Hey friends!
I hope everyone is having an amazing week so far!
I’m on day four of my shoot, and I’ve had 13-hour-days on set, so needless to say, I haven’t been able to get my typical post out!
What is everyone doing for the 4th of July?!
I’m so excited because we have our annual family reunion up in Wisconsin! It is truly my happy place — Heaven on Earth as far as I’m concerned.
So I’m getting ready for my trip and packing, and I wanted to share some of my summertime favorites!
None of this is sponsored, they’re just good old fashioned true blues!
Frozen watermelon slushies
Now, it is up to your discretion whether or not to add vodka or rum to this magical fruity concoction (read: DO IT!) but there’s nothing quite like a delicious fruity drink on a hot day. I would suggest sipping with a brightly colored bendy straw and a little umbrella.
Just freeze some watermelon chunks, throw them in a blender with some lime juice and a splash of vodka, and you’re all set!
A Beachread that is good for the soul
Let’s face it: there’s a lot of garbage out there in the literary and entertainment world. And garbage in, garbage out, that’s what I always say. Why not nourish the mind while relaxing the body? I just recently finished The Right One, which was a great read about how to find the right spouse. And next up, I’m going to be reading Love as a Way of Life. I can’t wait! I’ll be starting tomorrow during my downtime on set! Clearly, you can see a theme here — I am in serious heart-prep mode. Love, I’m ready for ya!! (And – shameless plug – if you sign up for a free trial of Audible, you can listen to this book for free!)
Taking a vacation from your phone
This may come as a no-brainer, but during the summer, at least for one weekend, I like to take a break from my phone. I mean — turn it off! There’s something about unplugging and being present — mind, body, and eyeballs — with the people you care about that truly recharges your soul. And luckily, being in Wisconsin is that time for me! We don’t even get service at our lake home! So bring on the tranquility and quality time!
Reacquaint yourself with BOARD GAMES!
Yes, you read that right….BOARD GAMES! This is kind of a piggy back off of that last one, but here’s a great idea. During that weekend where you don’t have your phone…play a BOARD GAME! I’ll tell you what, you learn so much about a person by how they interact around a Cranium board. Which, by the way is my all-time favorite board game. That, Pictionary and Scattergories. FAVORITES. Oh, and Taboo too. You can be sure that tournaments will be had up at the lake home. And your girl’s competitive!!!
Feast in the glory of summer produce
This one is a no-brainer. Fruit at this time of year is second to none. So get yourself a bag of cherries, or some glorious strawberries and go to town. They won’t be this sweet (or cheap!) for another 11 months.
Stay up late and catch lightning bugs while eating s’mores
Summer fire pit nights are the best. Scratch that. Summer nights in general are the best. Put on long pants, long sleeves and a hoodie to protect yourself from the mosquitos, spray on some organic natural bug spray, and sit around the fire with your loved ones. Time is precious. I’ve learned that over the last year and a half after my mom’s stroke. You just never know how precious time is until something shakes you into attention. So slow down. Eat a s’more (or three). And talk about things that matter. And while we’re on the topic…add peanut butter to your s’mores. Either that or use a Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup instead of a chocolate bar….You’ll thank me later. I promise 🙂
Protect your skin! Wear *good* sunscreen and a UPF 50 hat!
I know, I know — I am a HUGE DORK when it comes to skin care, but sun protection is far and away the best skincare secret. It is hands down the best anti-aging preventative measure. I swear by this hat – which is UPF 50 – and this sunscreen. It is life changing. I literally don’t go outside without it.
And I also just recently discovered this little bad boy. It’s a setting spray that you carry in your purse that is SPF 50 that you can spritz over your makeup. Another game changer. Again, I wouldn’t mention these things unless I truly believe in the products. And this is something I am passionate about. I mean hey – look at my Instagram. I’m wearing my hat in 90% of my photos!! haha
Have a date with God over a glass of wine and the sunset
There is nothing more spectacular than a summer sunset. Let me rephrase that. There is nothing that reflects God’s majesty more magnificently than a sunset during the summertime. I have been trying to create more intentional time with Jesus — It’s why I started my daily bible podcast, “Oh What a Beautiful Morning!” But this summer, I’m going to try to just have mores dates with Jesus — listen to some worship music, read the bible with a rosé-in-a-can, and watch Him paint me a masterpiece in the sky 🙂 I always walk away feeling so loved and so close to my Maker.
So those are some of my summertime favorites!
What are yours?! I think it’s fascinating to hear what other people are loving, so let me know!!
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122 responses to “S’mores, Slushies & Sunsets”
Awesome post once again, I have an associate in Racine is it, we run a Facebook group together called the Milwaukee Mob, Wayne Clingman his name is.
