While the official start of summer is still a few weeks away, Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial kickoff to the season—is just around the corner! Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of summer thanks to the heat, but there’s so much to love about this time of year that I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things to help get into the spirit along with some of my favorite summertime photos I've taken over the years!
The calming hum of bugs/wildlife in the evenings
Birds chirping in the mornings
Fresh fruit, especially watermelon and cherries
4th of July fireworks
Grilled meals
The glow of pretty outdoor/garden lights
Basket bags
Lots of time to walk my pup
Drive-in movies
No socks!!!
Ice cream runs, especially Dari Delite (which is only open seasonally)
A shower after a day at the pool/beach/lake
Grilled corn on the cob with the good butter and flaky salt
Many hours of sunlight
The tropical scent of sunscreen
A crisp, all white outfit
Outdoor meals and cocktails
Outdoor concerts
Farmer's Markets with the most beautiful fresh produce
A cozy afternoon thunderstorm
Fresh herbs aplenty
Being barefoot
An evening of 9 holes followed by dinner at the club
Getting dressed is so quick and easy with sundresses and sandals
A glowy tan (but still use sunscreen!)
A fully stocked picnic cooler
Crisp percale sheets at night with the air conditioning cranked on a sweltering night
Pool water sparkling in the evening sun
Getting excited about fall when it's 99 degrees in August
The distant scent of a neighbor's grill or bonfire
Cute golf/pickleball/athletic sets
The serenity of watering the plants in the early mornings or evenings
Straw hats and/or baseball hats
Casual, last-minute picnics and BBQs
The scent of fresh-cut grass
A break in the humidity after a grueling few days
A homemade deli sandwich in a basket on the boat
Pre-season football
Linen, lots of blue and white stripes, flag sweaters, white jeans, and swimsuits