Dear summer,
I’m a little disappointed.
I feel like we haven’t really had the chance to spend any time together.
You were here for like a hot minute.
And now?
I heard from a friend that you’re talking about leaving?
What in the world?
Remember when we talked about going to the beach?
And the art galleries.
And the Grand Canyon.
And the tip of Florida.
And I patiently explained to you that I was going to eat summer salads and drink unsweetened tea and grow my own herbs and make healthy dinners each night and lose weight and then go and get a spray tan and highlight my hair.
Remember?
Remember when I told you that my new skinny, tan, highlighted self was going to go to WalMart—hoping to run into someone that I went to high school with looking all summer-like and carefree and like I wasn’t even trying to look amazing.
Remember when I was going to bicycle down to the square.
You know.
Riding the cute bicycle with the basket and the flowers.
And then it was 112 degrees and an air-conditioned car seemed so much better.
All those plans.
All those hopes and highlighted dreams.
And now you have one foot out the door and all I have is sweaty hair, empty water bottles and painted red toes to show for your visit.
I heard yesterday that fall is knocking at the door.
He’s asking around about how to get here.
Someone told me he’s showing up 30 days from today.
I hope he’s cute.
I hope he’s cool.
I hope he’s bringing sweater weather with him when he comes.
But for now, it’s just you and me.
Oh, good.
We still have a little bit of time left together.
Time for summer flowers.
Time for highlighted hair and red lipstick.
Time for sunshine.
Time to pull out that bicycle and precariously ride downtown.
Just a little more time.
And I’m treasuring every minute.
PS This post was brought to you by the flower section of Trader Joe’s. In an attempt to chase away a little sadness—I bought out the store. 🙂
Unsweetened tea? Really??
Unsweetened tea is not all bad! And you look beautiful just the way you are. So put those feet with the red painted toenails up on an ottoman, turn up the air conditioning, grab a book, drink your tea and be thankful for who and what you are, my friend, because you are very special!
Never fear, summer will be here until October no matter what the calendar says! Your sweaty fall loving friend.
Love the added color from the flowers, really adds a smile to the rooms. Ha! Summer....it has been cool and rainy here for two days so I am pretending it is fall and starting the switch to fall accessories. It will be 90 degrees on the weekend and spoil the fun, but at least no humidity, cool nights and a little promise of fall on the way. Summer heat and allergies are my nemesis...although it is beautiful out here where we are, with lots of trees, golf course space, and big mountain views.
Jillian, do you live in Wyoming? That weather report sounds just like Casper! Including golf courses and gorgeous mountain views!
I love the gladioli KariAnne. But, unsweetened tea! Here in the South there’s no such thing. What’s the point? I can relate to your feelings, it feels as if summer never came (except the extreme heat and humidity).
Love this! You are amazing and so is your house. I love the blue and white and the red pop of color. Just gorgeous! Just like you.
I received my Jeffrey Court book last night. AAHHH!!! I dived right into it. The book is so pretty. I'm relishing each and every page of it. I'm just so proud of you!
Karianne- Your writing style lures me in every day. It's like I'm having a face to face convo with you and I'm sure you know what I would say back to you. I'm feeling the push that fall is making to crowd itself into the little space I've made for summer. Reading your post helped me push back and revel in the 30 days I have left to enjoy the pretty flowers, juicy peaches and fat tomatoes. I won't allow a pumpkin or plaid throw or even a pot of pretty mums to come aboard until I am ready to part with summer. Thanks for letting me justify the need to hold on and revel in the moment. Summer is good, she is kind, and she is still HERE!
Amen, Phyllis!!! I am on your team!
From someone who lives in the tip of Florida, where it is basically ALWAYS summer, I invite you to visit when winter hits and you are ready to expose those painted toenails once again. And I will serve you tea however you are drinking it then, but also introduce you to cafe con leche and cuban food! Loving the pops of color, too!
I'm ready for summer to hit the road! The bicycle rides hurt my bottom and I get strange looks if I add a pillow. ;)
There is no need to be sad that Summer is "leaving." You're in Texas now. We have until 10/31 before we see our first real cool front. That's plenty of time ;) and what's that saying about us here in North Texas? Wait ten minutes and the weather will change... back to 100°... so, see, no reason to feel the need to say Goodbye just yet. :)
Love the pops of red!!! Fear not. Summer may leave, but guess what?? It'll be back NEXT YEAR!!!! ;)
Love all the color! It looks great!
