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3D cards are all the rage. At least they certainly were when I checked out the card collection at LOFT, an emporium of stationery, home goods, beauty supplies, and gifts. There were cards featuring classic Japanese themes like the ocean, morning glories, goldfish, fireflies, and fireworks. I especially like the details in the pop-up cards depicting summer scenes but my favorite card is the one with black and red goldfish merrily swimming in a fishbowl. It reminds me of all the festivals with kingyo sukui booths where my friends and I would compete to scoop the most goldfish and turtles with flimsy paper nets.

Speaking of festivals, there seem to be big summer events and fireworks every weekend over here in Tokyo. Just two weeks ago, I watched a dazzling array of colors light up the night sky while Tokyo Tower glowed blue and red. Festivals celebrating Obon, a Bhuddist observance to welcome home the spirits of ancestors, abound, filling public parks and narrow shopping streets with paper lanterns, food stalls, dance performers and taiko drummers. But the big highlight of my summers in Japan has always been visiting my grandparents’ house in Awaji, an island near Kobe (and the first island created, according to Japanese mythology), and dipping my feet in the ocean.

Sure, there's the heat, humidity and noisy cicadas, but you can't help but enjoy Japanese summers. Even though there is no actual holiday to commemorate, spreading the summer love and sending a fun card that will surprise and delight my friends and family is a good enough excuse for me.

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For our summer outing this year, Kate and Deb whisked the entire team away for a day of paddling down the Ipswich River. Our adventure began at Foote Brothers Canoe Rentals, where we joined other eager outdoor and nature enthusiasts (mainly large groups of summer camp kids). Covered in sunscreen and donning the largest-rimmed hats we could find in our closets, we quickly found our seats (and balance) among the three canoes assigned to us. Had I done my research ahead of time, I would have known that the person who sits in front is responsible for most of the paddling. Luckily, we hit a rope swing after only about 20 minutes. Given the 95 degree heat, it didn’t take long for folks to get the nerve and give it a go. Margaret gets the award for form, Clayton, innovativeness, and Sarah, most improved. The rest of the day was spent keeping our eyes out for frogs and turtles, maneuvering through fallen trees and under bridges, and stopping along the way for a picnic lunch. All that was missing was someone to fan us with huge palm leaves.

(image: Here's the crew!)

(image: All right, who's first on the rope swing? Sarah is thinking there is no way I'm doing this.)

(image: Margaret sets the bar.)

(image: And Clayton raises it with a flip.)

(image: The boss ladies.)

(image: Taking in the gorgeous day.)

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August is pretty much a mad dash to cram as many last minute summer activities in as possible. As a book nerd, mine includes making headway on my reading list. Coupling this with a trip to the beach or shady retreat, and you’ve got my all-time favorite summer pastime. For those of you looking for some great books to pack in your beach bags, here are some suggestions:

This first recommendation may as well be titled Confessions of a Binge Reader because, since the end of June, I’ve read six books by Elin Hilderbrand. Appropriately designed to lure in those of us dreaming of summer escapes, the novels (including "Summer People") never disappoint. Hilderbrand perfectly illuminates the drama of family life, friendships and love affairs against the backdrop of beautiful Nantucket Island. These books make me laugh, cry and stay up way too late to finish just one, or maybe three, more chapters!

My summer reading usually includes rereading one or two favorite titles. My choice this year is "The Historian," a most excellent and creepy novel that delves into the origins of the Dracula myth. From Amsterdam to Budapest and beyond, Kostova sends her characters on a whirlwind adventure that will bring a chill to even the hottest summer days.

My recommendation list would not be complete without at least one spy book! You can’t go wrong with any of Olen Steinhauer’s novels, but "The Cairo Affair" is a perfect page turner (or Kindle swiper). Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Arab Spring, this book has it all: murder, spies, and secret love affairs. No one is who they seem to be and the multiple points of view keep the reader guessing right up until the final surprise.

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Summer is all about hanging out with friends as you enjoy good food and thirst-quenching drinks. An ice cold beer comes to mind as a nice way to beat the heat. It so happens that this Friday is International Beer Day (first Friday of every August), and I thought we would raise our glasses to everyone's favorite brews! One of us was even inspired to write a poem ...

MARGARET. Guinness. Tried and true. They even say it's good for you. Dark, bitter, creamy and sweet. Serve with an ice cream float for a special treat! 

SARAH. I'm a sucker for Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, which includes cherries and honey for a sweet and fruity taste. I was so struck by the flavor that I still remember the first time I tried it, while watching pre-season football in August 2003. After Bud Light Lime won a Bad Beer Tasting Party I attended, it has been a sentimental favorite, best when paired with enchiladas. But my favorite beer to pair with spicy food, or any food for that matter, is Negra Modelo, a Munich Dunkel Lager that my friends Claudia and Skip introduced me to one summer.

