How to Romanticize Your Summer For Lasting Memories
SUMMERTIIIIIMMMMMEEEE…and the livin’ is easy. I must admit that over the years I have had a love-hate relationship with the Summer season. For example, I love it because my garden thrives in the sun and heat but I myself don’t love the heat as much as some. Spring and Fall are my seasons, and I always find myself longing for crisp Fall days starting at about July 1st.
For someone who loves gardening as much as I do this might sound weird but I can’t help it! But, this means that a lot of times I don’t make the most of the Summer season. I want to change that. I want my Summer to be as memorable as other seasons. In short, I want to be more present this Summer. And so to do that I am going to try and romanticize the season as much as I possibly can! How to do that you ask? Read on for my ideas on how to romanticize your Summer!
How to Romanticize Your Summer
Make cut flower bouquets
Over the last few years, my gardening has evolved from just growing vegetables to growing a wide variety of flowers along with my vegetables. This is the first year I feel like I am finally getting the hang of it. And I am loving making cut flower arrangements for our home.
My dream is to have our flower bed that is directly off the patio full of flowers all summer long and I think I have achieved that for the most part! But, if you haven’t grown your own flowers you can always head to the grocery store and pick out a few varieties and make your own arrangements using those. Likewise, Farmer’s markets usually have gorgeous bouquets as well!
Grow your own herbs
If a full-on garden isn’t your thing, I urge you to at least grow some of your own herbs! They are so easy to grow and a lot of them are perennial meaning you’ll have them year after year as long as you take care of them! This saves so much money, have you seen how much they are asking for one of those little clam shells of herbs at the grocery store?! Yikes!
In addition to saving money, fresh herbs are fun to cook with too. I love that I can go out to the garden and grab whatever herbs I might need for dinner. It’s fun to think that something you grew went into your meal. I like to grow herbs that you can’t find at the grocery store as well like Winter Savory. That’s what I love most about gardening, growing things that I can’t get at the store. Some of my favorites to grow are mint, thyme, rosemary, chives, oregano, and basil. Give it a try, I promise you won’t regret it!
Eat dinner outside
During the Summer we love a good al fresco meal at our house! It’s one thing to just take our plates out and eat at our table which we do often but, sometimes I like to make an occasion out of it. First, I will set the table with a tablecloth and place settings. Next, I will add some bud vases full of blooms and even a table runner for decoration. It just makes a random weeknight meal a little more special.
We have worked hard to make the patio a nice place to hang out so we want to enjoy it as much as we can. We’ve planted a ton of flowers and a few years ago my husband helped me hang cafe lights over the patio. The cafe lights added so much magic to the space, it’s so dreamy!
Make your own popsicles
You guys know that I love a popsicle. They are the perfect summer treat and they could not be any easier to make. I love making up fun combinations to keep it interesting! I used this silicone mold that I got from Amazon and it works a treat. If you’re looking for recipe ideas check out my lime coconut popsicle recipe from a few years ago or these 5 recipes from last month!
Summertime snack plates
A lot of times in the Summer, I can’t be bothered with making lunch. My current favorite and go-to is a snack plate! To me, there are certain elements that must be included on a good snack plate. They are a crunchy carby element, a fresh element, a pickled or salty element, and something to dip or spread. This one I made the other day was perfect and is typical for me. As the Summer continues you can expect to see homegrown tomatoes on this plate and hopefully some more homegrown carrots! I dunno what it is but there is something so satisfying about having little nibbles to enjoy on a sunny Summer afternoon!
Go for a picnic
How romantic does a picnic sound?! The idea of taking a picnic basket full of snacks or a lovely lunch to a park and spreading out on a blanket to spend the afternoon outside sounds so dreamy. The truth is, you don’t really need an actual picnic basket to do this but the idea is fun! Bring your partner, or a friend, or go by yourself with a good book and just enjoy some time on a sunny afternoon!
Outdoor movie night or concert
There is just something about an outdoor concert or movie that screams Summer! It’s so fun to bring a camping chair or picnic blanket and plop yourself down on some grass to watch a great film or listen to live music. Check locally for fun events like this near you or if you have access to a projector, try a DIY outdoor movie at home!
Go to a Farmer’s Market
Summertime is Farmer’s Market season. Even if you don’t buy anything, it is lovely to go stroll around and look at what local farmers and artisans are selling. I am particularly inspired by the fruits and vegetables available. I like to go and buy some fresh local produce and head home to make something delicious!
Turn your patio into a pool area
Lastly, and if you have the space, turn your patio into a relaxing pool oasis! Now, I’m not talking about putting in a permanent pool unless that’s something your heart desires. A vinyl inflatable pool works just fine. Mine has gotten me through some hot Summer days! I grab my favorite beverage, a good book, or a playlist, and spend time cooling off in my little pool. It is the best! If you don’t have the space, I highly recommend a bucket of cool water to dip your toes in. It works wonders.
To sum it up, I want to be more present this Summer. Most importantly, I want to actively make memories just like I do during the other seasons. In other words, I am going to romanticize different activities throughout the season to aid in my quest. Things like turning a random weeknight meal into a special occasion or getting inspired at the Farmer’s Market. I am so looking forward to what this Summer has to offer!
What are you doing to make the most of the Summer season? Share in the comments below or come say “hi” on Instagram!
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