25 reasons to love summer

Summer has a certain allure, a heady magic, a gleaming grandeur and tantalizing beauty to it which can neither be ignored nor forgotten. Though some like it more than others, few amongst us can wholeheartedly say that they despise the third season the year entirely, for amid the points that may wear down our nerves, there is bound to be at least a few simple pleasures, sunshine illuminated joys and beloved memories that we wouldn't trade for the all world.

Perhaps because it's when my birthday falls, when I was proposed to by my husband, because I cherished the two month break from school as a child (like most of us did!), or due to the fact that a part of me truly adores feeling the permeating heat of June, July, and August sink down to the core of my soul. Whatever the reason, I have a deeply rooted passion for summer and often (both during and at other times of the year) find myself reflecting on some of my favourite elements of this marvelous season.

Twenty-five is but a drop in the bucket when it comes to the countless number of things, experiences, moments, and pleasures of this hot, lengthy, wonderful season, but it provides ample space for a diverse roundup of reasons why I cannot help but wear my heart on my sundress sleeve when it comes to this glorious time of the year.

1. The scent of air-dried laundry flapping gently in the breeze.

2. Brightly hued pedicures poking out of vintage peep-toe shoes and sandals.

3. The serenely melodic chirp of crickets wafting across the evening air.

4. How every day seems to hold the possibility of turning into an unforgettable adventure.

5. Picking cherries fresh off the tree and devouring them by the sweet, gorgeous burgundy juice stained handful.

6. Wearing all of your favourite vintage warm weather fashions.

7. The endlessly sublime wonder that is a gorgeously warm summer breeze.

8. Pulling up and settling in for an awesome night spent at a drive-in movie theater.

9. Building towering sandcastles (and making sand angels).

10. Outdoor marshmallow roasts, and by natural extension, the unending  fabulousness that is s'mores!

11. Falling asleep in a hammock.

12. Messy, refreshing, completely fun water balloon fights!

13. Wrapping yourself up in a thick, fluffy terrycloth towel after a great swim.

14. How more people than usual seem to be a good mood - and how easy it becomes to make new friends under the amicable light of the summer sun.

15. Open air concerts enjoyed while laying on cozy blankets.

16. Making entire meals out of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, Italian ice, or any other frozen, sublimely sweet treat that your heart desires.

17. Having a blast with your favourite pool and beach toys.

18. Nights so warm you can still wear bare sleeves at 12am.

19. Wild summer thunder and lightning storms that waltz feverously across the horizon.

20. Hitting as many yard sales and outdoor flea markets as possible!

21. Quenching the incomparable thirst that summer brings with an icy, delicious classic summer drink.

22. Curling up under a shady tree with a book you've been yearning to read for ages.

23. Any kind of getaway with the word "trip" in it (road trip, camping trip, etc).

24. Playing the terrific Italian classic that is bocce ball.

25. Knowing that, even here in (most parts of) Canada, it's very unlikely to snow anytime soon!

{Beautiful 1930s and 40s actress Ellen Drew sitting on a diving board with a very cute summertime classics, and #17 on our list today, an inflatable pool toy in the shape of a horse. Image via carbonated on Flickr.}

♥ ♥ ♥

It was so hard not to keep going for another twenty-five or fifty more, but we'll cap the list here for now...after all, there's always next summer during which to celebrate even more reasons why this season shimmers, shines, and endears itself to our hearts.

I hope that many of these entries are amongst your personal favourites as well, and would love to hear about some of the other things that top your list when it comes to why you adore the roasty-toasty days of the good ol' summertime.

A return to daily Vintage 365 blogging

✯ Day 204 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Tossing and turning were rampant as I debated earlier this week whether or not to return to daily blogging again. The most recent medical procedure I underwent (on July 8th) left me battling some unpleasant side effects, which I'd been spared from the other two I had back in June. I have not returned to the state where my health was prior to these three procedures and can only hope that as the summer rolls on, I eventually will.

In a way, I almost feel like if I were to do another "Vintage 365 group post", it would be even more justified now then at almost any point in the past six weeks, however I miss blogging. A lot.

In the wake of the events that have transpired lately, some well meaning folks have suggested that perhaps I should step back for blogging or part ways with the 365 project. Such comments were made from a place of care and concern, by those who know me best and have watched me do daily battle with my health problems for years now. However - while I know that I'm usually little more than a moment away from suddenly not being able to blog - for the time being, I'm far from throwing in the towel on either CV in general or the 365 project.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring - none of us truly do - but, right here and now, I know that I've been desperately missing blogging and am very glad to be able to resume adding posts on a daily basis.

I may, before 2011 is done and over, need to (due to my health) put together round-up 365 posts again, but as always we'll just take things one day at a time and enjoy life in the moment.

Indeed, isn't the whole season of effervescent sunshine, stunning verdant landscapes, electric warm night and fabulous seasonal eats supposed to be about enjoyment?

Sure the daily grind and demands of life may mean that you can't run barefoot through the grass, hopping too and fro over a sprinkler any time the urge strikes or ride your bike around town with your friends for hours, stopping for a cold soda pop at the corner store as the sun beats down your neck, like we used to do as kids, but even the busiest or most stress laden of us can find ways to extract fun and happiness from this splendid season.

{Then as now, always and forever, summer is at its finest when we embrace it with open arms and the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Vintage photograph via Paper Dolls for Boys.}

 

Summer is a season that is grand in scope, but built of simple pleasures. I'd love nothing more than be able to hit the open road and travel this month, but that's simply not feasible for me right now. Instead of bemoaning this fact, I need only catch the scent of a summer rain shower, watch roses swaying in the breeze, bite into a silky, juicy peach, or stand in a ray of sunlight and feel the very essence of serenity bathing over me to discover the power and possibility that summer holds.

It will be winter far too quickly, Canada being as fond of the frosty season as it is. Yet for now, no matter how I'm feeling or what I think it might be nice to be doing, I am content with the timeless, alluring, almost whimsical components that make summer the unmatched pleasure of life that it is.

I'm very happy to be blogging again, my sweet friends, and hope that no matter what's transpiring in your world right now, you're able to bask in the beauty and magic that is summer.