Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Top Ten Summer Treats

In celebration of the season, here's a list of what I like best about summer:


10. Longer days. Which means more sunshine, one of nature's best pick-me-ups. (My first and last piece of advice in this post: please remember to wear your sunscreen when you're outside soaking up those rays!)


9. Warmer weather. Okay, for some of you that's no treat. LOL But for those of us who walk around feeling chilly nine or more months out of the year, higher temps are a good thing. At least for a short while.


8. More humidity. If you live in a dry climate, enough said. If you don't...trust me, humidity can be a treat.


7. Vacation time. A week away from the day-to-day routines really changes your attitude, doesn't it? This summer, I'm heading to Anaheim for the Romance Writers of America's annual conference. (If you're attending the Literacy Reception, please stop by my table to say hello. I'd love to meet you!) Anyhow...the conference hotel is only minutes away from some of the best vacation spots in the world, especially if you're a kid at heart.


6. Guilt-free ice cream. Oh, haven't you heard? Rumor has it there are no calories in ice cream when the weather's hot outside. ;) Don't ask me if that's true or not. I only know I'm buying into it—literally! LOL




5. Picnics. Or barbecues, if you prefer. Either way, an abundance of good summertime food, from hotdogs and hamburgers to potato and pasta salads to watermelon and...dare I say it again?...ice cream.


 4. Swimming pools. Swimming is one of the best all-around sports for your body. And by the way, it helps to hydrate your body, too! (See #8.)


3. More time to ___. For me, that means more time to write. I know—you'd think summer would provide the perfect opportunity to take a break from the day job. Instead, maybe because of all the good things on this list, summer just revs me up write.

You fill in the blank with whatever works for your life.


2. A brand-new book!
My latest Flagman's Folly novel, HONORABLE RANCHER, debuts in less than three weeks—so of course, it's on my list. ;) My editors did a fantastic job of scheduling the August publication date to give me—and you, I hope—a real summertime treat.


1. More time to read. (See #2. ) Reading is my #1 pastime, and not just immersing myself in my own books. Summer is a wonderful time to catch up with my favorite authors and discover a few new ones.


So...what do you think? Do any of the above choices make your list? Anything missing that you've just gotta have on your Top Ten?

Whatever you enjoy, I hope you have a fun, safe, and happy summer!

All my best to you,

Barbara
~~~~~~
Barbara White Daille
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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara,

Love your new cover. Like your list except the more humidity part! Here in North Carolina it is way too humid. I do like the longer days and guilt free ice cream!

Amanda Renee said...

Ice Cream. Hands down. Ice Cream. Gelato. Sherbert. It's the only time of year I eat it. I'm with Tammy on the humidity. Here in South Carolina... Well, let's just say my hair is a little "big" at the moment thanks to all our tropical humidity. Oh. Abs! I live on the beach and the male eye candy this time of year makes my ice cream melt!

Barbara White Daille said...

Hi, Tammy - I hear you on the humidity. In some parts of the country right now, it's like living in a sauna.

Thanks for the comment on the cover! The art department did a FABULOUS job with Ben, didn't they??

Barbara White Daille said...

Amanda - ooh, yeah--good one!

Hmm...I may have to modify my list. LOL

Thanks, and don't over-indulge in all that...ice cream! ;)

BW said...

Ice cream of course, especially chocolate!

Also lemon ade and half/half (half lemon ade and half ice tea).

CJ said...

Barbara, that's a great list! I love the longer days which make it possible to go for a long walk or bike ride after dinner. How awesome is that!

A week at a lake with a stack of good books to read is my idea of the perfect summer holiday.

Barbara White Daille said...

BW - I've never had the half/half, but it sounds interesting.

As for the rest--you've said the magic word: Chocolate!!! LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Barbara White Daille said...

CJ - yes, it's funny how there seems to be much more time to fit fun things in during the summertime.

Your perfect summer holiday sounds extremely good to me, too!

Mary Marvella said...

All good summer things. I live on iced tea, but I drink that year round. The porch in my newest book is available for guests!

linda s said...

Love your list. except for 3,4. Not a swimmer. And in summer I am so lazy... I would add outside backyard time for drinking iced water and reading in my gazebo.
I have Honorable Rancher in the mail and look forward to reading it.

Barbara White Daille said...

Mary - between that porch and the iced tea, you're ready for guests any time. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Barbara White Daille said...

Linda - I have to say, I'd switch the swimming pool for your gazebo, iced tea, and a good book any day!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I went through agony with Ben and Dana (LOL) but loved writing their story. I hope you enjoy HONORABLE RANCHER.

Terri said...

Being Canadian, no summer is complete without Tim's Iced Cap(puccino). The other thing I always look forward to are the fresh fruits and veggies from our garden. I live a half hour past nowhere and in the summer everything slows right down and I like the relaxed pace.
Terri

Barbara White Daille said...

Terri - your summers sound wonderful, right down to the Iced Cap even though I don't drink coffee. LOL

Love the idea of the relaxed pace without having to go away on vacation.

Thank you for stopping in!