With the triple digit heat, heat waves & non-stop sunshine, I thought it would be a good idea to give you some good ideas of fun things to MIX in to your SUMMER to make it even more enjoyable!! Enjoy.

FUN ways to COOL off:

SWIM–We have had a index above ground pool for the last three years & have LOVED it!! I know they are a bit ugly, but we took a chance because here in the Utah sunshine we get numerous 100 degree days & the little kids & cousins in my family thoroughly have tons of SUMMER FUN in our big, blue pool!!  So if you need a good way to cool off–invest in an intex. Truly worth the investment!!

ICE CREAM: Have a fun ice cream party. Whether you make homemade ice cream,  go out and pick favorite flavors—have friends and family over for a ice cream bar with all your favorite add-ins (gummies, fruit, oreos, grahams, syrups, you get the idea).   Here is a great link from Real Simple for some homemade ice cream recipes.   http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/homemade-ice-cream-recipes-10000001626889/index.html

SPRINKLERS: Old or young run through the sprinklers!! Turn on your automatic yard sprinklers or go out and invest in some fun twirls, up & downs, etc. Run, play, be a kid!!

TUBE: Find a local river or lake & grab a tube, float about in the summer sunshine.

SPRAY: Misters, water guns, water balloons & spray bottles are all fun ways to stay cool.

COOL: Cool off your lotions by putting them in the refrigerator, so they feel cool going on after being outside in the hot sun.

FUN for the SUMMER: small things like great sunglasses, a new hat, having your nails painted in neons or glitter, buying a new maxi dress or a great pair of sandals, marinating steaks for a great bbq…always makes summer a little more enjoyable.  Indulge in something for you—look at it as an investment in you enjoying your summer a little more.

SUMMER FOOD: Last night we made shrimp tacos, so I thought it would be fun to include a few recipes for some fun summer food…enjoy!!

Shrimp Tacos: Here is a great recipe for shrimp tacos   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/shrimp-tacos/

Something yummy with melon: I thought this looked good. I have not tried it yet, but it looks yummy!! Watermelon Salsa (see picture above)  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/watermelon-salsa-recipe/index.html

Additional ideas:

If you are missing winter there is a great red box movie called “The Art of Flight” that is a extreme snowboarding movie that has amazing cinematography. Beautifully done! Amazing images.

Another one of our favorite things to do during the summer—watch “America’s Got Talent.” We don’t watch a lot of television, but at our house this is a weekly must. I truly enjoy the stories, the dreams, the talent. It can be so inspiring. A couple of my favorite acts: “Danceish”—here is a link to his performance. Amazing!! Still not sure how he does some of the moves  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1pnzmmEfA

The other talent that is one of my favorites—Collins Key who is a teenage illusionist—amazing! Still not sure how he does it. Check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-DEbvgPnoU

Well, that is all for today.  Hope these ideas get you outside enjoying the last bit of summer that is left!!   Happy Summer!!