Summer is quickly approaching here in the Midwest. The trees and flowers have bloomed. Grass mowing is now a weekly chore (of my husbands, of course) and I eagerly anticipate some of my favorite summertime activities.
Yard Sales/Garage Sales - It seems as if constantchatter.com is split on their views on yard/garage sales, as evidenced here. I myself fall into the group that just loves a good yard/garage sale. Just recently, my daughter and I hit up some Friday sales. This was her first trip, in what will be many during during her childhood years, I’m sure. For $14 we scored five Carter footed PJs that will serve her well next winter, 6 board books, various plastic toys (that can easily be run through the dishwasher), a huge bowl that says popcorn on it (I’ll be using this to create a movie tub, complete with popcorn and DVDs next Christmas for a gift for the guy who has everything but loves popcorn) and a mesh bed rail (ready for when my daughter needs it!). Oh, and the gem of the day, a fun little toy for my husband - a Craftsman Wet Dry Shop Vac. He loved it.
Clothesline - When I was growing up, my Grandmother always line dried her clothes. To this day, I love line dried clothes. I love the fresh smell and I love that they remind me of my dearly departed Grandmother. In case you didn’t know, drying your clothes in the sun is a great way to fight stains. After a winter of having to dry diapers in the dryer, my daughter’s cloth diapers are now stain free again - with just one afternoon hanging out in the sun. For those who like to go green as much as possible, this is a great, easy way to do so.
Gardening - Vegetable prices got you down? Want to eat organic? Planting your own vegetable garden is another way to go green, should you choose. It’s also an economical choice. I love eating fresh vegetables out of the garden. There’s a great sense of accomplishment being able to bring forth a harvest, even a small one.
Exercise - Another favorite thing about the warmer weather is being able to get outside. After all winter of using exercise DVDs or the elliptical, it’s so refreshing to be able to exercise outside. There’s a lot more joy and beauty in pushing my daughter in her stroller than there ever is from using the elliptical for a half hour. Perhaps one of the best parts about the warmer weather is that many of my favorite things involve a higher activity level - gardening, hanging clothes and general yard maintenance allow me to break up the mononity of my usual exercise routine.
Sun Tea - Lastly, I love a pitcher of sun tea. While others may love the joy of icecream in the summer, for me, nothing is better than a nice refreshing glass of sun tea over ice, with a little splenda mixed it.
Jennylou
I couldn’t agree more with line drying your clothes. I grew up doing that and miss my mom even more when I long for the smell of line dried sheets!
Oh, and suntea is the best thing in the whole world!