Happy Monday morn! I'm ready to make this week a good one..how about you?
How was your weekend? I spent having dinner at Agave, attending a barbecue, visiting my parents and starting the declutterization of my apartment. All in all, I can't complain :) It's officially summer, after all. And what could be better? Today I'm rounding up my 12 loves of summertime. I hope you'll chime in with why you love (or hate) this hot season! Meanwhile, if you want to discuss last night's True Blood, head over to the TAA Facebook page and I'll get the discussion started!
The Jersey Shore. It's my number one favorite thing about summertime. If you have the means, I highly recommend checking it out. I adore the Jersey Shore for a number of reasons (and none of them include Snooki - though I do love that Jersey Shore too). I love the breezy beach, the cool crashing waves, the ease of getting there. Not to mention beach bars, frozen custard, funnel cakes, zeppoles, giant slices of pizza and my personal favorite, skee ball.
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Barbecuing. This really speaks for itself. Doesn't everything taste better on a grill? I could eat cheeseburgers every day in the summertime. For me, they never get old. Not to mention grilled vegetables, chicken...the possibilities are endless.
The Return of the Urban Herb Garden. It's not easy having a garden in an urban environment, but that doesn't mean we won't try. Shaun is really the green thumb around here (I manage to kill all plants). We recently planted lots of basil, mint, chives and sage and I'm already using them in my dishes. Nothing like a delicious hit of fresh herbs to really turn it up a notch.
Farmer's Market. In Jersey City, this starts in June and goes until Thanksgiving. There is something comforting to me about stepping off the train in Journal Square, breathing in the humidity and heat, and perusing fresh fruit and vegetables on my way home. I adore it.
Television. It's different in summertime, and I like it. New shows start over the summer while Shaun and I use the time to watch a new show via Netflix/DVD. This summer, it's Breaking Bad, True Blood and Big Love.
Ice Cream. Whether from a store-bought gallon, the Mr. Softee truck or homemade, like the Black Eyed Peas, I just can't get enough. Cool, creamy, delicious. I love the burst of cold, followed by the melt in your mouth. Though I do love me a cone, I also adore the way that a scoop of ice cream melts around the outside and I can scoop up the still-frozen bits dipped in the melty bits. Swoon.
Skirts. I love my pencil skirts! I started the summer with 3 and added 4 more. Now I have a full collection. They make me feel professional. And I love that they are slimming to boot. I'm sure I'll be sick of wearing them by August. But for now, I like.
The Smell of Salty Air. I adore this. It feels like home.
Fruit. Strawberries and grapes and cherries and pineapple! I could eat these all day every day and just be a happy person. It's the perfect summery snack. Yum.
Busy-ness. Though it's exhausting at times, I love that there is seemingly an endless supply of fun during the summer. During the colder months, it feels like work to find things to do. In the summer, someone is always having a barbecue, my parents pool is always open, the beach is always calling. And then the summer goes by way too fast for my liking.
Light Out Longer (LOL). Is there anything better than arriving home from work at 7pm and it's still light out? To me, it's one of the best feelings ever. It's like I didn't even miss out on the day by sitting behind a desk.
Eating Outside. We have our little terrace and it makes me happy to come home from work, set up outside and have a delicious dinner while breathing in some fresh air and sitting back in the cool breeze. What could be better?
So there you have it. My most favorite things about the season. What do you love about summertime?