A few weeks ago I was talking with Sabina about how we can make summer feel different. She mentioned that in most ways summer means more work as she is a mother to five children. While I only have one child, I want to make summer feel different. Sure, I’m teaching a bit less, but other than that things aren’t going to change much- unless I make them. After our conversation I realized that after reading a few different books praising slow food, I have naturally started to enjoy preparing dinner more. I’ve been more proactive by making a weekly menu. I’ve jotted down steps I could do ahead on my daily to do list, and checked them off early in the day when it was more relaxed. As a result I’ve really enjoyed cooking more creatively. I’ve been experimenting with new foods: garlic scapes and fennel, as well as working to integrate more vegetables into our diet. Perhaps its the fact I know that after dinner is cleaned up I will still have a few hours of sunshine, but what, months ago, felt monotonous and frustrating, now feels exciting and servicable. Providing a lovely dinner for Tom is one of the few ways I can support him when his work schedule gets intense. Not to mention it gives us a reason to sit down together and chat when he comes home.
Then today driving home from our first visit to the swimming pool I thought: I want to create a list of summer activities to do. Things that will make it feel like summer. Here’s what I’m thinking so far:
- go swimming 15 times (At least a few times with Tom)
- roast smores
- lay out and look at stars
- keep watermelon cut up in the fridge
- grill out once a month
- go camping
- visit local festivals
- take a few hours every week and just read
- play in a sandbox
- go to the beach
- have a water balloon fight
- make ice cream
- splurge on fresh berries
- visit the farmers market
- go to a Fair
- go raspberry/blueberry picking
- can something
- make fresh salsa
- wash the car
- train for a race
- make fresh lemonade