How to Enjoy Summer (Tips from The Deliberate Mom)

Today, I'm so pleased to introduce you to Jennifer from The Deliberate Mom, a woman who possesses a truly lovely and gracious spirit.  We joke that we're across-the-border sisters: her from Canada, me from Pennsylvania.  We share many things in common: our faith, parenting daughters, the habit of taking photos of the small moments in life, and a penchant for Jillian Michaels' DVDs.

Best yet, we've forged a friendship that might have started with a few blogging questions, but has since deepened to explore those nitty-gritty life questions where we pray for and encourage one another regularly, something for which I'm deeply grateful.

Without further ado, let me share Jennifer's thoughts about how she plans to enjoy her summer.
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Thanks so much to Robin for sharing her beautiful corner of the internet with me today. It's an honour to be here.

Well, summer is almost upon us. Can you feel it?! I'm so excited for summer this year! Perhaps it's because I haven't had a summer for the past three years. Last summer I was in trauma therapy, the summer before that I was returning to work after a year-long maternity leave, and the summer before that... well, I had a baby!

So are you ready for this? Here's how I plan on enjoying my summer....


1) Eat watermelon. You heard me, summer is the season of watermelon. I plan on eating lots of it (even some with a dash of salt on it... trust me, it's delightful).

2) Go for picnics. Summer is all about the picnics. Sandwiches, granola bars, and juice boxes. It's simple, easy, and kids love picnics!

3) Play some classic summer games. I want this summer to be about hopscotch, marbles, skipping, kick the can, and capture the flag. Seriously, I want my kids to learn these games and the only way they'll learn them is if I teach them.

4) Blow bubbles. One can never have enough bubble blowing in their life. This year, I want to blow lots of bubbles. I'm even thinking I want to get one of those gigantic bubble wands and blow some colossal (big enough to capture a toddler) bubbles!

5) Do some cloud watching. Summer is the perfect time to lay on the grass and to enjoy the sweet simplicity of looking for shapes in the clouds overhead.

6) Eat simple meals. Cooking in the summer is the WORST. This year, I'm planning a menu of simple, oven-free foods. Salad anyone?!

7) Get a close shave (or wax) on my legs. Yup, that's on my list of how to do summer right. This prickly pear has got to do something about these legs that grow dark, course hairs. Tips anyone?!

8) Read a good piece of fiction. I read a lot... a lot of non-fiction. This year I want to crack open a great new novel. Any recommendations? I don't want trashy but I do want an easy read.

9) Go berry picking. I haven't gone berry picking since I was a little girl. My grandma used to arrange annual berry picking trips for the family. I would like to bring that tradition to life once again.

10) Go on a playground "crawl." You've probably heard of a pub crawl... well this summer I want to do a park crawl. I want to see how many parks I can take my girls to over the summer months. I plan on charting them on a map and getting my girls to rank them.

So that's it! Throw in a bit of homemade sangria and it should be pretty close to perfection! What would you recommend to make the best of summer?  

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30 comments

  1. I love your list! I did a summer bucket list a few weeks ago and included seeing some fireworks and going to a baseball game - good ol' American traditions. :-) So happy to see you here on Robin's site. You two are, indeed, kindred spirits!

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    1. I did a summer bucket list last year. I think I put too many things on it because it stressed me out more than helped me enjoy summer.

      I'm excited for this year though. Lots of simple plans.

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    2. You're so sweet, Lisa!

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  2. Hi Jennifer and Robin! I love the idea of a playground crawl! And pack a lunch and make a day of it...well, until someone crashes I suppose. That's inspired.
    I have a recipe for sangria, but it makes gallons of the stuff. If you have one that makes a smaller amount, I'd love for you to share?
    We used to go blueberry picking each summer in Michigan. That was fun, and even though I don't like them, the kids just wolfed them down.
    Come on summer!!
    Ceil

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    1. Oh Ceil! I DO have a sangria recipe on my blog... you should try it! I've been told it's very yummy (I would say so myself but naturally I'm gonna love the stuff that I make). I'll send the link to you.

      I'm so excited for summer this year... yes, indeed!

