9 Things I Love about Summer

I love summer. 

It is my time to catch up on chores around the house and deep clean every nook and cranny. I wash windows and clean baseboards. Are you still there? Because that is a bold face lie. Sorry, Mom, no baseboard washing is happening! However, I did redo my kitchen and organize my desk area. That is something, right?

All year long I go and go until my tank is empty. One of the perks of teaching is the summer...it's flexible and it is GOOD.  I LOVE everything about the summer.

Except the bugs and summer school. 

Once July starts to creep up, I am actually relaxed and able to breathe again.

Here are 9 reasons I live for summer:

1. Flip Flops- growing up in sunny Southern California I was always barefoot. Sandals were a necessity unless I was in cleats. I have so many pairs of flip flops that it is just shameful - but it doesn't matter-  I always buy a new pair to commence summer. This is what I bought this year from my favorite store...TARGET!

2. Late Nights- whether I am binge watching the latest show or enjoying a movie with the girls our nights are just chill. I admit that as the girls get older they like to do more stuff with their friends and less with me. I am okay with that-  I catch up with friends for margaritas or marathon phone calls that fill my bucket.

3. Pool Time-  This year has been less sunny... the rain. UGH. But when the clouds part and the rain stops we are in the pool. When the water eventually heats up I'm so in! I love a good pool workout. Easy on the joints! It makes me feel a little better about the Chinese food we ordered for dinner. EGG ROLL anyone?

4. Barbecues- It's no surprise I like to have parties and entertain and in the summer it is easier. Our schedule isn't so jam packed. It's easy to call friends and tell them to grab some BBQ essentials and come over. The kids run around, get hot and sweaty and WORN out and we get to drink and laugh and be awesome. Our favorite bbq treat, S'mores! I did just find this little gem on Pinterest...called a Woof Em. And summers are for trying new things too,  we are always looking for new recipes so we will try this one over the 4th of July weekend.

5. Peaches- I had two peach trees in my backyard as a girl. I will admit the chore of over ripened peaches is enough to make me turn up my nose once or twice but I still love seeing ripe seasonal fruit. We enjoy fresh fruit smoothies too and our crisper is loaded full. I don't like fruit flies- so I always have apple cider vinegar out to catch those pesky suckers. Peaches always remind me of my summers as a young girl.

6. Ice Cream- It's okay to eat ice cream at  anytime of day -  at one or four or seven,..enough said. We made no churn ice cream this year. It was easy and delicious. You can check out the recipe here. Of course we used gluten free cookies and didn't dye it blue! It was rich, a little goes a long way!

7. Reading- Oh, I love to get to catch up on all the books I started on the breaks during the school year.  I have finished 4 books so far. My favorite was The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis. Others on my list were, The Girl He Used to Know, Where the Crawdads Sing, and Educated.  The weather has been less than optimal this summer thus far, so I have read and completed more books than this time last year. Its either that or these were just realllllyyyyy good.

8. Traveling- I feel fortunate that we are able to vacation. We usually go back to California to see brother and his growing family.  But I love going to familiar places and new places alike. This summer we are staying close to home. I traveled a lot as a youngster and I am grateful for those experiences up and down the coast. It makes me love what I do and see the world and appreciate all that it has to offer. I will admit I am NOT a good passenger, I beg for Starbucks, perfect temperature in the car, and frequent pit stops... eh, oh well. You all know I am not perfect.

9. Planning- Yes, I am a teacher. There is something about the thought of a new school year that sends my mind racing in between happy hours on the deck. I love the possibilities. I do plan and organize and reflect on what I can do better for the year ahead during the summer.  I pin and scroll and pin some more. It's a blank space baby...

For the past nine years I have relished in my summers. 

I have spent these years making endless memories, and days filled with nothings. My tank is filling back up. I love everything about summer...I relish in late nights, even later mornings, binge watching Netflix, lazy days at the pool... my list goes on.

What do you love about summer?

Don't do that. Do this.

I'm trying to be Mary but it never works. I am too busy acting like Martha and preparing for Christmas,  for well, everyone. Except the real reason.  Tonight I was still. My youngest is sick. And I sat in the chair after a drag out, not very Christmasy spirited exchange with Hubby and I wondered: why can't we just be content?

 Here is the vulture's truth.  This is the time to be preparing our hearts for the wonderful gift we were given wrapped in swaddling clothes and born in a barn...with hay on the floor. Instead, I am comparing myself to others. Which completely robs me of my creativity and joy.   There it is. Dark. Nasty. And circling around. 

So I stopped.  I sat down. And I picked up the phone and dialed the closest thing to my mom I know.  We laughed and chit chatted about the plans we were having and how everyone was and made sure that all were healthy on both sides of the phone. Thankfully everyone is doing okay. We talked for about  fifteen minutes. That is all it took for me to find my joy again. To be reminded that the reason for this season is to love, welcome and celebrate the birth of Jesus.  

I get so involved in creating life that I forget to enjoy it.  And then I get snappy and snarky and say hurtful things to the people I shouldn't hurt.  And during Christmas it is magnified to the millionth degree.
   

So here is my do and don't list. (I told you like lists.) 

Don't rob yourself of joy this season. Do be still and listen to Christmas songs.

Don't worry about the mess from baking. Do dance in the kitchen. 

Don't give to receive. Do give. Do give real big. 

Don't be afraid to say no. Do say yes to hot chocolate, a blanket and quiet time.

Don't move the elf. Do move the elf.

Don't be afraid of change. Do welcome new traditions.

Don't just give stuff. Do make memories. 

Don't compare. Do celebrate.  

Don't forget to love hard. Do show up, even if you aren't ready. 

Don't be a grinch. Do smile. 

Don't forget the cookies for Santa.  Do believe. 

Don't forget to be quiet, still and have a silent night. 

Do believe in the magic, wonder and beauty of it all. 

Don't stop creating. Do share. 

Don't worry about being imperfect. 

Do know that you are loved this Christmas and every day that is Un-Christmas. 

Sweet baby Jesus is on His way!