The Summer Solstice: A Midsummer Day’s Dream
There is something magical about the Summer Solstice. The longest day of sunshine in North America embodies so many wonderful things to celebrate- nature’s vitality, life abundant, the intoxicating enchantment of summer dusks and nights. Many cultures celebrate the holiday of ‘MidSummer’ with its own traditions and lore. Here we showcase some of the many ways to honor this celestial holiday.
1 | Yoga At Sunrise
Wake up early to catch the sunrise, practicing sun salutations in the best of the morning light.
If you are new to yoga or want a refresh- here is a 15-minute guided session.
2 | A Walk in Nature
Go for a walk outside, even better in a park or nearby local woods.
If up for #3- gather wild flowers, grasses and foliage, even weeds and dandelions while you walk. They can make a lovely simple floral bouquet also. If you see Sumac- take note of Activity 4 below!
3 | Make a Floral Crown
Use the wild flowers, grasses and foliage, or flowers from your landscape to and make a floral crown.
Supplies:
Wild flowers & foliage of choice
Instructions:
To add a sturdiness for easy removing and moving around, it can be helpful to create a few loops of the wire the size you want the crown to be, twisting the end around the wire itself. Twist the pieces together to form a stronger braid.
Use the floral tape to create bunches of buds or stems (like a boutonniere).
Tie the bunches to the wire loop using small pieces of wire.
Check the size of the loop before making it too big to ensure it will sit comfortably on the crown.
4 | Make Fresh Lemonade or Limeade
Freshly squeezed lemonade and Limeade are made the same way with a simple recipe below.
Ingredients:
3-4 Lemons or limes
1 cup Granulated sugar
6 cups Water
Instructions:
Make a simple syrup by combining 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Heat on medium-low until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat for 10 minutes.
Cut and squeeze the lemons/limes into a pitcher.
Add the simple syrup and the remaining water. Pour over ice if enjoying immediately.
5 | Try making Sumac Ade
Sumac Ade, also known by Sumac Punch, is a tangy, refreshing summer drink similar using foraged sumac berries. It’s been made for generations, originating with Native American tribes who used Sumac for Vitamin C-rich drink, medicine, and flavoring.
This recipe uses Staghorn Sumac- the kind found in backyards with the fuzzy red berries. There are other varieties of Sumac, some of which are poisonous. Avoid anything white or light green.
Ingredients/Supplies:
5-10 Large Staghorn Sumac clusters
5 cups Water
Granulated sugar (as suits your sweetness preference)
Cheesecloth
Sumac powder as alternate to fresh Sumac
Instructions:
Pick Sumac bunches (called drupes)
In a large bowl or large Ziplock bag, submerge Sumac in cool water. Crush and separate the berries underwater (don’t rinse them off beforehand in running water as this will remove much of the flavor).
Soak for at least a few hours- up to a couple days. The duration will impact the flavor with more steeping = stronger.
Strain the extract through the cheesecloth
Sweeten to tase
Serve over ice
If access to fresh Sumac is not an option, Sumac powder can also be used, for a quicker process.
Steep the powder (1-2 Tablespoons/quart) in cold water with a fine mesh strainer
Strain a second time with coffee filter
Sweeten with sugar and pour over ice
6 | Pack a Picnic
7 | Harvest the Fruits of the Summer
Depending on where you live, late June could mean peak season for strawberries, raspberries, or even blueberry or blackberries. There’s nothing quite like visiting a local pick-your-own farm and hand harvesting the summer’s bounty. Sure- it may cost as much as going to the grocery store- but it’s the experience of being out in nature- and the reward is sure to be much riper and better tasting.
Tip: Call ahead once you find a place to ask what’s in season and ensure there’s good picking that week/day, and bring a basket or buckets you have around the house to transport your treasure back home.
8 | Create an ethereal backyard
Channel the magic of Lightning Bugs and create an magic space that feels like it’s straight out of a Midsummer Night’s dream, complete with fairy lights, hanging lanterns, and path-lit luminaria. Using solar-powered lighting and being creative, you can create a permanent ensemble that can stay up all summer and fall.
I’ve done the research, and while there’s not a quality solution off-the-shelf for the Chinese lanterns, you can absolutely create your own system that looks great and will last. Hook solar-powered individual lights inside nylon, waterproof lanterns and you have a magical combination. Just be sure the solar panel is near enough to the top of the lantern to get good sunlight exposure.
Supplies:
Votive candles OR Battery-operated fairy lights
Glass jars, vases or even old drinkware glasses
Heavy-Duty Fishing wire (Optional)
Instructions:
Assemble the individual LED bulbs inside of the lanterns (1 bulb/lantern)
Hang lanterns where desired, either on a natural hook or branch, or use fishing wire to extend from a higher location.
9 | Have a bonfire
Bonfires have a central place in celebrations of ‘MidSummer’ celebrated across many cultures across the globe. In Nordic lore, the bigger the bonfire the more your crops were protected against bad spirits. Invite friends over or enjoy with your family to protect the many blessings in your life, and enjoy the warm embrace of the fires against cooling blue fading and lavender sky.
10 | Watch an outdoor movie
Watch a great story from your enchanted garden, or around the bonfire. Here are a couple classic and nostalgic storylines that invoke the intangible sweetness of summer.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
The Secret Garden (1993)
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Or if looking for something less Shakespearean but summer magical in a different way:
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Stand by Me (1986)
Now and Then (1995)
For a quick set-up and a small group (like just you or the family)- you could bring out a laptop + blue tooth speaker.
For easier view, hosting a larger group, or wanting a season-long solution, another option is actually mounting a TV in your outdoor space. We did this with an older tv that we weren’t using, and it’s been going strong for 6 summer/falls now- even in Minnesota where there’s plenty humidity. Just make sure it’s mounted under an alcove or something to prevent direct rain and weather.
You can buy water-proof tvs but they’re wildly expensive in the thousands of dollars. For an older non-smart tv- you’ll need a Firestick or Roku (turns your tv into a smart tv), but more modern tvs just need a wifi signal, which is usually plenty strong from your router. If you have a large backyard and the entertaining space is a ways away, you might benefit from a wifi booster. All in all, it’s still a very affordable solution for great outdoor viewings.
Supplies:
Bluetooth speaker
Option A) Laptop
Option B)
TV
Adjustable tv mount
Roku or Firestick (only if not a smart-tv)
Wifi booster (only if needed)