Summertime is the fun and relaxing part of the year when we can go on vacations, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the outdoors. But it doesn’t always work out that way! Having kids off from school often means parents have even less time to do errands, clean, craft, or just plain rest. Depending on where you live, the heat and humidity could be too much to bear. And with traveling becoming more expensive these days, summer can be a particularly stressful time!
Whether or not you feel this way, it’s always nice to slow down, even if just for a few minutes, take a breath, and give yourself some well deserved you-time! I’ve collected some of my favorite ways to make each summer day special.
Plant flowers and herbs for your kitchen. The flowers will make the room brighter, and fresh herbs add a gourmet touch to your meals (not to mention your kitchen will smell great). For an extra sunny touch, paint, collage, and embellish your flowerpots before planting. They can coordinate with the colors in your kitchen or pop with different lively colors. This project can also be shared with the entire family! Go shopping for seeds together and each person can choose which small plant they would like to grow. Then everyone can paint and embellish their personal flowerpot.
Brew sun tea. Sun tea is so simple to make! Get a pitcher or jar with a lid. Clean it with soapy water – this step is important even if the container looks clean because leaving dirty dishes in the sun can get you sick. Fill it up with cold water and dangle in the tea bags. Any tea will do, simply use as many bags as directed for the amount of water in there. If you have fresh mint growing, you can put some crushed leaves in for an even more refreshing summer taste. Close the pitcher or jar and leave it in a sunny spot like a windowsill for the day. When the sun goes down, pour your tea over ice and enjoy!
Light a candle in the daytime. Sit in a cozy chair and fill your home with a calming scent. There is no reason to keep candles confined to the nighttime. A perfect pairing for this activity is fresh summer fruit. Watermelon, honeydew, blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines –just some of the fruits of the season I love to have for snacking. Maybe you have a local farm, a friendly neighbor, or a tree of your own to supply the freshest fruits.
Set a themed dinner table. Every so often create a theme look for your dining area. It can be created around a color, like a sunny yellow energetic table or a soothing blue one, or a motif like a certain flower or something fun your children will enjoy. It’s your choosing! During the week you can create embellished napkin and candle holders. If you can, buy fabric and sew your own tablecloth. Make it a fun night with friends with personalized name tags and take-home goodies. Pick your own flowers or branches and display them in a lovely vase. Treating yourself to this beautiful night will lift your spirits and make the night memorable.
There are so many ways to make summer days unique! No matter how busy I become, staying relaxed and keeping my environment enjoyable are key to good times. What are your favorite ways to make summertime special?
Blog