This is a list of my favorite summer things to help you find something new and interesting.
I hope you have been having a wonderful summer!
Today I want to share with you some things that I have been enjoying all summer long. I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors in my yard and garden, enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and growing things. I’ve been taking my children to lots of activities. And I’ve spent a lot of time in the kitchen preparing meals for my family and processing the excess homegrown food from the garden.
This list of favorites reflects my seemingly simple lifestyle this past summer. As I’ve tried to enjoy the season simply and intentionally, this list is of my favorite things that are great for the every day.
If you’d like to know what sorts of things I like in the fall, check out my Fall Favorites from last year!
My Favorite Things
My Garden
Home grown tomatoes, enough said.
Well, not enough. Let’s just say that the garden I began in the spring has been so wonderful and educational. I don’t know yet what I define as a “successful” garden. Right now the definition is a garden that produces enough that I can share with others. So far I have a fridge full of zucchini and enough cherry tomatoes to feed a small country. So yes, I suppose it has been successful. More importantly I’ve learned a lot.
Few things have brought me as much joy as nurturing the growing things I have in my suburban backyard. I am planning my fall garden now and coming up with even more ambitious ideas for next year’s garden!
Cute comfortable sandals
Every summer for the past four years I have lived in my favorite sandals: the Sam Edelman Gigi. I wore my first pair all over Germany a few years ago, and they served me well. (I even wore them climbing all the way to the top of Cologne Cathedral and back down again – although if you are going to do this during the summer, I’d recommend wearing socks and sneakers.)
These sandals are great because they are chic and affordable. I have them in the almond patent and black, so they go with literally everything in my ten item wardrobe. The sandals come in many other colors as well. Not only do they look good, but they don’t rub my feet raw anywhere, which is a problem with most other types of sandals.
Grown Up Flip Flops
Speaking of sandals, I also have a great pair of flip flops by Sam Edelman. These aren’t the Old Navy rubber/foam ones from my college days. (Just thinking about all the walking I did in those things makes my joints hurt.)
These are chic and polished flip flops! I’m not a “live in flip flops all summer” kind of girl, and I usually wear my Sam Edelman Gigi sandals when I go anywhere (see above). But for going out into the garden or quickly running out the door to pick up my daughter from gymnastics, these flip flops do the trick. They are easy to wear and still look good.
The ones I have are in the light pink patent color, but they come in a variety of colors. I love these shoes for when I have to casually throw something on my feet, and I recommend them for anyone who wants grown up looking flip flops.
My Blender
I’ve had my Osterizer blender for years, but I never used it much until this summer. I started making amazingly delicious strawberry banana smoothies, so my blender has been getting a workout.
I love this thing because it is inexpensive yet well made. The top portion is glass which means it’s durable and more environmentally friendly. It blends smoothies easily, even with cut up frozen fruit. You can also use it to blend soups and even make homemade mayonnaise!
The exact blender I have is over ten years old, so it’s not sold anymore. This Oster 12 speed blender is the newer version of mine, complete with the glass jar. It is also very reasonably priced with good reviews. I highly recommend it as a great reliable blender that works well at a good price point.
My Crock Pot
Crock pots are great for the summer because you can easily make a hot meal in them without heating up your entire house. I’ve been using my crock pot at least once a week over the summer to make tons of delicious food for my family.
What do I make in my crock pot? Literally anything. I make my delicious and easy crock pot chicken regularly, and I save the bones and drippings to make homemade chicken stock. I use the chicken stock and some of the leftover meat to make amazing creamy chicken soup. My family also loves my salsa chicken, to which I add lots of fresh tomatoes and zucchini from the garden. And pot roast, traditionally a winter meal, can also be made in the crock pot.
I use this six quart programmable crock pot from Hamilton Beach. It works very well, is easy to use, and is easy to clean. If you’re in the market for a new slow cooker, I recommend this one. It has served me well.
Those are my most favorite things from this past summer! I hope you enjoyed this list and even found something new to try.
What are your favorite summer things? Leave a comment below!
My Favorite Things: Short List of Links
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Chic sandals: Sam Edelman Gigi Sandal
Grown Up Flip Flops: Sam Edelman Oliver Flip Flop
My Blender: Oster 12 Speed Glass Top Blender
My Crock Pot: Hamilton Beach 6 qt Programmable Slow Cooker