SUMMER PLEASURES

I don't know about you, but summer is my all time favorite season. While their all beautiful in their own way and reasons, summer for me is it. I love the seaside, the mountains and the glamping, the heat and sun on my skin, the crickets and katydids in the trees at night chirping, the longer daylight and the open air of the abode. And let's face it, men wear much fewer clothes!!!!!!! So far, I have only used my air about four times.  About a week or two ago fellow blogger and all wise Dr Spo had a clever post about  Without which summer is wasted...things that are a must to do before summer ends and things we remember from years past that just made summer. And Spo is right too, once summer is over, they just aren't the same. So Spo  is what inspired this post. One of the first things I love in the summer are my plaid shirts! I love me my plaid!

Pimm's Cock-a-tails

Pimm's cock-a-tails are a must for me for day drinking. They are light , refreshing in hot temps, and wont dehydrate you like other beverages. I usually make mine in a highball, filled with ice. About half the glass filled with Pimms topped off with iced tea and then add an array of fruit which will add further flavor. These were with blueberries. I have in the past used cucumber and strawberries together, or orange slices. VERY REFRESHING. The Raven keeps a bottle just for me, since they usually don't stock it.

And speaking of boozy fun....

Another summer must are my Boozy Adult Pops!!! You can read and get the recipe here.

Cotton Candy

It's always been a pretty thing to see. And fascinating to watch put on the stick. I haven't had it in years, most times now my teeth hurt just looking at it. But this year I may have to break down and try a little piece for shits and giggles. But in summers of youth, it was a staple of mine at the beach and carnvials.

Salt Water Taffy

When I was young and we went to the beach, my grandmother and I would go off, play skeet ball and then go for some salt water taffy. She loved it. While it did practically take her dentures out, she still braved it and ate it. While P-town is famous for it's lovely, award winning fudge shops, it's when I go to Rehomo Beach that I get the Taffy at the lovely Dolles. I never get a whole box anymore, but I do  get myself a little sample bag of their flavors. Brings back such find memories.

Lightening Bugs

I captured this little fellow on the porch one afternoon. I later moved him to a Hosta leaf, in fear someone would step on him. Nothing says mid summer night like lightening bugs. I feel like they are very brief around these parts. But when they do come out, it's magical to watch them light up the night since it's so dark where I live. I can remember running around with neighbor kids capturing them. My father bought me one of those containers you could put them in, but with a plastic leaf in them and holes for air, but the poor things always died. It also reminds me of the first time I was outraged when kids would kill  a living thing just because. They would crush them and then smear the glowing liquid across the pavement. It's also the first time I knocked a boy on his ass for doing it.

Carousel

This year, when I head to the beach I have told myself I'm going to take a carousel ride. Another good memory from childhood. In the summer my mother would often take me on afternoons to Williams Grove Park, which is now long gone, which had a few amusements rides and a picnic area. We'd have lunch there, then she and I would take a spin on the carrousel.. I used to love all the lights, the carnival music playing, the up and down motion, and the different animals you could ride... the big decision was always what animals would have the honor to be ridden. It was my grandmother who would always take me to one at the beach.

Divinity

Divinity is one of those old school candies. Both of my grandmothers and my aunts all had a candy dish filled with jujube divinity in the summer. I hadn't had it in years, till I saw it in the Vermont Country Store catalog this summer. As one can see from above, I rectified that. Soooooo damn good. And I dare anyone to stop at one piece.

Chicken Corn Soup

I'm not a huge soup eater in the summer, but one tradition my family had every year was my grandmother's Corn Soup picnic. Tons of family and friends members of her church came far and wide for her famous Chicken Corn Soup. Deep chicken and sweet corn flavors make this soup memorable. And her corn always came from a local farm market called Strites Orchid in Harrisburg. While me and my mother have her recipe, I think we made it once in the 22 years since my grandmother's  passing. But the smell, and taste and all the good times at those picnics bring about some great summer memories. 

Square cuts

Of course...no summer is complete without my square cuts and swim trunks. I may be upwards of about 40 now. It's hard to select just one print. And they make packing light. A few of these and tees in a brown bag and off one goes!!!

What's your summer pleasure or things you miss?