Simple pleasures

Southern Living, Jun 2003 by Long, Lynne

From the scent of fragrant flowers to listening to birdsongs, let this season speak to your senses.

Summer schedules fill with fun trips to the ballpark, vacations, neighborhood cookouts, and long weekends at the lake. However, don't let a full calendar allow you to lose sight of the simple pleasures. Savor the sunny weather; rest, relax, and delight in the natural beauties of the season.

Winged Wonders

A bright morning just wouldn't be complete without nature's chirping chorus. Most people feel strongly about feeding birds in winter, but it is equally rewarding-for you and your fluttering friends-to prolong the picnic through summer.

Supplying food for birds creates an entertaining, educational show that is inexpensive and fun. Birding can be a pleasant diversion from a stressful schedule. Share a quiet time of reflection with your family while you watch Mother Nature's minstrels in their warm-weather antics.

The summer air show includes a special bird-watching benefit. Because many birds are in their breeding season, they don colorful plumage and are often joined by their young. Viewing birds with their families is a rare treat. You can watch fuzzy fledglings grow and change while they learn to fly and forage for food.

Tip: Help birds out by creating a dust bath for them. Birds enjoy dusting to soak up excess oil and keep their wings in optimum condition. You can make a dust bath with equal parts of dry sand and topsoil. Choose a small, flat spot, and remove the grass. Spread the mixture in this space, and rake it occasionally.

Floral Fanfare

The flowers of summer come in a gorgeous spectrum of colors. Bring a little sunshine indoors with an arrangement that includes the season's brightest bloomers. A cheerful bouquet brought inside can lift spirits with its simplicity and natural beauty. Use daisies, zinnias, and cosmos for an eye-popping array that only nature can provide.

Containers don't have to be expensive or fancy-pick a handful of blooms, and arrange them in a mason jar. Add water and raffia for a casual, colorful centerpiece. If you want a formal feel, try a graceful gladiolus or a fragrant lily in a cut-glass vase. These plants are easy to grow, but if your time is tight, pick up a bouquet at a local supermarket. Either way, treasure the garden's jewels, and let their display refresh and renew your spirits.

When harvesting flowers from your garden, take along a bucket of warm water. Cut stems at an angle to increase water absorption, and place flowers in the bucket.

Sounds of Summer

Music can soothe, energize, and entertain you anytime, but the warm weather allows you to enjoy your favorite tunes outdoors. A good portable CD player with headphones (usually about the cost of a pizza dinner for a family), provides endless hours of personal enjoyment. They range in price from about $30 to more than $100, depending on whether you require MP3 capabilities. Choose a sunny spot, and sink into your favorite lounge chair. Plug in the headphones, and you're ready to relax and rejuvenate. Don't forget the personal CD players on your next family vacation. No matter what your transportation preference, portable players allow family members to enjoy their own musical selections, making long rides seem shorter.

For a fun outdoor concert, try installing speakers on your deck. Some high-end selections can withstand the elements while creating a restful atmosphere or playing a cool soundtrack for a hot party.

Live Easy

See simple joys through the eyes of a child. The mild weather frees the youthful spirit in all of us. This summer, take life easy, and receive the season's sweetest gifts: running in the cool grass with bare feet, watching fireflies light the neighborhood at dusk, savoring the fresh taste of fruits and vegetables, and walking at sunset on the beach. And always cherish your time with family and friends at summer's finest celebration-a show of fireworks in the July sky, celebrating freedom.