Seasonal Sentiments June 2025 Rewind

Can you believe we’ve already reached the halfway point of the year?

We hope your month went well and you had a great start to summer!

For us, June felt like a month of two very different halves.

The first part was filled with sunshine, summer projects, and all the fun that comes with this time of year.

But the second half was really tough—Rich got a call from his sister in the afternoon on Father’s Day with news that his dad’s health was deteriorating and that he needed to come home.

He flew to Kentucky that night, and Hospice took over his care the next day.

With guidance from the Hospice team, Rich and his sister took excellent care of their dad until he passed away nine days later.

Here is one of our favorite pictures of him with his six grandchildren (who are all grown up now)!

He lived to be 82 years old, and we feel incredibly blessed to have had him in our lives.

Even though it’s been a difficult time, we wanted to take a moment to share a few highlights from the month—some lighter moments, favorite finds, and some seasonal inspiration.

WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN June

Rich got a new toy

Rich got a new toy… a 3D printer!

He’s been having a great time learning how it works and figuring out what he can create.

So far, he’s printed parts to fix some of his old Star Wars ships from childhood (major nostalgia) and created custom figures for our boys.

He even made these adorable toys for our great-nieces and our nephew.

It’s been fun to watch this new hobby take off—I have a feeling it’ll inspire a few DIY ideas in the future!

Visited family at the beach

One of the highlights of the month was getting to visit Rich’s sister, her husband, and some of their extended family while they were vacationing at the beach.

We met up for dinner and had such a nice time catching up.

Rich was especially excited to bring along the toys he had made with his 3D printer and hand them out to the little ones—it was so sweet watching their faces light up!

We had hoped to take a walk on the beach afterward, but those classic afternoon thunderstorms had other plans.

Two Celebrations in One Day

On the morning of June 15th, we had a fun double celebration—Father’s Day and Griffin’s birthday!

We had reservations to go back to the ‘Ohana restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

After such a great experience there for Mother’s Day dinner (they did an excellent job accommodating Griffin’s allergies and my food sensitivities, which always gives us peace of mind), we thought we’d give breakfast a try—and it did not disappoint!

The breakfast is a character dining experience that includes visits from Lilo and Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto, which was perfect since Stitch is Griffin’s favorite Disney character.

Rich had been looking forward to the pineapple coconut breakfast bread, and he said it lived up to the hype!

Griffin and I couldn’t try it, since it wasn’t allergy-friendly, but the cast members brought out delicious cinnamon donuts instead—and we didn’t feel like we were missing a thing!

The meal was served in a skillet, and it was delicious—from the scrambled eggs and Hawaiian-style ham to the Mickey and Stitch-shaped waffles, island-style potatoes, and that amazing POG (pineapple, orange, and guava) juice.

It was such a fun way to celebrate two of my favorite guys!

WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN June

Even with everything going on, we still managed to share some fun and helpful projects on the blog this month!

From festive 4th of July decor to a sentimental DIY and smart organizing tips, here’s what you might’ve missed:

DIY

• How to Make a Wood DIY Mountain Shelf
  See the sweet and simple shelf we made as a surprise for our son—and how it tied in perfectly with this month’s blog hop theme!
• DIY 4th of July Wreath
  This easy patriotic wreath can be styled three different ways—and it comes together in no time!

Decor

• Nautical Table Setting
  Whether you’re hosting a summer dinner or love coastal style, this fun tablescape is full of easy inspiration.
• Patriotic 4th of July Porch
  Step onto our front porch and see how we dressed it up for the holiday using budget-friendly finds and simple DIYs.
• Simple 4th of July Tablescape
  This casual, festive table is perfect for any patriotic gathering—with these tips, you can pull it together at the last minute!

Organization

• The Best Bathroom Closet Organization Ideas
  Overflowing shelves and scattered toiletries? This post is packed with smart tips to help you tidy up—whether you have a closet or not!

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB

I love finding creative ideas and helpful tips from fellow bloggers—and this month’s roundup is full of fun, beauty, and inspiration! Whether you’re dreaming of a beachy vibe, tackling a small space, or just looking for something fun to do this summer, these posts are worth a visit:

17 Beach Decor Ideas for Any Room Bring the relaxing feel of the coast into your home with these easy and affordable decorating ideas—no sand required!

Small Bathroom Makeover with Vintage Charm
This charming transformation proves that even the tiniest spaces can be full of character, style, and smart design choices.

Free Printable Chinoiserie Monograms
My friend Andrea created these gorgeous monograms you can download and print—perfect for framing, gifting, or adding a personal touch to your decor.

DIY Garden Girl Scarecrow
This adorable garden project is equal parts cute and creative—such a fun way to add personality to your outdoor space!

67 Fun and Free Things to Do This Summer
Looking to make the most of the season without breaking the bank? This list is packed with easy, budget-friendly ways to make the most of summer fun.

FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS

Summer is in full swing, and I’ve rounded up some favorite finds from Amazon to help make the season even better!

Whether you’re refreshing your home with a few summer touches or looking for cute and comfy fashion staples, these picks are practical, fun, and perfect for the warmer months.

Click on the blue links below the picture to get details for each item!

Waterproof Beach Bag | Sandals with Bow | Woven Straw Purse

Candleholder Set | Blue Summer Dress | Set of Rattan Display Boxes

Round Rattan Tray | Clam Shell Bowl | Rope Wrapped Vase

Blue Throw Blanket | Boats on Water Art | Blockprint Pillow Cover

HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK

The Summer Home Organization Challenge is going strong, and you still have time to join!

Here are the areas we’ll be working on during July!

• Week 27- Primary Bath
• Week 28- Primary Bedroom
• Week 29- Primary Closet
• Week 30- Morning Routine
• Week 31- Evening Routine

POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Seeking some summer project inspiration or practical tips to refresh your home?

We’ve rounded up a few older posts that are still perfect for the current season.

Whether you want to get crafty, update a space without the mess of a renovation, or organize a bathroom for guests, there’s something here for you to explore!

DIY

DIY Concrete Bowl
This creative DIY adds the perfect touch of texture to your decor. Learn how to make your own concrete bowl with supplies from the Dollar Tree!

Decor

No-Demo Bathroom Makeover
Want a fresh new look without the hassle of a complete renovation? Discover how we transformed our bathroom into a whole new space with thoughtful updates—no demolition required!

Organization

11 Essential Items to Organize a Guest Bathroom
Summer often means visitors, so now’s the perfect time to get your guest bathroom in shape! This post shares simple, must-have items to help your guests feel right at home while keeping your space neat and functional.

Final Thoughts

Thanks so much for spending a little time with us today.

This month had its highs and lows, and we genuinely appreciate you being part of this community through it all.

We hope you found a few ideas to inspire you—whether it’s a DIY project, summer decor, or just a reminder to slow down and enjoy the season.

Here’s to brighter days ahead and a July filled with creativity, connection, and a little bit of calm.

We’ll see you back here on the 31st for our Seasonal Sentiments July Rewind Newsletter!

Blessings, Donna and Rich