These sweet summer weeks are flying by, and it seems that I’m just now able to relax and enjoy it!  I’m driving back to the beach to spend a little alone time and coming back home on Friday.  My greatest goal for this week is to be totally present and soak up every little moment. I’m planning to read a book (I just ordered this one), spend some time with friends, make a delicious salad, grill some fish and maybe drink a little rosé.   Most of all, I want to slow down enough to really listen to my intuition and find some peace.  I’m feeling the calm after the storm.   I hope that y’all have a happy week and be sure to stop back by tomorrow. For now, I’m sharing some inspiration for days spent by the pool, summer grilling and entertaining essentials, and the simple pleasures of summer.

Dreaming of having a pool in the backyard one day…I’ll take this one to relax by please!

It’s been a while since I’ve played backgammon, but it takes me back to childhood days spent being lazy and playing board games…without social media!

Set a beautiful alfresco table with easy melamine plates and shatterproof goblets.  Use bowls filled with fruit for a centerpiece and enjoy the view!

Melamine plates are scratch resistant and shatterproof, making them an ideal choice for outdoor dining and entertaining!  The dinner plates make a beautiful presentation for casual meals and special occasions and are dishwasher safe.  They come in so many colors and patterns to suit every taste!

Create a margarita bar at your next summer get together!  Gather the ingredients in a vintage basket and let guests mix their own!

This small tabletop grill can go anywhere and will take your picnic to the next level!  Traeger Grills are perfect for picnics, tailgating and camping, this compact, portable grill lets you enjoy wood-fired flavor on the go. It infuses flavor into food using natural wood pellets and has a keep warm mode that maintains ready-to-eat temperatures.  You’ll also discover how easy it is to use the Skinny Grill Cookbook to whip up great meals for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties. From our Williams Sonoma, this book provides dozens of delicious recipes that all follow one, foolproof formula: prep, heat, sear and serve.

Add some seasonal summer flair to a basic cheese board with pickled strawberries and herb roasted cherry tomatoes.  You’ll love this Summer Cheese Board idea from Half Baked Harvest!

We are so fortunate here in Burlington to have an amazing park complete with a Dentzel Carousel that was built between 1906 and 1910 in Philadelphia.  There are 46 hand carved wooden animals on the carousel as well as a Wurlitzer Band Organ.  I rode this carousel as a child, took my children to ride, and now I’m riding it with my grandson, Hudson!

Take your picnic to the beach!

Where ever you are…enjoy a beautiful sunset!