Summer Fridays, Vol 3.
I am in love with Summer Fridays and I’m so glad that you are too! xoxo
Snacking
On some chocolate dipped watermelon pops! I’ve made these every summer for the last few years and they are super fun. Cut your watermelon into wedges, dip in melted chocolate (stir in some melted coconut oil to create a chocolate “shell!”) and cover in sprinkles. Freeze for a bit, then eat! Max flips over these. Cute!
Grilling
Since it’s Father’s Day weekend, we’re having a weekend of allllll Eddie’s favorite things, starting on the grill. I’m thinking these baby back ribs with root beer BBQ sauce, this crispy bacon pasta salad, marinated grilled veggies and – of course – these salted dark chocolate chunk cookies!
Sipping
On my favorite micheladas. Sounds SO super delicious at the moment and just give me some chips and guac! There is also a watermelon michelada in The Pretty Dish and I desperately want it right now.
Prepping
The best veggie burger ever. It is seriously THE BEST. I made it and have been prepping some for the week (because it’s also amazing in salads and pitas!) and it’s so good. One of the best things I’ve made and tasted! Recipe is coming very very very soon.
Watching
On Tuesday night we went to see On Your Feet, the broadway musical of Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s career. It was INCREDIBLE. Not only was it amazing to hear (watch!) their story, the cast was incredible and the music was so, so good. It was so 90s, in the best way possible. The show itself sort of reminded me of Jersey Boys, because it practically feels like you’re at a concert. If you have a chance to see it, you must! It was also super inspirational as it told the story of them getting their music out there, how difficult it was and how hard they worked to make it happen.
Reading
This past week, I finished The Light We Lost. I’m so torn. I mean, I blew through the book and was caught up in the story. Initially I was very drawn to it because it begins around 9/11 and I was close to the same age the characters are when it happens. I loved the writing and most of the story. But I didn’t find any of the three main characters super likable. I guess that’s probably why it’s such a great book – because they are REAL? I wasn’t shocked at the ending but I sort of hated how it didn’t give much insight into how her relationship would be from that point on. Did you read it? Let me know in the comments below! Also – a few days ago I started The Last Mrs Parrish and I am reeeeally liking it! Like I feel asleep reading it last night and woke up to my phone falling on my face because I couldn’t put it down.
Wearing
Maybe definitely bought this summer fridays shirt accidentally on purpose! There is also a swimsuit and I mean, I’m tempted, buuuuut. Not as cute.
Listening
This week’s playlist is a bit Eddie-inspired for Father’s Day… but also a little all over the place. Shocking! You can find it here.
Traveling
To one of our favorite places this week – Washington DC! But now, I need you to tell me all about the best kid-friendly restaurants please!
Loving
This little slice of life right now so much. Ugh, it sounds so cliche and annoying and goofy but when I wake up and look at these babies, I lose my mind over how much I love them. And with how easy it is to fall into the comparison trap these days (oh hi, I’m the queen of that), all I have to do is look at them and feel how wonderful this real life is. When I feel myself getting pulled into that comparison trap, I think about what I’ll care about in five, 15, 35 years and what will really matter. IT WORKS.
Celebrating
Not only do we have Father’s Day, but yesterday was my mom’s birthday and Sunday is Lacy’s birthday! Hello cake overload. It’s really summer!
Dip these little slices in tequila before chocolate too. Maybe?
28 Comments on “Summer Fridays, Vol 3.”
So sad to miss you on Thursday – my family is heading out of town that morning! Which area are y’all staying in – I have a toddler and can provide lots of restaurant suggestions!
oh man!! i wish you could be there! i’m not even sure yet where we are staying – ha! talk about last minute. but we will go anywhere!
The new Wharf neighborhood on the SW waterfront is fantastic with kids – boats! play areas! chill kid-friendly restaurants! tropical drinks for parents! Highly recommend Hank’s Oyster Bar, and there’s also a Shake Shack for something quicker.
