June 21, 2022

Seven Amazing Ways To Have A Memorable Summer

Today is officially the first day of summer and I couldn’t be happier! I so enjoy the summer months and here in the Mitten the season just doesn’t seem long enough. I always try to maximize doing all the things to make it a great one. So today, I am sharing seven amazing ways to have a memorable summer. It’s also the day that some of my talented blogging friends are sharing some of their summer goodness with you too! A big thank you to our host Pasha from Pasha Is Home! So sit back, relax and take in all we have to share.

Before we get started, if you are coming to me from my friends, AnnMarie and Ann from Simply 2 Moms, wasn’t their affordable small porch decor SO good?! They are both so talented!

If this is your first time to my Cottage in the Mitten, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve have been blogging for two years and I’m a Michigander through and through. You will find me sharing my home, DIY’s, family and a fun lifestyle with my readers. I would love for you to join me here and it would also be great to learn more about you.

Even though today is officially the first day of summer, I’ve been working on all things summer for quite some time. If you missed my recent post on my Bright Summer Patio, I would love for you to check it out!

Affiliate links are used in this post. Read my full disclosure here.

“I could never in a hundred summers get tired of this.” – Susan Branch

Now that you know a little bit about me, let’s get started with my summer list!

1. Take A Road Trip

I love to do spontaneous things. In my opinion, everything doesn’t have to be planned out by the hour. There is so much adventure in the unknown! So why not “plan” an “unplanned” getaway? Pick a destination spot that isn’t super far from home. One you can do in a weekend. Then get in your car and drive!

I do suggest booking a hotel but make sure it’s one you can cancel if something better comes up along the way.

Then have a general idea of what you would like to do when you get there, but be flexible.

Consider stopping along the way for lunch at a location you have never been to. It’s always fun to try somewhere new.

Semi-planned and flexible!

2. Plan A Picnic

When was the last time you were on a picnic? I mean a real picnic. Not the brown bag lunch on one of your kid’s field trips. I’m talking about a picnic with a real picnic basket and all the goodies in it!

My suggestion for this summer… find a park that you don’t typically frequent and plan what you’ll take in your basket. Picnics are great shared with your family for a date night or you could even make it a girl day with your favorite gal pals.

Big Al and I recently headed to the park after work. I filled the basket with simple snacks, beverages, some colorful melamine plates, and of course, some fresh flowers. I make blankets for a cause and I used one of the blanket tops that I never finished as our table cloth. If you don’t know about my cause you can read all about it in The Journey.

I found this cute picnic basket early in the season. Packing a traditional wicker picnic basket with your favorite picnic foods should definitely be on your summer bucket list!

If you need some ideas on what to pack, check out this Picnic Packing Checklist at Real Simple Magazine.

Something so simple can make a fun and memorable evening. Big Al and I had so much fun we plan to do weekly throughout the summer.

“In the end nothing we do or say in this lifetime will matter as much as the way we loved one another.” – Daphne Rose Kingma

3. Do A Random Act of Kindness

I love this one!

In case you don’t know, I’ve served on multiple out of country and in country mission trips over the years. I love serving and can honestly say that for me there is no better feeling than serving others.

There are so many places you can serve and so many who currently would benefit from a random act of kindness. It’s a great way to serve as a family, too! The suggestions below can be done alone or as a group.

Donate food
Work at a food bank
Clean-up someone’s yard
Give someone a gift card for gas
Make a meal for someone elderly or in need
Pay for someone’s groceries

The options are limitless!

“A dark night lightened up by thousands of glowing fireflies…it’s magical.” – Ana H. Vanniavachchy

4. Catch Fireflies

Fireflies. When I was growing up we called them lightning bugs. I loved trying to catch them.

Truly, there was something magical about it. Being out late. Seeing the twinkle. The victory of catching one.

I’m sure most of you have a mason jar laying around. That’s all you need for this memory maker!

It’s that time of year when they arrive, so grab your grands, your children, nieces or nephews and head to the open fields!

I’ve got my mason jar ready!

Do you?

5. Create A Summer Playlist

I think we can all agree that there is no denying certain songs remind us of specific times in our lives. A song remembers when.

Am I not right?

Every new season deserves a new playlist and there are so many ways to get free music now. There is nothing like listening to good music on a nice summer day!

So get started on that new playlist. You’ll be glad you did when those memories start flowing in!

“The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” —Wallace Stevens

6. Go Camping

Are you a camper? Do you prefer tent or travel camper? I would love a travel camper but we have always been a tent family.

Camping is relatively inexpensive and you can do it easily on the weekend. Your meals don’t have to be extravegant. Take things like, bagels, cereal and donuts for breakfast. Sandwiches and burgers work great for the rest of your meals.

When our sons were little we would camp in our backyard. There is nothing that says you have to head out to a park and campground. Camping in your own backyard is the perfect activity for those of you with small children. It’s also a great way to entertain your grands when they spend the night. They will think you’re the coolest ever and I know from experience they will always remember their backyard camping days!

Wherever you decide to camp…don’t forget the s’mores!!

7. Get A Bike & Ride

My family loves to bike ride. We always have. Here’s my pretty aqua ride! She doesn’t have a name but I defintely think she should!

I love this ride from the basket, the fancy seat, right to the decorative fenders!

Believe it or not, our sons childhood bikes still hang on the wall in our garage. I can’t seem to part with them. Those bikes have so many memories attached to them and they love seeing them too! To this day, the boys still tell stories about them!

Good memories.

Biking is a great way to make fun summer memories. If you haven’t biked in a long time, no worries! You don’t have to go long distances. Just taking a nice casual ride is so good for you. It’s a great way to get out and about with your family and friends, too!

We have a 16 mile trail very close to our house. My family went for the first time last weekend and we promised to do that trail once a week throughout the summer. Stopping half way for a burger and beverage at an outdoor restaurant was fun too! That may be too aggressive for you and that’s ok! Do what you can and at your pace. If there isn’t any place to bike near you, consider investing in a bike rack for your car. They are affordable and the perfect accessory to get you to where you want to start.

If you don’t have a bike or you are looking for a new one, I’ve shared some really fun ones below. They’re relatively inexpensive and remember, they are totally worth the investment.