the lazy days of summer - a guest post

Hello there and happy summer day to you! My name is Kimberly and I have a website called kimberly taylor images. I also write a daily blog called mimi charmante. Today, however, I am so excited to be visiting one of my dearest friends across the pond. Lucky girl that she is, I am quite certain she is enjoying a wonderful holiday with her darling family, whom I also adore, in the beautiful south of France!

Here in the pacific northwest, we are enjoying a beautiful summer as well. We tend to really appreciate the sunshine as we have such a short summer and so, with this heat wave that we are currently experiencing, I feel like we can really call this the lazy days of summer. (I do get a bit lazy when the thermometer reads anything above 85 degrees...)

There really is something wonderful and romantic about summertime, isn't there? From the beautiful sunshine early in the morning when the air is still cool, to the still, warm afternoons which are best spent sitting on a hammock in the shade with a good book. I also love how often we eat dinner outdoors, spending far longer than we normally would, enjoying local produce which is abundant, fabulous wines, and often ending the evening by candlelight.

I find that it is summertime when I am most often reminded of my childhood. Memories of days spent at the lake, swimming or waterskiing. Picnics in the shade of a huge chestnut tree my grandparents used to have. Running through the sprinkler or playing on the slip-and-slide. And ice cream - lots and lots of ice cream. I love that we have a few local dairies nearby where I can take the boys in the afternoon to enjoy one of the endless interesting flavors that are available.

I will admit, the *only* thing I really wish for in the wonderful home that we have is that it were on the water. There is something about the sparkly reflection of the sunshine off the tiny waves, boats floating by, dipping your toes in to cool off, and children splashing around endlessly that would make every single day seem like a holiday to me.

I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying your summer (or your spring with all of the gloriousness that comes along with that!). I hope you are able to take the time to slow down a bit, enjoy the art of doing nothing for a moment or two, and feeling the warmth of sunshine on your skin. Have a wonderful week~

xx

photos found~ one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight