Summer Days

Yes, summer is officially here. With temps hitting the 100s (yes, I live in Redding, CA), there's no denying it. Jeans are out, shorts, dresses, tanks, bathing suits are in. I have to say though that 101F (a whopping 38C for those Europeans out there) feels a heck of a lot better when you're not pregnant! I'm truly amazed at the difference. Though yes, 101F is still pretty stinking hot! (Our high so far this summer is 106F (41C).)

So what do you do if you grew up in England and never really dealt with summer weather that was above say 77F (25C)?

Well, the trick is, to be outside either early on in the day (though it can be 85F by 9am). If you do venture out later on, stay in the shade or by some cold water (pool/paddling pool/sprinkler, etc.). Start the car 5 minutes before you leave anywhere and let the AC blast. In the evenings, just before going to bed, open all the windows and let the fans go crazy. This will help cool the house somewhat, but only if the day has been less than 103F. It will still sometimes stay above 80F at night and that is just not a comfortable sleeping temperature (at least, for me, it isn't!). Drive out of town in any direction, you'll go up in altitude and the temperature will drop anywhere from 10-30 degrees.

These are a few tricks I've learnt from living in Redding. And this is only my second summer here. It's amazing how nice 90F can feel after a week of above 100F!

Despite the heat, we're looking forward to lots of pool-time at my dad's, camping in the beautiful landscapes of Nor-Cal, family camping vacation in Oregon, other family vacation in Florida, working on our garden and seeing it become beautiful. Loving and looking forward to summer with my husband and my baby.

Some pix of us enjoying the summer weather:

Paddling pool!!


Hanging out outside one morning:

By Trinity River up in the mountains for a friends' kid's 1st Birthday party:


This pool will be used a lot this summer:


And just because it's so cute... Sophie standing up: