The world has changed and we are working harder and longer than we ever have and missing the seasons. Why not bring summer in?
Where have the seasons gone?
Gone are the days of family picnics, summer camp barbecues and watermelon. A lot of adults are so busy that they have no time to enjoy summer like they did when they were kids. It's time we woke up our senses again and bring back a little of what we used to have.
Summer Food
One of the first things you can do to bring a little summer back into your life is to bring back your summer foods. One of the easiest things to bring back is the summer fruits. If you don't have the time to cut a whole watermelon, buy yourself a small container of pre-cut melon and enjoy a cool bite when you get home from a long day. Buy yourself a big, colorful fruit bowl and when you do your grocery shopping, get some peaches, apricots, plums, green apples, mangoes and papaya (if you like them), fill your bowl up. Not only will the smell of the fruit invite summer into your home, the taste will but a smile on your face.
Grab a handful of strawberries or cherries and enjoy. Get your face a little dirty, let the juice run down your chin, you'll love it!! Don't have time to brew tea? Put some of your favorite tea bags and water in a sun tea jar and set it outside. When you get home, you can enjoy a nice glass of ice tea. Okay, here's the biggie. If you don't have time to barbecue outdoors, get yourself a crock pot and enough ribs to satisfy yourself, put the ribs and a bottle or so of barbecue sauce in the crock, set it and forget it!! When you get home from work, you'll have your very own indoor barbecue!! Keep some ice cold water and tea around to help awaken your summer.
Summer Air
One thing I have found is that that when my house smells clean and fresh, I can actually feel the season that I am in. One of the biggest problems I have found is cleaning products and not opening the windows. What I use to clean everything in my house is plain, white, vinegar. It cleans wonderfully, it is inexpensive, and once the smell dissipates, it just leaves a clean smell. My husband walked in one day after my cleaning and commented on the how clean the house smelled. It wasn't until later that he realized he didn't smell any chemicals. Open up your windows and air out your house, you will be amazed at how light the air will feel. Finally, open up your drapes and let the sun come in. The sun is life giving and the light it adds into the house.
Enjoy your little slice of summer!
Doing the things mentioned above will add a little more summer into your busy life. The lightness in the air of your home will feel like a vacation and with the air clean and light, the smell of the fruit surrounding your house will remind you of your childhood summer picnics. Hey, if it gets good to you, buy some bright dishes to use for the summer, change your bedspread to match the season. There are so many little things you can do. Dig into your memory. Get your summer back.
