Happy to play, Lynn

my spot for contentment is at the bottom of our lawn / field. next to the creek in the shade. i have 4 adirondacks and a teak table and chairs. the 3 dogs an i amble down and enjoy the coolness. a beer or white Lillet on ice with an orange slice might be there too

eta, its been so dry the grass is not green now.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? Yes, many flowers; only tomatoes this year; Herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme, sage and chives.

- Favorite Summer flower? Geraniums, pink in my walled garden and red every place else

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden? Tumbleweeds!

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? After living the first half of my life on the water in Michigan and South Florida, and two (so far) skin cancer removals, I am now a certified shade-seeker!

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Ice Water, Iced Tea or Cuba Libre, depending on the time of day.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? My always wrinkled, never ironed white and medium blue striped shorts, my white, short-sleeve tie front top (also hardly ever ironed) and white sandals

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Green Chile Cheeseburgers out on the grill (hey, this is New Mexico and we love our chile!), guacamole & chips, black beans and Margaritas.

- Dessert? Key Lime Pie ( a holdover from my life on the ocean in Florida)

- What song or songs just say Summer to you? ” Summertime” from Porgy and Bess; anything from the Beach Boys or Chicago

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?: I put out 4 hummingbird feeders and wash and refill them every 3 days. 4 birdbaths, one fountain; no birdhouses, but lots of bird feeders.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? We stay home, as we travel in our fifth wheel a lot in the Fall. We invite friends over and I make my special Shish Kebobs, a Greek salad, my Wild Rice Pilaf. I buy the dessert though: Key Lime Pie. Ahhh!

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

Since I live in the mountains already, I think a very nice cottage on a big quiet lake with lots of private wooded land around us where we could swim, canoe, fish, grill out, and relax would be perfect!

Gardening is one of my main loves...plants, flowers, vegetables. My favorite flower this year is my brown eye susan. Such a happy plant. My pesky weed is crabgrass...ugh. I would be sitting in the shade, with a bottle of water. I enjoy relaxing in a flowy dress, preferably cotton and would look forward to a dinner of bean salad with flan for dessert. Don't put out a hummingbird feeder and no plans for Labor Day weekend. For vacation, I can picture myself sitting on a Maine coast, taking in the comings and goings of man, birds and all nature related beauty.

I’ll play (its been a ling time sunce ive been here!)

-Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? No

- Favorite Summer flower? All

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? None. Someone else takes care of outside.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? Shadeseeker after too many skin cancers.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Wine of any color.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? Duh, pajama day!

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Anything on the grill.

- Dessert? Meh

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? Anything by the Beach Boys!

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? No

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? BEACH!

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? Home at the pool.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Yes-- I love and have gardened with all of the above. I have less vision for the ornamental kinds of gardening that make a nice landscape though. Just not as well versed in them.

Unfortunately, i have not had much time for any gardening the last 4 years due to a major work project (that is coming to an end in Sept/Oct).

- Favorite Summer flower?

Lily of the valley - i have both pink and white

Evening Primrose

Lavender

Lilacs

Peonies

South African Daisies (Osteospermum) - love the variety of colors but special love for the purple, pink and white

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Previous house: Sticky willy! Current house: Bull Thistle

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Sun seeker -- love the warm sun on my face.. but I don't "sunbathe" so much anymore.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Hint water, Grapefruit seltzer or Ramona Grapefruit Wine Spritzer

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

flowy, comfy dresses -- like Mtn, usually long .. but I am currently wearing a shorter one (only because no one is calling!)

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Grilled veggies w/cous cous

Grilled skirt steak or ribeye, garden tomatoes and parmesan garlic parsley french fries

Grilled fish and/or shrimp & scallops, asparagus and salad

- Dessert?

Not much of a dessert person-- I'd rather use my calories on drinks and entrees but lately I've been eating a lot of fruit: white peaches, nectarines, watermelon

- What song or songs just say Summer to you?

