With the first day of summer just around the corner, I find my mind frequently wanders to things I’d like to do this summer rather than actually focusing on the tasks at hand. I even have a section in my journal for my Summer Bucket List.
Summer, with its long sunny days, is time for vacations, travel, the outdoors, simple recipes, and good books. Piper and I cover a lot of ground in our daily walks, but there’s something appealing about being a tourist in your own neck of the woods. Here in the Pacific Northwest, there is an abundance of locations to explore. From urban cityscapes to pristine wilderness, I’ll never run out of adventures! If you’re looking for inspiration on where to go next, click here to discover some amazing destinations.
Then when planning the ultimate getaway, adding a unique group activity is essential. An immersive escape game can be just the thing to elevate your stag do, giving everyone the chance to collaborate and compete in an unforgettable setting. Find out how these innovative games can transform your weekend by exploring challenging and thrilling stag experiences. The energy they bring is unmatched and will keep the momentum alive for the rest of your plans.
Piper and I love to walk on the beach at low tide, with Mount Baker and the Cascade foothills in the background.
Washington is a gorgeous state, blessed with amazing walking and hiking trails, more than three thousand miles of coastline, and not one, but three, national parks within easy driving distance from Seattle. To the south, Mount Rainier dominates the Seattle skyline, and Mount Rainier National Park, the nation’s fifth oldest national park, is less than two hours away.
Photo of Mount Rainier taken on an early moring walk with Piper.
To the north, there’s North Cascades National Park, also less than a 2 hour drive, and stately Mount Baker, where I’ve skied often, even on July 4th. And to the west, a two-and-a-half hour drive will take you to the amazing Olympic National Park, with nearly a million acres to explore, including 50 miles of coastline. I recall as a girl when my little brother won a fun stay for our family in Lake Quinalt Lodge in the rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula. If you want to invest in a boat or any watercraft, you may need to install a jet ski floating dock in Lindenhurst NY.
Summer doesn’t always mean go-go-go. To me, the appeal of summer also includes sitting outside on our deck on the island with family and friends. When I think of the 4th of July I can’t help but recall my mother-in-law’s fabulous Strawberry Shortcake made from local strawberries.
Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients:
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
1-1/2 quarts fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9″ square baking pan.
- In a bowl, cream sugar and shortening. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.
- Combine dry ingredients and add alternately with milk to the creamed mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
- Cut into nine servings. Split each serving horizontally and fill with whipped cream and strawberries. Replace top of cake; garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and more berries. Serve immediately.
As a writer I read many books. Like a chef who adores food, I love reading. I find imagination, inspiration, new vocabulary, learn insights about people and relationships, and find out what works and doesn’t work in writing. There are books that leave me less than enthused, and others that I think about long after the last page.
One author I consistently enjoy and who never disappoints is Elin Hilderbrand. Her latest novel, The Five-Star Weekend, is on that summer bucket list I mentioned earlier. My ordered copy will arrive soon.
Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is killed in a car accident. The cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—her strained marriage and her complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.
When Hollis hears about something called a “Five-Star Weekend”—one woman organizes a trip for her best friend from each phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife—she decides to host her own Five-Star Weekend on Nantucket, where my family vacationed before we moved out west. But the weekend doesn’t turn out to be a joyful Hallmark movie.
I can’t wait to read this book!
While I’m busy planning my summer activities, I’m also editing a book that I’ve been working on, plotting another new one, and enjoying the reviews for my latest novel, Reinventing Ruthie. I learn so much from my readers and thank each one for reading my newest book and leaving a short review!
If you’d like to add my latest novel, Reinventing Ruthie, to your summer reading list, enter to win one of 20 Kindle copies on my Goodreads Giveaway.
Fun to watch my sons playing frisbee on the beach at low tide with Mount Baker in the background.
What are your plans for the summer – on the go, stay at home, or something in between? To help you on your way, I’m giving away a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of one of my books. U.S. only. Winner will be announced Tuesday, June 27, and has three days to respond to my email.
Awesome reading
Love summer to have one of your books to enjoy in the country
Oooh, it sounds so beautiful where you are. How I would love a trip there to absorb some of that beauty. I haven’t made it to the west coast and don’t really see it happening…so I’ll enjoy it through your eyes and words.
I love to read all kind of books.
Great book
Can’t go wrong with a book by Kate Lloyd.
Sounds like a good book! I’d love to read it!
I love your books. Can’t wait to enjoy more of them. Keep them coming.
?Would love to read your books!!!
Your home is located in such beauty! So nice for you! I have read most of your books and own some. Keep up the good writing!
Thank you for a chance to win love your books.
No special plans for the summer. A lot depends on my health. Looking forward to warm weather, being outdoors and spending time with family. Hope to catch up on my reading.
We already took a beach trip in May (no kids, so we go early to beat the summer crowds) so probably will be at home most of the summer. We do have several nice lakes nearby, so maybe a day trip to the lake might happen.
Thanks for the chance to win.
So kind of you…thanks for the chance.
I’m staying at home. I haven’t traveled anywhere in the last 3 years. My husband passed away 22 months ago.
Ahh sorry for your loss….Brenda M.
Went to see our boys for almost 3 weeks…to help them around the house…
back for my husband to have surgery….
Great….list of books to choose from….
Good Luck to all
Thank you
Thank you for a chance to win this wonderful prize.
I am working and enjoying my time off this summer. I am blessed to have my kids and grands near by. So alot of family time. I love your books.
Love your books
Love in the summer when all the indoor and outdoor chores are done and I can sit on my porch, ceiling fans on and a cool drink beside me and settle down for a good book.
We have to decide each year when and where to go on vacation. If we go in the summer months, then the garden is a no go and flowers are just what come back every year. You can’t have them in the hot southern heat if you aren’t going to be there to water and tend to them. This year we decided we wanted the fresh tomatoes and other veggies as well as many, many flowers making our decision to stay home made for us. Instead we will wait until cooler weather in late September when things are dying down and needing less watering and take a trip to North Carolina.
Love you books and I’m always looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for the yummy recipe!
No vacation plans for the summer. We like staying at home gardening, working on projects, reading, and enjoying being retired.
Thank you Kate! Love your books but I don’t have this one! Washington was a beautiful place I visited many years ago. My first time on a Ferry and I so enjoyed it. I would love to go back and walk the beaches someday. Thank you for the opportunity!
Reading and relaxing on my weekends off. Maybe a couple of short road trips thrown in
I love summer however not the high humidity so we tend to stay close to home and do more travel and adventures on cooler days.
I love summer! Working in the flower garden and just being outside. Its also when my whole family takes there two week vacation at our favorite state park!
The last vacation the hubby and I went on was 10 years ago.
He said the other day it looks like our traveling days are over,
due to his health issues.
I volunteer in the Lakes Church Library and have for 44 years.
If I win, the books will be going to the library.
Books are wonderful, and so is the Strawberry Shortcake recipe. Definitely going to give it a go.
We are just planning to stay home this summer. We are 3 miles from the beach so we will just spend our days there. My husband and I both love the beach whether it’s to swim or walk.. it is our happy place
Awesome giveaway Kate. I love your books.
Such an amazing giveaway Thanks Kate!