Hello friends,
Happy weekend of Juneteenth! So here we are in mid-June already! Summer vacations, school breaks, longer days, fresh and local fruits and vegetables, festivals, concerts, dining al fresco, and my own personal revolution. Wait, what? What does this mean, and what does it have to do with “Joy”? I am so glad you asked.
Ed and I in Budapest at a Greek restaurant.
I have decided to reset. I am making a commitment to you on this blog and to myself to fully experience the joy of summer. Lest you roll your eyes, let me explain, and perhaps you will join me! I am fully going to experience this summer-leave work at or before 5 pm to fully experience summer life: food, culture, friends, family, nature, my body, and my work during this season. This idea has been percolating over my last vacation and then gained clarity after we had dinner with some friends from Lebanon. Over tapas plates, we talked for 3 hours about the joys of a European lifestyle and the ability to live and enjoy the moments that life has to offer.
Enjoying the bow of the Angelique in the Maine waters.
I admit to being somewhat of a workaholic. Even saying this fills me with mixed emotions. The thing is, I love what I do and the people I work with, so it is a great problem to have. But lately (after 25 years), I have noticed that I am not living my life fully; I am pretty lopsided. I usually work until 6-ish, do this and that on the weekend to get ahead for the week, and miss some of the joy in other areas of my life. This doesn’t mean I don’t make time for the things I want to do; it just means I think I can do better. And this summer, I am actively looking for the fun, the lively, and the connection. Do you ever feel this way?
Some ideas that I have had for my front porch and dining al fresco.
Here are some ideas that I had to connect with this more fun side of myself:
Eat as many meals outside as possible. Whether at home or at a restaurant. Even with all this rain lately, I still have my front porch, and so many restaurants have covered dining areas. This connection with my neighbors, playing a card game with Ed, or simply eating outdoors, sounds so appealing. I also want to eat as fresh as possible-straight out of some local garden! Small plates of fresh veggies and fruits would be healthy and delicious. The problem is that the chairs on my porch are very uncomfortable, the table is falling apart, and the rug has seen better days. (Cobbler’s shoes?). Here are some items that can make this space inviting and comfy.
Camping, kayaking, and s’mores-oh my!
Get physical outside! We have electric bikes, and the Grant Park section of the Beltline just opened up last week. We can ride our bikes to the GP Farmers Market and bring home goodies in the panniers. Atlanta has been working on their biking infrastructure, and there are some fun night rides with hundreds of riders exploring the streets. There is obviously the Beltline for walking, but what else? I have a crazy idea-we could go camping! I confess I haven’t been camping since way before the pandemic! ( So the next time you see me, please ask, “When are you camping?” ) The North Georgia Mountains, Cloudland Canyon, and even the Smokey Mountains, where Ed’s parents live, have some great spots and beautiful hikes. When I was a kid, we would camp all the time in the summer, and now I have no idea what it’s like. I would also like to do some kayaking and tubing, sounds silly, fun, and refreshing. Maybe make a little picnic, and ride my bike to a park? I have never done that!
Try some outdoor culture. We used to go to Chastain Park for outdoor concerts, again before the pandemic. Wonder who is playing… Sarah McLaughlin, Bob Dylan, The Fray, Jon Batiste, Gin Blossoms, and James Taylor. I cannot wait! I am not that into FIFA, but it sure has been a fun atmosphere in Decatur ’26. Did you know there are the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival in Piedmont Park (July 25th) and the Summer Shade festival in Grant Park (August 22-23)? Not outdoors, but the High Museum has both Noguchi and Amy Sherald (she painted Michelle Obama’s portrait).
Another few scenes from the Windjammer Angelique.
Celebrate with Family and Friends. My mom turns 80 this year. She had the bold idea of going to Maine to experience a tall-ship sailing adventure again with my sisters! We did this for her 75th birthday, and it was amazing! Beautiful, chilly Maine weather, incredible views, and delicious food. This year, there may also be a watercolor class on board! I love this little 4-day excursion in August. It may also coincide with my birthday as well! I am also excited to throw a wedding shower for Melody ( interior designer and very special person on our team). This party will be at our house. Melody has touched the lives of so many people, and I think it will be a blast! Other dinner parties will include hosting friends at our house for an outdoor barbecue. I rarely do this due to my work. It’s time for a change!
Read and Chill More. By giving myself more time in the evening (even with all of the planned outings), I will have more time to read on the deck and the porch. I love to read and usually make time in the mornings, but reading outside in the evenings with the secadas sounds delightful. Some of you may have a TV on a screen porch, which also sounds comfy. I am hoping to reduce my TV watching inside, and consciously consider a reading spot outside with an outdoor lamp, a drink table and a comfortable chair.
At Balance Design, we are slightly less busy in the summer. Then we have back-to-school season, and business picks up significantly. So this is the season to create moments and focus on my own well-being. Physically and emotionally, I need to reset. Perhaps this is not a full-on revolution, but it is a conscious decision that needs my serious (but fun) attention. I hope that you can glean some inspiration from these ideas and let me know your own nuggets of summer activities that make you happy. Ultimately, life is not all work, and although I do not think that it is, I do think that I need to enjoy it even more.
Happy Summer!
Stephanie
