Parties Before and After the Summer Solstice

     Now that Memorial Day is over, Father's Day and then Independence Day are coming as well as Gemini and Cancer birthdays.  I have some great ideas for warm whether entertaining and leisure.
     In the warmer weather during southern living, there are many ways to stay cool and colorful in every way.  It is time to grow refreshing garden herbs on the deck or windowsill, such as sage, parsley, chives and basil.  Basil has a delicious smell and livens up salads and pasta, cool or hot.  Olive oil is a good healthy replacement for butter.
     It is a good time for petunias and geraniums, because they like the bright sun and heat, although they do like wet feet.  
     Iced tea, herbal or plain black with sugar, sugar substitute and lemon left in a jar in the sun makes sun tea, great on ice with fresh mint, another great garden herb.  Fresh mint either bought in produce or grown in your garden is a nice touch.
     Pasta salads with olives and feta cheese are easy to make chilled and are very refreshing, great with chicken salad with grapes or baked chicken.
     For the fourth of July, red, white and blue daisies make a nice table decor, and red, white and blue decorations for your door.  Of course you can also fly your American flag.
     As long as you use sunscreen, hats and bug repellent and do not overdo it, it is great to be outdoors, especially after three o'clock in the afternoon, when the sun is not so bright.  Since the days are longer the evenings can be enjoyed outside under a canopy or beach umbrella over the picnic table.  Just do not let the food get in the sun, a good breeding ground for bacteria.
     So get on your swimsuits and sarongs, sunglasses and summer wear.  Get out the ice chest, fill them with ice and line with sodas, beer and wine.  Have a wonderful late Spring and Summer.