6 Ways I’m Making the Most of My Time Outside this Summer

Monday, June 24, 2019

Sponsored by TIKI Brand BiteFighter Torch Fuel

Summer is officially in full swing, & I’m doing my best to enjoy the outdoors before cold weather returns to CLE (as cold weather limits activities in this fair northern city). Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy the sun, in this city & beyond. How ‘bout you?

1. Just exploring

 If you follow me on Instagram, you know that the activity I love most is exploring – just adventuring & wandering. There’s so much to see & discover here, from restaurants to street art to festivals. One of my favorite things to do is just go – no agenda, just see what I can find.

One of my recent favorite finds is Lady Noel’s mural outside the Masonic building. Let me know if you have a favorite mural I need to check out!



2. Reading in the sun

I often think about something my boss’s indoorsy preteen daughter said to him: “Dad, I do like the outdoors! I love reading books on patios.” That’s, uh, riiiight up my alley, kid.

Our backyard is no great shakes, looks-wise, but it is nice & shady, with a little bit of a view of the neighborhood. So I like to set up a folding chair outside & crack open a good book. Then I fill my pretty glass TIKI Brand torches with TIKI Brand BiteFighter Torch Fuel to keep the mosquitos far away & I can stay outside until the sun goes down, reading my little bookworm heart out. 

A bit of self-promo: In addition to reviewing my monthly reads on the blog, I also maintain a “bookstagram” account where I share photos of what I’m reading. Follow along at @cantkaputitdown.


3. Checking out local fairs, festival, & other outdoor events

My favorite summer events include Taste of Tremont, which takes place on our street, & Walnut Wednesdays which includes a gathering of food trucks & outdoor concerts each Wednesday at lunchtime in the downtown area.

This year, I’m also hoping to hit up Waterloo Arts Festival (my mama loves art fests!), & at least one night of Flat-Out Fridays, outdoor concerts each week through mid-August in The Flats East Bank. And would you believe I’ve never been to Edgewater Live?! This might be the summer to remedy that.



4. Enjoying our front porch

Our duplex has a great front porch, & I don’t spend nearly enough time on it! This summer, I’m taking a page out of Mike’s book (no pun intended, given that he does a lot of reading out there) & enjoying that space.

I’ve been taking phone calls out there, reading out there & just kicking back & people watching out there at the end of the day. When the days are long & the sun doesn’t set until well past 9pm, there’s plenty of time for porch time.

5. Eating in parks & on patios

I keep a running list of the best patios in the CLE, including Hi and Dry & Fahrenheit right here in Tremont. I believe this is called dining al fresco, but I just call it fun.

I told you about the brunch picnic my friends & I did in a nearby park last month, which was the perfect way to kick off warm-weather season. I also love visiting my mom, who has a great deck & a fenced-in backyard where we often eat, catch up, & watch her puppies play. At her home & mine, TIKI Brand BiteFighter Torch Fuel comes in handy for making the outdoors bearable by keeping the mosquitoes at bay – & nicely scented!



6. Spending time in the great outdoors

From the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, the outdoors here is beautiful when the weather complies – & sometimes “spending time in the great outdoors” just means getting in my 10k steps per day by wandering around my own neighborhood. But hey, the sun’s the same no matter how you enjoy it, right?


I’d love to hear what’s on your to-do list this summer, including the ways you’re enjoying your time outside!

If you’re interested in trying TIKI Brand torchesTIKI Brand Bitefighter Torch Fuel, you can sign up for their email list & receive a code for 25% off all their products & free shipping. Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with TIKI Brand. As always, all opinions are my own.

No comments

Post a Comment

Leave me some love.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...