The Small Things That Make Summer Feel Like Home

It’s July, so it finally feels like summer has begun.

I love this time of year. For me, summer brings more energy, less stress, and a little more tenderness and care. It lifts my spirits and makes me feel nostalgic, excited, and more peaceful.

So far, I’ve been valuing the small everyday moments. I used to feel like I needed to stay busy during the summer, but now I’m appreciating the little things the season offers.

I’ve gone to the beach, which I haven’t done in a few years, and it’s honestly my favorite place to be. Being there with friends and listening to the waves crash against the shore gave me a sense of peace I haven’t felt in a long time.

It might sound like a big activity, but for me, it’s one of those quiet moments—enjoying the company of others, watching the sunset, and staring out into the sea. There’s nothing like it.

But I’ve also been appreciating other moments. Here’s a peek at my summer comfort list.

Fresh Summer Fruit

Ever since I went to my cousin’s BBQ a few weeks ago, I’ve been rather obsessed with peaches. My cousin had set out a charcuterie board filled with Italian cheeses, prosciutto, salame, grapes, cherries, and peaches that I believe were from her garden (I could be mistaken), but they were so juicy and delicious that I nearly ate every slice.

Since then, I’ve been buying peaches along with other seasonal fruits—strawberries, watermelon, blueberries. To me, fruit is summer’s candy, and it’s become my “healthier” substitute for my sweet tooth.

I haven’t just been snacking on it either. I’ve been making seasonal dishes that include them—mostly smoothies and desserts (I can’t help myself sometimes). This summer, I really want to try making jam.

My grandma used to make it every summer, and it’s still the best I’ve ever had. She had a way of making anything ordinary feel special in the kitchen.

I think about her when I’m cooking, and I like to imagine she’s there guiding me through it.

It’s amazing how much food is tied to memory.

The Smell of Someone Grilling

Nothing screams summer more than a BBQ. The smokiness in the air, the classic staples like potato salad and ribs, eating outside on a warm evening with people you love.

For me, the smell alone brings back so many memories—a childhood spent swimming until I pruned, eating watermelon on the patio at my grandparents’ house in Palm Springs, and days at the beach body surfing all day before playing cards at night with family.

It’s amazing how one smell can bring all of that back.

Ice Cream Runs

Ever since I was introduced to Salt & Straw in Portland, I’ve become rather obsessed. I first tried it there, and now that there’s a location here in Los Angeles, I go whenever I get the chance.

I love the variety of unique flavors they have, but my favorite is a simple one—or at least I think it is—and that’s their Strawberry Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream.

Strawberry has always been my favorite flavor, and I rarely branch out. I’ve always preferred fruity over chocolate. There’s something about strawberry that instantly feels like summer.

It also brings back childhood memories. I remember going to Baskin-Robbins (back when their slogan was “31 Flavors”) with my mom and always ordering strawberry ice cream with strawberry sauce. I also remember going with friends on hot summer afternoons, eating quickly before it melted.

And then there were the ice cream cakes at birthday parties. As a kid, those felt special.

Ice cream runs have always been one of my favorite little comforts—then and now.

Reading Outside

I generally need complete silence when I read. My brain can’t handle distractions when I’m trying to focus. I’ve always been that way.

But lately, I’ve wanted to be outside more, so I started bringing my book out to the patio.

Even though silence is harder to find outdoors, I’ve been enjoying it. Sitting in the sun, under the shade of an umbrella, lemonade in hand, book in the other—I relax, put my feet up, and escape into my own world.

Sometimes all you need is a good book, a gentle breeze, and a cold drink.

Summer Cooking

I’ve been in the kitchen a lot more than usual. Summer ingredients just make me want to create more.

I love using the grill, so lately I’ve been making burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks—whatever sounds good. When in doubt, grill it.

I also use the slow cooker this time of year. Sometimes it’s too hot to stand over the stove or oven, so in the mornings when it’s cooler and I have more energy, I’ll use that instead. It’s one of my favorite methods because it’s simple and always turns out good.

Recently, I made BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with fresh coleslaw on a brioche bun.

I love summer cooking because it doesn’t need to be complicated—it just feels easy and comforting.

Time with the People I Love

Cookouts.
Conversations.
Laughing around the table.
The little moments I know I’ll remember years from now.

I went to the beach during the day with friends, and we chatted underneath a small umbrella, soaking in the sun and listening to the rough waves (tide season). Then we ate at a restaurant nearby on an indoor/outdoor patio with a nice view. After that, we went to the park to watch the sunset.

It was the perfect way to spend the day with people I love—catching up on old times and making new memories.

Reflection

Summer doesn’t have to be extraordinary to be memorable.

I think it’s these small comforts—food, memories, quiet moments, and time with people I love—that end up shaping the season the most for me.

What’s on your summer comfort list this year?

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.”— Charles Bowden