Lazy Summer Days (Miss 'Em Already!)

What a difference a few short weeks can make for those of the Girl Camping persuasion. Especially if they live up north.

Then: Hot enough for the blow-up pool!
Now: The furnace kicks on in the middle of the night and the shorts are put away until next year.

Then: Swimsuits and tank tops, slushy margaritas with a straw, and Mickey Mouse ears just for grins.
Now: Pumpkin spice lattes, and thoughts about sweaters.

Then: The bluest of blue skies.
Now: 'Gee, where did I put that trailer tarp?'

Then: The wine was white, and chilled. (Every Mad Housewife needs an apron, right?)
Now: The wine is red, and room temp.  And the bottle is wearing a knitted cozy.

Then: We had gorgeous, fresh summer flowers with which to adorn our glammed-up potluck spreads.
Now: We're almost down to the last-flower-standing.

Then: Our vintage trailers could live outdoors and serve as fun little guest houses.
Now: They're making their way back into sheltered places for protection from coming bad weather.

This isn't to say that we don't have any autumn camp trips planned--cuz we do! But now that days have become shorter than nights, the wait for another summer has indeed begun.

Which means we'll be taking ever-bigger doses of mental vitamin A ('anticipation') for the build-up to 2013!