As the sun dips lower in the sky and a gentle breeze carries the faint scent of approaching autumn, there's a feeling in the air that's both bittersweet and enchanting. The days of lazy, warm afternoons and spontaneous family alfresco dinners are coming to an end.

So before we say goodbye to summer's warmth, my family and I had to share one more magical moment – an end-of-summer dinner in the garden.

I wanted to create a special moment that was more than about filling tummies. I wanted to fill our hearts too!

We are always trying to find ways to reconnect with loved ones and really live in the moment, taking it all in. Weekday dinners can sometimes feel rushed, so being intentional with a special dinner forces us to take it slow for a while.

Setting the Scene

Fairy lights twinkling, an old family rustic wooden picnic table, freshly picked flowers, and the smell of fresh herbs and plants all around us have really set the mood. And, of course, candles, there must always be candles!

The setting and time shared with my parents captured the nostalgia of shared memories and cherished moments. As we gathered beneath the open sky, we were not just enjoying a meal; we were holding onto summer's sweetness just a little bit longer.

An end-of-summer dinner is a perfect time to reflect on the season's adventures and memories made – family trips that don't always go as planned but turn out to be a great story to tell, strawberry picking with our daughter, laughter-filled picnics, and the sunsets that seemed to last forever.

As the stars begin to twinkle overhead, there's a shared understanding that this moment is both a celebration and a tribute. We are trying to savor every last bit of summer, yet there's a sense of excitement for the seasons to come – for the crispness of fall and the coziness of winter.

Dishes to Celebrate the End of Summer

I wanted to keep the dishes light for this dinner as it was a scorching summer's day here in Georgia! And I also wanted to make some of our summer favorites that we will miss once the season ends.

Our family loves loads of fresh vegetables and fruits, especially watermelon, blueberries, peaches, mint, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

So the following was on the menu for our summer dinner:

Delicious sweet watermelon salad with honey lime dressing (recipe below)

Spring blueberry and spinach salad

Reduced-salt dill pickles

Homemade bread with sliced tomatoes

Honey-spiced peaches

Watermelon salad with honey lime dressing recipe

Ingredients:

1 small watermelon, cubed to roughly 3 cups
6 ounces of fresh raspberries, washed
1 lime (juice & zest)
1 Tbsp honey
4-5 basil leaves
4-5 mint leaves
Salt to taste

Directions:

In a medium-sized bowl, add cubed watermelon and whole raspberries.
Zest one lime over the salad and squeeze in the juice.
Drizzle the honey over the salad.
Chiffonade the basil and mint leaves and then add to the salad.
Toss everything well, add salt to taste, and serve chilled.

And what would summer be without some delicious, homemade lemonade?!

This is one of my favorite lemonade recipes

Friend, I encourage you to make time for special moments like this, whether a family dinner, an afternoon picnic, or simply a stroll through the garden.

Savor every bite, every conversation, every laugh, and every sensation. Relish the late evening glow, the taste of summer's bounty, and the company of kindred spirits.

This end-of-summer dinner wasn't just a meal; it was a celebration of the season that's slipping away and a joyful welcome to the chapters yet to be written!

If you are looking for more ways to foster simplicity and be more intentional, have a look at these blogs:

14 Ways to create an intentional home for your family

20 Ways to experience country living no matter where you live

Love, Annette xxx