I love summer. I’m pretty sure I’ve stated this previously on the blog, but it is worth repeating. It isn’t just because I am a teachers’ aide and I have summers off (although that’s a great part of it!) I love all that summer brings. Maybe I wouldn’t be saying this if I had to endure Michaela’s temperatures, but I love days in the 80’s and 90’s (and will even take the humidity if I must) so much more than days in the teens, 20’s and 30’s.
The butterflies have returned to my butterfly bush:
Summer birthdays…
…with a nice, easy, backyard BBQ and pool party.
My favorite summer treat is starting to ripen:
There is nothing like the first bite of tomato straight out of your garden.
I also recently managed my first picture of the local falcon or hawk or whatever s/he is:
My guesses for this bird are peregrine falcon or cooper’s hawk. Any thoughts?
And okay, this really has nothing to do with summertime, except for the fact that time off allowed me to finish this quickly for a dear friend (our dance teacher) who recently had a baby girl:
And my most favorite part of summer? My one week vacation to the beach with my family:
Just the four of us will head up this Saturday to the same cottage at the shore that we rented last year:
No worries for a week, freedom from the “should be’s” – my favorite week of the whole year. I just can’t wait!
What do you love best about summer?
Karma's When I Feel Like It Blog 
Beautiful images, Karen! I especially like the sunflower, WOW! 😀 My favorite thing about summer are all the flowers that are everywhere.
Comment by tedgriffith — August 8, 2011 @ 1:43 pm |
Thank you Ted – sunflowers on blogs are popular these days, aren’t they? 😉
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 9:41 am |
Nice !
Comment by Emad — August 8, 2011 @ 2:35 pm |
That first photo of the sunflowers is absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE the richness of the colors! Not sure what kind of bird that is…. Bob Zeller would be a good one to identify it!! Summer is an amazing time, so full of life!! 🙂
Comment by Photo By Holly — August 8, 2011 @ 3:39 pm |
Thanks so much Holly and thank you for reminding me about Bob! He is a helpful fellow!
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 9:41 am |
Wonderful images, Karma. I could learn to love summer just by following your photos. I’m not sure what the bird is, but it’s beautiful. Thank you for the link.
I’m finding things to like about the season. The colors, the flowers, the relief from the heat when a cold front moves through… 😀
Comment by Robin — August 8, 2011 @ 4:26 pm |
Thanks Robin. I’m glad you are learning to like summer – and I can hardly believe you are almost at the end of your outdoor commitment! This season is passing by wayyyyyyy too quickly for me.
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 9:43 am |
My summer has been pretty busy but I have a couple of weekends coming up where I am going to enjoy some summer weather with good friends and family. A BBQ or two featuring sweet corn and other summer delights will be had. Enjoy your time on the beach and I’ll be enjoying mine…somewhere with a good book.
Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — August 8, 2011 @ 4:51 pm |
BBQ, family, friends, good books – those are some of the best things summer has to offer. Enjoy Scott!
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 9:44 am |
Great pictures, Karen. Thanks for the sending the link. Your pictures are perfectly exposed and the composition is great. I will watch for more. 🙂
Comment by Bob Zeller — August 8, 2011 @ 5:23 pm |
Thank you Bob, and thanks for your help. Seems like one other possibility for my bird is a sharp-shinned hawk. Bird ID can be tricky it seems!
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 9:46 am |
I’m with you, Karen! Summer can last as long as it wants to. I revel in it!
LOVE that first image! We are a few weeks behind you on tomatoes but we have LOTS of fruits on the plants so it will be soon!
Beautiful quilt…that is one lucky little baby girl.
Have fun on your trip! I wish you WONDERFUL weather! (I’m sure you will take lots of photos… 😉 )
Comment by milkayphoto — August 8, 2011 @ 6:56 pm |
Thank you Tracy. I’m so happy the tomatoes are finally here! The best bite of summer.
You know I’ll take lots of photos!!
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 9:47 am |
I would love summer, too, if it was more like yours! We’ll be tying the “consecutive 100+ degree days” (which is 42 days in a row) on Friday and beating it on Saturday! I’m scared to even take my electric bill out of the mailbox when it comes!
LOVE that first picture, such beautiful light! Hope you plan on printing and framing it, it’s just too pretty not to.
And those tomatoes….. wish I was your neighbor 😉
Comment by thedailyclick — August 9, 2011 @ 9:54 am |
Michaela, I have a plan! The house across the street from me is for sale! Three bedrooms, beautiful hardwood floors, sunroom, in-ground pool, reasonable price. Move here! No more nasty Texas summers (although you’ll have to endure a bit more snow in the winter), easy driving distance to Maine for lobsters, and tomatoes from your wonderful neighbor’s garden! 😉
Thank you, I do love that sunflower picture too, and definitely feel like I should do something with it. Who do you recommend for nice prints?
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 10:40 am |
I love not being cold. I love swimming. I love fresh local produce. And I really love that sunflower picture! 🙂
Comment by JenniferA — August 9, 2011 @ 10:23 am |
I love all those things too! Thank you!
Comment by Karma — August 9, 2011 @ 10:42 am |
Yes, to our summer with moderate temperatures! Yes to the sunflowers, all the summer flowers! Yes to the summer birds of all kinds, the soft breezes! Your summer pictures are gorgeous!
Comment by Carol — August 9, 2011 @ 11:44 am |
Thank you so much Carol.
Comment by Karma — August 10, 2011 @ 9:29 am |
Quelles magnifiques photos ! Et quel joli nine-patch, j’adore les petits oursons en tutu 😉 J’aime aussi ton été, avec les tomates fraîches, les papillons et bien sûr la semaine au bord de la mer ! Belles vacances, Karen !
Comment by isathreadsoflife — August 15, 2011 @ 12:20 pm |
Merci beaucoup, Isa! “Les petits oursons” est un mot nouvelle pour moi – j’aime!
Comment by Karma — August 21, 2011 @ 3:04 pm |
It must have been hard to leave all of those tomatoes. Did you have someone picking them for you?
Comment by Becky Sue — August 19, 2011 @ 8:54 am |
I picked a bunch Friday night and took them with me! I have lots to go pick now that I am home – no one picked for me. Were you volunteering for next year? 😉
Comment by Karma — August 21, 2011 @ 2:59 pm |