EMILY. Notch brews out of several different locations in New England, including Ipswich Ale Brewery. Their Session Pils is a czech style lager that is crisp and tasty. I like it because it is less bitter than some pilsners and more flavorful than your standard light, summer beer. Tastes good, isn't a snobby IPA, and sold across the street from my house. Hows that for some educated beer critique?! (Emily crushes it with the photo above.)

CLAYTON. A Session with Doctor Nandu by Aeronaut Brewery includes grapefruit notes and more than your average amount of hops for a typical American Pale Ale (closer to a mild IPA I might say). I also have to give a shout out Dust Bowl Brewing Company, a brewery close to my hometown. Therapist is an IPA that boasts extra hops, citrus flavors, and a hint of pine. The kicker: 10.4% alcohol! "Another beverage sir?" Response: "No, I think I'm all set for the next two hours. Thanks." Not sure what my top two favorite beers say about me really ... "A Session with Doctor Nandu" and "Therapist." Mildly concerning? 

KATE. I'm always open to trying new gluten free beers, but after 15 years of consistent exploration, Bard's is my overall favorite (shown above). It's tasty, goes well with pretty much anything, and let's be honest: I'm a sucker for good branding.

ZOÁRD. Okay, beer. One of my favorite beers for a long time now has been Berkshire Brewing Company's Steel Rail Pale Ale. It's best super fresh (I recommend a growler) and tastes like black iced tea. This PA's my summertime go-to.

SABRINA. Friends will attest that I am quite the lightweight when it comes to alcoholic beverages of all types. But I do enjoy beer. I'm just not a connoisseur by any means. My favorites are TsingTao, Sapporo and Kirin Ichiban mainly because of how often I go out for Chinese and Japanese food! I also eat tacos a lot which I quite enjoy with a Corona and lime.

DEB. My go-to is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The other beer I like—probably because I used to live right around the corner—is pretty much anything that comes out of Trillium Brewery. The Fort Point and Congress Street Ales are my favorites. Some of their beer is bottled now, but I think most people still get their growlers filled right there. It’s very guy-wanting-to-talk-with-the-brewers-about-beer heavy, which usually means a long line. To top it off, I’ve found that one particular 6-year old girl doesn’t like the smell. So, leave yourself a little time and don’t bring a 6-year old with you to the brew house!

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Our roaming "I Get Around" card, last spotted in NYC, made its way to the mountains of western Maine last weekend, where we took our girls on their first real backpacking trip. Admittedly, we weren't positive how this would pan out. Our girls, aged 4 and 6, have been hiking before but they've never backpacked in with gear and camped overnight. We did a fair amount of prep work to get them pumped (new kid-sized mummy sleeping bags, for example, and extra-good snacks for the trail), so our hopes were that all systems were go and spirits up as we headed to the trail on Friday morning.

(image: Because it requires some rock scrambling, Loop Trail is the most difficult of the three trails going up Tumbledown Mountain and therefore not recommended for novices ... or children. Oops.)

(image: Pete and Avery lead the way.)

The weather was on our side all day as our little troopers (along with two of their cousins and their aunt and uncle) made their way up steep, rocky terrain. We continued through a cave-like column called "Fat Man's Misery" to ultimately arrive at a serene pond nestled between two mountain peaks where we set up camp.

(image: Our view at the top.)

Out of their hiking boots, the girls giddily changed into their comfy pajamas and soaked their tired feet in the chilly pond. Games and dinner followed, and shortly after watching the last bit of sunshine dip behind the mountains, it was time to settle into our cozy tent. In a phrase, "they got it." The camping thing, I mean. Full disclosure: I did let the girls both play one round of "Think Rolls" on my phone while they snuggled in their new bags before completely conking out.

Thankfully, the overnight rain didn't wake them up. Yes, the once perfect weather took an unfortunate turn. The rain intensified by morning, and we woke to some fairly significant rain squalls. The breaks in between were just long enough for us to drag our packs into the tent (thanks, Uncle Dave) and pack up before heading down a very slippery trail. 

(image: Abigail and Avery get ready to brave the elements.)

While the rain was less than ideal, it added a little more depth to the overall adventure! Not to mention the rain meant we got be with the rest of the family at the cottage earlier than planned. And luckily, there's a perfectly good McCafe in Rumford, Maine on the drive home to satisfy the morning craving. (As far as I know, there's no Starbucks in Rumford, but I didn't check).

Two more things: Thank you, Pete, for remembering to snap a photo of the "I Get Around" card! And, did I mention that besides the loons that come to the lake every summer, we also saw a moose and an American bald eagle this weekend?! Awesome!

(image: A happy camper despite the rain.)

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