The calendar says September and the kids may be back to school, but officially summer is NOT over yet!  We’ve still got a few more weeks to celebrate the season.  So don’t give up on the season yet, follow these tips to make your summer last a while longer.

Throw a Backyard BBQ
Considering how hot this summer was, September weather can be the perfect time to have a backyard BBQ party! Find local and in-season produce at your farmers’ market and throw it on the grill. Try one of these mouth-watering grilling recipes that you’ll be able to use as summer transitions into fall.

Geranium Homes throwing our annual Cardinal Point BBQ

Take a Day Trip
Sure the kids are back to the books, but the weekends are the ideal time to extend your summer. Take day trips to great sites around you. Here are some interesting places to explore in Port Hope, Stouffville and beyond.

Port Hope’s Main Street. Photo courtesy Town of Port Hope

Go to the Beach
That’s right, spend some time at the beach! Now that the tourists are back home, the beaches are a lot less busy than they were during the summer months. It’s the ideal time to go for a leisurely walk, take that last swim of the year, or as it gets a bit cooler, a picnic is a perfect way to enjoy the beach.

Photo credit: onnoweb via VisualHunt / CC BY-ND

Extend your Outdoor Spaces
Don’t forget about your backyard and other outdoor spaces. Some simple touches will help extend those outdoor spaces for a while longer. Try changing outdoor cushions, and use spray paint to update tired pieces before fall is here. Here are some more great ideas.

HGTV offers some great tips for backyard decor.

Go Play Outside
Get your kids outside and playing while the warm weather is still here. Go for a family bike ride, try a game of hopscotch or follow our Kids Summer Fun Guide for things to do, make, and play while summer is in season.

Prep Your Garden for Fall
Just because summer is coming to an end, it doesn’t mean your garden has to. You can extend the life of your garden and your crop using these great tips.

There’s still plenty of life left in that backyard garden.

So, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves when it comes to “falling” into the autumn mode. Take the time to enjoy these last few weeks of summer!