Tuesday, June 17, 2008

On the cusp.

It's almost summer, y'all! The scorching heat and pool water temps of 89 degrees have proved summer doesn't always arrive by calendar, and while it's not really official 'til Friday, I still feel the need to address the joy that is this time of year. Oh bright, warm, shining sun, how I love thee. Please feel welcome, feel at home, and feel free to stick around 'til at October. Again I say please.

My summer love is defined by one scent. One special, particular scent known the world over and cherished by my family. I can't even begin to describe it...
coppertone
Coppertone just is. It defies description. Yeah, I know Hawaiian Tropic and others smell all coconutty and umbrella drinky. Yet Coppertone has the smell that instantly transports me to childhood and memories of Lake Tobosofkee in Macon, a nose covered in white zinc oxide and a "boom box" tuned to Casey's Top 40. "Number one, for the 8th week in a row...Michael Jackson and 'P.Y.T.' I'm Casey Kasem...keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars."

I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm a make-up whore. This is not a derogatory term I use to describe my addiction. Facts are facts, y'all. I will eventually get around to posting more on this subject, but trust me when I say that I have a serious love for the face paint, and it's not monogamous. This time of year I break all the stuffy cosmetic rules. Blue eyeliner? Check. Shimmery bronzer? Done. Gloopy gloss? Always! My favorite lip gloss in the world has a racy name...to fit my racy, rebellious personality.
nars
"Orgasam," by NARS. I love this stuff. And now I fear all the Google searches that will send voyeurs my way. Right Insane Mama? Hello to y'all horndogs looking for naked people--no porn in Lulaville, but read previous posts to find all you ever wanted to know about tampons, suggestive songs and minty-fresh tooties.

Homegrowns. Sigh...
Is there nothing better on earth? No, there's not. I will just go ahead and tell you.
Tomatoes

The reason I grow 20+ tomato plants of varying size and variety is because I crave them all summer long. Every day. We pop cherry 'maters like candy, pausing only to rinse with the garden hose. We slice beefstakes and eat 'em on white bread with mayonnaise...heavenly! We pick 'em while green and fry 'em up to snack on before supper...then put out a plate of ripe, salted slices to eat with supper. Or we enjoy them in my favorite summer dish...fresh Heirloom and mozzarella slices, salted, peppered, and drizzled with fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. There is nothing finer. Thank You, God, for homegrowns. Thank You, God, for summer, when they're fresh, delicious, and off the CDC's warning list!

We are beach lovers...we love the sand (especially when we find it in the bottom of bags or in the back of the van after returning home--"YES! The beach came home with us!"), the sights, the sounds, the fresh seafood...there's very little about the beach we don't relish. Particularly when the beach is Hilton Head Island, SC, or as we like to call it, "our beach." Because while we are not Hilton family members, nor do we ever aspire to own a beach of our own (or become members of the Hilton family!), in some small way we have assumed possesion of this little island heaven. Just by going there for a week each year. It's our beach. Seriously, folks.

If you aren't near a beach, or within a day's traveling distance, I grieve for you. I mourn for you, literally and truly. Because if you can't spend time there, you can't eat sand...

...or exfoliate your feet with daily shore walks...
Sand eating and feet sloughing are summer essentials. Didn't you know?

Summer is almost here, y'all. Front porch sittin', lightening bug catchin', dandelion blowin', ice cream makin', tomato pickin', sunbathin' (with Coppertone SPF 45, naturally!), swimming pool floatin', sunset watchin', small boat fishin', lemonade sippin', good book readin', moonlight kissin' summertime. And the living is easy...

29 comments:

Candid Carrie said...

Coppertone. A fragrance so unique that its name is its only description. One whiff and an individual is able to recall their own childhood instantly. The only way to describe the scent is to declare it "Coppertone-ish".

CandidCarriePedia, 06/16/2008

Angie's Spot said...

Tomatoes & Hilton Head are 2 of my FAVORITE things too!

Caroline said...

Fabulous! As a GRITS, I can relate with all of those things..except the tomatoes. Now, before you write me off again, let me just say that I am acquiring a taste and that for the first time I actually am craving a tomato sandwich. Oh, and I ate a BLT this past weekend with the parents! That's big.

Unknown said...

1. your girls looks like stupormodels.
2. you forgot one signature scent of summer: hot dog. and not the kind on a bun.
3. y'all have a great summer.

Heather said...

It's 50 degrees here. I'm sad about it. Real, real sad.

Heather said...

Okay, I'm over myself now. I LOVE that coppertone smell. You're right...it just IS summertime. And I might just have to try your naughty lip gloss. Anything name "orgasm" needs to be in my sassy goin' out clutch. You know?

You enjoy all of your summery goodness there. I'm happy for you...really, I am.

Mama Dawg said...

You pretty much just described the perfect southern summer. I had many a summer like this. However, ours also included fresh watermelon eaten outside on a picnic table and spittin' the seeds on the ground.

ugagirl30 said...

People who don't live in the South don't know what they are missing. My husband and girls caught lightning bugs the other night while I was in a Benadryl-induced coma.

But I don't love summer. If we had a pool or easy access to a beach or the means to vacation, I might love summer. But South + Summer=100+ degrees, ungodly humidity, and freakin' mosquitoes by the thousands.

But I am glad that you love it and that it is here for you.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I'm lovin' it all except the tomatoes. And we are the same way with "our" beach and "our" house that we go to. Just two more weeks till we can splash in the waves and exfoliate our feet better than my Vietnamese pedi.

Pinky Roth said...

I sure would like to have a home-grown tomato to make me a tomato/mayo sandwich! That is my favorite summertime treat. I also love some tomato gravy made w/fresh tomatoes as well, along w/some homemade biscuits! We always love the beach!

Love,

Mom

Unknown said...

Love the beach! I am doing the countdown! Only 4 more days! I can't wait!

Insane Mama said...

Coppertone, you almost want to eat it ... It smells that good!
Look at your cuties at the beach!

ps Going to Lake Blue Ridge in Georgia... Total Redneck reunion we have every year. We have potato Gun shooting contests
and we too drink beer out of Pig Wig Coozies. Small world my friend

Insane Mama said...

Coppertone, you almost want to eat it ... It smells that good!
Look at your cuties at the beach!

ps Going to Lake Blue Ridge in Georgia... Total Redneck reunion we have every year. We have potato Gun shooting contests
and we too drink beer out of Pig Wig Coozies. Small world my friend

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, the beach. When I lived minutes from it I didn't take advantage of it enough...like more than once a week.

In two and half weeks I'll be within three hours of my birthplace, and the beach, and wonderful seafood. Can't wait!

Adiel | Rose Gold Lining said...

Oh dear...
You had quite a few phrase in this post that are going to be leading a few internet pervs astray. Too funny.
I'm always amused by the search terms that lead people to my blog.

Teri said...

Ah yes. Our beach place is waiting for us...very soon now! We are counting the minutes. Can't wait!
Have a great summer!

scargosun said...

Ahhh! You hit the nail on the head although...I would like the heat to leave on the 1st of September so I can enjoy fall.

Isn't it great how sand is a natural exfoilant?

leezee52 said...

For me summer was Sea & Ski and the beach at Santa Cruz CA. We would go for a month when I was little. The smell of Sea & Ski was summer. I have smelled it lately and I think they changed their product because it doesn't smell the same. Oh well "Happy Summer"

Tip Junkie said...

Ahh - I want your version of summer. Mine is much louder. teehee

Your girls are breathtaking!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I hear ya about the voyeurs coming at you. I had a post yesterday about Great Tits (the birds) and man, my hits went WAY up. A bunch of horny guys looking for a bit of porn!!

Oh, and Casey Kasem?? LOVE HIM!

LaQuintamomof3 said...

Gorgeous, darling girls!
Your summer sounds fantastic.
Live in the desert- to be 113 today,summer is here. we live in the air conditioning and the pool. Plans for a beach trip in August- can't wait! Love the mountains too.
Your description of the 'matos made my mouth water. We are right there with you- growing our own and LOVIN' it!

LaQuintamomof3 said...

Gorgeous, darling girls!
Your summer sounds fantastic.
Live in the desert- to be 113 today,summer is here. we live in the air conditioning and the pool. Plans for a beach trip in August- can't wait! Love the mountains too.
Your description of the 'matos made my mouth water. We are right there with you- growing our own and LOVIN' it!

Debbie said...

Yet again with the exception of the makeup thing, we are so BFFs. I love the smell of coppertone, I love sand and the beach anytime anywhere and will never move to a state that is landlocked or more than a 4 hour drive to the ocean...and I am craving that tomato thing you mentioned right now. I think I'm gonna go pick one off the vine...oh wait...I don't have a vine to pick them from. Sigh. That is on the To do list....The pics of your daughters are gorjus!

Sissy said...

I do love coppertone, but I never get that color. I am a 45spf, hat wearing, umbrella toting member of the fair skin brigade!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I just hopped over from the Secret site...and now I have met my new best friend.
You are a hoot. We could meet up at the beach~ but I am bringing my own #50 sunscreen. No coppertone for this redhead!

Ker said...

Screw the summer. No joke. Being pregnant has ruined the summer for me. For some reason I am not tolerating the heat AT ALL! Well, it was 112 today in Phoenix, in all fairness, and I'm pretty butt hurt that I won't get to go to Long Island for the week after 4th of July to stay in the family beach house. So, no beach AND 112 degrees in Phoenix. Stupid Stupid summer. Bring on the chilly months of January and February, lol.

Tiffany said...

I cannot believe you quoted Kasey Kasem... I can hear his voice right now.. oh that takes me back! I also LOVE tomatoes.. can you really make them fried?

Tiffany said...

I cannot believe you quoted Kasey Kasem... I can hear his voice right now.. oh that takes me back! I also LOVE tomatoes.. can you really make them fried?

Melissa said...

Okay, can I just say...we are sisters, L! Love the maters and have eaten them in all those forms my whole life. Just exfoliated today with Daytona Beach sand. Sold Mary Kay for several years and have been told I try to erase my freckles with foundation (although, not so much now with 3 kids and all the stress that entails)....
Your girls are just beautiful. That picture of Libbey could be on the next Vera Bradley catalog!