Summer Favorites and Memories

I recently decided to join Instagram as @harbourbreeze, though I was honestly a bit unsure how to use it at first. I spent time reading tips and articles, trying to figure out the best way to share images and grow this little blog. There’s definitely an art to creating a consistent, appealing feed that reflects your brand, and I haven’t quite settled into a routine yet. The whole process felt a little overwhelming—so much pressure to make everything look picture-perfect.

In trying to do it “right,” I often overthink whether my photos fit my aesthetic. As I was looking through the photos on my iPad the other day, I realized there were so many lovely summer shots I meant to post that never made it to Instagram. The moment felt past, though, so instead I’m sharing some of my favorite summer memories here.

A few weeks ago a friend and I visited a local lavender farm. The sight of an expansive field full of those delicate purple blooms was beautiful and calming. Walking through the rows of lavender felt like stepping into a fragrant, colorful escape for a few hours.

The farm was full of rich, endless color—rows and rows of lavender stretching across the field. It was one of those simple moments that sticks with you: the light, the scent, and the gentle hum of summer life around you.

There was even someone there cutting fresh lavender and bundling it by hand into perfect little bunches. Seeing those neat bundles made me want to bring some home to display in the kitchen or tuck into drawers for scent.

Not long after, I attended a sweet garden bridal shower where small bundles of flowers were used as charming decorations. The whole event—decorations, games, and the delicious food—felt like stepping into a real-life Pinterest board. It was one of those summery gatherings that makes you appreciate the small, thoughtful details.

On the topic of recipes and inspiration, I’ve been experimenting with some fresh summer salads lately. Light, colorful salads are perfect for the season and give a simple meal a cheerful, seasonal lift.

Our son from Alberta came to visit for a little over a week recently. Even with that time together, the visit passed quickly—those visits always seem to fly by. He’s an outdoorsy guy who isn’t especially interested in salads, but while he was here he made some apple juice and a batch of blackberry jam to take home for his friends. That small act—carrying a taste of home back with him—warmed my heart. It reminded me how much of what we model in the kitchen and around the home gets noticed and remembered.

He also left a little bottle of Duckbutter Beard Oil on the bathroom counter while he stayed with us. Seeing that thoughtful, well-chosen product made me smile—it’s small details like that which show care, even in things like grooming. After years of growing a great beard, it’s nice to see him put in the effort to make it look and smell good.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood deer have made a habit of strolling through town and nibbling on garden beds, and they managed to eat most of the flowers in our front beds. Fortunately, I managed to rescue a gorgeous gladiola before the deer discovered it. It now brightens the area by my kitchen sink, a small victory against the local wildlife.

What are some of your favorite summer memories so far? I’d love to hear about the moments that made your season special.

PS — House hunting has also been keeping us busy this summer. It’s still an active part of our days, and timing has become an important factor. We’ll likely need to make a decision soon, which is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking.

If you missed it, you can read about the first house we toured here as part of our house-hunting journey. It was an interesting start to what has become a full summer of searching and imagining the next chapter.