4TH OF JULY AND GETTING OUR SUMMER GROOVE ON

Happy Belated Fourth!

Please excuse the radio silence the last bit. (Sarah and technology/computer issues: Not good. Sarah and food: Game strong.)

So what’s going on over here?

First up, we had a lot of fun in the days leading up to the Fourth.

I did a lot of small house projects, including decorating for the holiday.

My porch has been getting most of my love.

I’ve been really enjoying the small Pottery Barn bookshelf I found for free last year.

It sits right next to my front door on my porch and I love accessorizing it with whatever seasonal or vintage items inspire me at the time.

This year I dove deep into my vintage holiday ornament collection (there were still plenty leftover after my garage sale)

and Charlotte and I made a patriotic inspired wreath.

It was inspired by the magic of local artist and collector Laurie Romanaggi and her world of vintage craft; she is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met and she gave me the idea to use holiday items at not non-traditional times.

Charlotte was a wizard with the glue gun (we took away all the feathery wisps after it had fully dried) and I think it looks so cheery in its spot opposite the bookcase and alongside the front door.

My favorite part is the silver cloudburst looking piece on top and this little odd glass piece I tucked in on the bottom, a hand-painted vintage glass piece found at the Goodwill Bins.

(I have not idea what this piece was for — but it looks so sweet tucked inside the ornaments.)

On the Fourth this year, we continued our tradition of heading out to Sauvie Island on this holiday for a day-long picnic.

I’d made this bunting that morning (using pre-cut quilt squares I’d found recently at the Bins)

so that came along to help decorate the table.

The vintage flag came from Laurie’s epic garage sale this year (I can’t wait to show you the items I got from there!)

and the table was laden down with dozens of treats from New Seasons, Tabor Bread and the market the week before.

We enjoyed cheeses, salamis and various charcuterie, olives, fruits, four different kinds of crackers and truffle potato chips.

It was all so delicious.

We played cards, nibbled on snacks and talked to other folks.

It’s so hard to believe that last year Bailey was with us for this picnic

and this year we have Porter with us.

We still miss Bailey but it was so wonderful to bring Porter for the first time to one of our favorite areas of town.

So that’s the been the big thing this past week, but mostly these last two weeks have been about enjoying simple pleasures.

Playing games.

Going to farmer’s markets.

And pulling together– and enjoying– leisurely meals.

Hot weather calls for lighter fare, dishes no less delicious than their winter cousins.

Corn salads.

Radicchio salads.

and a few of these — perhaps my favorite salad of all: a classic (or slightly tweaked) Cobb salad.

And, almost every day, an avocado toast.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, I never tire of them.

Perhaps best of all, though, are the bites eaten outside — either together at our big table

or eaten solo from my front porch hammock.

Hope your Fourth was a joyous one —  full of fun and nibbles, close at hand.