Hi friends, welcome back! Jon and I started the month with a relaxing trip to the Catskills for the Fourth of July. We stayed at a great Airbnb in Phoenicia and managed two hikes, lots of grilling, and even a campfire. The yard backed up to a large creek and the hypnotic sound of the stream was exactly what we needed during our break from the city. It is one of the rare vacations we didn’t need a vacation from. The following week Jon and I flew down to Atlanta to spend the weekend celebrating Jon’s mom’s 60th birthday. She chose an Italian restaurant for dinner and made her special carrot cake for dessert.
On to my post 🙂 I’ve been linking up with the first blogger I ever read, Shay Shull, for my What’s Up posts. Each month I’m answering the following questions:
What I’m eating: I got Jon a Ninja Creami for his birthday and we’ve been experimenting, although we haven’t been home much to use it. We’ve used it twice and the consistency is so similar to ice cream, it’s pretty incredible.
What I’m reminiscing about: our trip to Germany and Austria last summer. It was such a beautiful place to visit!
What I’m loving: we loved the rail explorers in the Catskills and thought it was so fun! If you’re ever near one we would highly recommend doing it. The bikes are easy to pedal and it’s such a relaxing time. The track was flat, so no hills like a roller coaster, and we never felt on top of the other people.
Favorite post of the month: climbing the dome in Florence – it was just so beautiful!
What I’m Up to: I had my first jury duty summons, but it was pretty uneventful. The courthouse is about a twenty-minute walk from our apartment, so I figured it would be the most convenient time for me to do it. I reported for duty at 9am and I anxiously waited for my name to be called. A different room got called in the morning, but our room just waited around. We were dismissed for lunch from 12:30 – 2:15 so I went home and relaxed for a bit. Around 3pm I heard a lot of printing and they had the jury slips, so I thought we were being called, but they were just printing our letter of service. At 3:30 we were dismissed and now I have a four-year exemption from jury duty and still have my one time postponement. My experience was very different from the show Jury Duty!
What I’m working on: my Italy series & our Switzerland itinerary. If only I could bend time to fit everything I want to see into the days we have.
What I’m excited about: a few years ago I decided that it was my dream to go paragliding in Switzerland for my 30th birthday! I’m in no way an adrenaline junkie, but I know the views will just be so incredible. Hopefully (weather permitted) it’ll come true in a few weeks 🙂
What I’m watching/reading: I was chuckling at Jury Duty, I thought it would be dumb but it was hilarious. We finished Barry, and are almost done with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Last Thing He Told Me. We also started watching Frasier and it’s a nice show to wind down to.
Books I read this month: Nantucket based summer rom-coms
- The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
- The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
What I’m doing this weekend: heading to Rosemary Beach, FL for Jon’s sisters bachelorette party
What I’m looking forward to next month: Switzerland!
What are you looking forward to next month?
My comments go to the very start and very end of your “What…” section. First, the Ninja Creami must be pretty darned good to compete with the ice cream options you have in NYC. Hope it proves its worth. Last, I just got an Amazon sample of “The Five Star Weekend” and it’s an interesting premise. What’s your take, Lyssy – too “girlfriend-ish” a plot for us guys? I do like Elin Hilderbrand’s writing. Nothing beats “Summer of ’69” for someone from my generation but “The Hotel Nantucket” certainly worked as a summer read.
The Cream takes up valuable kitchen space so we hope it proves worth it too ha! Hmm I guess it’s a little bit girlfriend-ish but has some deeper undertones. I’m reading her “28 Summers” right now. I really enjoyed “The Hotel Nantucket” and still have “Summer of ’69” on my list.
Love your pictures – gorgeous as usual. Have fun in Switzerland & safe travels – I am sure it will be breathtaking. Have a wonderful rest of summer! Looking forward to seeing your adventures in Switzerland! – Morgan @ mommyaboveall.com
Thank you!! I’m crossing my fingers for good weather while we’re there. It will be such a great break from city life. Hope you’re having a great summer!
Those hikes in the Catskills look wonderful and all the food always looks so yummy. But I am mostly stuck on the 4 years of Jury duty!! Here in Ct if we show up and “fulfill” our role we are exempt for 1 year. I got called up when I was in college the week of my final exams (which I had to take later on a make up date and I just remember being so thankful we never got called into the jury room because no one at the college could tell me what would have happened with my test if I got on an actual case– at least it gave me extra time to study!). You have some more exciting trips coming up; I hope you have a great time!