THanks Dave! Oh nice!! Haha so awesome Hugs and love xox
Hope all goes well xx
Thank you again 🙂
Wisconsin is great for vacationing! I may be partial, since I grew up/live here. 🙂 We love Door County but there are so many great lake areas throughout the state.
Isnt it amazing! I love all the lakes and supper clubs 🙂 hehe awesome!! Hugs and love xox
Fun fact: 4th July is my birthday XD
Awwwww! Happy way early birthday!! I’m so glad you were born 🙂 hehe Hugs and love xox
Aww hehe thanks 🙂
xox 🙂
Loved it! Thanks for posting this! 🙂
Aw thanks friend!! Hugs and love xox
Sounds like you got it planned! Be sure to get some great pics like you do! 🙂 You’re right. Enjoy the time with family. You can’t get it back once it’s gone. Hope you have a wonderful time! 💐🤗🤗xox
Thanks Kenneth! Yep!! Aw thanks 🙂 yeah family time is the best. So true. Hugs and love xox
Great post on many levels…Gary Chapman reference and food to mention a few. I definitely want to go out and enjoy the Summer more.
Thank you so much! oh yes – the summer is such a wonderful time of year for so many reasons! Hugs and love xox
Your blog is so refreshing… love reading your posts.
aw that’s so kind of you to say! thank you friend! Hugs and love xox
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Star gazing, watching bats zooming at twilight, the sound of ocean waves with my eyes closed, thunderstorms, long car ride talks on the way to day trip adventures, and squeezing in as much time reading a book outside on a picnic blanket as I can!
Those are my summertime favs
Summer picnics are the best!! Hugs and love xox
Awwww so fun!!!
Awww, love you!! XOXO 😄 ❤
Aw:) love YOU my dear friend Tonya!! Hope your summer is off to an amazing start!! Hugs and love xox
Getting there. Hope yours is as well and God blesses you richly. Love you, friend. 😄❤
🙂 xoxo
[…] https://beautybeyondbones.com/2018/06/28/smores-slushies-sunsets/ […]
Thanks for the link up Tonya! Hugs and love xox
My favorite thing about summer is not going to work 🙂
Hahaha I hear ya there!!! Have a great night! Hugs and love xox
Answering your question on what I love:
I am told, there are few things in life more likely to lead to depression than losing a spouse, especially for seniors in their twilight years. No I am NOT depressed. Eventually every widower wakes one morning, to a dream similar to my dream yesterday. I realize I can’t expect this every night but it is good to have dreams like that some of the time. They replace the grief with a useful sadness and a deep sense of Patricia Bow’s presence within me – it deepens my relationship with her. Yes there most certainly is life after death.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24 AND
“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21.
What I dreamed yesterday:
Patricia, my departed spouse, woke me with a dream gift of love and encouragement! There, in my wake up dream, was Patricia Bow walking through the lilacs at the Royal Botanical Gardens toward me just like in the picture that day. She smiled at me and said “I love you forever” as she reached out to me as if to take my hand. I woke feeling her presence. When I turned on my computer the splash screen picture Slide show, was that one. Heaven is real and within; through it I will never be separated from my beloved Patricia. Love is Forever!
Oh friend, my heart goes out to you. What a beautiful dream. Wow. God really does give us exactly what will bring us comfort. Yes Heaven IS real, and you and Patricia will be reunited in paradise one day!! Sending you so so much love. Hugs xox
May you oh Gorgeous Beyond Bones have a great Independence Day. May YOU have more s’mores and slush around in those slushies. Enjoy Wisconsin. Maybe put your toes into that Green Bay water.
For me, well, I may go to a local D.C. winery for an Independence Day toast with the founding fathers.
Aw thank you JB! Same to you! I hope it’s an awesome day/weekend for you! Haha Hugs and love xox
You are very graciously welcome. Hugs and love back to YOU.
🙂 🙂 🙂 xoxox
🙂 🙂 🙂🙂 🙂 🙂🙂 🙂 🙂
That watermelon slushie sounds amazing! I love summer drinks! Bonus points for fresh fruit! Smores! I have yet to have one this season tho.. soon! We make a lot of sun tea during the summer. Super easy and it’s so good! Trips to zoo and the wildlife safari are always on our summer to do list!
Oh my gosh Rachael, it was amaaaaaazing. And seriously – try it with peanut butter!! Aw yay for the zoo! Hugs and love xox
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Sounds like you have a great time planned. I must say that I truly admire your reading choices and yes, the preparation for a spouse you haven’t even met may seem a bit odd for some but to me, it is an excellent idea!
