Friday Favorites: Thoughts of Home

I'm in a bit of a transitional phase, and I've been spending a lot of time thinking about home: what I want it to be, where I want it to be. Exciting changes are coming. {Click on the images for links.}

Boston Summer Bucket List

It feels like summer is already drawing to a close here in Boston. The days are still warm, but the nights are getting deliciously chilly—I love pulling out the extra blankets and sleeping with the windows open. We've done a lot of traveling over the last few months, but some of our the best times have happened right here in town. Boston is pretty spectacular in the summer.

Here are a few of my favorite things I did this summer in Boston; if you hurry, you can do them, too!

1. Shakespeare on the Common. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and watch a wacky rendition of Twelfth Night under the stars.
2. Eating al fresco. The Red House (dollar oysters!) and Sweet Cheeks Q are a couple of the places I've fallen for.
3. Red Sox game. No explanation needed.
4. Hiking. I love that you can drive just a few minutes from the city and you're practically in the wilderness. Our new favorite is the Noanet Woodlands because we can bring the pup.
5. Harborwalk Sounds at the ICA. Boston's contemporary art museum is free on Thursday nights, plus they have concerts by the water as the sun sets.
6. Ice cream from JP Lick's. 

And some things still on my list:

1. Swimming! There are tons of pools in the area ranging from posh rooftops to laid-back neighborhood pools. I wrote an article about it here.
2. Concerts at the Hatch Shell. They cancelled the last one we tried to attend. Luckily there are a few more this season.
3. Beach day in Revere. Love this photo essay (with sound!) about the city's beach.
4. Whale watch. Because I'm sad I still haven't seen a whale.