live passionately

Summer afternoon...to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.

Henry James, American WriterOne thing I absolutely love about summer is the way the warmer weather pulls you out-of-doors, away from your to-do lists, and frees you to play. You are invited to experience the world around you! We plunge in as water soothingly relieves us of the heat of the day, and we forget calories as we enjoy frozen treats and juicy melon. We find excuses to avoid set schedules and can take the long way home just to see the sunset. Roadsides are filled with freely growing flowers and farm stands with amazing produce. Little kids become entrepreneurs with lemonade stands, and sidewalks are filled with chalk designs of some budding artist. So wherever you are and whatever you have on your agenda today, lose your self for a little while. Make time to experience the pleasures of this most amazing season...summer is here for a moment.

Photo: Me when I was about three.

soak up the sun

Then followed that beautiful season...

Summer....

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;

and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American Educator and Poet

Today is the first day of summer...the summer solstice...which is Latin for "sun standing still."  In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the longest day of the year as the Earth tilts on its axis toward the sun.  Ancient people believed today was a day of power...a perfect day to celebrate love, nature, and the triumph of light over darkness.  What a perfect day to create celebration in your home!  How about bringing in some extra light in your home by pulling open the windows...or better yet get outside and get some rays...just remember the sunscreen!  Bring in bouquets of flowers and place them around where they will catch your eye.  Play some music that inspires you and paint something the bright color of the sun.  Here are sunny yellows that you might want to try:

Benjamin Moore:  Light Yellow (2022-60), Sundance (2022-50), Sunny Days (172), York Harbor Yellow (HC-4).  Sherwin Williams: Optimistic Yellow (SW6900) and Glad Yellow (SW6694)...loving those happy names!  Farrow & Ball has two:  Ciara Yellow and Dayroom Yellow.  These yellows act wonderfully as an accent color...but if you must go really bold, try it in an entire room.  Send photos...would love to see how you celebrate this day of light!

Try my favorite Sangria recipe and invite your friends over for a warm summer night soiree!  Happy Summer!

You would not believe your eyes

if ten million fireflies

lit up the world as I fell asleep.

Adam Young, Owl City

I can't get enough of this happy little tune from Owl City about fireflies lighting up the world...and then last night, it was as if the fireflies got the message and lit up the world!  My backyard was filled with these little luminescent insects...and it was magical!  My kids sprinted around to catch them, and it brought back waves of sweet memories.  Tonight if you haven't taken time out, just wander outdoors and remember how exciting it can be to live in the moment pursuing something brilliant!

Another little secret...plant some moon flowers in your backyard to make a wonderful evening garden!  These are a morning glory looking vine with big white flowers that blossom in the moonlight and smell like Easter lilies...ask your local greenhouse to order some for you because they are totally worth it!