Hello and good morning! As promised in my post of July 31st, I’ve compiled a list of 15 ideas to help make your August amazing . And because I’m going easy on myself this month, I decided to only come up with 15—as opposed to 31 (which would be my usual.)
Many of these I can hardly wait to accomplish, and some will be a bit of a challenge … as in the tent one (I may sleep in our new trailer instead ;)
15 Ideas to Help Make Your August Amazing
- Buy bottles of bubbles and spend a morning photographing them as you blow them into the light! If you have children or grandchildren to help you … all the better! If not, just place your camera on a tripod, set the timer, and bubble away!
- Visit greenhouses and shop for mid-season clearance items, or for new arrivals such as late summer coneflowers, huge pots of mums, and dazzling dahlias. I used to restrict my flower purchases to spring, but now stores like Home Depot are bringing in fresh pots (and ideas) daily.
- Cut back flower pots that have become leggy and fertilize with a 15-15-30. My daughter gave me this tip, which she learned from a horticulturist at Lowes. This will give your plants a huge boost and make for an amazing last hurrah!
- Visit U-Picks for fresh veggies, berries, and fruits … these days a person doesn’t have to have a garden to enjoy the bounty that surrounds us!
- Shop local craft stores and/or attend markets (post coming soon)
- Shop the ditches!! I’m surrounded by wildflowers that make the most amazing bouquets! We have tansy, fireweed, cow parsley, clover, purple vetch, chamomile, oxeye daisies, and grasses growing with wild abandon. Just a word of caution though—you might want to check a wildflower guide or search online to make sure it’s OK to pick a certain species. On my foraging adventures I also see wild orchids and tiger lilies and I am well aware they are not to be picked. Not only is it illegal, but it’s also just not right. Everything I pick is a “noxious weed”.
- Make bouquets using only 3 items and sprinkle them around your house.
- Have a picnic in your own back yard, on a blanket, under the trees. Gather up a few lighthearted books, and magazines, and a pillow (just in case.)
- Sleep in a tent in your own back yard. Make it as comfortable possible (even drag a mattress outside if necessary ;)
- If you’re in North America, mark this date: August 21/2017 to watch the solar eclipse! You might not be able to see the total eclipse, but even a partial eclipse will be amazing (and magical.)
- Take social media breaks … not just for hours, but for days … gasp!! yes you can!!!
- Switch up your photography style: if you do mostly still life, try capturing macros or landscapes or simply dreamy light. It takes the pressure off (if you put pressure on yourself :)
- Make homemade ice cream (again, post coming soon) … this is life changing people ;)
- Read a classic, but keep it simple. I picked up Classic Tales of Horror by Edgar Allen Poe and after reading one story, I found myself so intrigued I was searching online for answers … very stimulating. I’m still thinking about it.
- Connect with someone you’ve lost touch with … it may change your life in positive ways you never dreamed possible.
So there you have it! My first of 4 (promised) posts for August.
I’m limping along here, but not giving up.
Hi Barb,
Welcome to August and another amazing post. 15 amazing ideas. Which of course has my head going around in circles.
I will not mention the sleeping in the tent to my husband 💕 Since we spend many years backpacking and car 🚗 camping and he would be right there.
The bubbles look like so much fun. Thanks for the list 💕💕💕
Ann
Hi Ann, and yes … welcome August and new beginnings! I had to chuckle at your comment about the tent :)
thank you, a nice list of things to do. I have always hated August but maybe some of the things you suggested will help get me through this month.
Hi Susan … it’s strange there are months we don’t particularly love. I love August but not so much March. I hope this list does help you in some small way.
Hello from BC Barb, Thanks for sharing your wonderful list..what great photos.
Happy August.
Xox
Dagmar
Hello Dagmar! I hope all is well with you! Thank you so much for visiting and and a Happy August to you as well! xo
Hi Barb,
Thanks for the list, I am loving the bubble idea, will definitely give that a try, especially as we are off to our ‘other home’ in Spain, where will have perfect weather as opposed to England, which has done nothing but rain on us for July! Thanks again :) xx
Hello Louise! so lovely to hear from you! Enjoy your sunny weather … Spain … sigh :) xo
Fresh ideas = inspiration….just what I need to get through our long, humid summer. Thanks, Barb
You’re very welcome Debby, and I hope your humidity lets up a bit (I find humidity hard too.)
Hi Barb,
Thanks for the list ! I love the bubbles and I especially love the one about taking a break . I will be away for ten days this month which will give me lots of different opportunities for photos. When I’m home I’m a bit stuck, no pretty hedgerows, no pretty cottages etc, so it will be a welcome change from the still life I mostly take . Have a great August xxx
Hi Caz! first, thank you for stopping by, I always appreciate it! I’ve been trying to change up my photography with a few landscapes on Instagram and while they don’t get great reactions I love them. (Side note: getting a bit tired of Instagram :( and why do I let it dictate what I do?) Enjoy your free time in August my friend!
Welcome back! I love the idea of unplugging (she says as she reads and comments on blog posts ;-)
Ha ha! Love it Mary :) but thank you for visiting and commenting xo
Hi Barb,
Great blog post and ideas! I wish I lived in an area that had all those fabulous “weeds”. Hope you have a good month and look forward to the ice cream post!!
Hi Denise, and thank you! Yes, I feel pretty fortunate to have all these gorgeous weeds lol!! and oh yes … the ice cream is well … amazing :)
Great Ideas! Love the bubbles! Maybe I can make a tent in the house. It’s too hot here. I look forward to your blog posts. And your amazing images.
Thank you Anita! Yes to tents in the house!! :)
I always enjoy your posts. This one leaves me with a question. What do you focus on before hand so your bubbles will be in focus?
Hi Susan, thank you! now that’s a good question! The way I did it, was, I focused on the bubbles on the grass, then I pressed the shutter as the other bubbles floated into the image … ending up with lots of bokeh :)
Great list, look forward to trying some of these out, love your blog :)
Thank you so much Anne!
That’s a great list Barb. I wish we had ditches around here though!!
Thank you Kelly! no ditches?! argh!! xo
Love the lists and looking forward to ice cream post. Will definitely try the bubbles.
Happy August, hope you are enjoying our awesome Alberta summer
Thank you Maureen! Happy August to you!
Hi Barb I was so happy to see your email!! Welcome back from your couple months off. I always enjoy your blog and photos. Thanks for the list!! I just love bubbles!! Great ideas. Happy August and look forward to your photos!!
Thank you so much Jean! I’m very honoured by your kind words and visit xo
I always enjoy your blog posts Barb. I don’t read many others. Your tips and suggestions for August are inspiring. Please don’t give up on Instagram….yet. I still enjoy your posts to the fullest! I backed off of posting photo’s every day, and that was probably a good thing. Enjoy your August. Mine will be a busy one.
Hi Sue, I’m very honoured that you stop by my humble blog and so glad you like the list today. I’ve let up a bit on Instagram as well, although it’s hard to watch something you worked so hard for slip away (as it seems to be doing). But oh well … I’ll keep on posting there until … until … I don’t :)
Great post, Barb. I need to be reminded of these simple things. I do think I became tired/uninspired with still life photography, so I’m concentrating on other subjects. Thanks for giving me permission! LOL I love your photography and I do read your blog when you post. Remember I’m in Gilbert, AZ next time you’re here.
XO
Marilyn
Thank you Marilyn! Perhaps we will someday get together in AZ … that would be amazing!
It is wonderful to have you posting, again! Thank you for the list – lots of great ideas here!
Thank you so much Susan, and thank you for stopping by xo