Summertime - June's theme challenge

Summertime and the living is easy...*

For me - I hear Ella. Maybe Janis Joplin's version is more you? Norah Jones?

The very phrase reads in my head as a slow drawl, unhurried, redolent of heat and relaxation. 

I confess that  I am writing this post after a Memorial Day weekend at the beach that was relaxed and unhurried; marking the beginning of the summer season. 

Summer isn't all beach! So many wonderful treats and traditions of the season. 

So for our theme COM this month - the team decided to keep it easy, breezy... 

What does summer mean to you? 

Diana: "Beachcombing at the shore ... wading in the rolling surf and searching for treasures on the beach. I also don't mind a relaxing, sunny day in the pool with the smell of bbq cooking."

Caroline: "Lazy summer evenings...when the heat of the day is gone and you get the warm and fuzzy end of day sunshine. Love it at home in the garden or sitting outside our tent on holidays.

Jennifer: "Nothing says summer more than sitting around a fire at dusk with friends and a bottle or two of wine, the lightning bugs out, kids catching them and temporarily putting them in a jar, making s'mores, or playing ghosts in the graveyard or flashlight tag."

Karen:  "Not wearing shoes. I couldn't wait for it to get warm enough I could start going without shoes all summer"

For me ( and Susan agreed) the beach is a definite summer tradition. I have always lived a few hours from an ocean, either one, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Jenny's "Summer" collage. Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, crabs, done right in Old Bay, were and essential  summer tradition. They still make me think of my grandfather to this day. 

Still looking for inspiration? Check out "Picturing Summer" a compilation of art by Tor.com

The  theme challenge details

1. Goal - Have fun! Try something different! Be inspired by any of the myriad aspects of summer! Make something that fits within this theme. This can be an artist bead, a component, or a finished piece of jewelry. There is no give away this month but you are free to use any artist bead/component in your design.

• You must have an active blog. 
• Email and blog address requested in comments. 

2. Share/Reveal - Reveal date Thursday, June 30th!

If you would like to be included in the blog reveal at month's end, please email Lesley at theajewellery (at) sky.com Include your name, blog name and address... Since this is open to all, this is the most efficient way to be included. Plans change... this confirms your participation in the reveal/blog roll. Emails need to be received by June 28th to be included. (Commenting here is not a guarantee of inclusion in the blog roll on reveal day)

See you then... and don't forget the sunscreen! 

Footnote: 

The song "Summertime" was composed by George Gershwin in 1934 for the opera/musical "Porgy and Bess" which came out the following year. 

Lyrics: Summertime, and the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, Don't you cry

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm you
With Daddy and Mammy standin' by