All week I have greatly annoyed my youngest daughter by repeatedly and loudly singing the words to the song by Ella Fitzgerald -“Summertime!”
The lyrics just make me smile….”Summertime and the living is easy!” Who does not want easy living!

I have been thinking a lot about some summers past. As a young girl my neighbors where my cousins and we stayed outside till after dark just playing in the street and catching fireflies in the evening. There was nothing to do but play, play, play!

As I had children summertime meant going to the beach or playing outside in the sprinkler. Memories of laughter and squeals as the boys tried so hard to soak my oldest daughter who did not want to get her hair wet.

Then as I got older my mother, my oldest sister and I spent summer vacations together for a week. My sister Carol lives in North Carolina so my mother and I would travel  and meet her in Myrtle Beach for a week of sand, sun, long nights shopping, hammock napping, and sleeping late in the mornings. We have not gone the past couple of years but I am longing for that time again now that my baby is about to head off to college in August.

Summertime means a lot to me this year because this is my baby girls last summer as a teenager. Next summer who knows what will happen as she makes friends at college. And already she talks about summers to come where she plans to take mission trips.

As I blog I hear those words I love “Summertime and the living is easy….” {oh wait I am singing out loud again!} This summer I want it to have purpose, meaning and a lot of memories. I am even thinking of making a bucket list of things I must do before the warm weather leaves us and we pack up my baby to head off to college. {Speaking of Bucket lists did you see this amazing Popsicle Summer Bucket List project!!??}

Today I am teaming up with Better Homes and Gardens for a Pin-a-Thon to benefit those of Hurricane Sandy. It’s simple for you to help others and have fun pinning at the same time! BHG will be giving $2 for every entry to help the Hurricane Sandy relief. {Plus they are giving away some gift cards as well}

How to Pin and do good:

1. Fill out the entry form here
2. Go to BHG.com/shop and start pinning your summer favs
3. Pin up to five products that are on your summer wishlist

Want to see what my summer wishlist is on Pinterest? Check it out here! How about you? What are your summer plans or your favorite things about summer? I’d love to hear them!

Until next time,

Enjoy your day, your family, and your home ❤