JUNE IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER!

Hello friends,

This month, we're celebrating P R I D E, the Tony Awards (tonight on CBS!) and Father’s Day! Cheers to the father of my two beautiful kids and to my adorable husband, who’s an incredible Dad to six, FarFar (Norwegian for grandpa) to six more, and a loving Father-in-Love -- my word for Step-father -- to my two.

I celebrate Pride Month every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and support all of my LGBTQ friends and family. What began as a single "Gay Pride Day" has blossomed into a month-long series of parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, and concerts, attracting millions globally. It’s a beautiful reminder that everyone has the right to love who they want, proudly and openly.

The Tony Awards kicked off in 1947 to celebrate Broadway theatre excellence. I've seen seven of this year’s nominated shows, and I'm rooting for "Cabaret" at the Kit Kat Club with Eddie Redmayne for Best Revival of a Musical, and "Appropriate" with the amazing Sarah Paulson for Best Revival of a Play. Fingers crossed for these incredible productions! Here's a printable ballot if you want to play along.

Finally, June in the Midwest is pure magic, especially after seven years in Southern California. The air here smells like childhood—fresh grass, rain, lilacs, and peonies. Everything’s lush and green, and evenings on our screened-in porch, watching thunderstorms or listening to crickets, bring a peace you just can’t find in LA.

Mark's started a container garden with heirloom tomatoes, chives, shishito peppers, and more. Soon, we'll be enjoying fresh, homegrown produce.

Swim clubs are open! I look forward to prune-fingered days in the pool, ice cream shop trips, and lazy afternoons kayaking on the lake or lying on a quilt in the park looking up into the trees.

Here’s to celebrating summer, no matter where you are. Enjoy and happy reading!

With summer warmth,

Jenie

Founder & Chief IdeAlchemist

IdeAlchemy

i: @jeniedahlmann

i: @idealchemy

f: @idealchemy

P.S. I receive no compensation for my positive reviews of any books, movies, music, or other items mentioned in this newsletter. Please feel free to reach out to share your favorite books, films, television, music, etc., for me to consider including in the AUGUST edition.

READ.

For fans of Amor Towles, Table for Two is a feast. This collection features six short stories set in Manhattan around the turn of the Millennium that steep the reader in the New York State of Mind. And for dessert, Towles plucks the character of Evelyn Ross from his earlier work Rules of Civility to fashion a blistering novella that transports us into the seedy underbelly of Hollywood in 1938. All these stories explore how lives can drastically change due to a single conversation at a table for two. Check, please!

– Reviewed by Mark Pinter

Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine is my favorite summer re-read, capturing the essence of growing up in the Midwest. This enchanting, semi-autobiographical novel recounts a magical small-town summer in 1928 through the experiences of twelve-year-old Douglas Spaulding. Summer in Green Town, Illinois, is marked by new tennis shoes, dandelion wine, and the distant clang of a trolley bell. Yet, summer is more than these rituals; it's a best friend moving away, a human time machine, and glimpses of a bittersweet future.

WATCH.

In Max’s film The Great Lillian Hall, Jessica Lange’s portrayal of a Broadway legend, loosely inspired by American actress Marian Seldes, fearlessly reveals the price paid for an illustrious career in the theater. With her memory and confidence fading, she faces many a demon while struggling to prepare for the opening of what could be her last Broadway triumph. Also featuring the ever-powerful Kathy Bates, this film is a master class in acting and an instant classic. – Mark Pinter

I'm hooked on Dark Matter, the new sci-fi mystery on Apple TV+, starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly. The show dives into the "what ifs" of life using physics' many-worlds theory, which sounds heavy but is actually engaging and even fun. The first episode asks "Are you happy with your life as it is or curious about who you are in alternate realities?" For fans of the likes of Interstellar and Inception, it’s mind-bending and totally binge-worthy!

LISTEN.

