☀️Solstice Celebrations!☀️ Continuing my witchy Midsummer journey into a Butterfly Summer!! 🦋

[@chloeruff2794]

The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland is partially set in the Faroe Islands and describes really beautiful and unique landscapes which will make you believe you’re right there with the characters. I would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of fairy tales or want to learn more about the Danish influence of fairy tales.

[@loganmoriarty1155]

This has got me absolutely horned up for summer. Also, an EXCELLENT book synopsis. Dying laughing. To think anyone would skip ahead is unfathomable. Have so much fun in Scandinavia, ahhhh!!! Never been, but I’m obsessed with everything Swedish basically. No books unfortunately, but Tore is a fantastic series on Netflix (not very summery tho) and Sweden is a Eurovision powerhouse with bop after bop after bop. Which apparently is more my culture than reading oopsie 😆

[@MerediddyS]

Hehe I'm also obsessed with Sweden because of Jonna Jinton! We are only going to see the tiniest bit of Sweden unfortunately cuz we don't have a ton of tiiiiimmmmeee but I wanna live there hehe

[@lisakeyser6504]

Loved your description of Summer's Child! One of my favorite things to do is describe book plots to my friends if they are particularly wacky lol

[@MerediddyS]

It was so very silly! I wonder how far Nick Gage is in the book...

[@annika6815]

Yes! the newest season of bridgerton is crazy. Karolina Zebrowska has a lovely video on it, “bridgerton costumes are off the rails this season”

[@MerediddyS]

Omg I wanna see!

[@lucadebus3088]

Okay, TWO things! 1. I think I need more problematic books synopses..? We laughed so much! 2. The hard drive scare hit so close to home! I have to move my 6483829 giga bytes books and projects from the laptop to somewhere else, but I’m so terrified to lose them for some hard drive fail! I hope you could fix your situation. Yikes! And actually, 3. You’re the best! 🌟

[@MerediddyS]

Hehehe I love retelling a bad book!! So silly! Also yeah I am so scared for my hard drive!! I need to open it all back up and check on it but I'm scared

[@teresagreen-e]

Watching your summer celebrations is really helping me survive the frigid Aussie winter! Thanks for the cozy vibes every week Meredith!

[@MerediddyS]

Happy Winter Solstice to you!!

[@jennschalle2825]

That concert looked amazing! Billy and Stevie?! And yes, Cressida's costumes are definitely over the top. Her sleeves get bigger every season. Lol. There are even videos of people on Instagram/TikTok where they recreate her sleeves with lampshades. 😂

[@MerediddyS]

OMG!!! They do look like lampshades!!!

[@MariaEverlasting]

this was my wind down video after my day of work and getting to see goats doing a prescribed grazing in a cool valley park in my city. a fun and cozy and excited vlog for a perfect summer day

[@MerediddyS]

Omg prescribed goat graze???? This sounds really nice

[@micheleabercrombie]

Always bringing the joy!! I love your pink shell earrings!!

[@MerediddyS]

Thank you!!!

[@starkidchickie928]

I’m a teacher and this is the first summer I haven’t worked so I’m so excited to watch your vlogs and get some ideas of things I can do to make the most of it! Today’s the first day of summer vacation and I’m so excited!!

[@MerediddyS]

Yay! Happy Summer!

[@mackenzie314]

your backyard looks so peaceful 🥰 i just dont understand how you guys aren’t constantly being eaten alive my mosquitos😂

[@MerediddyS]

Hehe the mosquitos aren't too bad this year! I do have some bites though.....

[@jennifermilbouer269]

The Summer Book is one of my all time favorites! Love your videos, they're always so joyful and comforting

[@MerediddyS]

Yay! I can't wait to read it!

[@bekah_st]

That shell child book sounds wild and I admire that you were able to stick with it until the end. I feel like I would have dnf-ed it early on haha. I like listening to audiobooks on Spotify because I don't have to wait for holds like on Libby, but I often just put into "Spotify jail" because I always go over my weekly hours 😔

[@MerediddyS]

Hehehe it had that hook- what else did she see on the beach that day??? I had to know. Also have you tried Hoopla? You don't have to wait for holds and depending on your library you may get a ton of books every month! I can check out 25 titles per month through my library!

[@ambgarner2012]

Firstly, your description of Summer’s Child SENT ME lol. Secondly, I have been OBSESSED with your sunglasses!! Do you know what the style is called or where you got them from?!!? (or any kind viewer reading this lol)

[@MerediddyS]

Thank you!! I think I got my sunglasses years ago from Target! I don't know what the style is called but best of luck finding some!!

[@ambgarner2012]

@@MerediddySoh, hi Meredith! thank you so much!! i’ll continue to keep my eyes peeled! 👀😊💖

[@Helm1nev]

Hey Meredith☺️ love your vlogs🙌 Where are you going when visiting Scandinavia? So fun that you are coming to Scandinavia🤩 Greetins from Finland🇫🇮😚🌸

[@MerediddyS]

We are doing Oslo, Copenhagen, Malmo and Amsterdam! I'm so excited!

