holding on

I love the change of season; spring thaw and the arrival of the first crocuses, daffodils and tulips, followed by forsythia and lilacs. The end of the academic year, the opening of the city pool, and boom summer's here. The back-to school anticipation, the crisper air and change of colors to sparkling red and orange hues. The first snow.

But seriously, summer is really the only season I hold on to. I mean who, in Minnesota, holds on to winter (aside for compulsive skiers and ice fishing enthusiasts) after it's been around for about, oh, half a year or so. With loads of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Spring is really just a flash around here, fall can be beautiful (till it turns dark and gray and chilly). But summer, oh summer. Even when it's a steaming hot (with the tornado siren going off with heat advisories; and yes, we've had several tornado warnings this summer too), muggy buggy summer like this one has been (with our house besieged by colds from about mid July to mid August). And to be honest, summer usually lasts from way before school's out. This year we had HOT summer weather in May (but of course we had our month of sick then too).

This week, we're seriously holding on. Labor day is on Monday and then it's back to school on Tuesday. The city pool closed for the season on Sunday. It was the last day Grism's corn was available. On Saturday, Walker Art Center will have its final outdoors Free First Saturday for families before heading inside for the rest of the year.

This holding on is not a sad bad thing. It's slightly nostalgic, but it's more about savoring each and every moment of these final precious days of summer. Be they with friends in the park, or at the zoo as a family. At the pool with friends and/or as a family. Out on the porch (when it's not too hot). In the garden (when it's not too buggy). Stopping by Hogan bros downtown after dinner for ice cream and to hang out with friends. Spending time preparing delicious dinners with fresh ingredients from our garden and the farmer's market. Creating memories to savor when winter gets long...

With friends in the stone ring at the Arboretum

Lilly taking a break in the stone ring

Hanging out in the porch

Fun at the zoo (there were real giraffes too...)

Happy Leighton and Lilly at the zoo

The lily in bloom

Making a splash at the pool

Playing in the park by the farmer's market

 Spicy shrimp over red quinoa with black beans and fresh garden salad

Lilly likes shrimp