The $100 Question: Tell Amy from Doobleh-Vay What Says Summer To You?

I live in Phoenix Summer means HOT and SUNNY but I wouldn't trade it.

Watermelon always says summer time:)

Hambergers and Hot Dogs....

BBQ's and swimming say summer to me.

Summer means my son being home till he is off for College.

Summer says relaxing next to the pool.

summer says endless photo opps!

to me, summer says dandelions and lemonade

Heavens! So many things say summer to me... Shorts, skirts, flip-flops capping off my oh-so-white gams... Perhaps it is the lobster red sunburn that will soon be gracing said appendages. The sunburn that will cause me to walk with a decided hitch in my step. Something that will make people look at me sympathetically when I go to the store, desperately seeking lidocaine. Ah, perhaps...but no. No, I say. Truly, the thing that heralds in the summer, is camping. That's right. CAMPING.

Oh yes, Memorial Day rolls around every year and thoughts of camping dance about my head. Well, dance maybe be too light-hearted a word to describe these thoughts. Shuffle? No... Whirl? Hmmm, better. Yes, Whirl could evoke the swirling mass of overriding angst and stress that camping brings to my mind. Like a tornado, ready to tear your world asunder and whirl you and your beleagered loved ones into the middle of nowhere. Surrounded by bugs and muck, you are transported from your comfortable surroundings into a world with no shower to rid you of the unwashed stank of bug spray, smoke, sweat,and despair. Yes, that sounds about right.

Don't get me wrong. I love nature. I was a dedicated girlscout. I recycle. However, at the end of the day, I love my own bed and I want to sleep in it. Not in a sleeping bag. On the ground... But God bless my other half... He thinks I like camping. Every time he makes the suggestion, he misses the look of absolute terror that plays over my face. He LOVES camping and because I love him, I humor him. I pack the load of food, drinks, and sleeping bags. Tent, tarps, sprays, clothes, and cooking supplies.

I pack them all. I review my list. I ponder whether I need anti-anxiety medication, because I don't think I'll be able to make it... I think about how much I'm going to hate it and then I think about how that face lights up when we pull up to that camp spot by a beautiful lake. I try to put mosquitos and leeches out of my mind and when it comes down to it, we go camping. Because it's summer, and summer is the time to camp.

Fresh fruits and vegetables! Yummy.

Fresh fruits and vegetables! Yummy.

Shorts and tshirts

Summer is water sprinklers, sandy feet, lawn chairs and watermelon. Love it!

Summer to me is camping and watermelon!

Being able to garden and having cut flowers in the house every day.

We just got hit with HOT weather. Today I have plenty of gratitude for the air conditioner and fans.

fresh fruit, lemonade and swimming pools

When I really begin pulling out the Lilly print clothing! (and flip flops/pedicures, of course)

Volleyball

Evening cookouts.

Weight loss from all the increased activity.

Frozen drinks.

Sand in my car.

Riding horses into the evening.

Getting up early in the A.M. to enjoy the sunrise.

Long walks on the beach.

Hot pretzels and mustard.

Warm summer rain.

From the farmer's market is my favorite harbinger of summer. Locally grown produce in season, like strawberries, tomatoes, etc. Taste so much better when they are in season and fresh, not imported and covered in wax and pesticides.

Well the weather outside now does not but it's when the shorts come out the tank tops are blooming and all the suntan lotion smells swirling around your nose makes you want to grab your bikini and run to the beach. Well for me now it's a one piece but who's really paying that much attention right?

So does Mosquitos. I get horrible red rashes whenever I get bitten by them so to be honest that is the only negative thing I associate with summer.

Open windows with a breeze blowing, birds at our feeders.

I love fresh homemade ice cream we always make it a ton in the summer and it is so so good.

Watermelon, family outings, swimsuits, popsicles, etc...

Nothing says summer to me like visiting my local fire station and taking some baked goods to the firefighters. I used to be a seasonal firefighter and like to thank them for all the hard work and sacrifice they give during the long, dry summers here in California. :)

Summer means more time to read a great book, and less time to worry about kids' homework and schedules!

Drinking ice cold Pink Lemonade and sitting out by a pool is what summer means to me!

Over 100 degrees F Texas heat!

Summer to me means warm, warm temperatures. Sweating, wearing shorts & t-shirts & tank tops just to stay cool.

Summer to me says celebration, laughter and opportunities! We love to grill all summer long and make pizza with foods from our garden!

hearing lawnmowers, grilling, and being lazy.

seems like I have been waiting forever for nive weather and when I can go outside all the time that means summer to me

When we can finally open our windows after a long, cold winter and then a cold, wet spring -- nothing says summer like open windows and a fresh breeze.

People walking around with sunburns is a pretty good indication of summer in OK!

The Vans Warped Tour says summer to me!!!

BBQ, fireworks and 4th of July say summer to meee!

Salads and popsicles say summer to me

Swimming in the pool and getting a tan says summer to me

To me summer says time to PARTY!

Summer says the kids are going to drive me absolutely crazy!