Hello, First name / dear friend!

 

Welcome to another edition of Fun Mail—a monthly note packed with a little life update, some encouragement, and one simple idea to love others well. Today, you'll find a few favorite stories, recipes, and reflections in this month’s note—plus a peek at where my book is popping up next!

 

This Saturday, June 21st, Scott & I will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary! We are so looking forward to being with our whole family next week, our three grown children, their spouses and our six perfect grandchildren. Makes my heart happy & of course, pictures to come next time!! 📸 

 

We’re easing into the summer rhythm over here—with iced tea on the porch, neighborhood walks (before it gets too hot!) and fresh gratitude for the ordinary beauty of June. 

 

I’ve been thinking lately about the small, serendipitous moments that remind us we’re connected—like the two college girls we met in the ice cream line earlier this month who reminded me how important it is be be friendly and open when you have a chance. We treated them to ice cream on their first night back home from college and it made me smile—and reminded me how simple gestures can spark real connection. 

 

“When we open our lives to others, we give them a glimpse of the love we’ve been given.” 

Scott and I love to go for walks in the mornings, before it gets too hot here in Florida. There is a cactus in our neighborhood that has a beautiful flower that blooms…only for ONE day. We always look for it! 

We are blessed we got to see it this year and share it with our grandsons.

Speaking of grandsons…we had the chance to keep those three little boys for 12 days while their parents went to Italy and a family wedding in France. I must admit, when they first asked us, all I could think about was if someone got “sick, injured or homesick” with their parents so far away from home. 

 

We bravely said, YES and we all survived. Actually MORE than survived!! :) The boys (ages 4, 6 and 8) did so well and so did we! 

Truth be told, I was concentrating on the “what if’s” rather than all the fun and memories we would be making. We had the best time, and can't wait to keep the boys again for another getaway hopefully soon! I highly recommend it.

This month we’re celebrating the dads in our life—especially Scott, my steady and kind-hearted husband of almost 45 years, and our son Michael, who celebrated his very first Father's Day! Watching him step into fatherhood with baby Brooks has been a joy. And here is a picture with my 96 year old dad, Vernon when we got to visit he and my mom just a few weeks ago! 💙

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I had so many fun texts recently of friends seeing my book “in the wild” as they say! I had never heard this phrase until my daughter taught me what it meant 😉

 

It just MAKES my day when I get a text from someone seeing my book on display in one of the 40+ beautiful shops who have said YES to carrying Simple Hospitality.

 

In just one day I heard from FIVE different friends who spotted it at The Barn, Lavender ‘n Lace Tea Room, Greystone Inn, Isadora Popper, and Dahlonega General Store. If you ever see my book, it would mean so much if you’d share it with me! You can text me or tag me on Instagram @_jenniferboyd!!

📝 My Mom's Summer Salad — We first had this salad for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. (They celebrated 70 years of marriage last fall, so you can see it’s been a favorite for a long time!!) I'll share a blog post soon with the recipe, but in the meantime, have you tried this Ina Garten Green Goddess Salad Dressing recipe?! It's delicious!!

 

📖 Nicole Burdick’s “On the Itinerary” Workshop — Nicole worked with our daughter, Anna, at The Home Depot for several years together, and she’s the talented designer behind my beautiful website! I’m always so proud to share it with others: www.jenniferboydauthor.com

She recently hosted an online workshop filled with gentle wisdom and meaningful reflection. It was all about creating a slow, sustainable workweek rhythm—one that honors your priorities and makes space for both structure and joy. You can follow her on Instagram here!

 

☕ My Rifle Paper Co. Mug — I just love this beautiful Rifle mug with books! It's perfect for quiet mornings or writing letters. And yes, sometimes I do travel with my own mug to make vacation feel even more homey. 🤗 Does anyone else do that?! I also love this blue hydrangea mug I have, too. Our Atlanta daughter and I have a matching ones we'll sometimes drink afternoon tea together while we work together via FaceTime. 

 

🌼 Mackenzie-Childs flower vase — Just the thing for blooms from your garden or Trader Joe's to add to your table! It seems like I can put any flowers in this vase and they ALL look ✨gorgeous!!

✉️ Letters I’m Writing

This month, I’ve found myself reaching for my favorite floral stationery again. There’s something about summer that slows me down just enough to pick up a pen. 📝

 

I especially like sending a note to someone who isn’t expecting it!

I think handwritten words have a way of lingering long after the moment has passed.

 

I just learned that my dear friend, Kristie’s 90-year old aunt requested my book! She said, “I believe I need that book. Where can I order it?”  My friend said, “ I believe I have one just for you at home!!” :)

I love that she still loves learning at her age. I asked for her address in Texas and can’t wait to send a surprise note in the mail to her!

 

 

Maybe it’s time to write a note to someone who made your day better, someone who’s going through a hard time, or someone you simply admire.

 

Let’s bring back the joy of “just because” notes. I’ll be writing two more this week—care to join me? Let's make it a fun challenge! If you write a letter, will you respond to this email and let me know or tag me on Instagram @_jenniferboyd!

 My book has officially made it to a new state! I’m thrilled to share that Simple Hospitality is now stocked at Wakefield Home in Opelika, Alabama. I first met the owner, Joan Asbury, when we happened to sit next to each other in church up in Highlands, NC. Later, my dear friend Beth was visiting Auburn (where our daughter Betsy graduated from! 🐯) and shared my book with Joan.

 

As it turns out, Joan had already purchased a copy in Highlands—but after Beth shared how much it meant to her, Joan decided to carry it in her shop! It’s now part of the Bridal Registry at Wakefield Home, and I couldn’t be more honored. I just love how hospitality travels.

 

💛 If you’ve ever thought, “This book belongs in my favorite local shop,”—you might be right! I can only travel so far, and it’s been one of the greatest gifts to see friends like Beth help Simple Hospitality find new homes in beautiful places.

 

If you’d like to “be like Beth” and share the book with a local store, I’d be so grateful. Just hit ‘reply’ and I’ll send you a simple note or info sheet you can pass along to any shop owners you think might be a good fit for Simple Hospitality! 

 

Here is a picture of Joan (left) and Beth (right) when they met.

When we open our doors with love, we make room for someone to feel seen, known, and cherished. Let this be a gentle reminder for this season of longer days and slower evenings.

 

Until Next Time…
Thank you for being here. I love hearing from you—hit reply and let me know your favorite summer tradition or how you're planning to rest and reconnect this season.

Thanks for catching up with me!!

P.S. Did you know? All proceeds from my book, Simple Hospitality, go directly to support the new Orlando Health Children’s Pavilion—a place of hope, healing, and care for families in our community. Thank you for helping make a difference with every book you gift and share.

P.P.S. This email contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting my work in this way!

Did you enjoy this newsletter? 

Forward it to a friend—it would mean so much to me! 💌

 

If someone forwarded it to you—welcome! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Jennifer Boyd, and I recently published Simple Hospitality: An Invitation to Add Kindness to Your Everyday Life, a dream 25 years in the making. In both my book and newsletter, I share the heart behind hospitality—simple ways to bring kindness and connection into everyday life.

 

I’d love for you to join my email community! Sign up here.

Want to catch up on past newsletters? Browse the archive here.