The Monthly Gather

JULY 2026

A Joyful Hospitality Newsletter

from Amber Dawn Schultheis

Hi, hello, how are ya?

Kicking into full-on summer mode over here. I've been checking off my summer bucket list (while I'm still writing it!) and trying not to let the warm weather lure me into a sun-soaked slumber. It's tempting to find a place on a nearby beach and just snooze these fleeting days away. Come to think of it - that sounds like just the thing!

I'll keep it short and sweet - our time is precious. I hope you find something joyful and renewing here, friend.

Let's Get Into It...

I'm planning an intimate, end-of-summer gathering to take place on my currently disheveled backyard patio. For some reason, I still need a little push, a deadline, something outside of myself to create spaces and memories I long for.

And while I don't believe in overhauling my decor for a dinner party or breaking the bank to completely makeover my back yard - it is motivating that a handful of my favorite people can enjoy a peaceful space I've created with them (and myself) in mind.

Pulling weeds in 80-degree weather, filling holes created by my slightly-matured Golden Boy (now three years old, less prone to insatiable digging!), and potting a fragrant plant or two is more than enough to make the patio a place to linger.

More on this soon - including my simple, slightly whimsical, market-to-table menu. I'll save you a seat.

Joyful Living: Underrated Beets, 'Cake Picnic', My Kitchen Hero, and A Bit of Optimism

Recipe Highlight: Raw Golden Beet Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette​

Beets are controversial (as are many ingredients I happen to love). If you're a skeptic of the iconic root veg or it's been a while since you've eaten a beet, this one's for you.

Golden beets (a bit less earthy, a bit more sweet) have almost a carrot-like quality to them, especially when sliced into julienne strips and tossed crunchy and raw in fresh herbs, Dijon vinaigrette, and toasted hazelnuts. It's simple, a bit unusual, and has big, beautiful flavor. Serve with Dry Rub Chicken Wings or Oven-Baked Meatballs.

The Joyful Hospitality of Cake Picnic

My friend, Annie, recently attended an epic event in Bellevue, Washington in which hundreds of people bring homemade cakes, elaborately flavored and decorated and share them together in a public park. Each attendee pays for a ticket and brings a specialty cake and fill a branded Cake Picnic box with a variety of cake slices to take home. Why do I love this so much? Well, because it's unnecessary and completely based on a common love of cake and the desire to experience joy. Find a Cake Picnic event near you - they're happening all over the US and beyond.

My Kitchen Hero: The Microplane

I'm not a fan of 'one-trick pony' kitchen gadgets, but I find myself reaching for my handy Microplane more often than not. Zesting citrus, finely grating parmesan, or creating a dusting of nutmeg for a pasta sauce or quick bread - this simple, hand-held tool makes my life much easier (and my plate more delicious!).

Currently Listening: A Bit of Optimism​

Are you tuned in to Simone Sinek? His podcast, A Bit of Optimism, is a thoughtful dialogue with incredible leaders and a consistent spin we all need right now: hope. This episode in particular strikes me as a much-needed perspective on 'why humans still win' in the age of AI. Fair warning: You may get hooked.

AI Can Do Everything… Except... Mar 24 · A Bit of Optimism 65:59   ​

Until Next Time...

Don't be afraid to bring people over to your disheveled patio and serve them reasonably good food. Community matters more than perfection - and people appreciate the invitation now more than ever.

cheers & gratitude,

amber dawn

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*Tag @thehostnotes in your latest creations so I can see what you’re cookin’ and hosting!

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