Ten Tips For Savoring Summer

Blowing Rock Beach by Anuska Sampedro

It must be a hold-over from summer breaks when I was a child, but the summer season still holds a magical sense of possibility. Those three months off of school were the perfect time to put aside normal responsibilities in favor of doing whatever you damn well pleased. Running around in bare feet all day? Sure! Eating ice cream twice a day? Absolutely. Alternating between hiding indoors in the air conditioning and jumping in the neighbor's pool to stay cool? You bet.

Most of us don't have that stretch of freedom that summer break previously afforded, but I think we can still use this season to mix up our routine a bit and let go of our to-do lists in favor of spontaneous thrills {and chills, for those of you who might wither in the heat like I do}. Here are a few of my favorite ideas: 


1. Set off on a road trip to find the cheesiest landmark within a weekend's drive. Largest ball of twine? A teepee hotel? Make sure to bring your camera and stop for pictures at every historical landmark sign along the way.

2. Forget dignity and chase the ice cream man down the street to buy a popsicle. Enjoy it with abandon, letting the red juice drip down to your elbows.

3. Stop at a lemonade stand run by young entrepreneurs and be sure to leave $5 for the 25 cent cup of lemonade. You'll be a rockstar to them.

4. Freshen up those eight glasses of H20 that are oh-so-important in the hot summer time by adding sliced cucumber, lemons or frozen berries.

5. Expand your definition of grilling beyond burgers and hot dogs. For inspiration, check out Mark Bittman's mostly veggie-centric 101 Fast Recipes for Grilling or the gorgeous options via Tastespotting.

6. Eat al fresco. Somehow food just tastes infinitely better when accompanied by a nice breeze and a gorgeous sunset. Patios and rooftop decks are great options, although a blanket in the park will do in a pinch.


7. Two words: Summer. Berries. Eat raspberries until your fingertips are stained with fuchsia. Pop blueberries like candy. Nothing beats the freshness of seasonal berries. If you're lucky enough to live near a strawberry patch, go out and pick your own!

8. On those unbearably hot days, stash your pillow case in the freezer for a few minutes before bed. Seriously, I swear by this. Keeping your moisturizer and aloe in the refrigerator are other refreshing pick-me-ups.

9. Whenever the thermometer climbs too high and makes outdoor activities akin to torture, plan an all day movie marathon. I prefer the movie theaters for this activity thanks to their tendency to make their establishment feel like the inside of a refrigerator. If you're lucky enough to have a chilly basement with a TV, that'll work too!

10. Join a summer reading challenge {shameless self-promo plug!} and make a book your favorite accompaniment for the beach, on vacation or just hanging out in a park.

What's your favorite summer tradition? Any wonderful plans in the books?