I love unsweetened tea, but I'm not sure you'd be such a fan, given your connection to sweet tea. OH, and I received my Jeffrey Court - KARIANNE LOOK BOOK!! Loving it!!
Oh I love this post and the flowers! Yep.. bit sad as I can feel touch of fall in the air in KY. Forever summer girl.. honeysuckle candles glowing..as I stare at the pool outside who must be missing the mermaids being outside. Fall makes me sad. School starts and babies aren't truly babies anymore. Fall is full of change... leaves are beautiful for a bit.. but then leave the trees naked. Sorry not making you feel better. Still celebrating every second of summer.. and yes try to stay in denial.. like always.
Yes!! RED! That's what you need to balance out that bright blue rug in the dining room! Red gladiolas are perfect! And maybe red painted toes, too (although you don't have to show us that picture). Love these photos!
My mother lived at the coast for many years. That is when this time of year became the best time to visit both the beach and Momma. We would pull the beach chairs up to the tide and put our feet in and Momma would always say, the water feels as warm as bath water this time of year. It would just be us on the beach, with our feet in the bathtub, telling old tales. ps g & t is my favorite summer drink
You are so funny! Summer was short..but being in Texas you can have warm autumns to ride your bike around. :)
😊 Thanks for bringing a smile on a tough day. Love the red!
This made me chuckle with your sweet writing style and also to relish this summer season cause here in NY we are always happy to see fall come, then winter and know spring returns.
Very cute post that had me laughing and the flowers are amazing!
the flowers in the dining room look like fireworks!! such a fun red. white and blue look!! fall is my favorite time of year but here in southern california we do't get much fall weather. but to be fair we don't get a lot of winter weather either!!
I just love the Jeffrey Court Lookbook! It is so beautiful! I want to show the book to my friends and say this is my friend, Karianne’s, beautiful home. Because I read your blog posts everyday, I feel like you are indeed my friend (even though we’ve never met). Your posts are truly a joy to read. You are a gifted writer.
ooooh...your summer romance list looked a little like mine...minus the cute bike riding. Admitting I am past that one. I, too, have missed the beach time, even up the road 30 minutes; the healthy salads and weight loss; the million ounces of water to drink goal; and the incredible declutter goal that didn't happen. I do love fall, but regretfully wave goodbye to summer.
I love this post and I can really relate. I just refuse to rush fall. The summer has been so busy I feel like I've been out of breath all season just to keep up. Winding it down now and trying to enjoy this last hurrah! I love the glads, and the Jeffrey Court book is wonderful. (The pic of you is adorable and your smile is contagious!) Have a great happy summer day my friend...sweet tea and all.
LOL. So glad we still have 30 days of summer to go, but the really hot weather and humidity could take a hiatus. Pat
Love the *POP* of bright red flowers with the blue & white! After spending most of the summer inside with the AC cranking for relief from the worst hot & humid summer of my life I, for one, will welcome and embrace the cool, crisp autumn air and everythng mums & pumpkins. AND!!!....did you know, my LookBook arrived in today's mail!!! YEAH!! Page 4 is a 'Do Not Miss' with your smiling face a red lipstick. You are adorable (as always)! Thank you for the book of inspiration.
Love this post ! You are such a great writer ! And an amazing decorator because your home is JUST BEAUTIFUL ! I got a chuckle from the 'southern gals' questioning the unsweetened tea ! I totally get where they're coming from ! But try that unsweetened tea with a little spoon of Stevia - ALMOST as good !!
Love the "pops" of colors you purchased. I made some myself. You are so special. Thanks for being here!!!
You are so funny and such a creative writer. I am so jealous and in awe of you.... Here's to all the summers to come and the falls that will follow!
Yay unsweetened tea!!! The flowers are lovely, as is the whole house! Hugs!
Hey, us "Midwesterners"drink our tea unsweetened! Not too bad really, all what you get use to. Summer always goes fast. But Fall is pretty nice too! Soon the apple orchards will be opening here and there will be good things to look forward to then. Happy day!
I was thinking the same thing, perpetual summer here in South Florida! How I wish we had a fall season! But during wintertime everyone wants to be here ....at least for a visit! You can actually wear your sparkly flip flops all year ...except for maybe a couple of days! Cheers to unsweetened iced tea, Trader Joe flowers, and going to Walmart looking all sweaty and still being fabulous!
