Summertime Woes

I think I’m in the minority when I say that I truly despise summer. Maybe I should be more specific: I truly despise summer in Texas. Long gone are the days of enjoyable summer walks, playing outside for hours, and laying out and soaking up the rays in my teens.

I could be fooling myself, but I remember New England summers to be pleasant, well, much more pleasant than Texas summers. Although, I should remind myself that we did not have air conditioning growing up (which was not uncommon in CT) and I vividly recall falling asleep with a wet wash cloth on my forehead as the oscillating fan did it’s best to cool me down…it actually does get pretty hot in Connecticut, people!

When I think of summertime in Texas; “miserable”, “torturous”, or just simply “uncomfortable” are some words that I associate with the season. From April until the beginning of October it’s HOT! Of course, the worst months are June-August. Since we’re right in the middle of it, that could be what has started my rant as I daydream about warm wool sweaters and copious amounts of hot chocolate.

The effects of sun beating on the roof of my car...

As much as I can't stand this time of the year, the weather here has also turned me into the biggest wuss once the thermometer hits 70 degree. In my world, 70 degree = time to pull out the sweaters from the closet. Don't even get my started about going to New England during any season. I'm pretty much a permanent ice cube during in what was once my "normal" back East.

For over a month now, we have had 100 + temperatures almost everyday. Once you go over 100, hot is just hot. We normally watch the 10 p.m. news and have become accustomed to hearing the meteorologist say that the current temperature is 90 degrees...at 10 p.m!

Where we live, they don't mess around with humidity either. I don't know even where to start with the humidity here. Just imagine walking outside and immediately sweating and it not going away. Pretty, huh?

We are still in what is called an "Exceptional Drought" which happens to be the worst level of a drought. We are simply desperate for rain! E. J. hasn't mowed the lawn once this year because the grass has been dead for months (as seen below from last weekend).

I have definitely changed my views of summertime since my teens. Sitting outside to enjoy the sun doesn't sound the least bit interesting to me. I can't figure out if age has done that to be or if it's Texas. The "mature" Barbara in me says that sitting out in the sun = cancer, wrinkles, and sun spots. The Texas Barbara in me says sitting out in the sun = why would anyone want to be miserable in this heat. Oh, and don't forget cancer, wrinkles, and sun spots.

Although the bad outweighs the good in my book, there are some parts of summer that I look forward to each year.

Casual summer outfits with shades

Pretty sunsets

Colorful grocery carts

Carefree one-shoed playtime

Sudden mood changes

Delicious summer meals

Honey Summer Chicken

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced (i use 3 cloves. i LOVE garlic)

1 teaspoon course kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon dried ground marjoram

1/2 teaspoon dried ground mustard

dash ground pepper

Chicken tenders or breasts

Combine melted butter with all the ingredients. Soak the chicken in half of the marinade for about 30 minutes. You can bbq the chicken, but I just threw it on the George Foreman. After it's done, pour the rest of the marinade over the chicken and ta-da! Delish!

(adapted from craigandwhitney.blogspot.com)

Crazy summer hair

So while those who enjoy summer are soaking up the rays, I'm on a constant hunt for air conditioning and shade while counting down the days to cool, crisp fall Texas days and nights.