For Southerner's, there's nothing better than summertime. It means time on the lake, a trip to the Gulf of Mexico, endless days spent at the golf course/country club, and wearing sundresses daily.
But, when stores start bringing out the "Back-to-School" sale signs, it makes us realize that whether we're ready or not...summer is coming to a close.
The end of summer may bring the end of endless days on the lake, but it also brings with it the beginning of bonfire season.
Everyone loves to jump on the pontoon boat and enjoy a weekend out on the water, there's nothing better than the breeze in your face and a tan on your skin. But, even I have to admit that there is just something special about gathering in a big field with all of your friends, letting down the tail-gates, and burning up a big pile of limbs or pallets.
The end of summer may bring the end of wearing Jack Rogers or going barefoot, but it also means you have an excuse to go out and buy new boots.
It's always really upsetting when the weather is too nippy for me to pull out my trusty Chacos or my Jacks, or to step out onto the back porch barefoot. But, I do love any excuse to go boot shopping, since I feel like I need a new pair for every season.
The end of summer might mean there won't be any more weekend beach trips, but it does mean that you'll be able to devote your weekends to football.
Football in the south is a religion. There's just no other way to put it. On Friday nights, you'll go to the high school football game. Then on Saturday mornings, you'll get up bright and early and head to your favorite college town and tailgate all day. There's just something about seeing your favorite team score that first touchdown of the season that puts your heart at ease with the coming Fall.
It means paying for tuition, books, and fees...but it also means you get to spring for a new wardrobe.
The only thing that makes the swapping of seasons bearable for me is the fact that I get to not only buy new clothes for the season that is coming, but I also get to shop those end of season sales!
It means nippy mornings are coming...but that also means that those hot, sweaty days will be going too!
Now we all know that Southern belles don't sweat, they glisten. But those summer days can get down right unbearable! I may be willing to accept some chilly days if it means I don't have to be in the miserable heat and humidity every day.
It means less shrimp boils and barbecues, but it means more nights cuddled up on the couch with a bowl of chili or brunswick stew.
The worst thing about summer fading away, might be the loss of cooking outside every weekend like I've become accustomed to. But there's just something comforting about cooking a meal in the crock-pot all day and then settling down with the ones you love to take in a movie or a new episode of Nashville.
It means less feel-good summer songs, but more songs like Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney or Harvest Time by Luke Bryan.
You can't not think about Fall when a song about football or harvesting the last of the crops of the year, comes on the radio. There's just a different theme for this time of the year and a change of music ain't so bad.
After all of that...I'm starting to feel a little ready for fall right now!
I better go get my shorts and Jacks on, because before I know it summer will be gone!
What are you most excited about for fall?
xoxo, SS