The book you plugged by Gary Chapman is not one I have read but I think the world of him. If you haven’t read “Five Love Languages” also by Chapman, read that too. Right now I am reading “Now You’re Speaking My Language” a book he wrote about communications breakdowns in relationships. Understanding this before you get into one could save you a bunch of heartache later.
Love and Blessings,
Jim
Hey Jim! aw, thank you 🙂 yeah, I am totally trying to prepare my heart as best I can! Oh wow – I literally read 102 pages of the book today on set – it was AMAZING. I can’t wait to finish it. I will definitely check it out! thanks for the recco! Hugs and love xox
Wisconsin sounds like a dream! I hope you have a good one. 💙
thanks Diana, it definitely is! Hugs and love xox
That trip to Wisconsin sounds great as does the watermelon slushy and the smores! Yum yum! <3
Thanks! Oh yes – pb s’mores for the win! Hugs and love xox
Yep, you are right. God paints some amazing scenes in the sky for our enjoyment. He does a wonderful job on earth too, that is unless we build a concrete jungle over His handiwork or pollute the environment. But there’s still a lot of beauty to be found where we haven’t messed up. 🙂
He really does. How lucky are we to be able to experience it. Hugs and love xox
My grandmother lived across the street from us, and she taught us all sorts of board and card games. We have a couple Trivial Pursuit sets; the original and a Star Wars edition. I’m glad to hear you are working a lot lately! Must feel good! Safe travels to Wisconsin and enjoy your get-away.
That’s so fun! thanks Jeff! I most certainly will! Hugs and love to you and Julie! xox
And the same back to you!
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My favorites are more about what happens in the spring. Our city is full of lilac bushes, especially in the older parts where I live. When they are all blooming, this part of the city is filled with their wonderful scent. I love the bird song of summer. Watching the bunnies hop about. I don’t play board games these days but we used to when I was a child. Most nights after dinner, we would clear the table, do the dishes and then break out a board game. I hope you have a wonderful time at the family reunion.
Oh that’s so awesome, Melissa! Flowers and nature are another place I love to see God’s handiwork 🙂 Hugs and love xox
What a great list! I love bonfires on the beach, warm summer nights, softly warm summer mornings, and trips to the pool with the kids.
oh that sounds idyllic! thanks Elihu! Hugs and love xox
Our Fourth of July will be spent around a new fire pit that my youngest son Mark built for us our backyard. This will be after we walk in a Fourth of July parade with our church’s float.
oh my gosh that sounds like a blast!! hope you have an awesome week! Hugs and love xox
Yay for Wisconsin! 🙂 Enjoy your vacation up here in the north. It truly is a beautiful time of year!
thank you!! oh gosh, Wisconsin is a national treasure. truly. And yet, I hope it stays a secret 🙂 hehehe Hugs and love xox
Enjoy Wisconsin! I’m long overdue for a visit to my aunt and uncle, who live in Appleton. I also want to see a home game at Lambeau Field, some day!
I just recently discovered the gloriousness of s’mores with Reese’s PB cups. Yummy! We want to get a grill and a fire pit for our backyard. We’re also going to submit the adoption application for our future greyhound! Other summer loves: At least one trip to the beach, water parks, Slurpee trips, watching fireflies, watching sunrises/sunsets, spontaneous road trips, stargazing, bike rides, board games, and sitting on my parents’ back porch with food and drink.
Thanks Laura Beth! Oh gosh I love appleton. Home of Harry Houdini! Gotta love those cheese curds 🙂 yessssssss with the pb cups!!! and how exciting! sounds like you’ve got an amazing summer in the works! Hugs and love xox
Mmmm, cheese curds. Yum! And I guess I didn’t realize it was the home of Houdini! Wow. You learn something new every day. I’m looking forward to many adventures! XOXO
Hahah yes! I think they even have a museum on College Ave 🙂
Excellent!
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Enjoy yourself my friend!
Thanks mcm!! Hugs and love xox
I swear it’s like you know my soul! From the board games to the S’mores. you are speaking my language. It’s like you installed a window in my heart and see directly in there! I have got to find a way to get out to NY one day and play some Cranium with you. Just don’t be upset when I beat you. ;). I am definitely going to try this watermelon concoction because it sounds amazing! I hope you have an amazing weekend girl! Be blessed! Hugs and Love XOXO
Hahaha thanks Paul. Oh I am a big board games gal! Hahaha that’s hysterical. Don’t mess with me and the Creative Cats!!! Haha same to you! Hugs and love xox
If I ever find myself out in NY we are definitely going to have to throw down on some board games. Be blessed hun. hugs and love XOXO
Sounds good
Enjoy your family reunion!!
