By Megan McLaughlin
The summer always seems to slip away quicker than expected, and this year was no exception. No two summers ever feel exactly the same, yet each one is special in its own way. I have spent every summer of my twenty-one years in my hometown in Massachusetts. While each season seems to follow the same rhythm of frequenting my favorite spots, taking family trips, and indulging in sweet treats, each summer still feels uniquely its own. It is these familiar traditions that make summer at home so special.
For many years, my family has taken a trip each August to Rushford, NY, to visit my aunt and uncle’s country house. Each year follows a familiar itinerary: outdoor Olympic games, homemade meatballs and pasta, visits to a store run by an Amish family, and rides on the golf cart and ATV. Some years we have gone fishing, crossbow shooting, and blueberry picking, but for the most part, our activities remain the same. Although the kids grow taller and everyone gets a little older each summer, the familiarity of these traditions keeps my family feeling connected and close.
Being from the Northeast, there is nothing quite like the feeling of the summer sun after a long, cold winter. The warm weather brings the community together as everyone finds more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. I often visit a lake in the neighboring town that has a three-mile loop with beautiful views of the water. There is no wrong time to walk around the lake, whether you are passing boats sailing across the water or watching the sun rise and set. Summer brings light and warmth to the area, and there is no better way to appreciate it than with a walk outside.
Of course, summer sweetness comes in many forms. For me, it means fresh fruit and my favorite ice cream. Evenings spent getting ice cream with friends at my favorite local ice cream parlor is the perfect way to end a summer night. Read my Kitchen Ink blog about the ins and outs of a local ice cream shop, Inside Dandilyon’s (Dandi’s): A Small Town’s Ice Cream Shop.
With August coming to an end, I think the best way to close out the season is to make the most of these final weeks with activities, time outdoors, and family fun. Check out this list of 10 ways for you and your family to savor the final days of summer!
- Carnival corn dogs at home (recipe from Made with Love)
What is summer without a carnival corn dog? As the summertime carnivals turn into fall fairs, make a staple carnival food with your family.
- Enjoy a meal outside
Whether it’s a picnic, a final family cookout, or just bringing your dinner to the backyard, soak up the summertime weather while combining your favorite food with an outside dining experience.
- Frozen fruit ice pops (recipe from Made with Love)
A hot summer night deserves a cool sweet treat! Make some frozen fruit ice pops, Paint with loved ones
- Create a masterpiece
One of my favorite relaxing activities I got into this summer was painting. Grab some watercolors for low mess, put on your favorite music, and get creative!
- Watch the sunset together
Take an evening stroll and watch the sky transform into shades of pink, orange, and gold. Leave distractions at home and soak up the summer sky.
- Create a summer memory book
Summer memories, photos, trips, quotes—piece it all together in a book as a keepsake for the family to enjoy and look back on for years. Capture the moments worth remembering as summer ends.
- A nature or neighborhood walk
Enjoy one of summer’s simplest pleasures with a leisurely walk around your neighborhood, a local park, or a nearby trail. Look for flowers, birds, butterflies, and other signs of the season, and let the kids lead the way as you discover something new together.
- Create a summer tradition
Create a simple tradition your family can look forward to every year! Whether it’s a special end-of-summer dinner, a favorite day trip, a backyard campout, or a family photo in the same spot, choose something meaningful and easy to repeat so it becomes a memory your kids can carry with them year after year.
- Get ice cream at a local parlor
Make one more trip to your favorite ice cream shop before summer comes to an end. Savor one of summer’s sweetest traditions with the ones you love.
- Breakfast: Pancakes (recipe from Made with Love)
Get the family in the kitchen and start the day with homemade pancakes. On a slow summer morning, what’s better than a stack of fluffy pancakes? Add fresh fruit, syrup, or your favorite toppings for a special end-of-summer breakfast treat.
