich for the very first time! Even though I’ve lived in Germany my whole life. But somehow, I’m always drawn to explore beyond the country’s borders.
The country’s deep forests, rivers, lakes, and snow-capped mountain peaks are incredible. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll get to experience all of this!
Also LOVE the idea with the raspberry scones. ♥️ We have a raspberry bush in our garden… Can’t help but try it out this weekend.
I’m much more into exploring outside of cities these days. I hope to see more remote nature in other countries. It would be so fun to discover what grows there.
My tiny things are that I was pulling weeds in the garden and a good sized toad was hanging out near my tomatoes. I also have been seeing fireflies outside in my backyard every evening. Reminds me of when I was a kid ❤️
I'm jealous! There were bullfrogs at the pond calling out to one another the other day. I could not get a look at them. I hung out so long, hoping they would show themselves.
Thank you! I love the nostalgic feel of old frames. A video I saw inspired me, so I created some frames and made my own version. It reminds me of slide shows. My dad would pull out these carousels of old family photos and project them on the wall. They looked like this.
Yes, that's it! Thanks for sharing that. It brought back a bit of nostalgia and some whimsical thoughts for me. It also reminded me of these little cameras we got as kids that used a square flash bulb. You could get the photos printed in a square format or maybe that was the only option. At any rate, fun!
That little swimming turtle is my vibe this summer too. Your video is just so cute!!!
I'm forest bathing as well. I go to the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve for my fill of forest.
I'm adding sweeping outside early mornings before the heat. It's so soothing and a great way to warm up my senior body daily. I remember visiting Japan. The early morning streets were filled with quiet sweeping here and there. It gives me that much more time to be with the backyard birds.
Mid afternoon last week during the heat wave, I noticed a house finch on a branch above my birdbath, panting. The birdbath was almost completely evaporated! I quickly filled it and another one nearby. Within five minutes I had 14 sparrows and finches drinking and fluttering in the water, 6 in one, 8 in the other. Now I know to check the bird baths mid day in the hot weather for the survival of my feathered friends. They were so fun to watch!
Oh I love this! I would be so excited. I should get a bird bath. The heat has just arrived here.
My summer list includes watching the bees and hummingbirds and other fancy flying bugs visit my garden. Priceless.
A cup of coffee out in the garden is one of my favorites too. The hummingbirds delight me.
My summer to-do list is very long! Baking scones and taking them along for a picnic in the fields between all the summer flowers, eating the first cherries, cooking and baking with the first harvest from the vegetable garden, making my own lemonade, learning to identify bird songs, reading more, spending more time in nature, creating more with my hands, ... 🙏🌻🌳
I’ve already checked some of these off my list. There’s still a lot left, and I’m letting myself be guided by that sweet, languid feeling that the advancing summer is slowly bringing with it.
Unfortunately, I have a 9-to-5 job that I can’t quit anytime soon—and don’t want to, either... That’s why I’m sometimes too tired to enjoy life outside of work the way we all really should.
This summer, I want to try to focus less on the time my job takes up and shift my focus to where life actually happens.
I really love your newsletters and posts—they always put a smile on my face. ✨ Here in Aachen, Germany, it’s going to be 30°C today, and right now I’m sitting in the office. My husband and I have planned to go to the forest after work and enjoy the wonderful coolness the trees will offer us. 🌳💧
I’m looking forward to it even more now! ✨
All the best and love, Catharina
I love your list! I want to bake scones now. I used to make ones with fresh raspberries folded in. They were so good. The wonderful thing about summer is the extended daylight after work – it gives everyone some time to enjoy those summer nights.
I bought a Eurail Pass in my 20s and traveled across Europe. My friend I was traveling with wanted to stop in Munich. I fell in love. I had no idea I would love Germany so much. I hope to go back one day! I'm sure it has changed since then.
So glad you enjoy the newsletter! It makes my day to hear!
Yes, I have to admit that Germany has some truly beautiful places. I myself recently visited Munich for the very first time! Even though I’ve lived in Germany my whole life. But somehow, I’m always drawn to explore beyond the country’s borders.
The country’s deep forests, rivers, lakes, and snow-capped mountain peaks are incredible. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll get to experience all of this!
Also LOVE the idea with the raspberry scones. ♥️ We have a raspberry bush in our garden… Can’t help but try it out this weekend.
I’m much more into exploring outside of cities these days. I hope to see more remote nature in other countries. It would be so fun to discover what grows there.
Awesome. Reminds me to update my botanical garden membership which is close by. Thank you!
I use mine so often. It is my Disneyland. 😊
My tiny things are that I was pulling weeds in the garden and a good sized toad was hanging out near my tomatoes. I also have been seeing fireflies outside in my backyard every evening. Reminds me of when I was a kid ❤️
I'm jealous! There were bullfrogs at the pond calling out to one another the other day. I could not get a look at them. I hung out so long, hoping they would show themselves.
I like the way you've "framed" the photos and video. I don't know what that's called but it reminds me of slower summers as a child.
Thank you! I love the nostalgic feel of old frames. A video I saw inspired me, so I created some frames and made my own version. It reminds me of slide shows. My dad would pull out these carousels of old family photos and project them on the wall. They looked like this.
Yes, that's it! Thanks for sharing that. It brought back a bit of nostalgia and some whimsical thoughts for me. It also reminded me of these little cameras we got as kids that used a square flash bulb. You could get the photos printed in a square format or maybe that was the only option. At any rate, fun!
I miss it all. Let’s bring it all back. 😊
I’m with you! 🩷
That little swimming turtle is my vibe this summer too. Your video is just so cute!!!
I'm forest bathing as well. I go to the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve for my fill of forest.
I'm adding sweeping outside early mornings before the heat. It's so soothing and a great way to warm up my senior body daily. I remember visiting Japan. The early morning streets were filled with quiet sweeping here and there. It gives me that much more time to be with the backyard birds.
Mornings in the summer are just the best. I get up at 6 am to enjoy how cool and quiet everything is.
I loved Tokyo. I hope to go back and visit Kyoto one day. I think it would be more my pace. They make everything so welcoming.