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“Then followed that beautiful season…Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Dappled morning sunlight dances on my favorite cozy chair, where I find myself, created from the cherry tree’s leaves in the bird garden. Nelle is sprawled against my legs, napping from her earlier romp on the trails, and an upbeat Baroque composition plays on Classical California. A few birds share their song, and the neighborhood is quiet as some folks have ventured away on holiday trips and others go about their days at a slower pace. All of which is to say, it’s summer and the living is easy, calm, and full of time to just be.
To review if you are picking up on this four-part series for the firs time. Back in Autumn of last year (see below), we remind ourselves to recognize how many everyday moments provide the opportunity to savor. Repetition of a skill that holds an awesome power to turn what we desire into a default that nourishes and elevates the quality of our lived experience, so with Part Four in our series, I want to share again the five specific ways to savor. Four were outlined in Savoring: The New Model of Positive Experience, by Fred B. Bryant and Joseph Veroff, and a fifth was identified in a 2022 study. I have included them again below for reference because the more we consciously understand all of the ways savoring deeply is available to us, the more we give ourselves little gifts throughout each day. And each time we savor, we are training the mind to look for more of such instances because there is a reward in doing so.
Mother Nature is the conductor who orchestrates the season’s arrival. Knowing we have no control over whether or when or how the season will arrive each year is a lesson in dancing with what we are given. What we can always know, what we can guarantee is that we know that we will choose to savor the gifts offered. Of course, where we live, the climate that greets us each day, will be unique to each of us, but just knowing that there are shifts, embracing this reality, can give us much.
Below is Part Four – Summer’s Savorings, and just as I organized the Savorings in the previous three posts, I have continued to organize the savorings that are shared today in Spring’s portion based on the five types of savorings.
Let’s review the five different ways savoring can occur.
To savor involves moments that are sometimes entirely internal, sometimes wholly external, and in other instances, a combination of both. Let’s take a look at each of them: four were outlined in Savoring: The New Model of Positive Experience, by Fred B. Bryant and Joseph Veroff, and a fifth was identified in a 2022 study.
| External world | Internal self | |
| Cognitive Reflection | Thanksgiving (gratitude), Knowing (interest, curiosity) | Basking (pride) |
| Experiential absorption | Marveling (awe), Knowing (interest, curiosity) | Luxuriating (pleasure of the senses) |
Let’s explore the concluding post of the Seasonal Savoring series.
Marveling (awe)
1. Enjoy the early sunrise
While in the winter, I am willing the sun to wake up with me, in the summer, I push myself out of bed so that I can enjoy the soft light as the sun sits low on the morning horizon. Nelle also helps nudge me awake, as she is ready for breakfast when the bedroom begins to fill with light, and I appreciate her encouragement as this time of day is precious. The neighborhood is quiet, the birds sing their dawn chorus, and the garden looks especially beautiful without the harsh light of midday.
2. Relax on the porch during a summer storm to savor all the scents
When the heat arrives, at some point, we know a summer storm will follow. Whether it brings buckets of rain or a misting, it is relished. As soon as the sky starts to darken, I ready myself to step outside on the porch, because the scent, sights and sound are fleeting and oh so stunning to witness.
3. Stay up and watch the sun tuck itself into bed
Between trying to watch the sunrise and wanting to observe the artistry of the sunset, sleep can be short, but it’s worth it on the occasions when the evening sky looks like a painting.
4. Discover vibrant gardens on a day trip, weekend, or grand vacation
Whether you have the opportunity to visit a grand garden such as Villandry in France’s Loire Valley (take a video tour of my visit in July 2018, seen below), or simply are wandering about your town or nearby towns, take in the beauty of the gardens.
During a recent trip in late June to Portland, I smiled when I spied this hydrangea.
~Seen below, a neighbor’s garden in Bend~
Luxuriating (pleasure of the senses)
5. Play in the water
Not only does it feel good to dip our toes or our whole body into the fresh water, but it is a sensation that rivals few others. The wet, the buoyancy, the magical feeling of the water washing over you. Whether while walking along the ocean or sea shores, paddling a river or wading into a stream, let the water invite you to feel its refreshment.
6. Luxuriate in sleep
Give in to what your body needs when it comes to rest. Whether sleeping in or taking naps or turning in early, just do it and let your body then wake you when you are ready. The days and nights out and about will be all the more enjoyed with a rested being.
7. Enjoy time outside regularly and often
Aside from the middle of the day one in the afternoon until about six pm, I am finding reasons to be outside. Morning breakfasts and walks, pottering in the garden, even working outside in the bird garden under the shade of the trees, just feeling the breeze, taking in the warmth and knowing that such enjoyment isn’t available all year, makes it all the more special.
8. Schedule a regular self-nourishing “Me-Day”
While we regular me-days throughout the year are a wise and nourishing idea, during the summer, it may be more feasible to do so if work schedules lighten and those in our lives have days off as well to care for children, pets and other responsibilities while we take a day to ourselves. And most definitely do so.