Thanks friend! Hugs and love xox
I love lightning bugs! I used catch them and put them in a container to watch them in my room at night. Eventually they were released again. This is all before there were cars though. Just kidding on that one!
And summer produce is amazing! We have a friend that grows corn. 😎
Aren’t they such whimsical little creatures?! Thanks friend. Hugs and love xox
It’s been a long time. I hope you are well.
Thanks friend. Yes! Same to you! It’s been way too long! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Happy Summer Dear Friend! I honestly cannot believe that the 4th of July is already this week?!?! How did that happen?! My significant other and I closed out spring time with some BIG, bold changes. We sold our 1st house and drove across country with our 2 cats so I have been out of the blog loop for awhile now. Your post is the 1st summertime blog post I am reading and it is so refreshing thanks for reminding me to enjoy summer time. I love how cheerful and positive you are even though you have seen tough times. I hope you will have a lovely family reunion and an absolutely amazing summer!
<3 Alana
Hey Alana! Aw that means so much! I know!!! How is tomorrow already the first of July?!?! So doggone crazy! Hugs and love xox
Xoxo
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What are you shooting?
A couple commercials!
Very cool !
Thanks!!
Those are great summer favorites
Yes it’s a time to welcome and celebrate 🙂
Yes!
Had forgotten about ‘vodka’d watermelons,’ as we called them. Pop a hole in the rine, let it drain a while, add vodka straight in, plug with the cutaway rine, let set for a couple of days in the fridge. Good times. Happy Fourth. Thanks for a good story!
Oh man that sounds like a party!! Will have to try! Thanks Tom, you too! Hugs and love xox
4th July is a great day it’s our “finally got freedom from them awful Americans” day 😂 I wouldn’t let the Bengals here you talk about Wisconsin that way that be Packers country there 😂
hhahhaha you’re right – I’m a Cheesehead through and through!
Wait I’m confused I though you were a Bengals supporter 🙈
I am both. I am a two-team lady haha
Is that even legal?? 😱😱 I suppose it’s ok since they’re in different conferences and I have a second team, I’m still not over that last game! My bunch of chokers team losing to Bengals 😡
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Love this post! Yes to smore’s, sunsets and fireflies. An ever-present yes to God and His majesty. May He bless the work He has called you to. xoJulie
Thanks so much Julie!! Amen! I love seeing His majesty in nature! It’s especially evident in the summer! Hugs and love xox
I love being able to sit outside until late during the summer with my family <3
Will be looking into that bug spray though haha!
Hey Hayley! Oh me too! Oh my gosh I was outside last night for literally 10
Minutes and came inside with FOUR BUGBITES!! I forgot to put on my bug spray. 🤦🏻♀️ Hugs and love xox
Oh no! Hope they didn’t cause you too much trouble! xx
Oh it’s all good. What’s a couple of bug bites. Haha just annoying that’s all!! Haha Hugs and love xox
Great post! I identified with many of your favs……..board games, the fruity drinks (WITH the vodka, please!), and the time sitting and connecting with our Heavenly Father and enjoying his artistry that we have all around us in nature. 🙂
Thanks friend! Yes! I love how evident and creatively He expresses His majesty in the summer! Hugs and love xox
Great ideas for summer fun!
Thanks! I think so too 🙂 hehe Hugs and love xox
[…] entire family is up in Wisconsin at our family reunion — the one I wrote last week’s post about. And I am stuck here, after my commercial shoot had to extend through the weekend, to […]
I love everything about these suggestions!! I hope your time at the summer cabin is beyond great and good!!! Will be heeding your tips!!
Happy 4th of July!!
Peach
Thanks so much Peach! Happy Fourth! Hugs and love xox
Hope all is going great
Thanks friend xox
Your welcome ❤
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“I’m going to try to just have mores dates with Jesus” AMEN! ME TOO SIS! Me too 🙂 that’s what I’m looking most forward too and more fasting as well. I started fasting at least one day per week on Fridays specifically. But I think I’m gonna move it to Sundays, its been nudging in my Spirit so yeah. Haha, blessings and thanks for sharing those lovely tips, except for the slushy one for I don’t drink.
thanks for all the amazing comments tonight, Tammy and for taking the time to read!! you’re seriously so awesome!!!!! I will definitely keep you in my prayers with that! The Spirit definitely moves us! ((And it’s also great as a virgin drink as well 🙂 hehe )) Hugs and love xox
No problem at all girlie! Its been a while I haven’t come through due to my busyness but I catch up when I can! Thanks much dear, appreciate it a lot <3 ….lol still a no no. Ha! Xxoo
Such a beautiful post (hugs)
Thanks so much! Hugs and love xox
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