I know back-to-school is a necessity but right now I’m more concerned with back-to-summer (easy for me to say when I don’t have classes to attend or kids to load onto a school bus.) I want to put the entire summer season in a capsule to keep for myself and to share with everyone. It would be like a snow globe but the opposite; with sand flying, waves crashing, mountain trails leading into the horizon and fresh vegetables bouncing around. I’m pretty sure the summer globe would be difficult to create. So instead I have a few simple ideas to bring back the summer experience. These are things we always associate with summer but don’t always end up doing. Now is the time!

PICNIC

I admit, this picnic took place in our backyard, but is was a fun break in the middle of the work day. The sleek table gear is compliments of Bamboo Studio. The company sent me a few place settings to test and I am sending back rave reviews. The elegant plates, bowls, dishes and flatware are made from sustainable, biodegradable bamboo. Bamboo Studio is conservative when they advise using their products up to five times. I’m on usage number eight and they’re going strong. www.ecobambooware.com

CAMP

Load up the backpacks, head for the trail head and go camp under the stars. You could plan your camping trip for the next full moon (September 4) since the added ambiance is always nice. Or go big for the Harvest Moon on October 4th.

If the moon isn’t lighting your way though the cool summer night, there’s always this Dynamo LED Collapsible lantern. It’s foolproof–if you forget batteries or forget to charge it in your car charger, no fear–just wind the little handle and it will light up! $40 from Oakleigh Vermont. (I like to buy from http://oakleighvermont.com because they give 10% of their profits to needy people with micro-businesses in Africa.)

KITE

Something happened today that made me realize true happiness and freedom come with flying a kite. I was dropping off some items at our local resale/second hand store and a helpful employee came to help. I pulled out a tattered kite and the employee’s eyes lit up. In fact she jumped in the air too. She said, “You’re giving this away?”then grabbed the kite and skipped with abandon, kite whirling above her, into traffic and smiling onlookers.

Here are directions to make your own kite. You will need:

• Newspaper
• 2 wooden sticks
• Glue
• Scissors
• String
• Ribbons

Kiting inspiration; prints from Etsy.com:

“Carried Away” by The Dreamy Giraffe($18, Etsy.com)

“Kites Flying High” by Michigan Hemp ($5, Etsy.com)