This opportunity to follow our energy and curiosity has the potential to be nourishing in ways we didn’t know we needed until we receive the gift only we can give ourselves.
9. Plan a picnic
Whether in our home town or while on our travels, the summer seasons provides the opportunity to enjoy a picnic on the grass, so pack your basket. Whether in your own company or with others, stop by a favorite grocer or farmers’ market and indulge yourself, picking out your favorite simple, yet scrumptious items. Add a demi bottle of wine perhaps, a book, don’t forget the wine glasses and a blanket to spread on the ground, and get ready to while away the time. Summer at its best.
10. Hang a hammock
My first hammock in my own yard was made available when I first moved to Bend, as my rental house had huge pine trees in the backyard (see below). Picking out two that were an ideal distance from each other, I purchased a hammock, and created fond memories of swinging away under the trees in the heat of summer.
~Here is a similar hammock to the one I found and was quite comfortable.
11. Enjoy a concert outside
The amphitheaters are singing their songs during the summer, and whether you prefer a large crowd or live music at a small café as the musician shares their talents, be sure to notice, perhaps stop and listen, noting that this is the special gift that summer gives us – outside, a brave soul playing their tunes, and good weather for each of us to do what we love.
12. Explore cooking with the fresh produce found at the farmers’ market
Oh, the farmers’ markets. A favorite weekly outing that is also a necessity. More fun and enjoyment is there in doing a must-do task than visiting the farmers’ markets?
13. Slow down and take time just to be, regularly
A simple guiding principle for us all during summer. Add favorite simple luxuries to make the being even more of a treat, and let yourself unwind.
Thanksgiving (gratitude)
14. Establish an unplugged schedule
Because we are beckoned outside more and perhaps have more free time to do with our days as we prefer, when our attention and energy is focused on what we enjoy, it becomes easier to not use our technology as a crutch or outlet to scroll when we are bored or stuck doing something we don’t want to do. Use this opportunity to discover how the days become all the more elevated when we put technology in its place – letting it support our life rather than be our life.
While I am staring at a computer regularly regardless of the season, when I keep technology – my cell phone, my computer, tablet, etc. – in a designated spot (the phone never comes into the bedroom to stay, and neither do my other tech devices), it helps to engage fully in the rest of my life and day. Setting ‘do not disturb’ times on our phone, or silencing them for regular periods each day, ensures we are not being interrupted when we are going about enjoying our day. If we find that this was an enjoyable and nourishing experience during the summer months, then we can decide how to carry these approaches into autumn and throughout the year.
15. Enjoy daily meals al fresco
As shared above in #7, along with just being outside in any way we most enjoy, enjoying meals outside epitomizes summer’s gifts. Whether at home or when dining out, choose the table that is outside, under the shade tree or awning, wherever you feel most comfortable and drink in this opportunity in which so much is in our favor to sit, appreciate and savor.
16. Watch a movie outdoors in the garden or outdoor sitting area
If you and your loved ones enjoy movies, take the film outside. Of course making sure the sound is contained so as not to disturb neighbors, and yet again summer reveals how we can change up regular activities and make them unique and quite special.
Basking (pride)
17. Permit the luxuries we eschewed while working the rest of the year
Summer is the time to celebrate your discipline and hard work during the other three seasons. You’ve diligently adhered to certain routines and refrained from not doing other things, so while giving yourself credit for doing so, now, let yourself indulge a bit in what you either would never do (but isn’t harmful to do just a little) or couldn’t do. Sleep in, have a second glass of wine, stay out late, book an extended long weekend getaway, slip away in the middle of the day to do something that you love. Whatever it is, know that you know you do have discipline, but during the summer, you also need to let your hair down and follow the whims of fancy that dance into your life.
18. Travel as much as possible
If summer is the primary time when travel is possible, then doing so can be an amazing gift we give ourselves. In tomorrow’s Ponderings . . . post, I will share findings about what exactly tends to happen to people when they travel as opposed to not traveling. Needless to say, our life elevates and we attune our choices to what better aligns with our true self.
Admittedly, being able to travel is a luxury in that it does often cost money. This is why I have included it in the Basking category; however, it definitely fits into other savoring categories as well (awe, thanksgiving, knowing, luxuriating, so yep! all of them). When we start with noting that our ability to travel is a gift we give ourselves, we can absolutely bask, as this ensures we will not take it for granted, we’ve worked hard to enable our ability to do so, and we will most definitely savor it all the more.
While this summer, and year for that matter, I haven’t traveled abroad as my attention has been on bringing Savoring the Sojourn to publication, I cannot wait to begin traveling more regularly come next year and summer. But in the meantime, my short trips to Portland and to the many different gardens in Oregon as well as to see family have offered many gifts as well, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to travel in any occasion.
