Life lately: June — Colleen Hofmann

June is always my favorite (birthday!) month. It means outdoor get-togethers with friends and family. It means refreshing German Hefeweizens. It means the morning sun beaming in my window. Here are few snapshots from the month of June. I blinked, and it was over.

As part of my birthday present, I went to see First Aid Kit play at Union Transfer in Philly. I hadn't really listened to them until the concert. And boy did they blow me away with their performance. Given how young they are, I was surprised to learn how long they've been performing together. I highly suggest checking out this Swedish sister duo.

We surprised the heck out of my cousin Scott for his 30th birthday. His sister Lauren hosted the party at her house and coordinated these amazing t-shirts with Tröegs-like logos. He was still reeling with shock at how much effort we put into his party hours and hours later. He's a great guy who always puts others before himself. It only makes sense that we did something cool just for him. What can I say? I feel pretty lucky to have him in my life.

My dad and I hung out at the Millersville Plant Conference, where he sold native plants and wildflowers for his business Keystone Wildflowers. I was surprised at how much more I learned about native plants. Even more so, I was surprised at how much fun I had hanging out with him and his plant friends.

I've learned a lot more about soccer lately. I'm by no means well-versed in all the rules, but I'm very good at yelling at the TV. Not to mention, I'm getting pretty good at picking out the Chelsea players on the various teams. Now that the World Cup is here, it's been a lot of fun to gather with our friends and watch matches together. Most USA matches were spent hot and sweaty jammed inside Tellus360. The walk back to our friends' house after USA beat Ghana was my favorite moment. We were cheering and chanting USA to anyone who would listen!

Knubbs and I took a walk one hot summer night. Poor guy was exhausted. First thing I did was fill him a cool bowl of water. Second thing I did was I plant my feet in the pool, and he plopped down right next to me.

My good friend Chelle lives in Baltimore with her husband, and my other good friend Amy was in town to visit her sister who also lives in Baltimore. So, I made a random trip down to Baltimore one night, and I'm so glad I did. I don't know why we don't all get together like this more often. Maybe it's because we have a little too much fun when we're all together?

Last but not least is this view. Chelle's brother has a gorgeous point of view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. We drank in the scenery and enjoyed Flying Dog Old Bay Summer Ales and 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheats. Sigh. Oh summer.