July 4: Year two, things learned, plan in place.

Friends. In a few short days, we will be embarking on the July 4th that will be perfect. After last year’s lessons learned, we are modifying our plans, and making a lot of lists. Are you ready for this?

To bring:

For entertainment…

paper (for M.A.S.H., keeping rummy scores, etc.)
cards (playing and/or pinochle)
crossword puzzles (both from the paper and in books)
books
ipod
ipod boombox
frisbee
football
camera

For the day…

sun screen
bathing suits
hat
first aid kit
chairs
towel (1 per person)
blanket
toilet paper roll
hand sanitizer
sun umbrella
comb
detangler for hair
goggles for the water
hairs ties (for braiding, etc.)
bobby pins
plastic baggy (for covering valuables/phones)

For the night…

bug spray
lantern
Flash light
head lamps
layers
change of clothes
wood

For cooking…

skewers
cooking utensils for grill
grill
lighter fluid
lighter
charcoal
paper towels
plates
utensils
cups
soap
cooking water
trash bag for garbage
folding table for laying food out
cooler for drinks and food
ice for cooler
thermos (coffee)

For eating…

breakfast
lunch (sandwiches, wraps)
snacks
veggies for kabobs
burgers
condiments
pasta salad
water
beer

Anything I am missing? I am sure I will think of a few things, but let me know what YOU bring the beach to make it an excellent day.

Last year’s event…

That's the sound of sunshine comin' down…

Guys. It’s Friday. Almost the weekend! Summer hours! Things on my plate include:

A fabulous day tomorrow of either sightseeing or getting my house’s act together. An equally fabulous Sunday that involving the beach and a bonfire, complete with a cast of friends that I haven’t seen in too long. A return to a summer-abundant farmer’s market. Returning to my kitchen, and loving it like I haven’t in weeks. Produce in my fridge. Maybe, just maybe, reintroducing coffee into my diet this weekend (slowly, for my stomach does not like volatile things messing with it.) A magazine or two, a crossword or two, some pages of some books, and maybe purchasing a new one (because I owe the library SO BAD and I need to finish this book. Silly library – why aren’t you more like Netflix?)

Summer projects:

Finally staining that table.
Cleaning and reorganizing my closet.
Reorganizing my bookshelves.
Signing away some books to paperback librarian.
Getting rid of old clothes — getting new grown up clothes to prepare for fall.
In the meantime, building a summer wardrobe, both work and life appropriate.
Dusting the corners. Dusting the floor. Dusting everything.
Cleaning out my drawers.
Finish filing. It needs to be done.
Reorganize my kitchen.
Use my flours.

Any summer projects in the works for y’all?