The summer songs of my late teens/20s: walking on sunshine (katrina & the waves), what I am (edie brickell), grateful dead ballads, reggae -- and so many others across genres.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

bird house and bird bath

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

Not so much these days-- I used to go to the Longs Park Juried Art show but I haven't been in years. I almost always have a deadline right after the holiday.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

Sante Fe -- including hiking, photography/sketching pampering and the Sante Fe Opera

Maine coast and/or Nantucket - chilling: eating, reading, walking, photography/sketching

If I had more than a week, I'd do Sante Fe and some of the southwestern National Parks

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? - For flowers I grow bromeliads, orchids, ginger, epiphyllum (orchid cactus), and South African succulents. None of these require much water, which is one of the reasons I grow them. I got rid of all the roses (that I could) at my house in Los Angeles to replace them with flowers that I actually liked. For vegetables, I grow chilies, mostly Habanero, but also some milder varieties. I used to grow lettuce (a winter crop), tomatoes (winter and summer), and artichokes. I still have an avocado tree, but I decided that artichokes took up too much space. For herbs, I grow basil, bay leaf, kaffir lime, thyme, oregano, parsley, cilantro, chives, mint, and rosemary. I never use the rosemary - I consider it ornamental. I planted it hoping it would repel mosquitoes.

- Favorite Summer flower? - ginger

I like this partly because of its sweet fragrance.

- Most pesky weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden? Kevin says it is Dallas grass.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? I seek shade. I have to wear a lot of sunscreen when I go out in the sun, plus hats.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Lemonade is my favorite, with juice from my Meyer lemons.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? a simple robe

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Grilled salmon

- Dessert? Lemon curd tart

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? Surf City by Jan & Dean

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? Costas HB in the desert:

Finches on backyard fountain in L.A. :

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? No

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? I would like to go back to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, east of Portland. I haven't been there in several decades. I would like to go to Yosemite, if it were not for the crowds.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? No.

- Favorite Summer flower? One that is given to me.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? Not my job 😊

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? I know its awful, but I love the sun.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Ice water when by myself, a white wine spitzer when sitting with friends.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? I have a bunch of midi and long Knit dresses. Not the most attractive on me but cool and comfortable as well as perfectly acceptable if some one does drop in.

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Chef salad or cold shrimp

- Dessert? cold watermelon

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? Most anything by the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? No. We have enough natural habitat.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? Weekend at the lake house. In the past we have entertained large groups…no telling what we do this year. Damn Covid.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? I really am fine with being at our tiny lake house. No packing, short drive, restaurant and grocery delivery, no stress.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Yes to all. Flowers are mostly perennials and any flowering shrubs i can grow to try to ensure something is blooming somewhere from Spring to Fall. Lots of varieties of tomatoes, cukes, squash, peas. A few herbs scattered around too of course, both for kitchen use and as pollinators and host plants.

- Favorite Summer flower?

I like so many but I love my daylilies

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Chamberbitter, henbit and many others

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Love the sun as long as it isnt humid

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Margarita and occasionally a mule

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Shorts and an old race t-shirt, no bra

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Fresh corn, tomatoes, peas, fried okra, homemade relish.

- Dessert?

toss up between fresh peach cobbler and lemon pie

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

I’m so old, I have many from the 60’s Motown (Under the Boardwalk) thru some current stuff i like that speak of boat songs (Southern Cross), lake/water life, and enjoying summer.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

Yes, 2 hummingbird feeders, 4 bluebird nest boxes and a couple of other feeders

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

No real traditions, we just try to relax and go to the lake

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

We would love another trip out west to Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota or Utah, or all of those.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Container gardening. Flowers and herbs.

- Favorite Summer flower?

I'm very flower-name ignorant. We are limited as to what we can grow at our higher elevation so I'll grab whatever is available at the garden center. I usually plant all white flowering annuals with a smattering of color .

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Really nothing I can think of.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Shade! I was the odd girl out as a teen growing up in California. A day lying in the sun at the beach was definitely not my idea of fun.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

We enjoy eating out in our courtyard every evening often with a wine cooler type drink or ice water with a splash of fruit enhancer.

