Reasons I Love Summer

1. Farmer's Markets! 

Medford's is back in full swing this summer, and we're loving the beautiful produce. We also discovered a local salsa maker that we have fallen in love with. Finally someone in New England who gets salsa! She is from New Orleans and lived in Austin for a while (she's a fellow Longhorn). If you see NoLa's Salsas, buy them!

2. Community Events 

Like Medford's Circle the Square, featuring local businesses, the farmers market, food trucks, and even a little beer garden overlooking the Mystic River. 

I also want to checkout Assembled: Somerville's Weekly Arts Market.

3. Food Trucks 

They're popping up at markets and community events. 

I was especially excited to see Vesta Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza back in Medford!

4. Ice Cream Outings. 

Our group at work takes a couple outings each summer to get a little sunshine and ice cream at lunch. 

Local favorites are Kimball Farms and Bedford Farms

5. Peaches

Because peaches mean Peach Cobbler.

6. Refreshing Drinks 

Like Watermelon Limeade, Lemonade, Pimm's Cups (pictured below), 

Rose wine, and Dark and Stormies (with homemade ginger beer).

7. "Pick Your Own Fruit" 

I love driving out to local farms like Tougas Farms to pick fresh fruit like strawberries or peaches!

8. Grilling.

It keeps the house cool in the summer, we get a little sunshine in the long evenings, 

and the results are delicious.

9. Sunny Strolls 

Walks around the neighborhood, hikes in The Fells or around the Lower Mystic Lake and Mystic River, or strolls along the Charles River

10. Trips to Clam Shacks 

A short drive up to the North Shore yields trays full of beautiful fried seafood.

 Pictured below is Woodman's of Essex, but we also love J.T. Farnham's and Clam Box of Ipswich.

11. Baseball

Warm summer night, bright ballpark lights, Fenway Franks, 

the crack of the bat, cheering fans, and a cold Sam Summer. I love baseball games at Fenway.

12. Okra

Whether it's fried, boiled, or pickled, nothing makes this southerner happier than seeing the rare basket of okra for sale at a New England farmer's market.

13. Real Barbeques

A real barbeque means smoked meat (grilled meat = a cookout). Meats rubbed with spices and smoked low and slow on a lazy, hot summer afternoon -- it's practically heaven on earth. Just add a cold beer, potato salad, cole slaw, beans, or some mac and cheese and you've got yourself a meal.

14 Shakespeare in the Common

Each year a different Shakespeare play is put on free of charge in Boston Common.With a blanket and a picnic, it's a fantastic way to spend an evening in the city.

15. Picnics

What list of summer favorites would be complete without picnics? Whether you fix up a humble or elaborate spread, there's nothing like taking a meal outdoors. Summer is rife with picnicking opportunities: the Fourth of July fireworks, hikes in the Fells, Shakespeare in the Common, or a random Saturday afternoon.