Labor
Day weekend is considered to be the final bow of summer. As we await a more traditional feeling of
fall here in South Texas , we also say goodbye
to the annual three month stretch so centered on sun, water, and relaxing. Here are some thoughts on giving summer a
proper sendoff:
1. Spend part of your long weekend engaged in an
activity that has been the go-to pastime this season: at the beach, in the
pool, in the backyard. Whether you’re
building sand castles, making laps, or grilling to perfection, enjoy your
summer favorite before new options take its place in the months to come.
2. Fire up the grill for some sizzling
hamburgers or hotdogs and serve with sweet potato fries and all the
trimmings. It is a holiday weekend after
all.
3. Set up a lemonade bar along with your
charcoal choices tomorrow. Offer a few
varieties of fruity syrups as optional mix-ins to dress up your pucker-up
thirst quencher.
4. Make your own popsicles with juice and fruit
pieces in a popsicle mold or with paper cups, foil, and craft popsicle
sticks. Make a matching batch or a
different variety to suit every taste.
5. Check out some local sales’ selections for
seasonal decorations, paper goods, and accessories you would be willing to put
away now and pull out next June.
6. Add summer produce staples to your grocery
list to savor their flavors before their prime harvest windows close, like
watermelon, peaches, strawberries, and the like.
7. Host a build-your-own bar that dishes up
banana splits, ice cream sundaes, or floats in place of dinner one night. The kids would be happy to skip straight to
dessert.
8. Camp out in the backyard just for the evening
and tell ghost stories, roast marshmallows, look at the stars, and other campy
activities that elicit summer memories.
9. Start saving money now for the holidays –
gifts, travel, and family events.
Putting aside some disposal income now will reserve it for special
occasions just around the corner.
10. Get ahead and start making some to-lists for
fall: projects around the house, decorating ideas for October, Christmas card
photo concepts, and so forth. The full
swing of fall will be here before you know it, so choose to be prepared.
Saying
“so long” to summer is bittersweet as we reflect on the hot weather fun we’ve
had while looking forward to savoring the fall season. Marking this sentiment is fitting this
anticipated Labor Day weekend that turns the page on another satisfactory summer.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 2nd.