The Red Hen in Bloomingdale is THE. BEST. Italian and very kid-friendly if you go right when they open to avoid the inevitable wait – same for Le Diplomate for French, although it’s not as low-key and cozy as RH.
I second a below poster’s recommendation for Timber Pizza, although the neighborhood is pretty far from most other areas. The Georgetown waterfront is also fun – Farmers & Fishers has a massive menu and very kid-friendly, although service isn’t the best.
If you’re checking out museums or monuments on the Mall, the Hamilton is a great pit stop within easy walking distance – same for Old Ebbitt Grill, although the latter gets mobbed with tourists. (By the way – most of the Smithsonian museums have fun kids play areas, as well as the Nat’l Building Museum!)
Phew, will stop there – hope you have a fantastic trip!! And if you ever feel like making a kid-friendly Pittsburgh guide, I for one would love it – my in-laws are in the North Hills, so we go up a few times a year!
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Sounds like a crazy busy weekend for you. I hope you have a great time in DC. These are the “good old days” we are living right now isn’t it. I hope to look back on these years fondly. I am sure you will. I think that Summer Fridays sounds like the perfect shirt. Especially with summer “officially” starting next Friday. Happy Father’s Day to Eddie and Happy Birthday’s to you your mom and Lacey!
thanks courtney! xoxoxo
Oh how this makes me miss you! Those watermelon slices look like heaven + I’m currently listening to your playlist while I clean my house. Ha! Ps, what a good realization to look ahead to 15 or 30 years down the road. It really clarifies what’s actually important. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LACEY!
XOXOXO Sincerely, Colleen
I am really excited for Thursday! I think its going to be so much fun! I have plenty of restaurants to recommend but since I don’t have any kids I can’t speak to kid friendliness. But I feel like DC overall is pretty good when it comes to kids dining out. I have been to some really great places like The Dabney and have had kids dining right to us no problem! I am impressed with the palates of some of these kids! They try things that I would never have touched at their age. Can’t wait for Thursday! The weather here this week is supposed to be great too. Ya’ll should check out the Wharf. Its great and there are lots of things to do and you are right on the water. Its a nice change from the normal downtown DC.
These summer Friday posts are great!
I feel the exact way about The Light We Lost. I flew through it and that young post college part made me remember being that age. But the second half just made me sad for her husband who was sweet and doing his best and she seemed to be trying to find things wrong with him.
In DC, go to District Chop House — it’s a brewery, steak house that is incredibly kid friendly. The steaks are great, the kids meals are great, the atmosphere is great.
Happy Friday!!
Similar feelings about The Light We Lost – it’s amazing how a few pages at the end of a book can change your outlook so much. But why did Gabe have to…you know…(no spoilers). I just….I wanted a different ending.
I noticed When Life Gives You Lululemons was on your reading list; I read a galley copy and was really disappointed in how the women are portrayed and how they are essentially a bunch of mid-30s mean girls. I remember Swear On This Life was on a previous summer reading list; have you read her others? I read all others I could get at the library after I finished that and enjoyed them. And have been fully engrossed in Beatriz Williams in the past month or so – I started from the beginning and read chronologically – I like that there was a trilogy so you’re fully invested in the family.
Restaurant recommendations: Timber Pizza co http://www.timberpizza.com/ in Petworth is very family friendly! And after you can walk to the sweet shop a few doors down.
Any of the Farmer’s branded restaurants – Farmers and Distillers, Farmers Fishers Bakers (BRUNCH!), and Founding Farmers. They’re all delicious but popular with tourists so they can have a wait. Old Town Alexandria is wonderful to walk around and very family friendly. Rasika in West End is one of my favorite restaurants in the city and is much more relaxed than the original in Metro Center. Le Diplomate is also amazing – Brunch and DInner. If you are looking for a solid coffee/bake shop – A Baked Joint is amazing. Definitely get the Cinnamon Rolls – only available Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Baked and Wired is the place to go for cupcakes. Enjoy!!
For dining with kids: Founding Farmers or Ted’s Bulletin. Make reservations if you can!!
