Today marks the first official day of summer and the Summer Solstice! Each year, the timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice). It seems like a great day to soak up the sun! How are you going to celebrate summer?
It’s time to stock up the cooler, spread out the blanket and bask in the sunshine…because tomorrow is International Picnic Day! And with the official start of summer occurring on June 21, a whole season of picnicking is about to begin. So here are our top ten picnic tips to get you perfectly prepared:
1. Keep it simple. Stick to a menu of summertime favorites that you can serve all at the same time. Guests can leisurely help themselves while you kick back and relax.
2. Make things interesting. Even classics like fried chicken, watermelon and potato salad can be updated with a new recipe. Or visit your local deli or gourmet market for a picnic made by pros.
3. Cool it. Freeze bottles of water or juice to use as ice packs until they’re ready to drink. Ice the cooler several hours beforehand to keep it colder longer, but be sure to keep some ice separate to put in drinks.
4. Pack wisely. Use lidded plastic containers to keep things fresh and prevent spills. Pack dressings separately to avoid soggy salads. For condiments, many brands now offer convenient “picnic packs.” But you still can’t beat individual fast food packets, so save your extras!
5. Keep it light. Once you consolidate your supplies, make sure they’re simple to carry and not too heavy. Some picnic spots are quite a hike.
6. Set the table or blanket. Bring extra plates or platters for serving, large spoons for salads, at least one sharp knife, and an opener for wine or bottles. To keep things organized, put food and drinks in separate coolers.
7. Be prepared. Sunscreen, bug spray, a waterproof picnic blanket, umbrellas and a first aid kit should protect you from most of the elements.
8. Avoid these. Foods that don’t transport well (ice cream, puddings, frosted cakes) should stay off the menu. And keep in mind that sweet and sticky tends to attract wasps and bees.
9. Clean up. You can never have enough hand wipes—especially if you opt for barbeque. And be sure to bring extra bags for leftover food and trash.
10. Stay flexible. Even the best laid plans—and picnics—are weather dependent, but no one ever said you can’t picnic indoors. If the skies turn stormy, move the meal inside, lay the blanket on the floor and stay in the summertime spirit!
Summertime is in the air…along with graduation caps at high schools and colleges all over the country! It’s graduation season again, which means announcements in your mailbox, invitations on your calendar and graduation cards on your shopping list.
So once you find the perfect card for the proud grad, how can you put your worldly wisdom into just the right words? Sometimes starting with a great line from a great mind will help you come up with your own idea. Here are some examples of how to combine a few popular quotes with a personal message:
Now for the gift…
While money is the most common (and welcome) gift for grads, there’s often some questions about the appropriate amount. Of course your financial situation is the biggest determining factor, and most people give more for college than high school, but if you still want a ballpark figure: $25 tends to be on the low end while $75-100 is generous for a close relative. Yet, any amount is fun to receive when presented in a creative way…
Graduation season is an exciting time for students, but it’s important for all of us to remember that “in real life, every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.” Arie Pencovici
It feels like we were just talking about getting your summer started, and now it’s already almost time to say goodbye to the care-free warm days of this fun season. Although schools will be starting up again soon, and we’ll all be back to busier schedules, there’s still time left to enjoy summer. If you’re wondering when the official end of summer is – it falls on September 21, so make the most of the next 5 weeks with some end-of-summer fun! Here are some of our favorite ideas you still have time to fit it.
Capture Summer Memories
If you’ve been snapping pictures all summer long, now is the time to organize all of your memories and create something fun. Take a day to put all your photos together in a scrapbook – digital or paper. You can even make your favorite summer pictures into personalized cards and send them out to friends and family!
Last-Minute Vacation
It’s not too late to squeeze one more fun vacation weekend in! How about a family camping trip, or an adventure to your local amusement park? You may even save some money if you plan these trips into September, and as a bonus you may not have the crowds you’d find a few weeks earlier.
Get to the Pool
The weather is still hot and sunny, so soak up the sun at your local pool or water park. Most pools stay open until Labor Day weekend, so make the most of the time you have left!
Have a Movie Marathon
Stuck inside due to a late summer storm? No problem! Have a family movie marathon day. Have each member of the family choose a favorite movie, pop some popcorn, make fun snacks, and enjoy a lazy day!
