I love the hot days of summer that we’re occasionally fortunate enough to have here in the Yukon. You can usually overhear people complaining, even on the very first day of a heat wave, but I just try to enjoy it as much as possible because, as we all know, rainy, chilly days are sure to come again. Hazy warm spells aren’t long-lasting in the North; and for me, there’s no better reminder of the sweet and simple joys of life than a few days of intense heat and balmy breezes.
As the last snow melts on the mountains and the occasional whiff of fresh-cut grass and barbecued meat drifts by on the wind, it feels like summer has officially arrived. Like the distant (yet vivid) memory of the feeling of the last day of school, hot summer days fill me with lightness, excitement and joy. We get so busy this time of year and, as adults, we often don’t have the luxury of having the same extended periods of freedom that we enjoyed as kids, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still make some time to reconnect with small things that make us feel happy and carefree.
Here are a few suggestions if you’re looking for ways to add some simple summery fun that’s easy and inexpensive and sure to bring some extra sweetness and light to these dog days of summer.
A Sweet Treat
Whether it’s a soft-serve ice cream for your drive home, or some fresh B.C. fruit from The Fruit Stand, spoil yourself a little with something sweet. Peaches, cherries, apricots and nectarines—there’s so much to love and so many ways to turn them into fabulous summer desserts. Add some fresh corn and new potatoes or some frozen seafood and you’ll have all the necessary fixings for a delicious and satisfying meal. Life, like summer, goes by way too fast, so why not indulge every once in a while?
Simple Is Sweeter
I would be willing to bet that your fondest summer memories are probably not of elaborate, expensive outings or big, complicated trips. The things that have brought me the most happiness, during this time of year, are simple things: walking barefoot in the cool grass, gathering wild strawberries warmed by the sun, picking a bouquet of fireweed for the kitchen table, dipping my feet into a cold lake, and hiking with friends and family, enjoying the smell of the forest.
Eating Out(side)
There’s something about eating outside that makes food always taste so much better. Maybe it’s the extra oxygen in the fresh air, or the appetite you work up after being outdoors all day … but a simple hot dog, cooked on the barbecue, or a smushed sandwich (pulled from your backpack on a beautiful weekend hike) can taste more delightful than the most-expensive meal at the most-exclusive restaurant in town. Heat up your grill, make a campfire or grab some food to go that you can eat outside on your lunch break. Eating outside reconnects us with our inner child: you don’t need to remember your table manners, and an added benefit is that clean-up tends to be much faster. If you need some new ideas for meals to be cooked outside, look up “campfire recipes’” online at www.whatsupyukon.com, to see some recipes from past issues.
Soak Up Some Sun (and vitamin D)!
Even though the first day of summer also marks that point in the year when days begin to get shorter again, there are still plenty of daylight hours left to soak up some vitamin D, in preparation for winter. Exposure to sunshine has gotten a bad reputation, but if done wisely and responsibly, the benefits of moderate sun exposure are reported to include better sleep, stronger bones, reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure, a healthier immune system and more. So stretch out on your deck, grab a towel and head to the lake, or throw on your shorts and tank top and do some yard work. If you’re lucky, the hot, dry weather and a bit of wind will keep the bugs away.
Instead of focussing on the stifling heat of your car, after a long day at work, or the additional times that you have to water your garden, pour yourself a tall glass of something cold and sweet (like the homemade iced-rose infusion below), cook a simple, easy dinner to eat outside, stretch out on your lawn and give yourself a little window of time to do the things that give you pleasure during these warm, beautiful days.
Rose-Petal Sun Tea
Ingredients
- fresh, wild rose petals
- a sprig of mint
- water
- a slice of lemon
- honey
- Ice
- Dried hibiscus, (optional)
Method
- Add some freshly harvested wild rose petals and some mint to a big mason jar, fill with cold water or room-temperature water and seal the jar.
- Place the sealed jar in direct sunlight (i.e., in a warm, sunny window) and leave for several hours, occasionally shaking it if you like, until it has the desired flavour.
- Strain out the herbs and add a slice of lemon, some honey and some ice.
- If you want to add some beautiful colour, include a bit of dried hibiscus tea to your initial mixture
Enjoy!
