No doubt about it…summertime is here! As the calendar switches to July, the forecast ’round here is “full on heat wave” – ugh. As I look at ways to “beat the heat” in the coming days, here are a few of the things that filled my June days…

  • Reading…a varied selection of books is on my Kindle & nightstand…a long overdue Twitterature round-up is planned for July to briefly discuss the last couple of months of reading…these days, most of my active reads are in the paper version vs e-reads…
  • Watching…another UK business trip provided an opportunity to catch up on several recent movies: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Labor Day, The Muppets Most Wanted, 20 Feet from Stardom, Lone Survivor…being in the UK as the World Cup started meant that I’ve watched more futbol this month than ever before – including the England – Uruguay match in the hotel bar
  • Listening…no new tunes this month…but the Need to Breathe album is definitely in frequent rotation…
  • Crafting…I got behind on the Brewers Crackerjack with vacation & travel but am still knitting my way through – World Cup watching has been a good opportunity to catch up.
  • Cooking…Sunday Supper with my WI family was the cooking highlight of the month – to slip back into our routine was so comforting & relaxing for all of us. We went the easy route with the menu – boboli crusts that we topped: pizza margehrita style & bbq pork style; my “famous” spinach salad; strawberry pie. It was great fun to have C & B help me prep in the kitchen while the boys played quietly in other rooms & V took a nap on my sofa, under my Wisconsin Wanderings afghan.
  • Sipping…again, some proper pints in the UK – and I love that cider is normally on tap there!…the hot weather around here means my Tervis tumblers are in heavy use with iced tea, iced coffee & infused ice waters…
  • Noshing…family style Pennsylvania Dutch cooking & delicious Philly cheese steaks whilst hosting family vacation…lots of tasty morsels whilst in the UK – more delicious fish & chips, a tasty Indian spread, delightful mandarin sorbet, banoffee pie…loving the return of good, local, fresh produce
  • Walking…continuing to get my steps in for the Global Corporate Challenge…my Saturday in London was my high day, so far…
  • Traveling…my new suitcase stood up to the travel rigors of my most recent UK trip
  • Voting…in the ESPY awards – Mercer over Duke as the best upset of the year
  • Looking Ahead…Mom & Dad will celebrate the 4th & Dad’s birthday with me here in PA – adventures are being planned…

Linking up with Leigh Kramer for the monthly “What I’m Into” round-up. What are you into these days?