Beginning Over Again

"And so with the sunshine and the great burst of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had the familiar conviction that life was beginning over again in the summer."

-- F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby"

Ah, the freshness and beauty of summer! The sounds and smells are intoxicating. Here are a few images that capture the sweet and hopeful feeling of the season. 

Stunning bougainvillea 

Dinners on the patio

Peonies and drinks outside
(by Teryl Designs)

Lush hydrangeas 

Strawberries and strawberry pots 

Fresh cut flowers from the garden

Impulse buying 

Beautiful freesias

Photo via here
Romantic movies -- Before Midnight stars Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke and is set in Greece

Kumquat martinis made from all those kumquats you don't know what to do with

Ripe peaches

Photo via here
A new cookbook that captures the goodness of summer

Spending every possible moment outside

And not missing a sunset

It's the simple pleasures that make summer so delicious.

Here is the recipe for Kumquat Martinis.

All photos (unless noted) by Sunday Taylor