An Ode to Summer
There's something special about the summer season, and that's not only because we gain a few extra hours of sunshine. It's a season of softer moods, a slower groove and a celebration of the hard work done throughout the year.
Ancient cultures have always welcomed midsummer with bonfires, chanting and dancing, making the transition into a new seasonal cycle something majestic. Nowadays, we might not be in the mood to engage in similar ancestral rituals. Nonetheless, we can adapt our modern lifestyles and make the sunny season whimsical.
How do we do that, I hear you ask? Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of summer.
Create Your Summer Sanctuary
Bask in the early morning sunshine and journal about something you're grateful for. Make a list of places you'd love to visit and memories you'd like to create this summer.
Bake your own bread, make homemade marmalade and enjoy a leisurely breakfast with a freshly made omelette in your garden.
Heaven! ☀
Memory from Puglia 🇮🇹
“If anyone does not have three minutes in his life to make an omelette, then life is not worth living.’ ”
Grab Tomatoes Straight Off the Vine
Head to your nearest farmers’ market and pick up some fresh tomatoes, firm and juicy, perfect on their own or drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and Aleppo pepper.
For an extra Mediterranean touch, add some mozzarella di bufala, slices of anchovy, black olives and a few fresh basil leaves.
Delicious! 🍅
Farmer’s market Puglia Italy 🇮🇹
Picnic
Pack your favourite snacks and head to the park. Share stories with your loved ones, soak up the sunshine and enjoy a long, leisurely afternoon outdoors.
Time for a stargazing session
Gather around a bonfire with your favourite people, feel the warmth of the evening, take a few photographs and, if you're feeling adventurous, perhaps sneak away for a little midnight swim.
Journal on your favourite memories
The beauty of summer lies in the little moments that stay with us long after the season has passed.
Take a moment to reflect on the places you've visited, three of your most joyful memories, someone who made this summer particularly special, a little treasure you've discovered, a lesson learnt or simply anything that brought you joy.
A Little Reminder to Slow Down
Whatever you fancy doing this summer, I hope you'll embrace time off, rest and the little pleasures that bring you bliss. Reconnect with the places you call home and spend time with the people closest to your heart.
Don't get caught up in a life of never-ending busyness. Putting a loved one before a never-ending to-do list is the right order of things. Summer is a wonderful reminder to set boundaries between work and life and give a little extra attention to what truly matters.
Kisses from Andrea and Carla during our trip in Puglia 🇮🇹
Happy Sunny Season ☀️ xx