I haven’t been able to blog in what feels like FOREVER. Starting school has taken a lot more out of me than I expected; it’s enough to just sink into the couch with my current read after the day is done. :’) At least I have a steady routine down, and now, all I need to do is make more time for my creative hobbies once again! In any case, I’m back with a recap of this summer—which you best believe, I am missing a lot right now. Here are the things I loved from the Summer ’20 Edit!!
May
The end of the school, and the start of summer. It was delicious to have free time once more. We started rewatching family videos in chronological order, and those nights were filled with laughter—laughter that goes so hard, we’ve got tears streaming down our cheeks and stitches in our sides. When I tell you that my sister and I were the funniest children in the world without even realizing it, I MEAN IT haha. The THINGS WE DID LOL.
What I glean from these memories, is the ongoing awareness and realisation—and gratitude!—that I truly had the best childhood ever. I cannot get over how blessed I am to be born into my family, to be raised by the best parents, to be surrounded by family on both sides that are loving, caring, kind, funny, etcetera, and have the best upbringing ever. So grateful for what Jesus has continued to bless me with.
The very last day of May was lovely: we took a day-trip up to Capitola for Pizza-My-Heart—this was a graduation gift of sorts for my sister, Melody, who was graduating the next day. Since covid ruined all the traditions she would have normally been able to experience, she picked this little trip as a way for us to celebrate! On this trip, I started my second reread of The Silmarillion, and it was SO ENJOYABLE. I devoured it this time around (and went into detail over on Instagram). I also started reading Shadow and Bone, and I struggled to pace myself with it on the ride home. :’) Anyway, May 31st was a wonderful day.
June
Melody graduated on June 1st!! I can’t get over the fact that she’s finished with high school and has started her first semester of college :,( Time flies. (I would share loads of pictures from the day, but I’ve decided to be a little more private with having my family on the blog :’))
The ceremony was so so nice; all five of us got to walk together, take pictures together, and then the four of us got to watch her take the stage, hear her name announced, and see her get her diploma. It was also live streamed, so my grandmother’s, tio’s, tia’s, and cousins, all got to see it at home <3
Also, Buchanan graduations never, ever fail to be beautiful. Aside from the fantastic format of our ceremonies, the sky always looks like cotton candy, and there is always, always a beautiful breeze that keeps the central valley heat at bay. This year was no exception, and I’m so glad of that for my sister’s sake.
The arrival of summer for all of us meant taking more trips to see my Abuela and Nana which is always the best. Swimming, sunbathing, eating barbecue, etc—basically everything summer is supposed to be!
Birthday celebrations at the park
We celebrated Brianna’s birthday at the park with Chick-fil-a (bomb), Superior ice cream (iconic and hard to beat), painting (i am shocked that i managed to create this wave considering i have no artistic ability whatsoever), and good company.
Daddy-daughter trip
I mentioned this back in my June Book Haul, but my dad and I took a little trip to Pismo (where I got most of those books), and it was so nice. Spending time with my dad is one of my favourite things to do; it means good & meaningful conversation, great stories, and being in the company of my hero <3 We really enjoyed the cool weather, the morning beach run, and all the yummy food we ate :’)
July — aka Macey’s favourite month (next to December)
The 4th (aka Macey’s favourite holiday, next to Christmas) was fun!! No fireworks for us, but so many were going off on the drive home from my Nana’s, it was like our own personal show.
Monterey with Megs
Too many great pictures from such a lovely day trip with my bestie!! We stopped at Casa de Fruta on the way up, drove through the beautiful, gorgeous 17-Mile Drive in Monterey, grabbed lunch at my favourite spot in Capitola (Gayle’s), stood with our feet in the sea, walked around the shops in Capitola Village, and jammed hard to One Direction on the way home.
Pismo (aka Macey’s favourite days of the year, next to CFB season & Christmas, of course)
Sea, sand, & surf, replete with family time, the best laughter, coffee & coffee cake, book shopping at my favourite used-book places, breakfasts together, the best morning beach run I have ever experienced in my entire life, and so, so much more.
The come-down from the end of Pismo wasn’t as sad as other years (maybe because fate was in the works lol), and I enjoyed the time I got to spend with my siblings at home when my parents took a trip on their own. And, Switchfoot had their first at-home, live concert in their Fantastic Not Traveling Music Show tour! (A play on the theme of their last tour back in Autumn hehe.)
August
My dad & tio surprised us w/a SECOND trip to Pismo as the first one was shorter than our usual. (Thanks covid.) There was this whole lead up to the big reveal: hopes were raised, then crushed (strategically), and then we were told we were going again. The family group chat exploded. More laughter, more book shopping, more sea time, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Oh yes, and the discovery of Café Andreini — the best espresso I have literally ever tasted. Once I’m a 5 Cities local, this is going to be my PLACE.
Then, the five of us stayed an extra day, so we could hit up Morro Bay as it’s been a few years since our last visit. MB was the original, summer, annual, family trip, before we switched over to Pismo 12 years ago! Before then, Morro was where I had most of my childhood beach memories.
The rest of August was full of creative productivity, loads of lazy days, & soaking up what was left of all my free time. (Also, the best reread of LOTR, ever. I read it in one month—which I’ve never done before—& it was bliss. Evenings were spend reading, reading, reading. Emotions and feelings and appreciation for Tolkien’s great masterpiece. Ugh. So good.)
Well, that’s wrap on the Summer ’20 Edit! I feel incredibly grateful that my summer was still fairly normal regardless of all that’s going on in the world. How was your summer? I hope you still got to enjoy yourself, your time, and your family and loved ones in whatever way possible. Let me know your favourite memory from these past couple of months!! It would make my day (: <3