Summer in the City

There is a very easy summer recipe at the end of this post. 

It's been a full day of summer. Three full days of summer really. I don't remember a warmer May since moving here. I even watered my garden tonight for the first (or maybe second) time ever in my history of May gardening in Maine. 

Damien and Brienne are gone tonight to Boston for the Imogen Heap concert. The alternative, electronic musician from the UK. We're all fans of her music but Brienne especially. Brienne is a music lover altogether and is the only one in the family with a little ipod, paid for with her own funds. 

I'm so happy Damien has someone to go to concerts with him. This past winter Celine and Damien went to Boston for a Switchfoot concert (alternative rock). Having children old enough to do this kind of thing is quite fun. Personally, I'd rather save my money and go to bed early. I also hate late night driving, even as a passenger. 

So, two of our crew are off to Boston (thanks to our friends John and Renee for hosting them tonight) and the three of us remaining had an afternoon and evening of gardening, an easy leftover supper, a movie, trampoline bouncing and reading.

It's been summer in the city to be sure. And in spite of the heat I'm just not prepared the last week of May to be trekking to the beach, even if it is near 90 in our backyard. The beach is for June, July and August. May is for getting the garden going, planning camping trips and enjoying the last days of spring.

But summer is definitely here. This week we planted tomatoes, worked in our gardens and bounced on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath, I even joined in. We made popsicles (see recipe below) and enjoyed them dripping off our chins in the intense heat of the afternoons. 

We've also planned for this weekend's backpacking trip and seen Damien and Brienne off on their little mid week adventure.

It's been good. Really good.

I'm sitting here, tired as all get out, comfy and cool in the new pj's Damien sewed for me reflecting about the goodness of these past three days and feeling full-to-the-top with the warmth and well being that comes with summer's arrival.

Lemon Popsicles

These are very refreshing on a hot day. They can be made as sweet or as sour as you like.

  • 2 cups water (or whatever fills your popsicle mold)
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed is best
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (or more to taste)

Stir all together. Pour into molds and freeze. Enjoy.

I mixed this up in the early morning and they were ready by the afternoon. All I currently own is (gasp) plastic molds, one of the few plastic containers remaining in our home.

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  • Alisha

    Alisha on May 27, 2010, 3:51 a.m.

    You always have so much fun with your kids, Renee. And those popsicles sound really good on my sore throat. Great pics of the kids. Love the one of Brienne in her sundress. Hope your two wanderers have fun in Boston. :)

    reply

  • Debbie

    Debbie on May 27, 2010, 1:28 p.m.

    Oh we love concerts. Fred and I don't go to many any more because I don't like leaving Isaac with other people. But Isaac just adores music and I know when he is a bit older, he will love to go to concerts. At this age we take him to some of the summer festivals here in London and they all have free music; some by very well known Canadian musicians. (Bruce Cockburn's coming this summer.) Oh and those lemon popsicles sound great. I'm off to make them right now. We usually make berry popsicles - I hadn't thought of lemon. Yummy! And please, we so need a reprieve from this heat - it's too early. :)

    reply

    • renee

      renee on May 27, 2010, 3:46 p.m.

      I agree about the heat being too early. Weird weather worries me. But I just love the intensity of summer. Today is much more pleasant heat wise. Just a gorgeous, blue sky summer day without all the humidity.

      reply

  • Francesca

    Francesca on May 28, 2010, 9:30 a.m.

    I'm so happy to finally read another mother talk about older kids as being fun to be with! I find it's a lot of fun to be with my big boys! I've been trying new popsicles too, but my latest batch - strawberry and yogurt - would not come out of the mold!

    reply

    • renee

      renee on May 28, 2010, 11:28 a.m.

      Francesca, I love my kids and have enjoyed them at every stage but this by far is the best yet. The funny conversations, the growing pains, the discussions about real life issues, the full contact body sports (tickle fests we call them), all the big kid stuff we get to do - I LOVE it!

      We are slowly approaching the young adult years with Celine, we're not calling it teenage years, too many bad connotations with those years in our culture. I anticipate some bumps along the way as she grows into a changing body and into her own mind and person but I really looking forward to it also. As she grows we "parent" (discipline, train etc... that is done when they are little) less and less and enjoy their friendship more and more. 

      I'm still at the beginning part of this "having older children" journey but I intend to have fun with it!

      reply

      • Kika

        Kika on May 28, 2010, 1:59 p.m.

        My oldest is fourteen and a wonderful guy - funny and intelligent; we enjoy sharing movies and books and I really like him and spending time with him. He has been taller than me for two years (I think), and can get his learners license now! So many changes. But NONE of them bad. Oh, and he is sooo handsome :) But hates it when I tell him that. So we have three kids at very different stages and are really enjoying each of them.

        Celine is a beautiful girl. I think she and my daughter, Katia, are alike in many ways.

        reply

        • renee

          renee on May 28, 2010, 7:01 p.m.

          My heart melts at the thought of Laurent growing taller than me but I know it's inevitable. He too is so handsome and he's only 9. Oh, I could just talk on and on about my kiddos...

          reply

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