Six Ways to Enjoy Summer

‘Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.’ - Henry James

Summer is a word I find slightly frightening. It evokes for me images of flustered people shooing away wasps from picnics and sunburnt skin on sports day. However, in recent years I’ve found that summer more than makes up for its faults in so many bright and beautiful ways. Here are my six ways to celebrate summer…

1. Go al fresco and enjoy fine food in glorious surroundings. Fill up jam jars with sweet posies and hang bunting across your garden. I think Sophie Dahl’s Peanut Butter Fudge would be perfect for days out at the seaside and this Chiappa Sisters’ Pasta Caprese dish would make any back garden feel like the middle of Tuscany.

2. Obviously, there will have to be a lots of summer reading. I like to get lost in long narratives and choose longer books for these endless, lazy days. Reading a heavy old tome is like going on a holiday for the mind.

3. With so much beauty all around you be inspired to make this a summer of creativity. Try doing some small creatives acts like drawing your sunglasses, whizzing up a trifle or dancing under the stars.

4. Make the most of the light summer evenings by throwing your own movie night. Choose films that have a hint of magic about them or are completely escapist. I look forward to BFI releasing A Month in the Country on 20th June. Serve popcorn and set up your own pic n mix bar for added delight.

5. Summer can feel fleeting so make it last forever by capturing the little moments. Take photographs, press flowers and keep little mementoes from special days out.

6. As you up your vitamin D with happy days out in the sun consider keeping a happiness journal. At the end of each day write three things that made you happy. By the end of the season you’ll have a whole book of little nuggets of sunshine.

Are you excited about Summer? How do you plan to celebrate? Let me know in the comments below…