The Summer I Took It Easy (well, sort of!)
Dear Diary,
Just kidding. But, we are switching things up a little bit on the blog this month, and giving you a “Coles Notes” version of my summer.
This summer looked a little different for me. In past years, my kids spent most of their days at camp, but this time around, we decided to skip it. My daughter has aged out, and honestly, it felt like the perfect chance to just do our own thing together. Slowing down is never easy, especially when running a business like Nicnakknits (hello, year-round prep for blanket season), but I knew I wanted to make space for memories.
And we did just that. Fishing, swimming in the lake, roasting s’mores, sleeping in (a lot!), eating ice cream with strawberry jam and whipped cream, cheering at a Blue Jays game, picking wild black raspberries, a jam-packed day at Wonderland, and treating ourselves to raspberry croissants from Goûter. These little things added up to a summer that felt rich, full, and exactly what I needed. My kids are growing up so quickly, and while I know the day will come when they won’t want to hang out with me as much (LOL), I’m soaking up every chance I can while they still do.
Of course, Nicnakknits was still quietly humming in the background. I kept making behind the scenes, but without strict deadlines, it felt less stressful and more natural to create. I even started dreaming up some ideas for spring and summer 2026 (because inspiration is everywhere when you give yourself time to notice it).
Markets were part of my summer too, and they came with their own highs and lows. Kempenfest was an incredible success, full of energy and connection, and it reminded me why I love meeting people in person. But not every weekend goes to plan. Our first year at the Orillia Waterfront Festival was cut short by bad weather and even some stock damage. It wasn’t easy, but that’s the reality of running a small business: sometimes you win big, and sometimes you learn.
Looking back, this summer taught me an important lesson: work will always be there, deadlines will always come and go, but memories are forever. Stepping back to take it easy didn’t slow down the world around me, it simply gave me the space to enjoy it more.
As summer winds down, things are picking back up behind the scenes. We’re busy prepping for a massive collab order that I’m so excited to share more about soon, while also juggling back-to-school prep for the kids (how are we already here?!). On top of that, we’re getting ready for a trip we’ve been dreaming up for a while, and it feels like the perfect way to end a season that’s been all about slowing down and soaking it in.
