Happy Labor Day! Whether you stayed home or went away, I hope each of you was able to enjoy a little rest and relaxation on this long weekend before having to say goodbye to summer.
Summer is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. The warm weather, the long sunny days, the parties and trips with family and friends, who wouldn't be a little sad when summer finally has to come to a close? It makes me think of Emily Dickinson's poem about the mysterious allure of these warm months...
Summer is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. The warm weather, the long sunny days, the parties and trips with family and friends, who wouldn't be a little sad when summer finally has to come to a close? It makes me think of Emily Dickinson's poem about the mysterious allure of these warm months...
To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee.
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee.
So in honor of the poetic months that we are about to put behind us, I thought I would share a few of my favorite things that I did this summer that were inexpensive or free, but still have made some of my favorite memories from Summer 2010...
1. Putting my feet up and enjoying the view. Whether you live near a beach, in a bustling city, or in a rural area, it's so restorative to just sit back and take a few moments to relax, reflect, and just enjoy the moment!
2. Toasting our 1st Anniversary with 2 cold, and FREE beers on the beach! If it's your special day, don't be shy...tell people! You might just get a great, free surprise...
3. Putting on my sneakers and going out for a run. It is so rewarding to go out for a nice long run and come back sweaty and energized from your excursion. We were lucky enough to take a few trips this summer, and this was the only way I could keep up my exercise routine away from home. Now at first you may not WANT to go for a run, but I promise you that once you get outside and exercise you will feel calmer, and much happier with yourself than if you had stayed inside instead!
4. Taking the time to smell the roses...or in this case, the hydrangea! They are definitely one of my favorite flowers...so pretty!
5. Frozen yogurt from Butterfield Market. I know, I know, I love Pinkberry too, but once you have this frozen yogurt there is really no comparison! Their standard flavors are plain and coffee, but this summer they added chocolate and peanut butter to their menu. One word for you: yum! This frozen treat is definitely worth a trip up to the Upper East Side the next time you are in NYC!
6. The kiddie pool. So simple, so cheap, and it provided my nieces with hours of giggling and easy entertainment this summer!
7. Meeting my friends for drinks...OK and maybe a little snack too...
8. Savoring every single bite of the delicious Magnolia cupcakes we had on my husband's birthday!
9. Spending time with our family. You know who you are, and we cherished every single second of the time we spent with you this summer. Whether it was sitting on the porch, husking corn, a walk on the beach, riding roller coasters, eating ice cream, playing board games, or trying to all get all of us and our luggage on a plane in one piece, you all made our summer.
10. Reminiscing about the fun we had in summers past. This time last year we were in Italy for our good friend's wedding. It was such an amazing trip, and the highlight was the three day wedding extravaganza that included the groom coming in on a white horse, the bride in multiple amazing outfit changes, delicious food and wine, visiting Rome and the Tuscan coast, and celebrating the wedding of one of the coolest couples we know! Happy early anniversary E and T!
What are your favorite summer memories?
Enjoy your last few hours of cooking out, relaxing, and warm weather fun!
Tomorrow it is back to school for me!
Enjoy your last few hours of cooking out, relaxing, and warm weather fun!
Tomorrow it is back to school for me!
