Giving in to Midsummer Lazy Days
Why slowing down this summer might be exactly what you need—plus my latest unscheduled pastimes and serendipitous finds from both coasts
On any given day, you’re likely to find me dewy in one of two spots — lounging from a) my apartment’s pocket yard paradise or b) our new around-the-corner community garden plot.
You may have noticed I’ve been writing less frequently for the past few weeks. That’s because, apart from life’s day-to-day consistency of duties and demands, I’ve been relishing doing as little as possible. Less planning, more listening to what my heart wants, which seems to be reading outside in the sun.
In fact, one of my July beach reads perfectly captures this fantasy.
What she had wanted to do with her summer was simple: she wanted to spend all day in the living room of the Victorian in Saratoga Springs … to lower the blinds half way and open the windows halfway and point all of the fans in the house in her direction and lie on the sofa, only rising to prepare herself elaborate snacks.
And she wanted to read: reading was the main thing.
- The God of the Woods, Liz Moore
Soon, I’ll scoot up the coast of Maine — countdown to Deer Isle is just one week away.
Reading will be the main thing.
Before I dive back into paperbacks, sunscreen, and bug spray—here’s my midsummer recap!
🐹 Scroll for scenes from Seattle, Poulsbo, NYC & a lazy-hazy-dog-days joy list.
Happenstance Highlights ✧ Seattle ✧ Poulsbo ✧ SoHo ✧
i.e. sometimes it’s better to wing it
18 hours in Seattle
Palihotel Seattle — Our flight was a wee bit delayed, so we landed around 11pm. It’s my first stay at a Pali and it did not disappoint. Given our short stay, location was very important, and being around the corner from Pike’s was such a delight. Diptyque soaps, comfy beds, green-tiled showers, complimentary drinks at the café or bar * perks include * free upgrade, welcome amenity, extended check in/out.
Pike Place Market Fun
~ ✅ See the fish throwing (you don’t need to crowd around, if you spend enough time wandering you’ll eventually catch a toss)
~ De Laurenti - Pizza by the slice, wine bar, tasty snacks and beverages. Their tote would be a practical souvenir you can use to hold all your goodies(one can never have too many totes, except at this time I do have too many totes).
~ Raindrop handmade jewelery - I went for the dainty lil raindrop ring.
~ Award-winning Puget Sound Cider - I’m a cider snob. Heritage, no added sugar, on the drier side — they know them apples!
~ Old Stove Brewery - The food was okay, but the first-come-first-served patio view is the perfect spot for a beer snack.
Poulsbo aka Little Norway
My childhood bestie got married in the most beautiful place, surrounded by the most beautiful people, on sacred land. I’m so grateful she did, because otherwise I don’t think I would have ever considered coming this way. This scandi town is too darn hygge.
Take the Bainbridge Ferry (my favorite mode of transportation). After taking the ferry you only have to drive ~20 minutes to reach Poulsbo.
As you make your way to Poulsbo, consider stopping to witness the beauty of Suquamish and learn more about the history of the Suquamish people. Within minutes of looking out at the Agate pass, we spotted seals, an otter eating a fish, and a pair of nesting bald eagles. I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people.
Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished.”
Chief Seattle 1854 | Land Acknowledgement
Casa Luna - Casual and colorful Mexican eatery. Coladas, quesabirria, mole, chips and scallion-heavy salsa.
Ma Facon TR - a lotta frenchy a little scandi bakery. I got a pretzel croissant tarragon chicken salad sandwich, boo got a croque monsieur - great flavors, french pastry, baked fresh daily.
I just missed Midtsommer! We walked by, but didn’t have time for Nordiska Nordic shop much to my dismay (my wallet however was pleased).
Nomad nights + a Soho stroll
It was not my first stay at MADE hotel, and it will not be my last. The social spaces are cozy, free coffee, great bartenders, a back patio AND a rooftop bar. It’s a great pick for this area of manhattan.
My #1 hotel pastime: eating a pint of ice cream in bed. As a member of the lactose avoidant club — Salt + Straw’s peanut butter brittle flavor might just be the best out there. Eating mango sticky rice from Soothr in a hotel bed is a close second.
I was a walking machine this week. Spotted for next time: Undercote, Maman, Fish Cheeks, Alabaster used + rare bookshop,
Places I did happen to stop at and I’m so glad I did 🤗. I almost walked by Leon’s Bagels, but then turned around, and got egg everything bagel & lox for the road. When in New York! Fishs Eddy is where I will be getting my next dinner set and more. There are piles and piles of mix and match dishes everywhere. They ship! Rizzoli bookstore (est. 1964) — I picked up the copy of The Maid ; page 56 and counting.
A Running List of Lazy-Hazy Possibilities
Call it a catchall for this soft stretch of summer. Not a to-do list, just a mix of things I’ve done and might still do 📚☀️📖
Wake-up-and-feel-like-it activities
☐ Procure a kiddie pool ; dip toes whilst reading
Wander a farm-stand or garden store ; grab flowers for the dirt
☐ It’s nearly tomato season 🍅 — garden bounty go-tos: the classics ( a tomato sandwich or a BLT), AR-style slow-roasted toms + anchovy bucatini, bruschetta, pesto made with almost anything, pickle it, pan con tomate, blender chilaquiles
☐ Eat on the earlier side to get bar seats somewhere that’s always booked up (for us that’s Giulia)
Try a new clam shack or lobster roll hut ; find an oyster farm
☐ Make popsicles and/or ice cream sundaes
When in doubt, nap with my puppy all day
☐ Drive to an oceanside cliff trail ; pack lunch, maybe a blanket, definitely a book, find a rock, stay a while
☐ Museum day — we have unused tickets to the WNDR museum ; I’ve also been meaning to go to this anatomically correct glass botanical exhibit for years.
Go to the bakery for some fresh pastry —I’m partial to a morning bun or a ham-and-cheddar croissant
☐ Treasure hunt ; go antiquing or find a yard sale
☐ Skip rocks with my nephew ; look for seaglass and hermit crabs
Water the garden ; make a bouquet
☐ Bleacher seats and a hot dog
☐ Attend a garden concert series, mansion movie screening, picnic event at a public land, charming farm, historic property, etc. 🫐 Fellow BOSsy New Englanders check out event lists here, here, here, & here
Reads I’ve read. I’m in a very particular genre mood at the moment, and I’m not reading much else. Give me a nail-biter, a mystery, a whodunit, etc.
I often don’t read books twice, Murakami is an exception. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Detective-y enough to scratch the itch, more magical realism than the rest.
The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret, The Coworker, The Tenant i.e. anything Frieda McFadden. All of the books feel eerily the same, and yet the twists get me every time. Part of the appeal is certainly due to the fact that Freida is the author’s pen name, she lives in / sets many of her stories in Boston, and is a practicing physician treating brain disorders (where does she find the time!!).
Currently enjoying and mentioned above: The Maid, The God of the Woods.
☐ Maybe reads
Murder Takes a Vacation inspiration for your next Parisian river cruise.
Freida’s thriller favorites — I’ll likely pick up Stillhouse Lake or Dear Wife next.
Whatever you tell me to read next <3
< RELATED READING >
ME roadtrip stop 5: Stonington, Deer Isle
Life’s little winks are what I love most about a Maine summer.