3 Tips for How to Enjoy the Last Days of Summer by Shayla Marie
Have you ever wished you could slow down time just to savor the last golden days of summer? Although I adore Fall, I really wish there was a rule that autumn decor and advertisements had to wait until at least the first week of fall — how about you? Somehow, seeing pumpkin everything in August makes me want to hold onto these last warm summer evenings even more.
I love summertime.
The long, golden evenings.
The hum of bees drifting lazily over the garden.
The way the air smells like ripe tomatoes, fresh-picked produce, and freedom.
It’s one of my very favorite seasons — maybe because it holds so much life, so much light and abundance.
Out here on our rustic mountain homestead, tucked deep in the woods, summer feels especially sweet. The garden is bursting, the kitchen is overflowing with beautiful canned jars of food, the forest is alive with birdsong, and even though the days are growing shorter now, there’s still enough warmth and glow to make each evening feel like a gift.
This year, our family decided to create something new — a special outdoor gathering space. We worked together to set it up, stringing lights across a tent and arranging a cozy spot complete with tables and the grill where we could celebrate the late-summer evenings together. It was simple, rustic, and beautiful — and it quickly became a space that drew everyone outside. Even though it’s new, this gathering spot for our family and friends, and has already brought so much joy and laughter, and we hope it becomes a lasting family tradition.
Every year, right about this time, my heart aches just a little. I watch my children soaking up the last bits of summer’s end — faces warm from the sun, laughter echoing through the trees. And I can’t help but feel a bittersweet tug. This moment right here — the way they are today — will never come again.
Some of my kids are grown now, and there’s a real possibility that next summer, a few might decide to “fly the coop.” I know this is the way it should be. We raise them to spread their wings, to grow strong, to live out the purpose God has for them. But knowing that doesn’t make the letting go any easier.
So as the seasons shift from summer into fall, I’m determined to savor every drop of this golden season. For me, that means slowing down just enough to enjoy the harvest, to celebrate what we’ve grown — in the garden, in our family, and in life.
3 Tips for How to Enjoy the Last Days of Summer
1. Take it Outside
Spend time outdoors: Even just a few minutes in your garden or on your porch can help you soak up the last warmth and light of the season.
Since this is the first year we’ve set up our outdoor gathering space, we’ve been taking full advantage of it. Sitting under twinkle lights, hearing crickets sing in the forest, and watching kids play while adults linger over food feels like the perfect sendoff for the season.
We laugh, we eat, and we linger long after the sun sets, telling stories and soaking up every last ounce of summer. It’s not about fancy décor or expensive food —we are thrifty, hard working simple country folk, and so it’s about being together, celebrating God’s goodness, and enjoying the harvest of both the garden and family life. Even though the space is new, it already feels like home, and we can’t wait to continue this tradition in the years to come.
2. Host a simple Pot Luck Party
Invite family or friends for a casual evening under twinkle lights or around a fire pit — no fancy setup required.
To make hosting easy and possible for our family, I have been doing potluck parties where everyone brings their own hot dogs or premade burgers and drinks plus a side, and I supply the condiments.
This simple method makes it possible for me to host, even on an afternoon after a morning of summer canning and work.
3. Savor Seasonal Foods
Savor the flavors of the season by eating fresh produce from your garden or local markets, and whenever possible, take the time to enjoy meals outside. Because no good gathering is complete without food, I’ll be sharing some of my very favorite late summer meal ideas.
- Think garden-fresh tomato bruschetta
- cumin and feta burgers
- hot dog bars
- Mediterranean cabbage salad
- fried zucchini and eggplant
- pizzas, bonus points if made on the grill
- and of course — my Caesar salad with fresh homemade croutons.
All of these are simple, fresh, and perfect for feeding a crowd while enjoying the last warm evenings of summer.
A Time for Everything
The shifting seasons always bring to mind Ecclesiastes 3:1:
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.”
There is a time for planting and a time for harvesting. A time for late summer parties and a time for quiet fall evenings. A time for children to be little — and a time for them to grow up and fly.
As the season begins to fade, I’m holding onto these golden days because I’ve learned that these days are like a vapor, and if you don’t make time to enjoy every drop, every bite, and every moment, you’ll miss out. The harvest is here — not just in the garden, but in my life — and I’m choosing to savor it all, right here on this mountain I call home.
Right now, my time is here — lingering in these last warm days, watching the kids play in the hammocks, listening to the sounds of the woods while my kids make one more round of late-summer memories. My time is gathering my family under our new glowing tent, eating food fresh from the garden, and laughing late into the night. My time is enjoying the harvest.
Try Your Own Late Summer Gathering
If you’re looking for ways to savor the last days of summer, why not create your own outdoor gathering space? Even a small setup with twinkle lights, a tent, or just a cozy corner of your yard can bring your family together for laughter, stories, and late-summer memories. Try a few of these ideas, host your own gathering, and make this season one to remember! Oh, by the way, would you leave a comment and tell us your favorite ways to enjoy the last golden drops of summer? I’d love to hear.
