Chasing Summer Sunbeams: A Summer Blog Tag

A very long time ago, Emi and Julie of The Idlewood Archives tagged me for a Summer Blog Tag! Thank you very much!! Just after they tagged me I wrote nearly all of this post. Then the summer holidays ended, and I haven't had time to finish it until now. I know it's autumn now but I'd written so much of it that it seemed a shame not to publish it! I will get straight on to the rules, in the hope of getting this out before winter:

Rules

1. Acknowledge who tagged you!

2. Answer the questions!

3. Tag friends!

4. Have fun!

I've already thanked Julie and Emi, so, onto the questions!

1. What's a book you read with summer vibes?

Oooh, I don't know... I'm sure I've forgotten something really obvious. I think I'm going to say Emma. I know lots of it isn't set in summer, but I was reading it when we were on holiday this year, so it just says summer to me! Especially the strawberry-picking scene:

       

     The whole party were assembled, excepting Frank Churchill, who was expected every moment from Richmond; and Mrs. Elton, in all her apparatus of happiness, her large bonnet and her basket, was very ready to lead the way in gathering, accepting, or talking -- strawberries, and only strawberries, could now be thought or spoken of. -- 'The best fruit in England -- every body's favourite -- always wholesome. These the finest beds and finest sorts. -- Delightful to gather for one's self -- the only way of really enjoying them. Morning decidedly the best time -- never tired -- every sort good -- hautboy infinitely superior -- no comparison -- the others hardly eatable -- hautboys very scarce -- Chili preferred -- white wood finest flavour of all -- price of strawberries in London -- abundance about Bristol -- Maple Grove -- cultivation -- beds when to be renewed -- gardeners thinking exactly different -- no general rule -- gardeners never to be put out of their way -- delicious fruit -- only too rich to be eaten much of -- inferior to cherries -- currants more refreshing -- only objection to gathering strawberries the stooping -- glaring sun -- tired to death -- could bear it no longer -- must go and sit in the shade.'

2. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would you go?

One place would be Italy, especially Rome and Florence, but it would be so hot there at the moment that I don't know if I would rather go in the winter. However, it being hot might be part of the charm. Yes, I think I'm going to say Italy!

3. What's a poem or quote that reminds you of summer?

This quote from Jane Eyre always makes me think of hat summer walks:

    

    What a still, hot, perfect day! What a golden desert this spreading moor! Everywhere sunshine. I wished I could live in it and on it. I saw a lizard run over the crag; I saw a bee busy among the sweet bilberries. I would fain at the moment have become bee or lizard, that I might have found fitting nutriment, permanent shelter here.

4. Describe your favourite summer memory.

This isn't really one memory, but going to the beach with my family on our summer holiday every year. All the visits blend into one really, in a good way, because we go to the same beaches and do the same things: swimming, drawing, flying kites, rock pooling and getting sunburnt. It's always amazing!

5. Your ideal summer is filled with _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , and _ _ _ _ _ _ . 

Friends, beaches and painting.

6. What is your favourite summer food?

Blackcurrant and cream ice cream in a cone. It is sooo good. I had it at a Cornish beach this summer and I loved it.

7. Favourite summer activities?

Painting, swimming, seeing friends and enjoying doing nothing!

8. How do you usually celebrate 4th of July?

 As I'm English I don't really...

9. What's a song that reminds you of summer?

 "What time is it?", from High School Musical 2! It's just so cheesy and summery! (and yes, I have watched all three of the High School Musical films!) Here it is!

 

10. What are you most excited for this summer?

Sadly, I've taken so long to do this tag that summer has finished by now! However, the most exiting thing that's happened to me this summer is that my family moved house! 

That's all of them! As it's October I'd better not tag anyone, so I shall conclude by saying thank you again, Emi and Julie - that was really fun to write!