Simple Joys of the Month: June, 2025
another month bites the dust
The past few weeks have been a TOTAL whirlwind—and now June is over! It’s officially summer here on Cape Cod and these hydrangeas that I saw on a recent walk are here to prove it:
When I look back on the past 30-ish days, it’s clear to me that the biggest “simple” [or not-so-simple] joy of June was our trip to Atlanta last week. Ben had to stay home and work (boo!) but the kids and I headed down south to see my side of the family, meet my new niece, and help care for my mom, who broke her hip a few weeks ago (boo x 5000!).
The trip was wonderful for so many reasons, but the best part was watching the kids reconnect with beloved family members that we don’t see enough because of distance and schedules. I cherish this annual trip home, even when it’s hard (which it kind of always is because our kids don’t sleep well when we travel…or ever).
Anyway, here are some of my other favorite simple joys from June…
Book: Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I couldn’t put this book down [when reading at night in bed]! It’s so good! And if you haven’t read TJR’s other books, I highly recommend all of them.
TV Show: Four Seasons on Netflix. Tina Fey, Will Forte, Steve Carell—need I say more? I watched it all in about 2 weeks (VERY fast for me!).
Music: There is No Ship by Rose Betts. I played this album on repeat all month long. It’s beautiful and haunting and fun and sad and so many other emotions. Check out “Doodles” and “Take This Body Home” (two of my faves).
Audiobook: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. I don’t read (or listen to) a ton of romance novels but when I do, it’s usually Emily Henry. This is her latest and like all of her others, it was a really fun read (er, listen).
Bright red summer nails: My new favorite nail color is Cajun Shrimp by OPI. It’s a bright red with slight orange undertones and it feels super summery to me. While in GA last week, I snuck out for a quick mani/pedi (with my SIL) and got this color for the second time in the past few months.
Goodpop Electrolyte Freezer Pops: OMG have you had these? 100% juice, lemonade-flavors, AND electrolytes? Yes please (got them at Whole Foods + they’re delish).
Atlanta book event: It was SO fun doing a book event in my hometown! And doing it with Zawn Villines of Liberating Motherhood—a friend from childhood—made it extra special. Huge thank you to Zawn and to everyone who joined us.
Lavender growing in our garden: I came back from Atlanta to find our front yard IN BLOOM. The kids and I have been picking lavender from our lavender plant and creating all sorts of good-smelling concoctions; it’s so lovely.
My new Owala water bottle: Oh no! I lost my water bottle at the trampoline park earlier this month and simply had to buy a new one! Poor me! Buying a new water bottle is such a drag when your old one is leaky and you never liked it anyway! I bought myself this colorful Owala that I’ve had my eye on and am really happy with my purchase.
Cold summer water: Pools, ponds, and the ocean! Last week’s heat wave had us all craving COLD H20 and the pools in ATL and the ponds + ocean here on Cape Cod have been CLUTCH (do people still say that? I doubt it).
My friend Shea snapped this pic of me and Teddy protesting at our local #NoKings protest…it perfectly captures momlife, don’t you think? Also, at the protest, the kids (+ their good friend) made up a great chant:
UPCOMING BOOK EVENTS
Author Talk at Brewster Book Store in Brewster, MA
In conversation with Nicole Graev Lipson, author of the incredible book Mothers and Other Fictional Characters (it’s SO good! READ IT!).
Date: Thursday, July 31st from 10am-12pm
*JUST ADDED* Book Event at Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts in Berkeley, CA
Date: Wednesday, September 17th at 7pm
UPCOMING RETREAT
My friend Mandy Morell and I are once again leading our annual Women’s Yoga Retreat here on Cape Cod! Join us in October for a nourishing weekend with like-minded women. Details can be found at the link below:
YOUR MONTHLY REMINDER TO BUY MY BOOK!
I can’t stop sharing this meme every time I talk about buying my book because it’s just too perfect. BUT as always, you can buy my book at the links below.
*Note: it’s on super sale on Amazon right now…which is kind of scary because I have NO idea how they do that (or why) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY BECAUSE AMAZON IS EVIL BUT WE’RE ALL BEHOLDEN TO IT!!!! However, this is a chance to snag my book for a crazy low price unlike anything else I’ve ever seen anywhere so I guess their loss is your (our) gain?
And that’s it for this month! Thank you for being here and have a wonderful July.
Hope to see some of you at my book event later this month!
xoxo,
Mary Catherine