I second all the DC recs that have been made. Depending on where you’ll be, we love Republic in Takoma Park for brunch — very kid friendly!
Places to go in DC:
Teds Bulletin: Food is just okay, but they have homemade pop-tarts and boozy milkshakes!
Chaia- unique vegetarian tacos
Le Diplomate- Brunch and Dinner are good!
Kyirisan- this place is AMAZING for brunch and dinner
Compase Rose- also AMAZING
Chaplans- the best ramen and they give you free popcorn
Oh, and The Pig- Bring on the bacon!
Haha! I am wearing my Summer Fridays shirt as I type this! The Last Mrs. Parrish is so good, I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to make some of the amazing salads and drinks you have been posting lately. Cheers to Summer Fridays!
I used to live in DC, the best kid-friendly restaurants that come to mind are Ted’s Bulletin and Two Amy’s:
Ted’s Bulletin has a cool diner-type feel, they make homemade pop-tarts (all the desserts are incredible, really) and have alcoholic milkshakes, Each night they have a special, I think Thursday nights are TV Tray Dinners, in which they actually serve your dinner on a TV tray, ha! They have old TV shows playing too, like The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy.
Two Amy’s has the BEST pizza in DC (plus it’s Biden’s favorite). I had the pleasure of living across the street. It’s a small place, but it’s loud so it’s a good place for kiddos, because no one cares. :) They are certified Neopolitan pizza-makers.
Have fun in DC!
Second these two recs! My 2yo loves both. Also agreeing with commenters suggesting Le Diplomate and Ren Hen.
In the downtown/museum area (where I work), it’s been a tourist madhouse recently. School’s out for summer… I’d seriously avoid eating in any of the gallery cafes and try to go to smaller places farther from the Mall. I’d also skip Old Ebbitt, DC Chophouse (a national chain), Founding Farmers and all in that ilk (service is too routinely poor to expose a toddler to that much waiting).
In Gallery Place/Judiciary Square- Bantam King, Carving Room. In Metro Center, District Taco, Astro Donuts. In Georgetown, Dog Tag Bakery. My favorite salads are from Sweetgreen.
The new wharf area is loads of fun to walk around and there’s a ton of development around Nats Park that’s kid-friendly, too, including Bluejacket, Salt Line, Osteria Morini, and a big fountain Max can play in!
Yes to all the above especially Astro Donuts – so good. And don’t miss the wharf as there is a lot to see and do that is kid friendly there.
Eddie’s Playlist for the win! love it
2 Amy’s pizza is fantastic and super kid friendly. Any of the Ted’s bulletin locations are, too. Ski Old Ebbitt – it’s a landmark, but the food isn’t great. I’d also skip the founding farmer family of restaurants – they’re okay, but there’s better in DC. The new Wharf area would be a lot of fun.
How Sweet Eats; home of the best recipes and BEST playlists ever! Thank you over and over for the jams!
I LOVED The Light We Lost, but I also related to it a lot in a current relationship situation – not in terms of getting married but between two guys. What I’m truly hoping is that there’s a second book that would continue onto how her story plays out, but man, it pulled my heart.
What kind of chocolate did you use on the watermelon that didn’t seize when you dipped moist watermelon into it?
I’m having a big fathers day BBQ tomorrow and I’m.totally including that pasta salad and the grilled veggies with whipped feta. Enjoy DC.
Filomena in Georgetown is a MUST any time we’re in DC. The last time we were there our toddler was with us and we felt really welcome. She was tired and fussy but the waiter kept bringing things to keep her occupied (including her first Shirley Temple!).
Our family likes to pack some food, and eat in the garden outside the Hirschorn Museum on the national mall, where the kids can run around the cinderalla size pumpkin on the lawn, and look at interesting modern art inside – plus there is a very good espresso bar just inside, and usually an icecream stand outside.
We like Osteria Morini and Blue Duck Tavern, which are both close to the water, and have good places for running around/sitting outside for littles. Both of these are a good ways from the book signing, though. I’m hoping to make it – but I won’t know until Thursday morning if I can.