Things I’m Loving This Summer

To counter some extremely sad news our family is dealing with this week, here are some things I happen to be loving this summer:

• The GeoBee App on our iPad.  GeoBee has been on our iPad for years, but this summer I have been using it a lot.  I love geography, and shamefully, I love beating the socks off EVERYONE in my family at this quiz game.  I went to the state geography bee when I was in eighth grade, and I totally loved it.  I try not to be a super competitive person, but when it comes to GeoBee, I’m crazy about winning.  It’s kind of terrible, yet oh so fun at the same time.
• The Happy Hour Podcast.  I started listening to The Happy Hour this summer, and suddenly I find myself just waiting for the new episode to be released each week.  It love how so many different topics are covered in such  relaxed setting.  It’s perfect for folding laundry, picking raspberries, doing dishes, making jam and especially driving in the car.
• My summer Bible Study.  This year someone from my church emailed several people inviting us to meet each Friday to talk about what we have been reading in the Bible.  Plain and simple.  Everyone read whatever they wanted, and each week we’d share what God was showing them through scripture.  It was lovely.  Engaging.  Amazing to see the threads and themes God wove among our group.  All of us would say that it made us pause and think so much more as we were reading, and held us accountable in a totally approachable, flexible way.
• Long walks, with my kids or without them.
• Basil leaves, fresh mozzarella and “Naked Pita Chips.”
• Ice cream from my favorite local ice cream shop served in a waffle cone.  So yummy.
• Eating outside on our deck.  I love the table we got for our deck last year, that comfortably seats everyone in the family, and we eat outside absolutely every chance we get.