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- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Eddie Bauer capris and a lightweight SPF shirt.

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Anything light. Lots of salads.

- Dessert?

Anything fruit. Watermelon, cantaloupe, cherries, peaches. I make fruit filled crepes this time of year, as well as rhubarb and lemon merengue pies. But sparingly! If all else fails, there's always a Lindt chocolate stash in the pantry.

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Beach Boys

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

Bird bath

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

No. We avoid holiday traffic like the plaque.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

We love our home and feel as though we're on vacation every day. Summer is fantastic here...no humidity, no bugs, no A/C.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? I do the flowers and DH does the veggies (super duper hot peppers that only he can eat).

- Favorite Summer flower? Veronica because it's abee magnet.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? Japanese Stiltgrass.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? Shade-seeker.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? I am not picky - I will drink anything but I will have a Cosmo if you are making one.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? Yoga pants and a tee shirt and you can still come visit.

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Home-grown tomato salad.

- Dessert? Mint chocolate chip ice cream.

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? California Girls

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? Just a feeder.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? No

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? A secluded lake-side cottage with a maid and cook.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? Herbs, yes, but i have turned the flowers over to a gardener. 🤷

- Favorite Summer flower? Begonias. They aren’t the prettiest or showiest but they are reliable and will bloom and bloom and bloom. Dependability rules! 🌹

- Most pesky weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? Sedgegrass but luckily i am not the one desling with it 😎

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? Shade, always. Growing up in a hot climate made me appreciate the shade. ⛱

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Home made seltzer with coconut essence and a sprig of mint. 🍹

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? Pull on cotton knit shorts and a three quarter sleeve, cotton jewel neck top from LL Bean, which i have in about ten colors. And barefoot. 🦶

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Big salad with romaine, cold green beans, corn sliced right off the cob, tomatoes, cucumbers and shredded rotisserie chicken dressed with just a tablespoon of white balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of kosher salt and pepper. 🥗

- Dessert? Homemade ice cream with one of my fruit compotes running through it. 🍧

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? Marvin Gaye’s ”Got To Give It Up.” 🎶

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? No, I don’t really like birds, although we had hummingbird feeders at the old house. 🕊

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? A cookout and dread for the end of summer 🙁

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? North Carolina mountains, where I can breathe in the mountain laurel and rhododendron. 🌳

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? Not yet...I am in the initial planning stages of a small garden.

- Favorite Summer flower? Hydrangeas

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? TBD

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? I can sit on the beach forever if I have a comfy chair, good book, and a BIG umbrella!

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Probably a cold glass of Chardonnay

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? Joggers and t-shirt

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Steak or shrimp on a salad

- Dessert? Ice Cream

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? I'm a Motown girl

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? None

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? Not really

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? I think somewhere cooler than where I am - Lake Michigan, Maine, Nantucket or a house on a lake in North Carolina.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Yes, all of the above! Containers and raised beds

-Favorite Summer flower?

I think Zinnias are very pretty and colorful

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

IDK what it is, but whatever viney thing grows in the raised beds.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Shade with exception of driving the Mustang

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

A good summer beer, pilsner or light ale

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

T shirts or tanks with roll up pants

Favorite Summertime dinner?

Pork BBQ or ribs from the smoker with corn, salads, and watermelon

- Dessert?

Ben & Jerry's

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

"I can't drive 55" by Sammy Hagar, anything by UB40, Bob Marley, Sublime

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

No, I did at my old house and I saw a rat come out of the sewer to eat the seeds, so I am done

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

No, because I teach Labor Day weekends are rarely any fun, but we do have Primus coming up.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

I still would like to visit Ireland.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

All of the above

- Favorite Summer flower?

Cosmos and yellow Moonbeam Tickseed.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Crabgrass but it's not bad anymore.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Used to live in the sun, now I'm a shade seeker.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Ice water.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

My usual uniforms. Winter - jammy bottoms and I have a lot, plus a short sleeve tee shirt in matching colors, even when it's frigid outside. Summer - shorts and a tee.