Don’t worry about not getting to the Grand Canyon. I was listening to a podcast just yesterday and Oprah and Gloria Steinem both agreed after the effort of traveling there that they could have just looked at a picture of it and been just as happy. I’m taking them at there word for now because life is busy and it’s not in my foreseeable future I’m not sure what my point is, but I felt better anyway. Oh yes... I’m going now to buy a picture book about Sweden and try to apply the same principle.
The pop of red flowers in your beautiful rooms are perfection! Lovely post to read. Enjoy!
Well, i for one can say... " FALL, COME ON DOWN!!!" 😅😅😅
I think we all feel this way. It has been such a hot summer. It has been hard to enjoy it. Now it is almost over. Live your flowers. I did the same thing last week just needed that lift.
I am looking forward to Fall. It is my favorite season. Marilyn
I am pretty much over the 100+ weather. Come on Fall! You'd better be cool and bring sweater weather with you! :) How pretty the red flowers look with the blue and white. Love it! Hugs, Cecilia
Oh, my! The red just sets off the beautiful blue and white home decor. I love it!
Love all the flowers. Just as I was reading todays post, my husband comments on the way outside to cut the lawn...”just think a few more weeks of dealing with the green stuff and we will be preparing to be buried in the white stuff”. LOVE Minnesota but gosh darn we better not have a winter again like last year. We didnt even get spring😣
You always make me smile. You are such an animated writer, and I'm seriously drooling over your home! I always hope for an Indian summer. They are so pretty here in the Midwest. I hope you get back to your dreamy summer list, fall can wait! Jane x
Beautiful colors!! Absolutely love it!
Just received my Jeffrey Court Lookbook and I love it! The Classic Kitchen is my favorite!! Thank you! And bring on the cool, crisp days of autumn!!
Yes, please!
Such a pretty and comfy looking room. I love your writing and I feel your pain about all the things planned for summer that just didn"t come to fruition:)
Dear sweet friend, Summer really flies by too fast! I feel your pain. I didn’t lose weight either. 😫 But we have 30 days! Let’s go to the beach and ride our bikes and eat salad and drink unsweet tea! Let’s plan a getaway! While there’s still time... 🏖🚲🥗☀️😎 PS - GREAT idea to chase away sadness with bright red flowers! You’re always my kinda girl! 😍🌺
Priceless!! I really enjoyed your post.
"Oh won't you staaay, just a little bit longer!! [best Frankie Vallie voice] Please summer...stay!!! xoxo
Oh my goodness, Karianne, those red flowers made me catch my breath and blink my eyes! What a one word statement they make in your dining room. Beautiful!!! I am not sad to see summer go. It's been hot and humid with a lack of rain. My seasons are the other three, preferably winter. I love the beauty of the falling snow as it blankets the earth and trees, etc. And I love the smell of a snow storm. I will totally enjoy fall, delight in winter and welcome spring with a big smile. Summer? Not so much!
The heat of this summer about did me in! I welcome the cool nights and good sleep they will bring. I just wish fall would linger a bit longer. I love all the seasons, but fall and spring are definitely my favorites. Treasure every day!
I'm always broken hearted when the end of summer comes. Just like a school girl dreading the first day of school & finding out what class you'll be in & if any of your friends will be with you. Waking up early again instead of sleeping in or the thrill of an entire day to do as you please. BUT living in NC makes me like Fall a lot more. I love it here but these summers sure are hot. One concellation is that our neighborhood pool stays open until the end of September. I always avoid the crowds at the beginning of the Summer but I hoarde the pool all to myself in September.
I know so many people love autumn. I am not one of them. So, loving in Saskatoon with long winters, the impending and sudden end of summer is sad. Like you, I had plans. And seemed to have spent all of that time at work instead. Perhaps I need some flowers.
Yes, where is summer. I live in metro Atlanta and it was 79 this afternoon. This is not typical August weather. It is nice but it isn't summer.
I love the blues mixed with the whites. The beautiful red flowers looks fabulous to. Thanks for this lovely post
Hi Karianne, I'm catching up on reading after a busy week and was wondering if you could tell me where you found the great painting with the blue and white vases and flowers? I just love it.