I first heard Still Woozy when my kids played me "Goodie Bag," a track that quickly made it onto my 2018 summer playlist. You might know Still Woozy (aka Sven Gamsky) from this hit—a smooth, unforgettable tune that perfectly embodies the “bedroom-pop” genre. With three singles already out (my favorite is "All Your Life"), his upcoming album Loveseat is set to hit my perfect lazy summertime vibe. Blending catchy melodies and laid-back rhythms, the full 12-track drop later this month promises to be the soundtrack of the season.

A huge fan of R&B, I’ve recently discovered Madison McFerrin, daughter of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" singer Bobby. Her recently re-released deluxe album, I Hope You Can Forgive Me, pushes the boundaries of R&B and soul. Her evolution from acapella to electronica, showcased in tracks like "TRY," makes this album perfect for listening on hot summer evenings. It also features a fantastic Honey Dijon remix of "Run," a haunting duet with her father.

SHOP.

Hoka's Bondi 8 are my new go-to shoes! I have terrible feet, so finding comfortable shoes is tough. These are the first shoes I’ve wanted to wear all day. With ultra-cushioned design, extended heel design, and lightweight foam, they provide a soft, balanced stride. Plus, the vibrant colors go perfectly with my bright summer sundresses and always lift my mood. They’ve earned the Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Approval, so I know they're good for my feet.

My favorite summer pie is lemon meringue, a specialty of my late Grandma Bea. Jeni's Ice Cream has somehow created a non-dairy frozen dessert that replicates that taste so clearly it's like I'm in her kitchen again. Their new flavor captures the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with punchy vegan lemon curd and shortbread crumbles in lush coconut cream that has the texture of melting meringue. It’s dairy-free but as good as, if not better than, their dairy offerings.

Celebrating local flavors is part of being Midwestern, so I highly recommend Tart Cherry Siren Sparking Shrub. This women-owned, Wisconsin-based drink is perfect over ice for hot summer nights. It's a refreshing soda alternative that’s great on its own or as a cocktail mixer. Tart, juicy, and oh so refreshing, it’s the ideal way to celebrate the Midwestern cherry and stay cool all summer long! Visit their website for other cool shrubs and great recipes. Mix it up and try their Basil or Coffee flavors as well.

As a stationery geek, writing with a Blackwing 602 pencil is the ultimate experience. Introduced in the 1930s this pencil became synonymous with quality. Legendary creators like John Steinbeck and Disney animator Shamus Culhane, who wanted to be buried with his, used it exclusively. Revived in 2010, Blackwing has grown into expanded offerings like paper, offfice accessories and a very special Blackwing pencil sharpener. While still expensive, these graphite lookers are worth the splurge.

My favorite summer sandals are Pons Avarcas, crafted for comfort and durability. Originally made in 1945 for Menorcan farmers in Spain, they’re perfect for hot, dry climates. Made from natural leather and recycled tires, they’re both eco-friendly and stylish. In 2004, Noelia Pahissa and her husband, Jose Fuentes, moved from Barcelona to San Diego, bringing a few pairs with them. Compliments on their avarcas led them to found Avarcas USA, partnering with Pons to bring these handcrafted shoes to America. Available in over 40 colors for men, women, and children, they are worth every penny!

Bachan means Grandma in Japanese, and Bachan Japanese Barbecue Sauce means business. Summer isn't summer without barbecue, this sauce works with everything. Justin Gill, Bachan's founder and CEO, uses a family sauce recipe, passed down for generations, with premium Non-GMO soy sauce brewed traditionally for a deep, rich flavor. They make their sauces in small batches, and cold-filled to avoid additives and preservatives. Their website hosts a long list of yummy recipes - from Yuzu French Toast to traditional short ribs. Trust me, this sauce will become your summer staple! (P.S. I just saw a three pack of Bachans featuring three flavors at Costco!)

SUPPORT.

Family expansion is more challenging for the LGBTQ+ community, despite years of fighting for equality. That's why I support the Family Equality Council , an organization dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families. Founded in 1979 at the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, they’ve spent over 40 years advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Donations help support their work in developing policies and programs, raising awareness, sharing LGBTQ+ family stories, and providing essential resources to individuals hoping to start families. I encourage you to get involved and help create a world where everyone can experience family.

SUBSCRIBE.

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