Tag: summer music

Summer Bucket List

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Beach pail

            I always feel sad this time of year because summer is half over and I  haven’t done everything I planned.   Winter is brutal and long here in Canada which makes us appreciate summer even more but even if you can’t afford to rent a cottage most of these summer pleasures are free.   We still have almost a month left though….how many things have you crossed off your summer bucket list?    There is still time to:

Have breakfast outside on the deck    breakfast outside

Dry your sheets on the line….ah the smell 

sheets on line

Vintage clothes dryer

Go to the beach and watch the waves   waves on beach

Buy some colorful beach towels Beach Towels

Read a big fat beach book with your toes in the sand   

Beach Book

The Perfect Beach Book

Build a sandcastle with some little ones 

Feed the seagulls French fries   seagull

Go strawberry picking     strawberry picking

and blueberry picking…..make a pie Blueberries

Feast on summer fruit  

 Lay on the grass and gaze at the stars on a starry starry night 

Starry NIght Over The Rhone

Starry Night Over The Rhone

Visit an art gallery or museum

Watch tiny fireflies   

Watch major fireworks

Toast marshmallows around a bonfire

Nap outdoors on the swing   nap on swing

Barbecue a steak on a charcoal grill while camping    Steak on grill

Dine alfresco at a restaurant with a view of the water   

Visit a farmer’s market   

Peaches for Sale - AMc

Peaches for Sale

Make jam   

Go fishing    

Make a pitcher of punch or lemonade 

Punch

1/3 pineapple juice, 1/3 cranberry juice. 1/3 ginger ale

Listen to summer music while driving (see Summer Playlist) 

Watch a summer storm over the lake   summer storm over lake

Drink coffee on a park bench

Park Bench

Pack a picnic lunch   picnic basket

Have an ice cream/gelato cone   

Gelato

Simply the best Canadian gelato

Go to an outdoor art/craft show

Watch a sunset   sunset over lake

Attend an outdoor concert

Watch the sailboats race    sailboat race 

Eat corn on the cob and ribs 

Have key lime pie for desert Key Lime PIe

Gaze at your solar lights before bed   

 Watch a summer blockbuster on a hot humid day

Have an afternoon nap on a rainy day

Clean out your summer closet

Shop the summer sales (keeping in mind next years vacation)

If you’ve missed any, you still have time left – get moving, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

sailboat

Summer sailboat

What is your favorite summertime activity?

 

 

 

Summer Playlist

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            Here are six pieces of musical nostalgia for your summer playlist, and a list of activities to accompany them – because life should have a soundtrack.   As I am a fan of all things vintage they are oldies but goodies, dating from the 50’s to the 70’s.    A millennial told me recently that he wished he had been born in 1960 because we had better music, and we did, but I would welcome any newer suggestions.  

Sailboat

Old Cape Cod – I love all those old classics from the 50’s and this song paints a picture of a part of the world I would love to visit, being a big fan of Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels and Susan Branch’s Martha’s Vineyard books.  It was first recorded in 1957 by Patti Page, but I like Bette Midler’s 1972 version as well.   Best served with a lobster stew in a restaurant with an ocean view.     

 

Hovercraft

You have to be crazy to try this…

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer.     Originally recorded in 1963 by Nat King Cole, this happy summer song is best served with soda, pretzels and beer while reading a book on the beach and wishing summer would always be here.    

 

Indian Lake

Indian Lake

Indian Lake – another tune from the sixties – 1968 The Cowsills.   I remember listening to this (now politically incorrect) song when I was a kid and we would go up to the Grove-on the-Lake to swim on summer Sundays after church.   Best served with a snack at the Grove diner after renting a canoe or while camping.  

 

picnic basket

 Hot Fun in the Summertime – recorded in 1969 by Sly and the Family Stone shortly after their performance at Woodstock.    Best served out in the country sun with a picnic basket or at any outdoor music concert.

 

sailboat river In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry – a British rock band debuted this hit in 1970 which became the carefree summer song of the baby boomer generation.   Best served with a milkshake or smoothie while driving a jeep along the lake.    (Don’t drink and drive!)

 

pool chair

photo from poolsuppliescanada.ca

Sunny Afternoon – recorded by The Kinks in 1967 as a protest to the British taxes paid by rich rock stars.    Best served while lazing in a swimming pool with an ice cold beer in hand while dreaming of winning the lottery. 

 

Postscript:  I suppose I could have called this six summertime hits from the sixties.  Notice I said we had better music, not hairstyles or clothing!    

What is your favorite summertime song?