A Summer Celebration
"Feels like iced tea on the porch, a quilt on the grass, and fireflies in the distance."
It’s the kind of week where time slows a little. The evenings stretch long with golden light, and the scent of grilled corn and wildflowers drifts through the air. With the 4th of July around the corner, we’re invited to savor a certain kind of magic: watermelon slices on paper plates, firework crackles in the distance, and barefoot walks through grass still warm from the day. This is your reminder to pause and soak in the goodness—because summer, like all things, is fleeting.
Gratitude for the life we get to live.
As we head into the 4th of July, it's a powerful time to reflect on how blessed we are to live in a country where we have freedom, choice, and opportunity. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday life—paying bills, managing work, keeping up with it all—but even those worries are a kind of privilege. They exist because we have homes, businesses, families, and dreams to care for.
This week, try to shift the lens. Instead of “I have to”, think “I get to.” I get to work. I get to cook dinner. I get to choose how I spend my time. It doesn’t mean life is always easy—but it does mean we’re incredibly lucky to be living it here, right now.
Red, White and Blue Popsicles (Coconut Berry Ice Pops)
You’ve got to try these! Just blend your favorite fruit, pour into molds, and freeze for the easiest homemade popsicles.
This “Americana Backyard” playlist
Feels like iced tea on the porch, a quilt on the grass, and fireflies in the distance. Let it play while you water the garden, prep a picnic, or wind down after a sun-soaked day.
Weekend Summer Craft
Straw cowgirl hats with beads and fabric trims—because summer style should feel a little wild, a little vintage, and totally free-spirited.
Pop into your local craft store for beads, fabric scraps, and a plain straw hat—or shop a few fun finds online below.
P.S. You can always swap the trims/beads with the seasons—try red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, or go with pinks and oranges for a dreamy summer day.
My Fav Coastal Cowgirl Hat
Share your hats with us on Tiktok and Instagram, so excited to see what you create!
Summer is a season of outward joy and inward stillness. The 4th of July reminds us of warmth, freedom, community—and the luxury of slowing down. Eat outside this week, pick wildflowers, dip your toes in water, and wear linen that wrinkles with laughter. There’s power in celebrating simply.
Garden Feature:
Prune with purpose.
If your tomato plants are starting to bush out and baby fruit is just beginning to show, it might be time to give them a little trim. Pruning helps the plant focus its energy on growing sweet, strong tomatoes instead of getting lost in a jungle of leaves. Look for small shoots—called suckers—growing in the joint between the main stem and a branch, and gently pinch them off.
It’s a small act of care that echoes a deeper truth: sometimes, growth means letting go. In the garden and in life, not everything needs to be kept—only what’s truly bearing fruit.
Home Feature:
A little summer charm goes a long way.
Layer a lightweight quilt over your porch swing or keep one folded in a basket by the door for evening chats under the stars. Add a few mini American flags to your flower pots, or toss a red gingham pillow on your rocking chair to bring in that sweet, old-fashioned 4th of July charm. These small touches turn your home into a celebration of the season—soft, simple, and full of heart.
What does freedom mean to you right now?
Not just in the big, patriotic sense—but in the small daily choices. Maybe it’s freedom from urgency, or freedom to rest, or freedom to start again. Ask yourself gently: What would feel like freedom today?
🌼 Want more of The Slow Living Lane?
If you’ve been loving these weekly letters, you’ll adore the Slow Living Lane Monthly Edition.
It’s a deeper, longer, more personal letter filled with seasonal reflections, gentle prompts, curated inspiration, and behind-the-scenes moments from my world.
This is the version where we linger a little longer.
Where we let slowness stretch out across the page.
We just bought popsicle molds last night! My little girl will be thrilled to make these today ❤️
I love this so much! 🇺🇸❤️🧨