Sometimes, it’s the aroma of a rich, dark espresso that entices you out of bed. Other times, the sun’s gentle warmth filtering through linen curtains coaxes you to embrace the day. Summer, however it beckons, is a season of whimsy that bursts forth with vibrant colors, novel experiences and unending festivities. It’s a time for vacations to distant destinations, potluck family reunions, all-boys canoe trips and sticky s’mores by the fire pit. What defines a perfect summer day? What leaves you so content in the moment that you wish for the day to never end? Let’s delve into the aesthetics of a perfect summer day.
I often use the senses to describe the seasons of life. After all, the sights, sounds and fragrances of fall and winter are what make our eyes tear up a little when they slowly fade away: the pumpkin spice, the rich burnt orange, brown and burgundy hues, hot apple pies, pinion wood smoldering in the chiminea, freshly cut pine on the mantle, cranberry red velvet tablecloths, homemade citrus and clove spray in amber bottles and wassail simmering quietly on the stove. Then spring bursts forth and tickles our noses with redbuds, lilac blossoms, glazed lemon poppy seed bread, speckled eggs, giant chocolate-shaped rabbits and the grand return of white shoes, white pants and white hats.
The descriptive textures of the season allow us to feel, taste, touch, smell and melt into the moment to capture it and savor it for many years to come. Summer is a time of growth and freedom. Our souls find life again after a long and dark winter. A thousand colors explode and drape nature again. We have to savor the summertime glory, capture it before it, too, fades away.
When the days stretch longer into one another, giving us more evening sun, we find sunset baseball games, two-scoop ice cream cones and salted peanuts a perfect trifecta. Terry beach towels, hung to dry from the back deck, flutter in the wind like a matador’s vibrant cape—but streaked with Banana Boat sunscreen from a day spent in a giant pool of chlorine. Can you hear the pulsating 1980s lawn sprinkler luring the neighborhood kids onto a friend’s perfectly manicured turf, ready to cool them from the day’s heat? But wait—not until the melodious chiming of a rusted white van crawling down the street reaches our ears do the dog days of summer really feel complete. Mississippi mud pie, anyone? Snow cone with a bubble gum surprise? Bomb Pops and strawberry crunch bars? No matter that we still need to have dinner!
We know summer is in full swing when Dad drops those charcoal briquettes into the grill for a late dinner, and the coals ignite. The grill’s sizzle and pop signify the start of family time on the patio where twinkle lights welcome the nightfall arrival of June bugs. Soft static echoes from the garage on Dad’s old Zenith AM/FM radio, mumbling some distant Major League Baseball game. The announcer calls, “Here comes the 3 and 2 pitch … base hit!” and heat lighting crackles the signal with excitement.
Charred hot dogs loaded with ketchup and mustard on cheap grocery store buns can only be savored running barefoot through the cool evening grass. To keep pesky mosquitoes at bay, Mom lights the tins of citronella sitting on the mid-century patio table. Hanging from the trees like fairies, Mason jars with lids poked by Dad’s screwdriver are packed full of freshly cut grass and glowing lightning bugs. And, oh, those grass-stained toes and clingy spandex bathing suits glued to sun-toasted skin with leftover ice cream from lunch, ketchup from dinner and marshmallows from the fire pit are now at the point of no return. Only a warm bubble bath will remedy the situation. But first, one last game of hide-and-seek under the stars as the final embers of the fire pit smolder. We slowly retire inside, leaving windows open just enough to let the coming cool wander in to say goodnight. Fresh jammies wait on cozy beds. We drift off remembering a magical summer day, the perfect summer day.
Elizabeth Hammond is a homeschooling mama of six, who subsists on fresh sweet corn, peach cobbler and fried green tomatoes and uses Banana Boat sunscreen as her perfume of choice all summer long.