I’m writing this morning from my front porch. After an intense and slightly oppressive heat wave that lasted two full weeks, this morning feels like a gift from G-d himself, as it’s currently 74-degrees, overcast, and there’s a breeze. Summer has been so lovely, I truly don’t want it to come to an end.
As I type this…
I’m sipping a homemade oat milk latte out of my favorite mug, watching my two boys play with sticks and chalk, my almost 1-year old is playing in the grass, and my 6 year old daughter is inside reading. It is one of those perfect summer mornings that make me appreciate every ounce of effort it takes to have low-key, slow mornings like this one.
Small Summer Upgrades
The fact that I’m writing from our front porch is a fun change around here. We spent so much time last year focusing on a backyard redo, that we neglected the front. So. This summer, I moved our beloved Ikea cafe table and chairs out here, where if it’s not too hot, we do math homeschooling lessons in the morning. And in the afternoons, it’s chalk and homemade lemonade popsicles (2 lemons, juiced, 1 cup hot water, 3 tablespoons sugar, stir until sugar dissolves, freeze into small popsicle molds).
I planted tomatoes, basil, rosemary, and onions that live out front as well. I loaded up on bubbles and chalk, and got a fancy new hose to water my small garden, and a hose basket to neatly stow-away the hose. I stained our wooden front door and window frames because we get perfect morning sunlight, the wood needed a bit more treatment. With the help of ChatGPT, I investigated the electrical wiring to our front path lighting, turns out we just needed new lightbulbs and a touch of spray paint. Our hydrangea bushes look so beautiful in the summer bloom (courtesy of the previous owners), and to compliment, I planted native midwestern flowers, but have since withered away in aforementioned heatwave. Alas, life is really good. It’s sticky, and muddy, and barefoot, and perfect.
I’ve had the itch to start blogging again. I even debated starting a Substack, but then I realized I have not one, but three blogs, living on two domains. Three blogs that I mainly ignore, and have been meaning to consolidate for years now.
Big Website Changes
After giving it some thought, I’m ready to retire Peonies and Bees. It was a beautiful ten year run, and slowly over the next few months, I plan to merge my book reviews onto here (daraboxer.com), and eventually, dissolve my food blog and merge my favorite recipes onto here (daraboxer.com) as well. It’ll be a lengthly project, and in the meantime, I plan to challenge myself, but writing and posting once a week on here.
So hi. Hello. This will be my first post, of what I’ll hopefully carry forward. There’s no plan for now. Maybe it’ll be a recipe the kids enjoy, or a book review, or just my thoughts. All I know for certain is I miss having a space to call my own. Especially now that the fog of a new baby is mostly behind me. Even more because I feel like we’ve fallen into a really beautiful rhythm as a family of six (I still cannot believe we are a family of six, my has G-d blessed us).
Until next week.
xo Dara