There are about a million things I love about the summer. While I may complain about the heat from time to time I really don’t mind it all that much, and I would rather be hot than cold. (Ok, when it comes to running a marathon being hot isn’t good, but that’s a different story.)
Today I am sharing 5 of my favorite summer activities…but really, everything is better outdoors in the warm sunshine.
1. Grilling outside: For 10 years I lived in apartments and didn’t have access to a grill. It was always such a treat to go to my parents’ house to grill out, but now we finally have a grill of our own! Hopefully we will get to use it alot this summer once we stop going away every weekend.
2. Drinking outside: There’s nothing like enjoying a glass of wine outdoors on a summer evening. The neighbors will soon be learning just how much I enjoy wine:)
3. Running/racing: As I’ve said, I prefer the summer to the winter for running…there is something so satisfying about completing a summer run dripping in sweat. And I like that I’m not freezing before or after running a race. (My times may suffer, but that also means I put (slightly) less pressure on myself for that race.)
4. Beach days: I grew up 20 minutes from the beach and now I’m hours away. I usually get to the beach once a year for about a week. I’m already picturing myself in a beach chair, feet in the sand, watching the ocean and listening to the waves…
5. Summer foods and drinks: There are certain foods and drinks that I prefer/only like to have when its hot out or in the summer months. For example, certain fruits just scream “summer” (like watermelon). I also tend to enjoy beer more in the summer and generally don’t drink it at all from October-May. I love Coronos and summer beers. Also white wine is my summer preference while I drink red all winter.
What are some of your favorite summer activities?
How often do you go to the beach?
What is your summer beverage of choice?
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I love the beach and appreciate it more since I don’t live 20 minutes away now either, so it’s a vacation for us too 🙂 I do also like not worrying about being cold before a run or worrying about dressing wrong. Although for summer I still worry about weather for my long runs!
I think its just easier when its hot out because you know to just wear the lightest clothes possible!
I’ve been grilling salmon almost every weekend – so easy and delicious! Happy hour outside is always fun!
We have been talking about trying salmon on the grill soon! I love grilled salmon but we have never made it ourselves before and Im a little nervous:)
It is so easy! I baste it with a marinade sauce and grill for about 20 min.
I’m the same way when it comes to beer. The only time I really drink it in the Fall/Winter is when I’ll have a Guinness or something. Otherwise it’s all lighter beers in the Spring/Summer. I LOVE the heat! And yes, being freezing cold before/after races is the worst. Happy Weekend!
I really only drink beers during the winter for our holiday beer tasting, otherwise I generally stick to red wine. I am generally colder than everyone else so I can handle the heat pretty well!
The beach is the best! I grew up going 2-3 times a summer because my grandmother lived in Delaware and my mom had summers off. I wish we weren’t in a condo, I think I’d grill all year round. Food just tastes better that way. I prefer running in the summer too, it’s much easier to drag myself out of bed for 60-70 degrees than 20-30 degrees.
Its so much easier to run in the summer! I also love that its light out so early!
The key word here? OUTSIDE. that and family/friends. Anything involving those two things!
Exactly!
I drink a lot of Sauv Blanc this time of year. I have a whole case of my favorite just chilling in my wine fridge right now. It’s a Summer staple for me.
We go to the beach almost weekly here. (FL gal) And it wouldn’t be summer without fresh fruit – watermelon is my hubby’s favorite.
Suav blanc is my favorite white wine! I’m so jealous that you can go to the beach so often- but Im sure its pretty hot where you are!
My summer beverage of choice is Prosecco. I love to grill outside too. There is no beach near Austin, but I plan to travel home to New Jersey so I will definitey go then. Have a great weekend!
I very rarely have Prosecco but that’s a good one! And its nice that you have the option to go home to NJ and enjoy the beach there!!
YES to grilling! We are loving our new grill and making meals where we grill everything. Simple, easy and no mess!
Karen @karenlovestorun
We are still learning to use our grill but I definitely want to start grilling some veggies on there this summer!
I go to white wine a lot too because the dinners I’m making are much lighter for summer. Watermelon is definitely a summer food for me, and strawberry ice cream is a summer only treat.
I eat so much more ice cream/fro-yo in the summer months!
I LOVE grilling. I swear cooking and eating food outside tastes so much better than inside! I try to go to the beach once a week but if I could I’d go every day. Nothing more than relaxing on the sand.. pretty sure I could sit there for hours. Beverage of choice is vodka, club soda, lime juice. Super refreshing!
Agreed that cooking and eating food outside tastes better! And yes, I could also go to the beach all day, every day.
I think I have totally taken for granted how close I have lived to the beach my entire life. Like, it’s just a part of living anywhere on Long Island, as you know. I didn’t always love baking in the sun but as I got older, I learned to appreciate the beach days so much more 🙂 I agree with summer races – it’s nice not to freeze at the start line!
I definitely took the beach for granted when I lived on LI! I didn’t go nearly enough when I had the opportunity.
