summer 2026 issue
It was a hobbies and hard times summer.
The past couple years, I have taken the summer off from the monthly mag and combined July and August together for what I call the summer issue. With the Texas heat looming over the day to day, my creativity subdued, and the eternal hope for fall and winter filling my spirit, summer really lended itself to a slower pace around here.
Although I am partial to summer’s season siblings, I have found a uniqueness in the summer slow down. In my eagerness to see fall make her yearly debut, I can still appreciate summer for what she was too - slowing down, hobby maxxing, and space to navigate the hard times.
the summer in faith
Ooof did this summer really get me.
In July, the Lord called me to step into a difficult family situation that I have been out of site, out of mind with for quite some time. In my attempt at healthy boundaries with a certain family member, I had avoided going to my home town, distanced myself from all family members to protect from the toxic wake of one, and "protected my peace" so hard that I had been unknowingly ignoring (or maybe just wasn't prepared to handle) some things God had on the table for me to address.
But in this call, the Lord met me. He fortified me, strengthened me, grieved with me, softened my heart, developed my ability to be gracious beyond understanding, provided peace, established clarity and boundaries for me, and drew me closer to Him in a way that could only happen through hardship and trusting His promises through them. I tangibly experienced this quote by Charles Spurgeon:
“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”
In this summer of hard things, I found myself drawn to the Psalms. David's palpable feelings of fear, sadness, grief, struggle, and doubt as he was literally running for his life really made me feel seen by God. Not only seen, but able to express all of the emotions I was feeling to Him. But like David, I also couldn't just sit on my hands and in my feels. David always returned back to the truths of God, His promises, and the victories he already had in Him. So did I.
There was one scripture in particular that carried me through in this season, and will continue to do so because the hard situation is not over just because the summer is.
Psalm 18:35 - “You have given me the shield of your salvation and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.”
Key takeaways that this scripture reminded me of and revealed to me:
I am protected by the salvation of the Lord and the hope that I found in knowing this world is not my home. Hard things happen because sin entered into the world because God gave us the ability to have free will and we messed up at the beginning of time. However, He provided us salvation through His grace and love towards us. That is the restorative hope.
Not only has He saved me and given me a hope outside of this world, He supports me and walks with me while I am in the world. He helps me navigate the hard things, happy things, sad things, and everything in between. He is a personal God.
He doesn't stop there with salvation and support (even though He could!). He then shows me gentleness by meeting me in the hard things and shaping me, molding me, and developing my character and faith. He could have just left us in the hard things, but He doesn't. In His gentleness, He brings purpose, meaning, and restoration.
All this doesn't mean things aren't still hard. I have had moments of praying for a miracle that fixes the situation instead of the miracle being my character and faith development. But sometimes life just be life-ing, and I am so thankful for a purpose, meaning, and hope beyond it. I hope this encourages you or meets you wherever you are today.
Other things I learned this month:
My peace is not something that I can create, control, or fabricate. Yes, we have responsibility to create a life of stewardship and gratitude, but we can't control and white-knuckle peace. Peace comes from the Lord and trusting His promises.
I can't worship the deliverance, over the Deliverer.
The Lord will meet you in His Word and through prayer. Get disciplined and get focused. He will speak to you, but He whispers. Clear the distractions and noise, and listen to Him.
I don't have to do it all, all the time, everywhere, perfectly.
Stewardship and living my life is still important even when an outside situation seems all encompassing.
Life is more about how you see it, than what it is.
the summer in pins
the summer in it's finest
the summer highlights: bright blue summer skies, hitting my stride with our home design and style, hobbies hobbies hobbies, my best sista gal staying with us for a couple weeks, simple summer fashion, fun accessories, a spontaneous getaway, a lot of time with the Lord, antique finds, slow pace to process the hard things, riding, cozy candles in anticipation of fall, finding moments of creativity and inspiration, time with my love to grow and flourish, the Lord meeting me with gentleness, peace, and strength in the hard times and continuing to develop my character
the summer in a catalog
the summer in music
With June having a more high-energy music vibe, the rest of the summer settled into a calmer feel. I gravitated towards jazz and worship music as I navigated a lot going on in my mind and life.
I appreciated summer for what it was, but definitely found myself greatly anticipating my favorite time of the year. So, the summer jazz continued into July, but the deeper, cozy tones of fall jazz started making their way out of my speakers in August too. However, my song of summer, especially August, was Been So Good by Elevation Worship. I needed this reminder of how good God has been to me throughout my life and that continued promise for the future.
the summer in fashion + beauty
Key players: white tees (obvi), slouchy trouser shorts, the perfect sweatshorts, white jeans, wrap beaded necklace, bandanas, pink havaianas, fun fringe bag, and zebra mules (will be carrying into fall, no doubt!)
Summer fashion was light, white, and airy for me all season long. I continually reached for my white tees, easy shorts, and simple casual fits that helped me to survive the Texas heat. My creativity seems to dry up in the heat of the summer, so I always find my July/August fits to be less inspired. However, I did enjoy adding in some accessories throughout the season that brought a little fun to the dressing for the heat vibe. Some of my favorite accessories included: cowhide clutch, bandanas, beaded wrap necklace, fringe bag, zebra mules, lace wrap, pinky ring, and pink havaianas.
I extra loved the natural gal vibe this season. I enjoyed my makeup free days more than I ever have, settled into an easy skincare routine, and vibed with a light/skin-like feel on the makeup days. My clean girl makeup favorites: Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush in the color Postmodern, Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, Rhode Glazing Mist, and the Merit Day Glow Highlighting Balm. I also loved a chic and a little edgy nail look of natural nails with my initials.
the summer in home
We made some changes around here this season!!
We landed some awesome antique finds at a roadside antique store on our spontaneous getaway, shifted the living room to feel light and airy but still cozy, put some of my art up, added a little corner art studio to my office, and really leaned into my European rustic home style. It felt warm, light, and peaceful.
Painting gal all summer long! The sunsets reminded me of God's grace My sista gal Are you kidding me??? hair day, best day Lots of uno was played! Such a cutie picture! Back home! The cutest Texas getaway! These steps inspired me to tears. Such a beautiful church. La Palmilla in Glen Rose, TX. Roadside antique store! Slow mornings with the Lord on our spontaneous getaway. Time with my love. Picked up reading again this summer. How I felt about the majority of July lol Date night at home Painted this for my sister's birthday. The new art studio! My guy! A Saturday morning vibe. My little angel girl My love
the summer in living
Scroll through the carousel above for some of the little moments and memories of summer.
the summer in a quote
“Whether what I do is seen in the eyes of the world to be great or small, I only ask that when future generations pass unknowingly by my weathered gravestone, someone might be walking on a different path because of something I have done. And not just a different path, but a higher one.” - F. LaGard Smith
Summer, you hold a necessary uniqueness, but the 'ber months have arrived, my seasonal depression has disappeared, and my creativity is turning over a new leaf. Happy best time of the year!
xx, AJ
Love this, beloved!