~Nelle exploring my mother’s peonies during a recent visit.~
19. Let’s stay in the garden and tend to it, reveling in the beauty
The planning for this gardening season may have concluded, but now is the savoring in our plans unfurling in their own time. The sunflowers begin to open, the dahlias will soon be sharing their continual blooms, and while some flowers are done flowering for the season, just being out in the garden and seeing that they gave their beauty when they did, reminds us that planning and our nurture is worth it for the beauty they give us when they do bloom.
Knowing (interest, curiosity)
20. Revamp eating habits
Summer has always been a time when I feel I have the most success in eating well. With the fresh produce more readily available that is full of flavor, eating well and satiating my tastebuds means I don’t eat as much, but I eat well. The farmers’ market helps with this, and TSLL’s Intro to French Cooking: Everyday Deliciousness centers around doing just that: keeping it simple, eating well and eating with the seasons.
21. Indulge in leisure reading
While I know TSLL readers read year-round, during summer, more time seems to appear, or maybe it is because of less cumbersome schedules, whatever the case may be, having a book (or two, or three) at the ready is a great companion to carry us through summer.
22. Consider seriously that sanctuary project that would nourish your being
Because of a bit (or a lot) of freetime in the summer, or maybe inspired by something you observed on your travels, you may have a clear idea of how a certain change or addition to your home or garden would elevate your everydays. Use this free time to ponder what exactly it would be, how to do it and begin taking the first steps to bring it into existence.
This coming Wednesday on the blog, I will share with TOP Tier Members the tour of my foyer, which just had parquet flooring added and custom closets to better suit my life, and in July’s gardening post that will be shared next week, there is an idea I am pondering regarding the garden. Hmmm . . . 🤔 See, summer has a way of tickling our idea factory that is our creative mind.
~Explore one of more than 30 ideas for projects in your home here as shared in detailed posts inspired by Le Papillon’s customization since 2020.
23. Add a sartorial detail of preference to the summer capsule wardrobe
What piece of clothing would make summer more comfortable for how you enjoy living it? Why not buy it? Especially if it is an item that will pair well with many different items. Linen tends to be a reliable and versatile purchase for summer wardrobes whether a pair of shorts, shirt, pants, blazer or scarf. There were quite a few linen items shared in the most recent This & That posts – explore them here.
~Explore TSLL’s most recent Outfits of the Month posts here for more summer clothing finds, and many on sale.
Summer is a sweetspot on the calendar. Some may say bittersweet because when it ends, we are hurled back into the regular schedule of work, school and everyday life that holds many demands on our time. But I would argue that summer gives us the chance, should we see it as such to make sure that when we return in Autumn, we are no longer do anything unconsciously, but instead making decisions and living a life that brings us to life. Summer gives us the time to gain clarity because in the relaxing, in the ease, is when we begin to find the time to really listen to ourselves. All we have to then is have the courage to take action in a way that ensures we are living instead of being swept along by the tide of must-dos and cultural have-tos.
I hope you have enjoyed this four-part series filled with ideas of how to savor each season and deeply so when we do, understanding the various ways that savoring can appear in our everydays. Look for TSLL’s new book Savoring the Sojourn: Contentment Through the Seasons as Your Unearth Your Masterpiece to be released on August 25th globally on Amazon (you can preorder a signed copy here), and it will be available in all four formats: hardback, paperback, ebook and audio. Learn more about the book, watch the trailer and the inspiration for the book here.
Have a wonderful rest of the summer!
To be released on August 25th!
Preorder a signed copy here.
Explore each of the posts in this 4-part Seasonal Savorings series
Explore More Summer Seasonal posts
Dear Shannon,
Thank-you for sharing these thought provoking ideas on how to savor summer. I am about half-way through your French Cooking course and was inspired to go to our local Farmers’ Market. What a delight it was. I picked up the most gorgeous bouquet of summer blooms, garlic scape pesto goat cheese, beets with the greens, lettuce, red scallions, shiitake mushrooms , and fresh pasta. With herbs, kale and greens from my own garden I put together the most delicious al fresco meal. I made a French Vinaigrette dressing for my greens and roasted beet salad with goat cheese and stir fried the vegetable and mushrooms and coated them and the pasta with a delicious Persillade sauce (parsley, thyme, tarragon and rosemary, garlic, salt with EVO and lemon balsamic) It was magical! My husband and son loved it ! I paired it with a peach wine from a local vineyard. Oh,BTW I used my French market tote and Savor, Savor, Savor tote from the Contentment Class at the market. Your wonderful ideas uplift our every days! 🥰
Jamie! My mouth is watering just reading your comment! Thank you for sharing all of this and enticing us to visit the market! The deliciousness of the seasonal offers doesn’t disappoint and I am tickled you are finding the cooking class helpful. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! (And LOVE that the tote was brought with you and helped to bring home your delicious treats!) Your kind words are a gift. Thank you!