Memorial Day Reading Material

Can you believe it’s Memorial Day weekend already? I know I say this every year, but seriously, the time is passing incredibly quickly. We’re off to Long Island to stay with friends for the long weekend and if our last visit is any indication there will be lots of relaxing, lots of great conversation, and I’ll probably be given the proverbial keys to the kitchen. (yay!) As you can probably imagine I’m already gleefully plotting what I’ll do with all that counter space….

While I’m cooking up a storm in the Land of Ina, I’ve left you some reading material. Here’s what caught my eye this week:

Summer isn’t complete without a glass of chilled rosé, and since Town and Country agrees with me they helpfully compiled this list of 18 facts for those who love to #DrinkPink.

In case you’re in the market, Grub Street collected a stack of food-related books to read while lounging in the park or on the beach.

The lead up to David Letterman’s final show this week was paved with amazing appearances and this one by the lovely (and honest!) Tina Fey cracked me up. (via New York Mag)

Did you hear about the new café in Milan designed by Wes Anderson? No plans to go to Italy any time soon, but it’s on my list just in case and Vogue has the photos that tempted me.

And lastly, Bon Appétit has a piece on “Cubes” by Lernert & Sander a work that transforms familiar ingredients into modern art. I might have spent 15 minutes trying to identify some of the food they used. You've be warned!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day in New York City | Image: Laura Messersmith

When I was growing up we always celebrated Memorial Day with the annual community parade. The school band learned to march for a day; local fire and police departments showed up in their dress uniforms; all the Boy and Girl Scouts carried banners for their troops. The parade went straight up the main road of town to the small leafy cemetery for speeches and a twenty-one gun salute. At that point it was a three-day weekend and later the un-official/official start of Summer.

I didn’t learn about the reason for Memorial Day until many years later when my husband (a Navy veteran) explained that today is the day we remember the men and women who have fallen in service to the United States of America. I hope today was a day of rest for you, but also one of reflection. I’m in awe of what these brave individuals and their families have given. Today is the day we give thanks for their courage and honor their sacrifice.

Skipping to Memorial Day

Lord it was cold (again) today and even though the weather report for New York promises that the temperatures will climb into the 40s and 50s later this week; I just don’t think I can rely on Mother Nature anymore. She has been such a tease – first promising spring with sweet nothings and sunshine, then whirling away in a flurry of snowflakes and stinging winds. Not cool. Not cool at all.

So, here’s my plan. Even though I know the calendar says it’s March 17th (aka St. Patrick’s Day) I’m going to fast forward a little to another excellent holiday: Memorial Day. That’s right, I’m going to mentally skip over crazy, on again off again Spring and go straight into Summer! (In my mind that was pronounced Oprah style as “Suuuummmeeer!” but I wasn’t sure how to spell it.)

How, you might be asking, do I intend to do this? Like so, with my handy make it to “Memorial Day” survival kit. Let’s engage the senses and pretend it’s late May, shall we?

Memorial Day Survival Kit | Design: Laura Messersmith

1. Smell: The scent of sunscreen always makes me think of long afternoons on the beach. The Body Shop has given us the coconut for the times we don’t need the SPF.

2. Sight: Mary Stewart’s descriptions of a young woman’s adventures in 1960s Greece in My Brother Michael are fantastic – mini vacation!

3. Taste: Dark & Stormys are the official drink of Bermuda. Spicy, summery, and super easy to make. Just mix Goslings dark rum, ginger beer, lime, and ice to your taste. Done and done.

4. Touch: It’s too cold for a long sleeved tee, but Memorial Day wouldn’t be complete without navy sailor stripes, so while it’s still chilly I’m thinking a nautical sweatshirt is in order.

5. Sound: When I need a warm weather soundtrack I turn to Vampire Weekend's eponymous first album. Road trip to the shore with the windows down and the volume up.

Image Credits: The Body Shop Body Butter | Mary Stewart Book | Dark & Stormy | Gap Sailor Stripe Sweatshirt | Vampire Weekend