Power Nap #140
California dreaming and a Fourth of July message from Nate
HOW IS IT JULY?! Summer always astounds me as it seems to both crawl and fly by. The days are short, but the days are also…long. And hot. Welcome to my seasonal depression. I am kidding, but also sort of not? Don’t get me wrong, Charleston has a lot to offer, but unless you are physically on the beach or on the boat or up to your neck in water, July (and August, and well, sort of September too) are hot, humid, and full of mosquitoes. I genuinely have a hard time in the summer down here and find myself hunkered down inside with the AC running. Last summer we took a trip to Maine that Nate and I would both say we still think about daily. Maine in the summer is absolute magic. We were outside! For long periods of time! I wore a sweater at night!!! While we really wanted to go back, in this season of life while we are able and the kids are young, we hope to explore as much as we can. So, we are headed west! I have seen surprisingly little of California and am very excited to experience it with the kids. If you have any San Francisco (we fly in and out of SF), Santa Cruz, or Lake Tahoe recs, please leave a comment. Also want to visit Big Sur! I would much rather get intel from you all than by looking online. Thank you in advance, and enjoy this week’s Power Nap — don’t skip Nate’s 4th of July section. Worth the read.
The Lowe’s Fourth of July Sale is here, and after browsing through the deals, these are a few that immediately caught my eye!
30” Blackstone Griddle: If you’ve been waiting to buy a Blackstone, this is a fantastic time. This model is $399 and includes both side shelves, hooks, and a lower shelf—features I think are absolutely worth having and really wish the model I have did. It’s a great size for most families and perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to summer cookouts.
Blackstone Griddle Tool Set: If you’re buying a Blackstone (or already have one!), don’t forget the tools. This kit includes all the essentials—two spatulas, tongs, a scraper, and squeeze bottles—so you’re ready to cook right away without piecing everything together separately. The scraper is KEY!
Greenworks Pressure Washer: This is one of the most satisfying homeowner purchases I didn’t know I needed until my parents gifted me one a few years ago. Whether you’re cleaning the driveway, porch, patio, or outdoor furniture, it makes a huge difference. This model is $100 off during the sale!
The Fourth of July Sale is one of the best times to snag big-ticket outdoor items, and these are the deals I’d be most excited to grab. The Power Nap is free each week, and sponsors like Lowe’s help make that possible! Thanks for sponsoring this Power Nap, Lowe’s!
In Case You Missed It
Lands' End Canvas Totes are on sale right now, with the medium tote 40% off and larger sizes around 30% off. These are still my favorite family travel bags thanks to all the interior and exterior pockets. Here’s my review on them in video form or read details here.
I shared in the last power nap about my no-churn ice cream recipe and it was such a hit at Beach Week. It really is so good and easy. I also wanted to share the recipe I used this week to make an ice cream sandwich cake. This is decadent, and so simple the kids can assemble it!
Happy Fourth of July From Nate
One of my favorite moments of this World Cup had nothing to do with a goal. Early in the tournament, Iran played New Zealand in Los Angeles. And before the match, they played the Iranian national anthem. In an American stadium. I know there are people who hear that and bristle. I had the opposite reaction. To me, it epitomized one of America’s best ideas: that everyone has dignity -- even those you disagree with, even those you hate. That anthem wasn’t an endorsement of a government; it was a recognition that the people on that field possess the same worth as anyone else.
The American ideal is that everyone counts, and anyone can be great. Greatness isn’t reserved for a handful of elites. It can emerge from a farm in Kentucky or an apartment in Queens; from a nurse, a mechanic, an immigrant, or a stay-at-home mom. Two hundred and fifty years later, that’s still one of the most hopeful ideas a country has ever been built on.
So, in honor of our 250th, here are some of my favorite quotes on America:
“One of the actual and certain consequences of the idea that all men are equal is immediately to produce very great men... There is a great man who makes every man feel small. But the real great man is the man who makes every man feel great.” — G.K. Chesterton
“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” — Bill Clinton
“God must love common people the most, that’s why he made so many of them.” (attributed to Lincoln)
“Every four years we go to a post office, or a fire station, or a church to overthrow the government, and there isn’t a policeman or soldier in the street.” (paraphrasing The West Wing)
It never fails…every summer I am shocked at the amount of space towels take up in a pool/beach bag. My mother-in-law gave me this towel for Christmas this year and I am amazed at how small it folds up and how lightweight it is. It dries so quickly too! It may not be feasible to replace all of your beach towels with this but even having one or two is going to save you so much space. It’s also something you can throw in your bag for the inevitable “hey mom, i accidentally got soaking wet” situation while on a summer outing.
Do not miss Muir Woods. Absolutely breathtaking.
Monterey Aquarium, Pinnacles National Park (caves!), SF Lombard street and cable car rides, Santa Cruz - don't get bogged down by the boardwalk, not worth it in my opinion, Tahoe - Echo Lake