I love the beach, but what resonated most with me was the outdoor drinking which is strange because I hardly ever drink – when I do, it’s only champagne, and it’s mostly in summer – whether at Oxford balls, my best friends’ weddings, or on the rooftop of the Met 🙂
I think there is just something relaxing about being outside in the relaxing weather with a good drink!
I agree with all of your list but the beach. I am just not really a beach person (mainly bc I am so pale that I burn when I think about the sun). We recently went to the beach with Ashton (it was his first time) before that, I hadn’t been on a beach since we got married over 5 years ago! However, racing, grilling and drinks outside–yes please!
The beach definitely isn’t for everyone! I don’t burn as easily as I used to as long as I wear a lot of sunscreen:) I find that being on the beach is one of the only times I can truly relax and do nothing.
beach days and grilling out are the absolute best. have a great weekend!
Definitely! Hope you have a great weekend as well!
I’m with you on the drink choices, Lisa; I prefer wine much of the year, but there’s just something about an iced, cold beer in the heat of summer! Woo hoo! Hope you have a great weekend!
A cold beer is just so refreshing in the summer time! Enjoy your weekend!
I agree about cookouts and cold beers on summer days. and I LOVE the beach.
I’m getting so excited for summer just talking about these things:)
I can totally relate to missing out on grilling! I have been in apartments since I was 19 and am finally buying a house within the next year!! I would always love grilling at my parents house….I can’t wait to have one of our own!
It’s so nice to finally be able to grill on our own! But we are still adjusting and figuring out how to make certain things:) Good luck with the house- that is so exciting!
Grilling outside is one of my favorite parts about summer, and fortunately my new apartment has a nice communal grill. I just love being outside and probably spend half the day on the porch. My favorite summer drink is pale ale – the perfect balance of hops and so refreshing!
That’s awesome that you have a community grill! And I have been enjoying pale ales lately as well!
I grew up in California, so going to the beach meant going to the ocean. Well, now I live in Seattle and people say they are “going to the beach” when they are going to the lake! I have been here for almost 10 years and it still makes me laugh!
I agree – there is nothing better than a cold glass of white wine outdoors on a hot summer day! Cheers!
That’s so weird because I definitely think of the ocean when I hear “beach”. I guess I would take any body of water but there is nothing like the sand and ocean!
White wine and mimosas are definitely my favorite summer drink! I love to relax outside with a drink in hand 🙂
I only live about an hour from the beach but only go a few times throughout the summer (traffic gets pretty crazy some weekends). I’m taking my first day trip on Sunday! I need some vitamin D asap!!
An hour is still a decent drive but at least its doable! I could only imagine the weekend beach traffic though. I hope you have a great time this weekend!
Cheers to drinking outside!! Better yet on the water with a fantastic view 🙂
Absolutely!!
I love the outdoors too! And when I lived in San Francisco for the past few summers, we didn’t get a lot of sunshine nor heat. So it’s nice to be outside the city in my new place, where we have real summer weather. Much like you, grilling, having a cocktail by the pool — you can’t beat that! 🙂 Have a great weekend, Lisa!
Yes to summer grilled veggies and hanging out on the deck! I’m headed to the beach next week so excited.
Have a great time at the beach!
You hit all the high points of summer for me…grilling, beaching, drinks..oh yes, and running!
Summer brings so many great activities! I just love being outside:)
I love white wine in summer too! Sav Blanc and pinot grigio are so wonderful and I love a great chardonnay too. Isn’t wine the best?
Love grilling, family and friends and we do outdoor movie nights for the kiddos and their friends once or twice during summer. It’s become a tradition!
Beer! Hefeweizen is my fav in summer.
Have a great weekend!
You know I love my wine…my favorite white is sauv blanc! And I don’t think I have ever tried Hefeweizen. Enjoy the weekend!
So nice you will be able to grill outside now that you have moved to your new home. I would like to go to the beach for a long weekend this summer.
Being able to grill is definitely one of my favorite things about having a house! I hope you get to the beach this summer!
Agreed, I love relaxing at the beach and drinking wine outdoors too! Ever since it’s been lighter out later, I try to eat dinner most nights in my backyard so that I can enjoy the weather during the work week more.
I love the beach! And running on the boardwalk 🙂 I agree with you on the summer runs. I love the winter running weather here, but, there really is a greater sense of accomplishment after a warm summer run and cold drinks taste 10x better after! Sometimes I’ll even make an iced tea before and stick it in the fridge, so I can come home and gulp it down after haha.
Anything cold just tastes so amazing after a hot run!
I miss grilling and drinking outside…the things you have to give up when living in a townhouse 🙁
I hear ya…hopefully there is somewhere nearby that you can do those things!
YES to all of these things!! being outside, on the beach with a drink in hand is the BEST 🙂
All those things make me so happy and kind of make me want summer to last forever:)
I agree with most of these! Grilling/drinking/running outside is the best! I also love doing day trips with my boy.