My 10 Favourite Things About Summer

emilyelizabethfran
Jul 16, 2015
3 min read

Enjoying a summery libation with my friend, Rehana; Photo by Alisha Lynn

Just as I did with spring, I felt it crucial to currate a list of my favourite things about summer. So many of my favourite things in life revolve around this season, so it's been difficult to pare down the list, but I thought I'd try my best nonetheless. In addition to longer days, warmer weather and extra doses of Vitamin D from all that glorious sunshine, here are my ten favourite things about summertime:

1. Summer cocktails on patios - This is hands-down my number one favourite thing about summer. I recently discovered the mixological versatility of the David's Tea Summer Collection, and my world has not been the same since. To make delicious sparkling strawberry lemonade, mix half a pitcher of brewed Strawberry Colada David's Tea with three cups of Mike's Hard Lemonade and lots of ice. Top up with sparkling water or club soda, and enjoy.

2. Days spent at the beach - To me, there is nothing better than days spent ocean-side, lake-side, pool-side...pretty much anywhere near water, come summer time. I recently invested in Triangl's Bambi Sugar Plum bikini, and love how comfortable and durable it is, so I'm pleased whenever I get to break it out and swim!

Some whimsical sand art at Spanish Banks Beach, in Vancouver, BC

3. Fresh fruit - Berries are my all time favourite fruit, and with local berries in season, these guys are less expensive and fresher than ever. Summer is such a great time to cook and enjoy local foods because there's so much amazing produce in season. Check out this guide to find out when certain fruits and vegetables come into season, and which ingredients to prioritize during the summer months. As I've recently discovered, fresh produce also makes for incredibly delicious cold-pressed juice. I love, love, love Greenhouse Juice Company's cleansing concoctions, especially during the hotter months, when dehydration is a real risk each day.

Sunflowers and fresh summer fruit

My Favourite little bottle of health from Greenhouse Juice Company

4. Reading - For some reason, I always tend to get more reading done in the summer. I think it's the season's slower pace that encourages me to take the time to sit down with a book. I just finished reading Barack Obama's Dreams From My Father, Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (this one shocked me with how different it is from the movie), and I Can't Believe It's Not Better, by Monica Heisey. As I read the latter, I laughed out loud with every page-turn; Heisey's acclaimed debut collection of essays is hilarious, and available here. Also, if you're someone whose summer reading inspires your summer travels, this blog is a must-read.

5. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie - I've always loved this flavour of pie, but only recently endeavored to bake my own from scratch. The fresh rhubarb complemented the strawberry flavour perfectly, and I can't wait to make it again before rhubarb's short season is over. I used this filling recipe and this dough recipe to create my own version, and plan on converting the recipe to make strawberry rhubarb tarts soon.

6. Iced Coffee - I'll take a Venti iced Pike any day, but options like these really up the ante.

7. Summerlicious - If you're in the Toronto area between July 3rd and 26th, take it as an opportunity to try out some of the city's best restaurants at a more affordable rate. Participating restaurants' prix fixe menus range from $18-$28 for lunch, and $25-$45 for dinner. You can check out which eateries are part of the festival here. I can't wait to try L'Unita, later this week!

Summerlicious-ing with my friend, Nadia, at The Art Gallery of Ontario's Frank Restaurant

8. Dining al fresco - An obvious favourite, but especially enticing for us Canadians, who don Michelin Man parkas for many months each year. I love Hannah Shuckburgh's insights on how to picnic in style. And of course, what al fresco dinner party would be complete without romantic twinkly lights like these?

9. Movies in the Park - Numerous municipalities showcase movies in large public spaces during July and August. If you're in Toronto, check out TIFF In The Park. The Toronto International Film Festival is hosting free movie screenings in David Pecault Square, as well as a number of other parks, on a weekly basis throughout this summer.

10. Ice Cream - This one goes without saying. I can't get enough of the stuff, which is why I'll be posting my Toronto Top Ten Guide to the best ice cream parlors in town next week. Stay tuned!