When do you play? Most of us played blissfully as children. Play is bliss. We become lost in time, in joy. What brings that back to you today?
For me, play is spending an afternoon with my cousin doing whatever strikes us, playing the piano, cooking with DH, reading and writing, walking, kayaking and swimming. But many other things too, like an evening with friends.
Anything can be a source of play – even Post-it Notes – as you can see in this creative film, Deadline.
Here’s what I encountered this week on the prairie –
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Lots of color! The prairie absorbs heat – meaning the air actually feels noticeably cooler as we walk through it. Natural air conditioning.
Global warming means that weather becomes more extreme (record heat, as in July in 50 states) with more severe storms and droughts. Prairies help to resist global warming by moderating the temperature, taking CO2 out of the atmosphere and moving surface water/moisture down deep into the ground.
If you like, consider planting a prairie of your own. A small group of neighbors can easily create a larger one using open space in your neighborhood.
There are many kinds of prairies to choose from; rainwater, woodland, wetlands, savanna, shoreline and more.
Like many Minnesotans, we spend some time each summer at a cabin “up north.” Here, cabin fever is the anticipation of going to the cabin. The cabin where we stay is on Lake Superior.
Our time there was very laid back and relaxed. A little touring, a little visiting with a friend, a little cooking, some walking and a little of doing nothing at all, preferably in front of the fireplace. The cabin is small, red with white trim, all pine inside and out and suits our needs perfectly. Each night we fell asleep to the sound of the waves and the occasional distant train whistle. Heaven.
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For a number of years now, this small red cabin has been our haven for reconnecting, reflecting and rejuvenating. There’s nothing like it . . .
Today is a fabulous Friday because I have indulged in the inexpensive luxury of Farmers’ Market flowers. As you can see below, this week’s bouquet is a riot of color. They’re fresh, look terrific, smell great and bring good energy into our house. See for yourself.
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Last week’s few remaining lillies look great with hostas. Take a look –
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And a sprig of lavender clipped from the pot by the front door fits neatly in a small vase near the bed. The scent of lavender has a calming, soothing effect that is good for sleeping.
Last Friday was fabulous because we spent an evening with good friends. Conversation was wonderful. Weather was perfect. Great food that required no cooking and no sit-down dining.
The setting was nice too. Part of the evening we were on the patio. This particular patio had groupings of pots full of plants in full bloom.
One friend brought chilled shrimp cocktail. Crackers with creamy cheese and spicy jam tasted great. Our hostess provided cantaloupe cubes wrapped in prosciutto and a eye-popping trifle for dessert. Everyone contributed various chilled, white wines for this warm summer evening.
An antipasto platter using in-season vegies from the Farmers’ Market was my contribution: fresh basil, summer squash slices, snap peas. Then I added rolled slices of prosciutto, Greek olives, sweet peppers and baby mozzarella balls. Pretty easy, transported well and no cooking required.
Adding a bottle of Sandy Feet semi-dry, white wine from Shady Creek Winery near the dunes in Indiana reminded me of days by the beachy, Indiana dunes of Lake Michigan.
Lively, relaxed and fun. I LOVE summer. Fill your life with fabulous.
