July 4th Tips, Tricks & Tidbits
Smug Relaxation & No-Cook Desserts
G’day,
How are you?
The last 72 hours have been a lot, haven’t they? It’s very, very hard to feel settled. Thank you for letting me in your precious inbox and trusting me with a slice of your attention.
I stumbled on this photo of one of my oldest friends, Brett, and I on the deck in Fire Island. Brett’s birthday falls on July 4, so we always celebrate him over the long weekend. Unfortunately he moved back to Sydney, so it won’t feel quite the same this year.
We look so content here, right? Almost smug from relaxation. Smug relaxation. Let’s aim for that this long weekend!
I really think we need to wind down our nervous systems this July 4.
Let me help…
Press play to hear my voice message to you. 🖤
What I really want for you is a window of time just for yourself.
I just got back from a week in Europe. My younger brother Tim and his fiancé bravely held down the fort while Nick and I escaped. (I’ll share more on my travels soon.) The greatest gift it gave me was a break from to-do lists, pickups, and the constant responsibilities that come with keeping humans alive and thriving.
There were times when I just sat in the hotel room and did absolutely nothing. I didn’t talk. I sat in a robe. Let my hair air dry. Filed a jagged nail. Looked out the window and sipped water.
Then I had this text exchange with another dear friend who also managed to get time by herself…
So, here are a few suggestions to tap into that smug relaxation– even if other people are around.
Take Your Morning Coffee On A Walk
By yourself. Make a mug of hot coffee and take it out for a walk. One of my favorite things in Fire Island is taking a cup of freshly brewed coffee to the beach in the morning. It doesn't matter if it’s your backyard, the beach, the park, or just around your neighborhood. Just the act of taking a coffee from home somewhere shifts you into vacay mode. Try it.
Put Your Feet Up
Even if sleeping in feels impossible, just lay down at some point in the day. Put your feet up. Read a book. Don’t scroll. (My phone feels like it’s shouting at me these days. I hate it.) I find napping, or stopping really hard, but one of the best things about travel is you’re away from all the to-do’s that keep us in constant motion. So shut your door, and co-create with a ceiling fan.
Run Away For 30 Minutes
When I was a kid, I ran away from home. I can’t remember why, but I packed everything I owned. Four drawers’ worth of clothes and a wooden display of trinkets, and head for the hills. I only made it three houses down before I had to return and get Mum to help me carry my bag because it was too heavy. I told her I wasn't staying long. Turns out, three driveways was all I needed to cool my jets and regroup. You don’t need to pack your bedroom. Just grab your bag, your sunglasses, and take 30 minutes for yourself. It helps.
Read Your Star Sign
I don’t know about you, but I often read my star sign (Aquarius, hi!) to quell life’s uncertainty. I know it’s ridiculous, but it helps me. The Goop Summer Horoscope tells me I’ll find magical in the mundane. That I should trust joy without needing a plan. That I should let myself flirt and explore this summer. I’m down with that. Even if it is hocus pocus. Thanks, GP.
What are some ways that you unplug? Thoughts on any of this? Don’t be shy. I’d honestly love to hear.
I just wrote a mozzarella story for the Wall Street Journal, that included two summer recipes that would be perfect for July 4. Both low-lift. One is an antipasto classic, that really needs no recipe, Melon, Mozzarella, Basil and Prosciutto Perfect for a light-lunch after a morning at the beach, or evening starter with a spritz. The Grilled Zucchini, Mozzarella, Olive & Pistachio is the type of salad that goes with all sorts of things from the grill, including my Italian-leaning Foolproof Ribs recipe that is coming on Thursday.
Simple, No-Cook, No- Stress, July 4th Desserts
On Thursday I have a rock solid July 4 menu of Restaurant-Worthy Ribs and Creamy Potato Salad for you. But I’ll be honest, after cooking ribs, sometimes I’m just not up for cooking dessert. Here’s some sweet suggestions that allow you to kick back.
S’mores season is officially open.
Buy a Key-Lime Pie.
DIY Ice Cream Sundaes. I recently bought some vintage glass ice cream glasses that have inspired me to make sundaes. Scoop ice cream and layout all your toppings: choc fudge or caramel sauce, whipped cream, crushed cookies, cookie dough, choc chips, wafers..
Never met a store-bought pound cake I didn’t love. Serve with some berries and whipped cream if you want but not necessary IMO.
Slice cold pineapple. Muddle some mint with a little sugar. Sprinkle on top.
Slices of cool watermelon.
Opal and her friend Julia often bake a brownie box mix and we eat those warm with a slice of vanilla ice cream. (Here’s a novel idea, get your kids to cook!)
If you have friends who could use a break from the noise, share this post, and hopefully it will help remind them of what they can control.
In the meantime, kiss a dog on the head, and put your feet up.
Grilled zucchini salad looks wonderful. We grill a lot of zucchini here in New Jersey, so it will be nice to serve it in an interesting way that really is quite easy.
love this! so true about the morning coffee and stopping looking at the phone. I'll take all your advice. xoxo