13 Readers Share Their Best Su...

How’s your summer time going? We requested Cup of Jo readers on Instagram to share pictures of blissful moments and received over 100 responses! They felt not possible to slender down, however listed below are 13 that made us smile…

Above: “We went to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. I realized about it from Joanna’s Copenhagen post a pair years in the past and was tickled to lastly go to. My son Henry and I liked the set up Gleaming Lights of the Souls by Yayoi Kusama — so magical!” — Katherine, Bremerton, Washington

“Right here I’m with my finest buddies from faculty. Two of us simply turned 40, and certainly one of us goes via a divorce. We had no thought how therapeutic and celebratory it might be to scream our faces off with 20,000 different Backstreet Boys followers. No spa journey might ever examine.” — Lauren, Queens, New York

“This summer time, I noticed Backstreet Boys dwell for the primary time, as beforehand I didn’t have the funds to see them. My husband got here to Vegas with me, however none of my buddies wished to go to the live performance, so I simply bought my ticket and had the time of my life. They performed my favorites, like ‘I Need It That Manner’ and ‘Drowning.’ I additionally met some nice girls in line, and we’ve stored in contact.” — Carol, Brooklyn, New York

“Kayaking with our canine, Barley! Earlier than having a child two years in the past, our adventures centered round our canine. Whereas our toddler kayaked with Grandma and Papa, we received to hang around with doggo like outdated instances.” — Aimee, Minneapolis

“Yearly, a pair of swallows builds a nest on our entrance porch. We’ve realized that the magic variety of babies-to-grown-birds is three. Any extra infants, and at the least one dies resulting from lack of area within the nest. This summer time, there have been FIVE child birds. We agonized over potential deaths; I grieved in anticipation. Then in the future, I stepped outdoors and counted seven swallows hovering and swooping over our entrance yard. All 5 infants made it to flight day! A miracle flying over our dwelling.” — Ashley, Fort Value, Texas

“My household and I went on a five-week highway journey. I meticulously deliberate our stops, together with baseball video games, Nationwide Parks, playgrounds, bookstores, and so on. However certainly one of my favourite moments was unplanned. In Pittsburgh, a woman overheard my husband and me speaking about our West Virginia plans. She informed us that we should go to Cathedral Falls. Seeing our son and daughter wading within the streams was unparalleled.” — Kohinoor, Queens, New York

“My nine-year-old son and I’ve ‘spa mornings,’ the place we make one thing collectively (a yogurt and honey face masks, or a hand scrub with sugar and coconut oil) after which fake we’re working a day spa, full with a lavender candle, nature sounds, and — the pièce de résistance — a blanket warmed within the dryer. Slow living at its finest.” — Tracy, Tequesta, Florida

“Each July, when it’s 100+ levels at dwelling, we head to the mountains for every week. We at all times hike 4 miles to Williams Lake in New Mexico. The path is lined with wildflowers and rocks to relaxation on, and our motivation is the pretzels and beer ready for us at The Bavarian Restaurant on the finish.” — Lisa, Edmond, Oklahoma

“I’m due with our second child in September. We dwell in a small condominium with our preschooler; I work with youngsters; and I’m introverted. Naturally, I always really feel touched out. So, this July, my partner and child went to go to my in-laws, whereas I stayed dwelling alone within the blissful quiet. I ate no matter I wished, I cleaned up after solely myself, and I slept in the midst of the mattress. It was superb.” — Kim B., Oakland, California

“My boyfriend and I visited Bhutan, the place on my non secular birthday I crossed the suspension bridge at Punakha. It was drizzling, and close to the top, he stated, ‘Look again, there’s a rainbow.’” — Em, Pasig, Philippines

“For years, we’ve hosted a shaving cream combat with our neighbors. We put on goggles and bathing fits, and blast a playlist that features Ozzy (RIP), Pantera, and the like. As a mother who struggles to play with my youngsters, I cherish this custom, which ends with pizza, popsicles and an old school backyard hose.” — Rebecca, Decatur, Georgia

“I dwell in Germany, removed from my household in Kansas Metropolis. My large sister was touring together with her household within the UK, so I jumped on the likelihood to satisfy them for a couple of days in London. After we misplaced our dad in December, and my pup died in January, hugging my sister in London felt like the primary exhale I’ve managed on this Massive Yr of Grief.” — Anna, Hamburg, Germany

“Is there something sweeter than mendacity within the grass whereas comfortable child arms discover your face? My husband and I spent the Fourth of July at Troutbeck hotel, identical to we did in 2024 after I was pregnant. There’s nothing extra magical than realizing that the longer term we dreamed of final 12 months is right here.” — Sarah, Arlington, Virginia

What was second of your summer time? Please share under…

P.S. A very low-key summer checklist and a great summer read.