Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 64 of Life On the Brink!
We’ve now ventured well into August and are faced with one of the more confusing stretches of the year. Consider this:
-we welcome winter without realizing it because it comes with Christmastime.
-we welcome spring with open arms after winter becomes dreary.
-we welcome summer with the end of summer and the opening of local pools. It’s like spring, but more alive.
But summer…..where does it end?
This is perhaps the most difficult transition of the year for me. I love living in a climate that enjoys all 4 seasons, but the period of late August and early September are still very hot where I live. However, some school years will begin in just a week or two (I myself am in the professional development weeks at my school), and there seems to be a push for cozy, pumpkin-filled autumn long before it’s time.
With that said, I have a confession to make. I am ready for this summer to end.
I am whole-heartedly a warm-weather kind of girl, I love the summer produce, and normally I want to soak up every last moment of summer before the chill sets in.
This year, though, I’m getting SO excited for fall. I have books and films in mind, Josh are taking a trip to the mountains, and I am so ready for everything to be cozier. And for soup, obviously.
I think it has to do with the fact that I’ve been able to shift some of my work (or drop some altogether) so that this fall will be far less stressful than the last. Josh is also very looking forward to it since it’s his first fall with his master’s degree and he can enjoy it without thinking about classes at all.
While I love anticipation and will continue to look forward to the fall season, we still have quite a bit of time in between now and then. And that time is precious, able to be savored instead of passed over.
Today I’m sharing some things that I’m loving as we enjoy these last days of summer.
What’s in my teacup? The Metropolitan Tea Company’s Strawberry Green Tea.
WAYS TO ENJOY THE END OF SUMMER
-Finally go back outside. Where I live in Virginia, the month of July is characterized by incredible, stifling heat. Finally, though, the temperatures are staying in the high 70s to low 80’s, perfect for all those summery outdoor things that were just so unbearable last month.
-Dry your fresh herbs. My herb garden is in its happy place, and now is the time to harvest some of that bounty and dry your fresh herbs for winter. I simply wash, air dry, then wrap the stems in a rubber band and hang upside down until they’re crispy. Then I usually break off the leaves and store in saved spice containers.
-Make jam. It’s stone fruit season, and this is one way to use up and store a bounty of peaches or cherries. If you’d prefer to use a real recipe, I’d check out this whole page, but honestly it’s so easy. Just boil the fruit (maybe with a little water) with your sweetener of choice, and once it reaches a nice thick consistency, add a little lemon juice and cool!
(You can also throw in some of those fresh herbs too)
-Enjoy an after-dinner stroll. While dining al fresco is always preferred when the weather allows, just as enjoyable is the after dinner stroll. Whether it’s at home and around your neighborhood, or perhaps exploring a few blocks or local park after dining out, it’s not only a great way to ease digestion, but is a great time of day to enjoy the mild weather.
-Enjoy being cozy on the couch. I sometimes put pressure on myself during the summer to be out and active all the time, but for no reason. If you’re having a cozy day in, even in the summertime, enjoy it! Why rob yourself of the enjoyment by adding pressure or guilt? Summer is meant to be enjoyed, and that looks different every day.
-Wear the special summery clothes that haven’t been worn yet. Before you have to turn over to cold-weather clothes, take inventory. Is there a dress you’ve been saving for the perfect summer day? Make a plan to wear it!
-Enjoy a summer read. I’m currently reading “Hotel Pastis” by Peter Mayle, which is set primarily in the south of France. It perfectly transports me to that summery warmth, and is the perfect August book-buffer before the autumn reads.
-Watch (warm weather) Nancy Meyers films. That’s all I’ve gotta say. Here’s your list:
-Something’s Gotta Give
-It’s Complicated
-The Parent Trap
-Father of the Bride (and part 2)
-Home Again (on my to-watch list)
Have at least one more spontaneous moment. You know how the summer brings out that little spark of crazy sometimes? Lean in to that at least once more. Maybe you stay out or stay up way later than you normally would, maybe it’s a mandatory ice-cream run, or going to the movies in the middle of the day. Something you do that has nothing to do with responsibility (within reason, of course) and everything to do with enjoyment.
-Even with the increase of structure or the chaos of transition, set aside leisure time to be savored slowly. My weekdays are certainly filling up in the next couple of weeks, so I’m being intentional to block out certain evenings or weekends from any obligations, and making sure to enjoy those times without working. In other words, prioritize rest.
And with that, I hope your summer is filled with sunny days and clear nights, and that this transition is as enjoyable for you as it will be for me. Before you know it we’ll be feeling that cold September air!
This autumn is going to be spectacular, and we get to look forward to it one day at a time.
This Week’s Little Joy: A new-to-me Youtube channel that is so inspirational and summery. It’s by “little lonni,” a cheerful young German woman who makes the most delicious plant-based meals. Her cinematography is so so pretty, and her voice overs are not only informative, but really uplifting. Check out this video to see what I mean.
What I’m Listening To: Even though I’m a musician, I listen to a surprisingly little amount of music in my day-to-days. With that, I’m pretty out of touch with most modern music, and definitely have missed some huge music releases from the past few years. I’ve been trying to remedy that, though, by finally listening through some hit albums for the first time. This week I happen to be listening to “folklore” by Taylor Swift. I was a hardcore Swiftie back in the day, then not so much in the past few years. This latest stuff, though, I’m really digging. Very relaxed and cozy, in my opinion.
Thank you for listening, friends! I wish you the sweetest August, and am excited to see how this season unfolds.
Feel free to leave a comment, or hit me up on Instagram with your summer faves, and I'll be back next week to wrap up our Summer Reading Challenge.
Have a great week!