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    2. Nice to meet you, Ciel! I agree that crashing often ends any day out, but it's a healthy, exhausted type of crash, right? Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I loathe cooking in the summer! It's BBQ time and that means I'm off-duty. lol Cloud watching sounds amazing, and now I want some watermelon. I hope you get a drink or two in there as well!

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    1. Hah! Just noticed the Sangria...recipe to follow? please? lol

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    2. Your visit has been rewarded with a link to my sangria in your email. Enjoy!

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  4. Great list!! I have never been berry picking but I want to. And I also love looking at the clouds...I'm so enamoured by them!

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    1. Berry picking is definitely high on my "must-do" list this summer!

      Thanks for visiting Kelli!

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  5. Sounds like my kind of summer! :)

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    1. Yes... I plan on it being a good one!

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  6. This is a great list. I'm going to be honest, I've never gone berry picking but I think that would be a wonderful idea. I was actually thinking of heading to Canada this week for a quick trip to relax but decided against it. Maybe the next time we're there you'll take us. :)

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    1. I haven't been berry picking for ages - we're hoping to scout out a few locations this year. If all else fails, we can always hit a berry farm!

      Thanks for stopping by Amanda!

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  7. Love your list Jennifer! Whenever I take my hooligans berry picking they end up with very few in their baskets, but very discolored lips and fingers. Hmm.. we always have to pay on what we estimate they ate!

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    1. LOL that's awesome Jennifer! I haven't taken my girls yet... I wonder if our berry picking adventures will pan out the same way.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  8. Great list Jennifer! I'm not a watermelon fan (unless it's in candy form) but I'd get down on some cantaloupe. :)
    I just shave so no good recommendations there, but you should read "Finding Bernadette." It's based in Seattle and a fun read. :)

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    1. Wow! That's the first time I think I've encountered someone who doesn't like watermelon! Cantaloupe is tasty too though.

      Thanks for the book recommendation!

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  9. You have me pumped for summer!!! It's been summer here in AZ since May, but I love these fresh ideas and I also love the memories they bring back of my summers as a child. I think tomorrow I'm going to have cold watermelon outside at the picnic table with my boys!

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    1. Sounds like a great plan Jessica. I just bought a watermelon yesterday! I can't wait to cut into it!

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. I think #2 and #3 are ones I forget sometimes. I haven't had a good picnic in awhile. We tried one in April that was pretty nice actually. And I took photos!
    And I can't remember the last time I played some good old-fashioned games.
    It's time.

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    1. I find most children LOVE picnics! I love how we go on one but for days afterwards my girls "play" picnic. So cute!

      We're expecting some rain here over the next few days, so I plan on teaching my daughter Cat's Cradle. I'm so excited about this... it's almost ridiculous.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting on my guest post Tamara! Have a great day.

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  11. Well, my daughter is too old now for a playground crawl, but I think that is a great idea!!

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    1. Thanks Tara! I'm pretty excited about the playground crawl. We have so many parks here and we've maybe visited only half a dozen of them!

      Thanks for visiting!

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  12. What a fun list, Jennifer! I had never heard of pub crawl. I must admit, the playground crawl probably sounds more my speed. lol Thanks for sharing. It's wonderful to meet you, Robin. I found you through Jennifer's blog this morning. Have a beautiful day, ladies!

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    1. I think I first heard about pub crawls about 10-15 years ago. It's a good thing they weren't around when I was eighteen... I could have gotten into a lot of trouble.

      I'm excited about our park crawl (although ever since we started the process, it's been raining!

      Thanks for visiting Topaz!

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    2. Nice to meet you, too, Topaz. I agree: I am more of a playground crawler. :)

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  13. I love your ideas Jennifer, and I love the fact that you have made deliberate plans to enjoy the summer. Watermelon is great! :)
    Thanks for the inspiration. Our summer will be short (finishing school late, starting up again early), but we have some fun plans packed into a few short weeks. Enjoy your lovely summer!

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    1. I'm delighted you enjoyed these ideas Karen. I hope this summer lives up to the hopes I have for it!

      Thanks for stopping by!

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