Try a lovely new hammock for your backyard — talk about a perfect oasis for lazy summer Saturdays.

Is it just me or do the summer months fly by way too fast?
Summer is my absolute favorite time of year but the old adage “time flies when you’re having fun” holds true in a big way.
While the days will start getting shorter and the evenings will begin to have that familiar crisp air reminding us that fall is right around the corner, there is still plenty of summer fun left to enjoy.
Here are some summer bucket list items to help you make new memories before the sun sets on Summer 2024!
• Beach Body: It is never too late to get your body ready for summer and adding a new fitness routine or exercise is much easier to do in the warmer summer months when schedules are a bit looser and there are so many outdoor options.
Research has shown that we digest our food more slowly in hotter weather, which leaves us feeling fuller longer.
Start with a walk in the morning before the heat kicks in or enjoy an evening stroll after work to watch the sunset. If you are new to exercise, start with five or 10 minutes of exercise each week and gradually add to it.
You will find that by the time autumn arrives, you have a fun daily routine — and you will be well on your way to that summer-ready body for next season.
If you are not sure where to start, contact a local gym to sign up for group classes or personal training.
• Savor the Flavor: When I was a child, one of my favorite things to do was pick cherries from the trees that bordered my grandparents’ farmhouse.
We would clean and pit those cherries, which my grandmother would then turn into some delicious treats for us.
Whether you have a green thumb or not, there are many ways to take advantage of the natural bounty that the summer season brings.
Visit a local orchard or farm that offers you-pick options for a variety of fruits — whether it is strawberries in the spring, blueberries, cherries or blackberries in the early summer, peaches in August or apples in the early fall, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a fun tradition.
Pick enough to enjoy now and freeze some of the fruits of your labor to enjoy at a later time.
While you are at it, take some time to smell the flowers — and pick a bouquet to take home and enjoy.
• Outdoor Oasis: Wake up and watch the sunrise — or stay outside for the sunset.
Set up an outdoor oasis in your backyard to really soak in that extra dose of Vitamin D.
Even though summer ends in September, there are plenty of days left until the first frost and colder temps make it challenging to be outdoors for extended periods.
Creating a haven outside — even with a few comfy wicker chairs and a firepit — can make for a peaceful yet invigorating retreat!
You can add a few new pieces each season to really create a budget friendly outdoor landscape — and be sure to keep an eye out at your local stores for end of season sales and clearance!
Last year, I snagged a lovely new hammock for my backyard — talk about a perfect oasis for lazy summer Saturdays!
If the skeeters and flies drive you crazy, fill votive cups or mason jars with sliced lemons — add chopped cloves to the fruit for an easy, all-natural bug repellent that smells amazing in the summer twilight!
• Sprinkle Summer Into Indoor Spaces; When the days begin to shorten, it can be hard on our bodies to get the Vitamin D we crave so finding ways to bring that summer sun into our indoor spaces can be a challenge,
Find the sunniest spot in your home and turn it into a sunny corner, complete with cozy seating, plants and your favorite comfort items.
If you have room for it, try to find space for an indoor garden- this will automatically brighten your home and improve air quality levels I find that growing my favorite herbs is a great antidote for the inevitable seasonal affective disorder that I experience in the cooler months!
Finally, consider purchasing a light therapy lamp — these are designed to mimic natural sunlight and are known to improve energy and mood!
Seasonal Scents: I tend to get very nostalgic when I smell certain scents- and so one of my favorite ways to keep my summer vibe going year round is to fill my home and other indoor spaces with my favorite seasonal scents, I love the smell of my sunscreen on a December day and it helps me forget that I am bundled up in my puffy winter coat instead of lying on a sandy warm beach somewhere!
I keep lemon and coconut essential oils on standby when my house needs a burst of summer, too!
Pick up some of your favorite summer scents — think sunwashed linen spray for your bedsheets, lemon essential oil to add to your laundry or your favorite summer room spray to brighten up your entryways!
(Editor’s Note: Kristine George is a freelance journalist who resides in Easton.)