Life on the Lake Savoring Days on Freshwater Shores

Celebrating the magic of summer on a freshwater lake, as well as a universal invitation to slow down and cherish the beloved and fleeting summer season

Miles and miles of soft sandy shores, quaint beach towns and nostalgic ice cream shops, fresh-picked blueberries and farmers market tomatoes, beach days followed by bonfires, swimming by day, then watching sunsets on the rippling surface by night, there is truly nothing like a lakeside summer.

Through creative and reflective essays, unfussy recipes, inspiring guides, and thoughtful prompts, photographer Tylee Shay, a lifelong Michigan resident, shows readers what a classic summer spent at the lake truly feels like. Readers of Life on the Lake will also be inspired to make the most of their own summer, including bucket lists, unplugging, beachcombing, and more. 

 

Tylee Shay is a writer and photographer with a passion for pairing prose and photos to create a compelling story. She is equal parts world-traveler and homebody, with a love for trips to Europe as well as sunny days spent at Lake Michigan. Tylee’s words and photos have been published in Midwest Living, Grand Rapids magazine, and more. She writes on her Substack, Prose & Photos, and lives in East Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, Gavin. 
 

[possible Foreword TK]

Introduction

June

Bucket List; Making The Most of Summer
○ Guide: My Summer Bucket List & Before the RSVP

S’mores; Spreading Summer Delight
○ Guide: Ideas for Spreading Summer Cheer

Solstice; The Formal Invitation
○ Guide: Summer Spontaneity Checklists

U - Pick; Fresh Air & Fresh Berries
○ Guide: U - Pick Produce Calendar

Staycation; Traveling the Lakeshore
○ Guide: Trading International Travels for Midwest Adventures

Sunset Supper in the Sand (June Recipes)

July

Lake Olympics; What Happens at the Lake
○ Guide: Lake Olympic Activities

Up North; A Sentimental Summer Retreat 

Leave Last; A Commitment to Linger Longer
○ Guide: Places to Linger

Swimming; The Other Side Of Comfort

SOS; An Unplugged Weekend

Happy Hour in the Water (July Recipes)

August

Grounding; Summer In All Five Senses
○ Guide: Summer Grounding Guide

Petoskey Stones; Treasures on the Lakeshore
○ Guide: Freshwater Treasures

Butterflies; On Being a Kid Again
○ Guide: Childlike Summer Activities

Lighthouses & Lake Towns; Summer Exploration
○ Guide: My Lighthouses & Lake Towns

Barbecue on the Bluff (August Recipes)

September

Mementos; Remembering Summer
○ Guide: Making Summer Mementos

Drawbridge; Living on Lake Time

Seasons; Savoring Them All

Dinner on the Dock (September Recipes)

Conclusion