Hooray it's Summer! (well not officially, but hey, close enough!) School is out, the sun is warm and days are getting longer. It's my favorite season, and I often enjoy having some extra time to do those things I "never have time for" during the year. It's easy to just lounge around, and while there's certainly something to be said about doing a little of that, it's also fun to do something different.
Each summer I like to make a list of fun things to do, so if I'm ever bored, there's a few ideas on hand to reference. Here's a few that made the list:
1. Take a day trip.
With some extra time on your hands, it's a good idea to get out and explore your hometown and surrounding area. Take a quick day trip to shop, eat, and explore some of the things that make your town or a nearby area unique..who knows, you might even find a few new favorite places! If you're visiting somewhere that's close to the water, don't forget to pack your swimsuit!
2. Try a new restaurant...or better yet, cook up something new in the kitchen.
What better time to whip up a new smoothie recipe, or to try out a new dinner idea than summer?! Take an afternoon and look up some ideas
on Pinterest in a cookbook to get inspired. Maybe even invite a few friends or family over to taste test and bring some of their own dishes to share.
3. Get outside!
Hello gorgeous weather! Let's stop spending so much time indoors, and take advantage of the beautiful sunshine. Get out and sit in the hammock, go on a bike ride, walk in the park, go for a run, walk the beach...you name it, there's tons of things to do instead of being inside. Enjoy the day and soak up the sun!
4. Attend an event
Look to see what's going on locally, and get tickets to a show, concert, festival, sporting event, gallery opening..etc. During the summer, most cities have a lot of different events planned, so take a look in the social column and pick a day to try something new! (This was the World Finals for the Modern Pentathlon, so cool!)
5. Have a party
No need for a specific reason, just have some friends over and enjoy the beauty of summer days. Invite everyone to bring a favorite dish to share, or have people over to enjoy a little summer grilling and time to catch up. When the sun sets, light a few lanterns or switch on the cafe lights for a little extra glow.
6. Go to the farmer's market.
One of my favorite things to do is to wander about the different streets, lined with vendors selling the freshest of fruits, vegetables, flowers and baked goods. The colors and smells are always so rich, and it's a great place to people watch and even get your dog out for a little walk! I like to make a stop to pick up a fresh coconut with a straw, so refreshing and delicious! Try a local market purchase in some of your recipes, and support the small businesses in your town. I think you'll be delightfully surprised!
Next time you're wondering what to do that day, take a look at this list or create one of your own!
Here's to a fantastic summer!