Summer Favorites and Little Moments

I recently decided to step into the world of Instagram under the name @harbourbreeze. I wasn’t sure how to begin, so I spent time reading articles and tips to learn the ropes. My goal is to use Instagram to support this little blog, but it’s clear there’s an art to curating a feed that feels cohesive and true to your “brand.”

There’s pressure to make every post look perfect, which led me to overthink many images I wanted to share. As I browsed the photos stored on my iPad, I realized I had so many lovely summer pictures that never made it to Instagram. Rather than force them into a timeline where they might feel out of place, I decided to share them here instead—some favorite summer memories captured along the way.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I visited a local lavender farm. Walking through row after row of fragrant purple blooms felt like stepping into a postcard. The neat bundles of lavender being cut and tied by hand were so simple and charming; it’s a small craft that makes an ordinary day a little more special.

There’s something restorative about gardens like that—the color, the scent, and the quiet rhythm of the place. It reminded me how much joy comes from small, sensory experiences in nature.

Shortly after, I attended a bridal shower held in a sweet garden setting. Delicate bundles of flowers were tucked into the decor, and the whole event felt like a real-life Pinterest board—pretty tables, thoughtful details, fun games, and delicious food. It was a reminder of how memorable celebrations can be when they’re filled with simple, personal touches.

I’ve also been experimenting with new summer salads and recipes inspired by ideas I find online. Bright, seasonal produce makes for easy meals that feel light and satisfying on warm days.

Our son, who lives in Alberta, came for a brief visit this season. Though he stayed a little over a week, the time passed quickly. He’s very outdoorsy and not exactly a salad person, but while he was here he made apple juice and brought back a jar of blackberry jam—recipes he had learned watching me make them years ago. That small moment of seeing him recreate something I taught him made my mother’s heart very happy.

Another sweet detail from his visit: a box of Duckbutter Beard Oil sitting on the counter. It’s a little thing, but it was nice to see he cares enough to tend to his appearance—and it made me smile to think of him putting in that effort.

Summer in our town has its quirks. Deer wander boldly through the streets and have made quick work of many of the flowers in our front garden beds. Fortunately, I managed to rescue one beautiful gladiola before they found it. Now it sits happily blooming by the kitchen sink, a cheerful reminder to notice and protect small joys.

What are some of your favorite summer memories so far? I’d love to hear what moments have stood out to you—big or small.

PS — In other news, our house hunting continues to be a summer activity. Timing is starting to matter more, and we’ll likely need to make a decision very soon. It’s both exciting and a little scary.

If you missed it, you can read about the first house we looked at in my earlier post.