I think Michigan was only one year too! My dad gets called a bit frequently. Maybe NYC has so many people to pick from, but I think it’s 4 years for federal too for me. That would be stressful having jury duty finals week! They said if you’re a student then you are exempt I believe.
I don’t know how you go, go, go but maybe I did that too when I was younger and now I don’t remember. 😉 Your adventures are always exciting to read about, and of course I love reading about what you’ve been eating. The Catskills trip sounds very relaxing and fun, but I understand what you mean about needing a vacation after a vacation. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
We are definitely ready to just be at home for an extended period of time! We dream of just lounging on the couch and watching all the football soon. After the pandemic we said we’d do as much as we can before we settle down. Maybe you’ll go through the Catskills when you make it up here!
Lots of exciting things have been happening for you recently and great that you got a Ninja Cremi. Have you been experimenting with different flavours?
We’ve only used it twice and didn’t have all the ingredients, but Jon has been watching so many Youtube videos of different flavors that he’s excited to try. We did make a peanut butter Oreo one that was pretty good.
I’ve never been called for jury duty and I think it would be both interesting and slightly terrifying! Additionally, I now want to try a rail explorer. That looks fun!!!
I was worried about how I would answer any of the questions if I was selected ha! The rail explorers were so fun, defiantly recommend if you’re ever near one of the locations!
Busy, busy, busy
Very! In the fall we will have a break from all the busyness.
How so?
No travel plans after Labor Day until thanksgiving except maybe a long weekend hiking.
Maybe you’ll find time to visit The Whitney?
A great synopsis of the month Lyssy. Congrats to Jon’s Mom, who looks more like 40 than 60. She even made her own birthday cake, my favourite. The Italian food looks pretty great as well. A Ninja Creami, you say. Will have to look into that. Hope your 30th birthday wish comes true. Enjoying your Italy series and await your Switzerland series in turn. You lead a busy life. I remember those years and am happy to be living a slower paced life. Thanks for the update and stay well. Allan
She is a very good cook and baker! Thankfully her skills seemed to have passed on to Jon. The Ninja Creami is a hot commodity these days. Thank you! I hope so too! It is hard when we don’t live near our families, makes for lots of extra travel. But we are doing it all while it’s just two of us to get places. We are looking forward to being parked on the couch in the fall with lots of football!
A busy month, indeed! Looks like a fun, relaxing time in the Catskills away from the big city…have lots of fun in Switzerland soon; it’s a beautiful country (albeit very expensive)!
The Catskills was such a nice break! I am so excited to see how beautiful Switzerland is in person, it’s been at the top of my list for so long!
The Catskills trip was the perfect getaway. You never run out of ideas for great trips, food and adventures.
Jon was very happy the trip was only a 2.5 hour drive. My mind is always scheming 🙂
My first time in jury duty the plaintiff only spoke Greek and the defendant only spoke Japanese.
What a combo ha!
It’s always nice to escape the city every once in a while. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in the Catskills. Being summoned for jury duty does not sound fun. Even though it was a long day of just waiting around, at least it was just for the day!
It was the perfect escape, especially because it was so painless to get to. My sister recently got selected for a case that was going to be 2-3 months, but they ended up settling before. She was a little bummed, she was very curious to know what it was.
Sounds like you had a great month, Lyssy! I’ve never been summoned for jury duty, but according to my friends who have, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. I find that the oath sets a tone of solemnity in the courtroom, and it holds us accountable for what we are about to say. Thanks for sharing and have a great time at Jon’s sister’s bachelorette party. Cheers. Aiva 🙂 xx
It was a great month! You’re so right, we got sworn in for our time waiting. It is a bit nerve wracking knowing that someone’s life can be forever changed by your decision. Thank you – hope you have a great weekend too, Aiva!
Such I love these images and an amazing vacation. Anita
Thank you, Anita!
No wayyy is Jon’s mum 60 – I GENUINELY had to do a double take!! The Catskills looks like a great trip, looking forward to hearing more about it 🙂
Can one person peddle those rail bikes? I have seen them in more spots these days.
I think so because the workers would ride a 2 person and drop them off for the street crossing. There is a motor they can turn on too that helps a bit. They turned it on after we turned around and as long as Jon was pedaling I didn’t need to
The Catskills area is so beautiful and a perfect nature getaway. I’m with Han on Jon’s mum being 60, incredible! Switzerland sounds amazing, you’ll have the best 30th birthday ever!
I love your photos from the Catskills, and the rail bikes look like so much fun!!!