June always feels like a whirlwind, and this year was no different. Between end-of-school celebrations, championship games, the start of summer camps, and getting ready for vacations, we somehow blinked and found ourselves fully in summer mode.

A Trip to South Carolina

One of the biggest highlights was taking a trip to South Carolina with Leo to spend time with my family. Flying with a toddler can feel intimidating, but Albany International Airport made the experience so much easier. They now have a wonderful sensory room for little ones, so even though we arrived early, Leo had plenty to explore and never got bored.

While we were there, we squeezed in lots of family time and, of course, a few crafts. My niece, nephew, and I made custom pens and adorable bag charms, which were such a fun keepsake from our trip.

And yes… I’ve officially become obsessed with Swig. If you’ve tried it, you understand. If you haven’t, consider this your sign.

Learning Something New

Back home, I tried something completely new by taking a paper-making class at the Bethlehem Public Library. I always love learning a new creative skill, and this one definitely inspired a few future project ideas.

A Night of Nostalgia

Another unforgettable moment this month was seeing Corinne Bailey Rae live at Upstate Preservation Hall. Hearing songs that have now been part of my life for 20 years was incredibly nostalgic. My heart was so full singing along to all the classics.

Celebrating Father’s Day

Father’s Day was another highlight. I made my very first seafood boil using one of Fin – Your Fishmonger’s clam bake kits, and it couldn’t have been easier. Everything was perfectly portioned with simple instructions, making it feel totally manageable for a first timer. Even better, they’ll be offering customizable clam bake kits every weekend this summer.

A Family Movie Night

We also packed up the car for a trip to the drive-in to see Toy Story 5. Sitting there, I realized just how fast time flies. Somehow I went from being Andy to being Andy’s mom, and that hit me right in the feelings.

Ending the Month with Crafts

To wrap up the month, there was another craft night making bag charms and matching totes. I’m completely obsessed with how mine turned out, and Leo’s tiny matching bag might be my favorite thing we’ve made together.

In Case You Missed It

If you missed anything on the blog this month, here are a few of my newest posts:

• Read my review of The Divorce⁠ by Frieda McFadden⁠ to see why this thriller kept me guessing.
• Make this fresh Bruschetta Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Mozzarella⁠ for your next summer barbecue.
• Try these 2 Viral Sourdough Toast Recipes⁠ featuring Babybel Cheese Toast and PB&J Chip Toast.
• Create your own DIY Rose Red Lip Butter with Simply Earth⁠ using simple ingredients.
• Fire up the grill and make these Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers⁠ for an easy summer dinner.

Free July Printable Bookmark

Don’t forget to grab this month’s free printable bookmark! You can download it here⁠ and print it for your next great read.

Looking Ahead

Thank you for being here each month. Whether you’ve been reading recipes, crafting alongside me, joining book club, or simply following along with my adventures, I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

Here’s to a summer filled with sunshine, creativity, and making memories. I’ll see you back here next month with even more recipes, DIY projects, books, and family adventures!