Living this same life right now but also needed to say I LOVE that "caught in the rain" photo, such an iconic proof of mom that will I bet be a favorite of all of yours when everyone has grown!!
We went to a very nice restaurant whilst on holiday - like Guardian reviewed, probably a bit hip to be eating at with our 7 year old but he loves Vietnamese food so we felt bad leaving him with his auntie - and got absolutely soaked en route there. Our shoes were squelching. Luckily the servers just laughed and told us where to leave our coats, and we have a very funny photo of us drinking cocktails / ginger lemonade with wet hair.
"Sweat liberally, eat heartily, cook messily, garden with fervor."
I love it! This is the true summer spirit. I've been reading Joyce Carole Oats' short story collection this summer. It's dark and intense, the complete opposite of a "summer read" but I love it!
Oh Youngna, I loved this so much. I resist chaos and mess in all its forms but you're so right that the best parts of summer are the stickiest. Giving up my dream of flouncing around in a pristine white cotton nightgown in favor of letting my kids cover me in blueberry handprints. It's summer, dude. Let's live in it.
This was such a great reminder - our kids take all their cues from our behavior, not what we say. Thanks for this, Youngna. It's been so nice to see you out and about with your kiddos in the area!
So good. I’m really sensitive to sensory input and this hits the nail on the head regarding summertime! I felt I could smell this post. Haha! It’s worth it for the kids. Embracing it all.
THIS is such an anthem, yes!: "Sweat liberally, eat heartily, cook messily, garden with fervor."
And I cannot wait to read Liars (not yet released here in the UK, but on my wishlist!).
Books I've loved: All That Glitters, by Orlando Whitfield - - all about the art world, the art gallery world, the art collecting world, so fascinating and amazingly baffling.
Cocktail: Campari Spritz as a nice bright yet slightly bitter-yet-refreshing alternative to aperol.
Great summer update, and so glad we got three out of four of you for a brief visit. As you know, I too loved Long Island Compromise - shades of Phillip Roth. I also loved Table for Two by the great Amor Towles. Billy Shakespeare on the waning days of summer, "Summer's lease hath too short a date." Yup.
I love that photo of you with your children. What a memory! Your writing is so sensorial here! Beautifully observed.
My summer drink of choice has been cold wine (mostly rose or orange, but sometimes a light red). Someone did bring lime and mint spindrift to my house last weekend and I loved it!
My summer book of choice is Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe.
I also love your caught in the rain photo! It is 81 degrees in my kitchen with the AC window unit on and that picture made me feel at least 10 degrees cooler without getting wet. Thanks!
I am so excited to read Long Island Compromise, I am going to buy it from my local bookstore instead of waiting for 146 people to read it before me at the library.
Two fun books I have read this summer are Terrace Story, which you might appreciate living in a city, and Kevin Kwan's nicest book, Lies and Marriage. He just packs in so many details and everything is so over the top. This one does not disappoint.
Living this same life right now but also needed to say I LOVE that "caught in the rain" photo, such an iconic proof of mom that will I bet be a favorite of all of yours when everyone has grown!!
We went to a very nice restaurant whilst on holiday - like Guardian reviewed, probably a bit hip to be eating at with our 7 year old but he loves Vietnamese food so we felt bad leaving him with his auntie - and got absolutely soaked en route there. Our shoes were squelching. Luckily the servers just laughed and told us where to leave our coats, and we have a very funny photo of us drinking cocktails / ginger lemonade with wet hair.
"Sweat liberally, eat heartily, cook messily, garden with fervor."
I love it! This is the true summer spirit. I've been reading Joyce Carole Oats' short story collection this summer. It's dark and intense, the complete opposite of a "summer read" but I love it!
Loved this so much as a mom of an almost 2 year old! Can’t waiver - embrace the mess of summer (and all other seasons!)
Oh Youngna, I loved this so much. I resist chaos and mess in all its forms but you're so right that the best parts of summer are the stickiest. Giving up my dream of flouncing around in a pristine white cotton nightgown in favor of letting my kids cover me in blueberry handprints. It's summer, dude. Let's live in it.
This was such a great reminder - our kids take all their cues from our behavior, not what we say. Thanks for this, Youngna. It's been so nice to see you out and about with your kiddos in the area!
Great to meet you/see you around too!
So good. I’m really sensitive to sensory input and this hits the nail on the head regarding summertime! I felt I could smell this post. Haha! It’s worth it for the kids. Embracing it all.
I love this love letter to summer. Felt it to my core. Thank you. Off to grill. ❤️
THIS is such an anthem, yes!: "Sweat liberally, eat heartily, cook messily, garden with fervor."
And I cannot wait to read Liars (not yet released here in the UK, but on my wishlist!).
Books I've loved: All That Glitters, by Orlando Whitfield - - all about the art world, the art gallery world, the art collecting world, so fascinating and amazingly baffling.
Cocktail: Campari Spritz as a nice bright yet slightly bitter-yet-refreshing alternative to aperol.
This is beautiful, Youngna!
the caught in the rain photo!!!! you must frame it! such a beautiful parenting moment. loved this whole issue.
Answering the summer cocktail drink: fruity soju in rosé or lager.
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck!
Great summer update, and so glad we got three out of four of you for a brief visit. As you know, I too loved Long Island Compromise - shades of Phillip Roth. I also loved Table for Two by the great Amor Towles. Billy Shakespeare on the waning days of summer, "Summer's lease hath too short a date." Yup.
What a fabulous piece! I really enjoyed this and feel it deeply. ❤️
I love that photo of you with your children. What a memory! Your writing is so sensorial here! Beautifully observed.
My summer drink of choice has been cold wine (mostly rose or orange, but sometimes a light red). Someone did bring lime and mint spindrift to my house last weekend and I loved it!
My summer book of choice is Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe.
I love a cold orange wine. I've been eyeing that book! There are like 200 holds on it at the library, sadly..may give in and get a copy!
I also love your caught in the rain photo! It is 81 degrees in my kitchen with the AC window unit on and that picture made me feel at least 10 degrees cooler without getting wet. Thanks!
I am so excited to read Long Island Compromise, I am going to buy it from my local bookstore instead of waiting for 146 people to read it before me at the library.
Two fun books I have read this summer are Terrace Story, which you might appreciate living in a city, and Kevin Kwan's nicest book, Lies and Marriage. He just packs in so many details and everything is so over the top. This one does not disappoint.
Ooh, I loved Terrace Story and am adding Lies and Marriage to my library holds rn. TY!