I recently have been reviewing old family photos and
reminiscing some favorite holidays and moment when my children were young and
carefree. Seeing their sweet faces and
smiles of joy dressed in costumes, playing in the summer garden, swimming in
the pool, building sandcastles on beaches and playing with bubbles in the bath
tub at the end of the day at various summertime vacation locations made me
think of my own childhood summers.
Of all the summer fun my sister and I, my favorite memory is
of our annual birthday swim and slumber parties. My sister and I enjoy our birthdays five days
apart, at the end of August. This meant
two huge parties in two consecutive weekends.
These were epoch parties in that we swam for hours and hours, rode bikes
in our huge semicircular driveway, played all kinds of pretend games in the
huge garden, had water balloon fights and then all camped in our enormous back
yard. Italian immigrants on 7/8th of an
acre built our brick house in the 1930’s.
They planted all the herbs, fruit and nut trees indigenous to their area
of origin in Italy. These huge trees
provided ample shade in the 110-degree weather, jungle gyms for climbing and a
continuous feast. Our grandparents
bought us a tent and sleeping bags in pinks and oranges, made just for girls
enjoying a summer camp out in their backyard.
I have yet to uncover photos of these memorable parties and I will one
day. It gives me a sense of well being
as I picture those parties in my mind at a time when I was carefree and simple. I look forward to the new memories I will
make this summer with my family and friends and will try to keep the theme of
carefree and simple since that seems to bring me happiness and contentment.
Joy's Summer Memory:
I grew up in Minnesota
- the land of (over) 10,000 lakes. Like many families, my family had a
cabin on a gorgeous lake in central MN. From the time I was 10 years old, every
weekend of every summer we were at the cabin swimming, reading, tubing, skiing,
boating, snorkeling, (some but not much fishing). I have to say my sister and I
became serious tubing champions over the years. My dad has sort of a tubing
routine which we have learned where to hang on super tight or where you (meaning me) can
kick your sister’s tube. However the highlight of every summer was the 4th
of July. We usually had some family or friends come up for the day, grilling,
and enjoying the lake goodness. The day always ended with a fire and s'mores
while waiting for the fireworks. There was a huge show on a nearby lake and many
shows on our lake. No Fire danger in MN!!
If you ever get the chance to do a family vacation – consider going to
rent a cabin in MN and enjoy the beauty and family fun that MN lakes can offer!
Health Tip: Herbal
Insect Repellant
If at all possible, it is best to try to avoid using
DEET-based products to keep from getting insect bites during the summer. DEET-based products occasionally give me hives,
which is telling me it is bad for my body.
Instead, I make my own using essential oils and 190-proof grain alcohol,
found in liquor stores. Here is a list
of oils from which to choose. Be sure to
test each out for skin allergy by a placing a small amount on your skin before
you cover yourself and to see which oils work with your personal chemistry.
Oils:
Basil Lemon Balm Catnip Myrrh Clove Neem Citronella Palmarosa
Eucalyptus Peppermint Garlic Pine Geranium Rosemary Lavender
2 1/2 teaspoons total of any combination of these oils
1-cup 190-proof grain alcohol, found in liquor stores
Place ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and
shake vigorously. Transfer to small
bottles, can be a small spray bottle for storage. To use, shake vigorously, then rub a small
amount on exposed skin, dab or spray on clothing. You will not smell good to the mosquitoes but
to your friends and family without using toxic poison.
