Summer is such an exciting season, and every year I try to remind myself not to rush through it. It always seems to disappear before I know it. One of the best ways I've found to slow down is to really notice the little things around me—the warm sunshine, birds singing (have you tried the merlin bird ID app?), fresh garden vegetables, flowers in bloom, and the smell of summer after a rain. Those simple moments help me feel more present and remind me to enjoy the season instead of just checking things off my to-do list.
This summer, I'm trying to make time for the things that bring me the most joy. Maybe this list will inspire you to slow down a little too, or even start your own summer joy list.
My Top 10 Summer Joy List:
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Drink my coffee on the deck in the early morning sun and start a new book. I am currently reading "Wildwood" by Elinor Florence.
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Go for evening walks, quad rides or bike rides, especially at golden hour. Let Ginny (our dog) hang her head out the windows on truck rides to check the crops. Hike in the river valley.
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Make fresh salads with garden greens. Pick fresh peas in the garden to snack on. Grab the occasional swiss chard stalk for the chickens to have a treat. Just enjoy my garden in general.
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Make simple syrups for garden mocktails. See my recipes here.
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Alternate between making wildflower bouquets and cut-flower bouquets from my garden to place on my kitchen island.
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Press flowers and leaves for art and creativity in colder months. Distill plants to make hydrosols and essential oils for product making.
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Identify 5 new wild plants or mushrooms outside and forage plants to use! Pick berries such as raspberries, saskatoons, haskaps, chokecherries and strawberries... fill our mouths and the freezer! Make jellies, jams, syrups, juices and sauces.
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Meet family and friends as much as possible to enjoy beach time, campfires, golfing and visiting!
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Spend time on water, in our canoe or my paddle board on the river.
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Take care of my summer sun-kissed skin with the charcoal soap, herb garden lotion, after sun body spray.
Summer just goes by so fast, I try to soak it in as much as possible without over scheduling to leave moments for spontaneity.
I know summer won't last forever, so I'm trying to enjoy the simple moments while they're here. The gardens, the berries, evenings outside, time with family, and all those little things that make this season special. I hope this list inspires you to slow down, enjoy your favourite parts of summer, and maybe even make your own list before the season slips away.