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Charcoaled dogs and burgers

- Dessert?

Cold watermelon, which I pigged out on earlier.

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Blurred Lines....you know you want it, you know you want it... :)

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

All of the above. I was watering the 4 o'clocks a bit ago which were beginning their nightly blooming & a Hummer was on them!

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

Charcoaled steaks

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

Maine, small town, antiques galore.

I've never done one of these before, so here goes . . .

- Do you garden? Yes. I do what I can on a very small lot with not much prolonged sun. Flowers are planted to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. I have a lot of bromeliads and tillandsia, staghorn ferns, rhizomatous begonias. Abutilon, buddleia, fuchsia, iochroma, and ornamental sage for the hummingbirds (and butterflies). A few herbs in containers, and experimenting with shallots and garlic cloves that started to sprout on the kitchen counter. There's no lawn due to lack of sun, and I want the space for gardening.

- Favorite Summer flower? The last one I saw. I don't think that there's a flower that I don't like.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? None, too much shade.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? Depends on the weather.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? Sparkling mineral water.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? My stained and holey gardening clothes. No limits on my activity because they already look like hades.

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Green salad with summer produce. Maybe with cold fish, if I have leftovers.

- Dessert? Something with fruit and no butter.

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? In my mind I don't classify music by season.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? No, I planted for hummingbirds. I have a bird bath that needs serious attention.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? No. Beach traffic is usually pretty miserable around here on Labor Day weekend, and I'd rather avoid it by staying put.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? San Francisco/Bay Area.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? Yes! I LOVE puttering around with my flowers. The Mr. does the veggie garden (small) which was awful this year!

- Favorite Summer flower? Too many to choose one

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? probably crabgrass

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? I do not sunbathe, but I love being outside and partake in many outdoor activities but always wear sunscreen. At the beach we are always under an umbrella or canopy. We have a sunshade on our pergola out back.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

ICE brand flavored water (coconut lime or pineapple coconut) or ice tea

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? Outside you will find me in shorts and a tee or tank. Inside a tee and shorts or cropped yoga pants. Barefoot inside and flip-flops outside.

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Fresh veggies and may or may not have some type meat

- Dessert? key lime pie or something chocolate

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? Beach Boys songs

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? Just a bird bath. We no longer need hummingbird feeders as I try to include plenty of flowers that they like. Just lately we have notice an increase in the number of hummingbirds. They must like the hot weather!

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? No, and we haven't made any plans yet.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? We don't take trips as much in the summer, preferring spring and fall, but we did go to NC last month and hit a good time weather wise. Since we have such warm weather, I would go someplace cooler.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? I do enjoy flower gardening.

- Favorite Summer flower? My hydrangeas are my babies😍

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ? In the middle of the summer it seems like all manner of hellish weeds spring forth…i have no idea what kind they are, they are satanic. The yard crew sprays them, and I also find myself obsessively yanking out any strays. It’s very carthatic to get the whole root. 😂

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? I LOVE the sun, but slathered in sunscreen, hat on my head, sunglasses, the whole 9 yards.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with? I drink Makers and diet coke any season, every season. 😂

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? One of dh’s t-shirts and lululemon shorts.

- Favorite Summertime dinner? grilled veggies, fresh tomato sandwiches

- Dessert? angel food cake with fresh strawberries

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? lots of new country songs…Sam Hunt, Niko Moon, Morgan Wallen…

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths? We put up blue bird boxes in the woods.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? We’ll be in town bc of a big football game, probably go to the lake with friends on actual Labor Day.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)? In our country, I’d like to go back to the Cloister on Sea Island. We had a wonderful time there, and it is so beautiful.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs? I do! I'm a flower gardener. Not bad, but get my "skills" from my Grandmother. I love to piddle in the flower beds.

- Favorite Summer flower? hydrangeas -- I love hydrangeas! But I'm having a really hard time getting any to grow at this house. Well, make that BLOOM. I have 2 rather large bushes, but neither have put out blooms. I think this year it's due to the sub-Arctic temps we had.

