Summer Fun & Date Ideas

This summer never really feels like its going to end to me. It is so hot. Like, so hot. As much as I hate the cold, the heat really does wear on me after an extended period. I know we have at least two more months before it even appears to cool off in the slightest, so I think I'll try to take advantage of the longer days and create some summer fun! Here's my short list of things to do, some that we've done, with my love and those I love.

1. Braves Game | Or any kind of local team. Savannah Bananas, anyone? It's fun to go and cheer on a team together, while enjoying each others company and some yummy stadium snacks.
   
   
   
2.  2. Sno-cone Run | Dublin loves their sno cones. There are two sno cone places in this town! One that just opened up and and is just too cute. Stop in for a treat with a friend or your sweet.
   
   
   
3. 3. Backyard Fun | We've really enjoyed hosting family and friends throughout the summer. It's easy to throw a shindig together with a great outdoor space complete with food, tiki torches, corn hole boards, plenty of seating, and some popsicles! 
4. Beach Trip | We're lucky enough to live just two hours from some of the closest beaches like Hilton Head or Tybee Island. But somehow, we have not made it to the beach once this summer! I think we need to head south this weekend. I love getting up early with the car all packed, picking up some cool drinks and a lunch and just worshiping the sun all day on the sand. 
5. Drive in Movie | Surprisingly, there are a couple of drive in movie theaters sprinkled throughout the state of Georgia. CJM hasn't ever been to a drive in, but I used to go with friends in high school to one in North Georgia and it was a ton of fun. We'd pack the car full of blankets, pillows, and snacks, and head out for a flick or two. 
6. Hour Away Surprise | This is something I do for work, called a "Mystery Trip," for a senior program that we have, but I thought it would be a fun date idea too! Take turns planning a surprise adventure that's only an hour or so away. Try a new restaurant, visit a museum or park, shop at an amazing boutique, and just see some new sights. 
7. Long Weekend Mini Vacay | Sometimes you need a three day weekend out of town to reset and recharge. Head out a little farther from home, maybe somewhere like Charleston, Amelia Island, or a cool mountain town for a change of scenery and fun. 
8. Lake Day | Growing up on Lake Lanier, I spent quite a few summer days in the water. Now, I'm not even really sure where the closest lake is, so I figure we should probably find that out! 
9. Make Ice Cream at Home | Did you used to make ice cream at home as a child? We would always make peach ice cream! I remember waiting what felt like forever for the creamy goodness to be ready. Why not try it as an adult? Different flavors and recipes {thanks, Pinterest!} make the options endless. 
10. Learn to cook something unique like sushi | For Christmas, I bought CJM a sushi making kit and cookbook. We never got to use it though, because almost immediately after Christmas I began packing up our house in preparation of our move! Summer is the perfect time to pull that out. I hate cooking in the summer. I feel so hot and yucky after I get home, and don't want to turn on the stove and make the house any hotter. Sushi is the perfect cool way to cook dinner for the fam. And when making it at home, you can make it low carb leaving out the rice! 
11. Be the bartender and practice making a new cocktail | With so many fresh fruits and herbs available during the summer, try your hand at a new cocktail concoction! Blackberry mojitos, raspberry margaritas, or even the tried and true Popsicle from the freezer dunked in a glass of champagne!
12. Spend evenings unwinding together on the porch | Take that cocktail and head out to the front porch or screened in deck out back to cool off during the evening after work. It's nice to slow down, spend a few moments together, and reconnect during the week. 
13. Decorate a space together | As we're still settling into our new home, there's always a project or something that needs to be done. Oh the joys of home ownership! Take some time to work on a project together like hanging pictures at just the right height, shopping for a new piece of furniture, or painting a room. 
14. Go for a drive as the sun sets |  Swing through Sonic {1/2 price milkshake after 8 p.m.!} and pick up a cool beverage before hitting the road chasing the setting sun. It's so fun to just ride through the country listening to your favorite songs with the windows down and sunroof open. It's the little things, y'all!