Mom And Child Picking Peppers From Garden

End of Summer Essentials

As we approach mid-August, many of us are clinging to the last weeks of summer while others are busy looking forward to sweaters and the crisp autumn air. Whichever side you fall on, there are a few weeks left to enjoy summer and we suggest making the most of them before the weather changes. This week, we’ve gathered our favorite ways to spend a leisurely summer afternoon, with plenty of tips and ideas to enjoy simple summer activities with your loved ones.

It’s Not Summer Until…

You’ve enjoyed an ice cream cone.

A cold ice cream cone dripping down your hand on a warm day is a quintessential summer moment. If you’re looking for something new to try, it’s not too late to order Salt & Straw’s homemade ice cream by the pint. We love the summer Farmer’s Market series, including Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread and Pickled Cucumber Sorbet, as well as the classic Salted, Malted, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Arbequina Olive Oil. The shop also offers dairy-free and vegan flavors – try the Peach Jam Miso Blondies.

You’ve bitten into freshly picked tomatoes and other summer produce.

Tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries, corn on the cob – summer is our favorite season for fresh fruits and vegetables. Many farms are still offering pick-your-own-berries, snap peas, and other summer produce. Those in NYC might consider a drive out to Kelder’s Farm in upstate NY to enjoy pick-your-own raspberries, blackberries, flowers and vegetables – as well as family friendly activities, including a farmer’s market, kid’s jump pad, fishing pond, playground, corn hole, mini golf, and more. And don’t miss the opportunity to take a photo with the wold’s largest garden gnome on your way out! West Coast families might consider a ride to Underwood Family Farms to pick strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and summer squash. They also have a petting zoom and farmer’s market on site.

If you happen to have a Farmer’s Market in your city, now is the time to visit! New York City’s Union Square Farmer’s Market is at it’s peak right now with an abundance of radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, berries, zucchini blossoms, and even fresh flowers, like dahlias. There are also a number of vendors selling cold medicinal teas, including those with ginger, lemon, and ashwagandha.

Once stocked up on fresh flowers and produce, we love hosting a simple summer dinner party that highlights the flavors and requires very little effort. For brunch, you might consider a vegetable frittata or mushroom crepe, with a big side salad. For dinner, we suggest a grilled steak or salmon (or big head of marinated cauliflower!), with tons of roasted vegetables, and maybe a simple but slightly unexpected salad to start – we love cantaloupe with basil and prosciutto or cucumbers with mint and red onion.

You’ve attended a picnic.

For us, summer isn’t summer without a traditional picnic. Whether you head to a local park or enjoy one in your own backyard, pick a sunny afternoon, grab a blanket (find our current favorite here – but a couple large beach towels work just as well!) and enjoy the day with family and friends. At this point in the summer, we look for delicious fresh food that doesn’t require too much time in the kitchen or at the oven. We love packing up a few simple snacks that can all work together to form a meal: a container of fresh fruit and herbs (try strawberries and mint or watermelon and basil), a couple crusty baguettes or pita bread, hummus (store-bought or this easy homemade version), chopped carrots and other crudités, a small selection of cheese and charcuterie, and perhaps something sweet like a fudge brownie. If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, we might add on lemon and basil roasted drumsticks and this fresh snap pea walnut salad.

You’ve spent a few hours reading outdoors.

One of our favorite simple pleasures of summer is taking an afternoon to ourselves to linger over a good book in the outdoors. Pack your favorite ice-cold beverage (try this strawberry orange tea) and head out to find a shady spot. This summer, we are enjoying a mix of old favorites, such as L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, and contemporary reads, such as Percival Everett’s James and Robin Wall Kimmerer’s The Serviceberry.

You’ve hosted a summer movie night.

Some summer nights are just perfect for cold drinks, popcorn, and post-film s’mores. Whether you decide to DIY your own outdoor movie theatre or enjoy the air conditioner inside, we suggest you plan ahead to turn a regular Friday night into one your whole family will remember for years. We love starting with a fun summer dinner, like a big garden salad and grilled pizza – if you’re short on time, purchase a high quality thin-crust frozen pizza (we love Roberta’s and Screamin’ Sicilian), and top with a couple fresh vegetables. Now that we’ve had our vegetables, make sure to prepare some buttered popcorn and pick up your family’s favorite candies. To cut down on some of the processed sugar, we opt for batching up a light refreshing drink, like this strawberry mocktail instead of traditional movie sodas; serve in a big cup with lots of ice and colorful straw to make it fun for children – and adults can always spike with a little vodka or gin. We love the idea of adding an intermission to the film – and asking little ones to do a brief live performance, such as a song or dance routine.

End Of Summer To Do List