I love to live seasonally as much as possible. Some things just seem more “right” at certain times of the year. Since this year is about WELCOME for me, I thought I would show you a few ways I welcome each season. This process definitely evolves over time, and I have more ideas for how to welcome seasons in the future. However, here are some things I’m welcoming right now as summer begins where I live.
Summer in my part of the world brings mostly hot days. The main holidays are Memorial Day and Independence Day here in the U.S. We also have one birthday and one anniversary in our house during the summer. For me, summer starts when school is out and ends when school begins again. However, I know the official beginning is around the 21st of June. Typically, summer involves some travel, but we are limiting trips to two camp meetings for which we are to provide the music.
FOOD
One project I did last year was to build a family cookbook by placing our recipes seasonally through the year. We have traditional meals we cook for different holidays. And, if the holiday is held elsewhere, we have traditional foods we take for those holiday celebrations.
We keep our summer meals somewhat low-key, and we try to use more salads, fresh fruits and veggies since they are more readily available. So, some of my favorites from our summer recipes are desserts. I’ve already made Frozen Lemonade Pie and traditionally, we’ve picked (or picked up!) strawberries for Fresh Strawberry Pie.
Our Memorial Day remembrance and Independence Day celebration wouldn’t be complete without cooking hamburgers, hot dogs and bratwursts on the grill. My mother-in-law’s famous Potato Salad is now made by her two sons but remains a staple. I made Star-Spangled Tart and a Layered Lettuce Salad for Memorial Day this year. If my mom is attending, I request her Finger Salad.
CLOTHING
I typically change out my outfits only twice a year, for spring and summer then for fall and winter. Of course, there are a few things that I wear only in fall and only for the Christmas season so there is a little overlap there. I wear dresses and skirts only so colors and materials matter to me for warmth in the colder months and coolness in the warmer months.
For those of us concerned with modesty, summer heat can be a problem. I have found these chemisettes to be more comfortable than trying to layer a tank underneath a lower neckline. My mom found some lightweight skirts for me (she is my personal shopper, bless her!). I’m also wanting to use more dresses for everyday wear after seeing the video below. I will probably not switch to all dresses as she has, but it’s definitely an inspiring thought. Target has a surprisingly decent selection of modest dresses this summer, and I have been slowly adding a few to my wardrobe.
MUSIC
I love music, so I’m a Spotify fan. I can build my own playlists for practically anything. The idea of seasonal playlists came to me rather recently, though, from blogger and author, Myquillyn Smith (aka The Nester). Her sister, Emily Freeman, has also started sharing seasonal playlists. Disclaimer: I have not listened to this one yet, but it looks interesting for those of you going on vacations this year: Playlist for the Nervous Traveller
HOME
We finally moved in to our home this spring, so I’m slowly decorating it. I do not have a wreath yet, but I hope to catch up on that sometime through the summer. I now have a coffee table, so I’m going to use seasonal coffee table books. Right now, we have one for Jeff and one for me of places we want to visit one day: Ireland and Paris respectively. I just ordered this one from the library to put out for Independence Day: Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America’s National Parks.
One friend got me a Clementine and Pomegranate candle for a house-warming present and my sister got me a White Birch and Vanilla one. So I’ve been burning those along with a Lemonade Stand one from Grace-Crafted Home.
I’ve been trying to keep fresh flowers by my bed and on the coffee table. Right now, they are from the grocery store. The roses in the photo of our living room lasted for a couple of weeks, and I got them from Aldi for only $3.99!
We brought shoots from our Old-Fashioned and miniature rose bushes from our old house. They are doing well in their little pots, but I doubt they will grow much until next summer at least. Traditionally, Jeff has brought the first and last roses of summer from the Old-Fashioned rose bush inside to me.
What do you do to welcome summer into your life and home?