Also, an orange tiger lily that I gathered from one of my Grandmother's home. It's one of those tall things that the hummers & bees like to hang out around. When I see them in bloom, I always think of my Grandmother. I miss her still.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Well there are 2. I don't know what either one is called, but one has nasty nasty thorns and the other spreads like wildfire. Bane of my existence!

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker? Shade. I don't like the sun beating down on me anymore.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Big glass of ice tea, emphasis on the ice.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling? Oversized t-shirt and shorts.

- Favorite Summertime dinner? Anything with fresh summer veges.

- Dessert? So.... this is weird, but fudgescicles

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you? Ditto nini804

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

We have 2 birdbaths and we have 2 hummer feeders. And this is the 1st year we've had more than one. In fact we have about 8 that have become regulars! Makes me happy to watch the zippy little acrobats!

Also have some bluebird houses. We only had 1 clutch of birds this year. Not sure why...

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend? I have to work Labor Day. :-( Other wise, I'd probably go dove hunting with the hubs.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

I'd love to go to Cape Cod and see the hydrangea festival!! Saw a feature about it on CBS's Sunday morning. It looks so appealing! Doubt if I could get hubs to go that far just for flowers. LOL Any place cool would be nice as well.

Great thread Lynn!

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

I had a nice perennial garden in our last house, but not the current house. I did containers for years, but the last 6 years i’ve been preoccupied so no. We do container herbs outside the kitchen door, though,

- Favorite Summer flower?

Whatever is in bloom! Right now it’s masses of black-eyed susans. They look like campfires, or mounds of cold, just happy and warm.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Poisin ivy.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Shade.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Depending on the occasion and company, an Arnold Palmer, vinho verde, shandy, or clear Effervé French Lemonade. At a restaurant al fresco? Margarita!

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

I’m pretty consistent in what I wear.

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Hmm, I can’t say I have one.

- Dessert?

Sundaes or Key Lime Pie. or Sorbet.

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Don’t laught but Afternoon Delight. It was the big hit one summer when I carpooled to work at an amusement park, we would hear it going and coming. It just reminds me of THAT summer. But now I just don’t care for it.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

Our birdbath has a leak, we need to fix it. Put out a hummingbird feeder this year, we might be competing with our neighbor’s.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

Nope.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

A cabin at a Wisconsin lodge resort, American plan with meals in the lodge, an outboard motor boat (basically a rowboat with a motor) at our disposal, a marina somewhere that we can putter over for ice cream, walking trails in the woods, a bit of beach and a dock on a clean lake.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

I have done extensive flower gardening in the past. I recently moved, and am planning my new beds now (will be planting in fall). I also plant herbs in containers. I skip veggies because I have wonderful farmers markets nearby that I like to support.

- Favorite Summer flower?

Love them all.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Thistle. It's horrible once it takes hold.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

I love the sun and enjoy a light summer tan.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Coconut LaCroix.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Lightweight summer dresses sans bra or yoga pants with a tank top.

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Watermelon feta salad, fresh sweet corn with blueberries, cucumber, jalapeno and cumin lime vinaigrette, and whatever protein.

- Dessert?

I don't eat dessert, unless I have company. Then freshly whipped cream with mixed berries or grilled peaches.

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Leon Bridges, Joss Stone, and anything slow, sultry and relaxing.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

No.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

Usually visiting family.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

A road trip. Anywhere. Just hop in the car and go!

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Not really.

- Favorite Summer flower?

Naked ladies.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

Oxalis, though that's a winter problem.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Shade-seeker

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Ginger iced tea

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Sleeveless jersey column dress

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Grilled marinated skirt steak and a corn/bean/avocado salad dressed with lime.

- Dessert?

Ice cream

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Miserlou by Dick Dale and the Del-tones

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

No, but the yard does have flowers that appeal to hummingbirds. They love the salvia.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

No, other than that it marks when choir starts up again.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

I've got a trip to Maine half planned.

Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Flowers, perennials and annuals. Hubby does a bit of veggie gardening, hoping to build some raised beds and expand next year.

- Favorite Summer flower?

Peonies first, then the foxgloves

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

There are many, but I don't know the names of them.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Shade, definitely

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Aperol Spritz

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Doesn't matter so long as I don't have to wear a bra. Yoga pants & a big tshirt, etc.

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

Hodge Podge

- Dessert?

Warm gingerbread (sometimes called molasses cake around here)

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

On a whim, I took my Dads collection of old vinyl records when my mom sold the house last summer. I bought the cheapest record player I could find on Amazon. Turns out I absolutely love those records, and evenings relaxing in the screen porch and listening to them has become one of my favorite things. Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash. I'm now going to invest in a better record player.

Not exactly what you asked, but that's become my summertime music.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

No, I'm actually quite scared of birds

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

No

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

Someplace on the ocean, most likely Maine

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Sure. At our old house I had a huge vegetable garden. At the new house I am still working on borders and beds, so I havent established much of a vegetable garden yet, and have been frequenting our lovely CSA which is just a mile down the road. I do have a nice raised herb bed for summer and in winter I get my herbs from my Aerogarden.

- Favorite Summer flower?

Impossible to pick a favorite, though my wedding flowers were white daisies and they still make me smile.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

I try to peacefully coexist. Vetch is annoying but the bees love it so who am I to complain.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Sun, but there has to be a breeze.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

It depends on the weather, honestly it could be hot coffee. Spindrift Mango is pretty much always on my shopping list.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Hiking shorts and a t-shirt

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

The best summer food is a fresh garden tomato.

- Dessert?

Grilled peaches, peach pie, peach shortcake, peach cobbler- note the theme

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Take on Me, Walkin' on Sunshine, Saturday in the Park

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

No, my neighbors let their cats wander, and they then sit under my bird feeder waiting to kill.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

No

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

I would really like to go back to the outerbanks, went once years ago and would like to go again.

- Do you garden? Flowers, veggies, herbs?

Yes! Before this year, only flowers. But this year we bought a couple of raised bed and planted a couple varieties of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, mini peppers, basil, and yellow squash. It has been so fun.

- Favorite Summer flower?

Zinnias and hydrangeas.

- Most pesty weed you have to deal with in your yard/garden ?

I don't know the names of weeds.

- Are you a sunbather or a shade-seeker?

Now that I am old and all spotty from the years of sun bathing as a teenager and 20-something, I enjoy the shade.

- Sitting out on your patio, balcony, porch or wherever, what’s your go-to drink to relax with?

Spindrift seltzer with a splash of vodka.

- A fav outfit to relax in when nobody is expected to come calling?

Stretchy shorts and t-shirt, no bra.

- Favorite Summertime dinner?

I could be really happy with good shrimp cocktail and a nice fruit salad.

- Dessert?

Ice cream

- What song or songs just say “Summer” to you?

Not sure. Beach Boys is an obvious one.

- Do you put out hummingbird feeders? Bird houses? Bird baths?

Yes, yes, and yes. One hummingbird feeder, one bird bath, two bird feeders.

- Do you have a tradition or traditions for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend?

Well, our "tradition" for the last couple years has been dropping DD off at college. This year, she's driving herself but we don't have plans otherwise.

- What would be a dream Summertime week away someplace (in this/your country)?

A house directly on the beach. A private beach. With warm water.

I promise I will fill this wonderful survey out later but I'm anxious to ask you Smhinnb if you found a sandal with a removable footbed for your custom orthotics. This was a question on GW from 4 years ago. I have custom orthotics I should wear all the time but since I wear sandals 80% of the time (hot feet) trying to find sandals with removable footbeds is a challenge. Years ago there was a wonderful company that made just that - "Bite" but they are gone now. Do you by chance wear a size 6? I have a pair of their sandals I can't use. Looking forward to hearing from you!! Ginny