Chasing Summer Sunbeams

I obviously missed most of summer, so pardon the suddenly summery-themed blog posts, while the weather is growing cooler, and everyone's waiting for the autumn to begin.

In June, Julie at The Moonlight Wanderer, and just recently Emily at The Idlewood Archives tagged me for a blog challenge. I always enjoy doing these, and you can read my other ones here, here, here, and, believe it or not, here. I guess I have one to add to the collection now!

The Rules of the Post:

1. Acknowledge who Tagged You!

2. Answer the Questions!

3. Tag Friends!

4. Have Fun!

1. What's a book you read with summer vibes?

I don't know if the question is supposed to say "What's a book you read this summer with summer vibes?" because I didn't read that many books this summer. *horror* However, one of my favourite summery books is The Penderwicks. I seem to say a lot about this book and the others in its series, but I really do love them. I love the first one, but all of them are great, really. I did read Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury this summer, though, and it definitely had summer vibes. I know Kingsbury is a big name in the Christian fiction world, but I wasn't a big fan of the book. It was a good plot, but the writing didn't seem that impressive.

2. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?

Well...I honestly went to a lot of places this summer, and I'm not sure I would wish another trip on my very busy family. All of them were amazing, though. But if I could have an extra two weeks in my summer, as well as an unlimited budget, I would love to go to England with my whole family. That would be wonderful. :)

3. What's a poem or quote that reminds you of summer?

Definitely "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson! I remembering reading this poem when I was really little, and I enjoyed it a lot. It has such a simple, sunny feel.

"How do you like to go up in a swing,

   Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

   Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

   Till I can see so wide,

Rivers and trees and cattle and all

   Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,

   Down on the roof so brown—

Up in the air I go flying again,

   Up in the air and down!"

---Robert Louis Stevenson

4. Describe your favourite summer memory.

Oh boy, this is a difficult question one. Since 2015, my family has visited Ludington, Michigan every couple years, and one of my favourite memories was the time we went in 2021. There weren't a lot of places open, because of Covid, and we broke the rule at the bathhouse that said something about wearing masks inside or receive a fine of $100 dollars. (How do you wear a mask while you're taking a shower anyway??) But the reason this trip was so special was because we took our Class C RV and spent a couple weeks near Lake Michigan, going to our favourite ice cream shop and riding bikes all over the little town.

5. Your ideal summer is filled with _______, _________, and _________.

One big trip with my family, staying up late and spending time outside...maybe walking or watching the fireflies, and summer camp at BJU.

6. What is your favourite summer food?

Is smoothie a food? Yeah, my favourite food of this summer were the amount of healthy smoothies that we ate. :) We tried out a lot of new recipes, from cocoa powder, peanut butter and banana to frozen fruit, yogurt and orange juice. :)

7. Favourite summer activities?

I love sleeping in late, working in my side garden, going on walks, doing watercolour, going to summer camp at BJU, going out with friends to ice cream and sitting on the swing, writing.

8. How do you usually celebrate 4th of July?

We usually go to our church park which is on the edge of a lake. You bring your own food and can join in octaball, nine square, spikeball, volleyball or football. It's fun to just walk around and watch too! Afterwards, there are fireworks, but we don't always stay that late. Once we get home, we use our terrific view of the mountains and the lake below us to watch all the fireworks going on around us. It's truly a spectacular view, and there's always somewhere new to look!

I wish I could say this was from our window, though...

9. What's a song that reminds you of summer?

When Will My Life Begin? from Tangled. I love the fun lyrics and Mandy Moore's voice. The whole song makes me think of writing in my closet at twelve years old, during the summer.

10. What are you most excited for this summer?

I'm going to be a typical Autumn, and say, I'm most excited that it's almost over. I love the autumn, and I'm so excited for it!! This was the best summer I've ever had, but the autumn is always so amazing, and I can't help being glad it's almost here.

Honestly, I don't really have very many people to tag, since most of them have been tagged already. 😂

But I do tag Autumn Rebecca from Sunshine in the Haze

And Leah Grace from The Grace Haus

Thanks for tagging me, girls! I hope you enjoy my answers. :D