35 days of Summer

Oh, how quickly the sweet days of summer breeze by...

In a month my "baby" will be starting middle school.  Almost a teenager.  Unbelievable.

Our lazy days of summer will be gone and soon the table will be filled with textbooks and crumpled papers.
Staying awake til the sun comes up and sleeping through the day will be replaced with bedtimes and alarm clocks.   Before the neatly routine schedule presumes, I want to soak up each ray of sunshine from summer.

The past month of summer went way too fast and I haven't snuck in all my seasonal favorites.  Yet.

We have managed to waste a few hours fishing...
but the tube has yet to be inflated and flown down the river.

A batch of homeade banana ice cream has been devoured...
but I've yet to assemble ooey gooey S'mores (spring break doesn't count!).

A night was spent under a blanket of stars watching movies on the big screen - and we've snuck in a few at Sticky Floors....but we've yet to squeeze in a matinee, or even better an RC matinee.

I have eaten more than my share of summer tomatoes, fresh from my garden....
but not a sweet cantelope or watermelon, juice running to my elbows.

I've lived in flip flops and enjoyed a pedicure or two...
but I've not dug my pretty toes into the muddy sand of a river bank.

Our grill has pefectly charred meals more than a couple times a week...
but we haven't shared them with family and friends.

Gas has been amazingly cheap...
yet we haven't taken advantage of those prices to fill our tank just to waste it on a country road.

My "to do" list for the rest of the summer will not include cleaning...or running...or any other busy-work...
but I will happily check off each joyful wishlist and savor each sweet summertime memory along the way.  That's my goal...these last 35 days of "summer"!!

Ahhhh, Summertime

These cooler days have reminded me how quickly summer is fading.  Although fall doesn't officially begin until nearly the end of September, the "unofficial" last weekend of summer is just two weeks away!  This looming deadline has me daydreaming of all the last bits of summer fun I can squeeze out. 

It's a happy balance, as even though I will miss summertime, I'm eagerly anxious for fall and all it has to offer! But before I start planning uses for the pumpkins snaking under my deck and pulling out comfy sweatshirts, I want to enjoy every moment summer still has to offer. 

A few of my hopes to fit in these last few sunshiny weeks are...

Boating!

We still haven't visited a few water holes that were on my list this year, as the weather hasn't cooperated with my weekends.  I need to dip my toes in the cool liquid,

glide across it while pulling Noah on his tube, and catch a mess of fish or two

 just a few more times.

Camping

While I won't "wimp out" and use a camper (because that's just not how it's meant to be done), I am picky about when and where I camp.  The temperature needs to be just right and a shower facility within walking distance is an added perk.  Hopefully, we'll get to celebrate the last long weekend at one of our favorite spots, enjoying the smell of a campfire, sleeping under the stars and making family memories.

Ice Cream

My homemade ice cream recipe has been calling to me all season.  I need to feel that luxurious and creamy mixture on my tongue!  And although I am adventurous with flavors while ordering or shopping for ice cream, at home I keep it simple. 

Perfectly perfect vanilla.  Mmmmmm!

And a few more, which really need no explanation.  Some of which we've already enjoyed this season but sneaking in a few more sure won't hurt my feelings!

Movie night at the Drive-In

Low country boil on the deck

Savoring every last tomato summer has to offer

Chasing Lightning Bugs

Going Barefoot

Flip Flops!

Freshly Cut Grass

Warmth hugs from the summer sun

Family Cookouts
Island Burgers
Road trips with the top down and the music up
Alfresco Dining

Please don't go so quickly, sweet summertime!