[@Helm1nev]

@@MerediddyS omg yess they are very nice and pretty cities😩🤩🙌🙌

[@sanjanaaaa]

Not quite set in Scandinavia, but Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night by Jón Kalman Stefánsson is set in Iceland in the summer

[@MerediddyS]

That works for me!!! I'll look into it!

[@cowboi_dinos]

your summer vlogs have really inspired me to embrace my summer more! thanks for all the good vibes!

[@MerediddyS]

Thank you!!

[@JustALilHuman]

the summer-y vibes in the vloggy are so joyful 🤍

[@MerediddyS]

Yay!! Happy Summer!

[@camo489]

that concert looked amazing, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will never go out of style

[@MerediddyS]

Yes!!!

[@MadisynBowen]

I've been trying to water the heck out of my tomato and pepper plant because I have them in pots and it has been soooo hot. I've already gotten a few little tomatoes which is the absolute best! My grandma has planted cucumbers and those things have grown like crazy. I went and helped her pick some last week and got about 20 picked. Summer is so fun!

[@MerediddyS]

omg that is so fun!!! I can't wait til my tomatoes turn red and I can eat themmmmmmm

[@PartTimeSarah2]

Gardening tip time! Your onions wont be ready for almost three months after you plant them out. They like a good amount of water, and yes, some of the outer leaves may whither, but you've still got a long time to go. Always a good idea to add some slow release organic fertilizer. They make some specific for alliums, but really an all-purpose fertilizer will be just fine. Patience is a (gardening) virtue!

[@MerediddyS]

Yessss we were hoping for this kind of comment!! We got so many mixed messages online! Ok great to know!!! Do you think we can plant a second batch if we pick them in late July/early Aug?

[@PartTimeSarah2]

@@MerediddyS You can definitely have a go, and if you find slightly bigger seedlings, that will help. Worst thing that might happen is, once the first frost happens, your onions will just be on the small side and you might not be able to cure them, they'll still make good fresh eating though. Definitely look for seedlings rather than sets as sets are much more likely to want to flower rather than bulb up. Gardening is a long learning process, but it helps us have a better season next time!

[@oliviakroner4964]

I was inspired to make the pizza gnocchi recipe this week and really enjoyed it (was also my first time having gnocchi, I believe)! I’m already thinking of ways I’ll change it up for next time.

[@MerediddyS]

Oooo yum!!!! We didn't use all the ingredients she listed but we love it so much!

[@watchlistenwrite]

Our reading keeps aligning! I just finished Piranesi and *loved* it!

[@MerediddyS]

Omg!! We just finished yesterday and loved it too!

[@DeeKaySigne]

Scandinavian book recommendations, finally my time to shine! If you can find a version of it, "Erasmus Montanus" is a classic Danish play by Ludvig Holberg. A satirical classic, for theater kids like yourself, this one should be fun. Growing up, "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaardner (Norwegian) was one of my favourite books. It can be a bit convoluted as it talks a lot about the history of philosophy, but I just love the ending. I read it the first time when I was 10, and I still remember it vividly. I would also recommend reading something by Astrid Lindgren (Swedish author of Pippi Longstocking and so many more). Her work still inspire children today, and although her books are mostly aimed at children/young adults, they're excellent reads. I recommend "Mio, My Son", fantasy, adventure and good prevailing. I feel like I also have to recommend Hans Christian Andersen, he's a national hero. Personally "Thumbelina" is very sweet and easy. It does span all seasons, but ends in summer. I truly hope you enjoy your time there, and while in Denmark, treat yourself to a piece of Jordbærkage (Strawberry cake). It's the best thing about summer in my humble opinion

[@MerediddyS]

Omg thank you so so much!!!

[@samnilsson2732]

I was just about to recommend The Summer Book by Tove Janson 😂😅 It is so wonderful though 🥹🌷 Love from Gothenburg 🇸🇪✨

[@MerediddyS]

Yay!! I ordered a used copy that should arrive before we leave!

[@shellfish107]

omg not shelley 😭

[@MerediddyS]

Hehehe is this how you got your name too?? 😜

[@MorganNicole2512]

Who better to see for Midsummer than Stevie Nicks and Billy!! I was up in the same section at Taylor Swifts Reputation tour, and it’s definitely scary being that high, it makes it a little hard to dance lol

[@MerediddyS]

Yeah when I first got up I was shocked that it was up to code! So scary!!

[@frikuv]

Oh my gosh, scandi summers are the best!! Are you coming to Norway? Love from Bergen

[@MerediddyS]

We are!!! We will be in Bergen for one night! We're gonna see fjords!!

[@frikuv]

This makes me sooo happy!! Really think you'll love Bergen and the fjords. Hope to see some vlogs from your scandi adventures. Have a great trip!

[@keikustar]

oh my god that book sounds so awful in such a ridiculous way that it's hilarious. how on earth would a then 16 year old hide not only an entire pregnancy, but the entire act of GIVING BIRTH by herself on a beach. like that is so ridiculous lmaoooo

[@MerediddyS]

I knowwww!! And of course they suggest that that same day she's back in her bathing suit with her "skinny waist" as though pregnancy stomach just disappears immediately!