Keep Cool

“We’re having a heat wave. A tropical heat wave.” – Irving Berlin

Happy August!

The temperature has been rising here that’s for sure. Along with the warm summer weather comes complaints from people that it’s too hot; I’m one of those people. This week I thought we could talk about things you can do to keep cool in the heat and ways to protect yourself from those harmful sun rays. 

Some times when it is too hot to go outside or when the sun is at its hottest (mid-afternoon) it’s good to find things to do indoors. Here are a few fun things we came up with.

Go to the library

Find a good movie to go and see (theaters are always air conditioned plus its dark inside)

Bake cool treats and of course eat them!

Shop or browse at the mall

Make some crafts in the coolest room in the house

You have to remember to protect yourself from the sun and heat in the summer as well. So many people get excited when they see the sun and feel the heat that they forget to take measures to protect themselves from it. Here are a few tips:

Wear sunscreen and a hat

Stay hydrated by drinking lots and lots of water.

Take breaks from being out in the sun. Remember to spend some time in the shade.

Try not to go outdoors during the prime sun time when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

Invest in an indoor fan

 

Last but not least, remember to have fun in the sun and heat. We have a list of some fun things that you can do in the sunshine and warmth!

Go to the beach and play in the water, build a sandcastle, tan etc.

Make your own sun brewed iced tea

Have a water fight

Run through the sprinkler

Go for a walk

 

1

Hummingbirds

“A flash of harmless lightning, A mist of rainbow dyes, The burnished sunbeams brightening, From flower to flower he flies.” – John Banister Tabb Humming Bird

Flying all about in the summertime are hummingbirds. A day doesn’t go by without me spotting one of these fast flying colourful creatures in my backyard. It does help that I have a hummingbird feeder, but I still see lots of them flying with their friends all around their favourite flowers and trees. Many of my neighbours have feeders and you can see the hummingbirds going to each one testing all of the different nectars that we have prepared for them. I think the birds have favourite hummingbird feeders and they tell their friends about them, some feeders seem busier than others. My mom makes her own hummingbird food, a recipe that Nicole’s mom actually gave her a few years ago. Those birds must be hungry because my mom is always making new food for them. 

If you don’t have a hummingbird feeder, they can be a nice addition to your home because they provide for some entertainment and relaxation as you watch the little birdies drink and “socialize” with their friends. Here are a few classic and some updated cool feeders that I found online:

http://www.amazon.ca/Classic-Brands-Hummingbird-Feeder-41/dp/B00DT2XOIG/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1406074256&sr=1-3&keywords=hummingbird+feeder

http://www.amazon.ca/Perky-Pet-221-Hummingbird-Feeder-16-Ounce/dp/B0006G51YS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406074182&sr=8-3&keywords=hummingbird+feeders

http://www.amazon.ca/Hummingbird-Feeder-Mason-Light-Ounce/dp/B00AQ4CNUK/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1406074256&sr=1-7&keywords=hummingbird+feeder

http://www.amazon.ca/Pet-Zone-3150064112-Lighthouse-Hummingbird/dp/B001C3TJQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406074230&sr=8-1&keywords=hummingbird+feeders

Below I have included the Hummingbird Food recipe that seems popular with the birds in my neighbourhood. Have fun watching the hummingbirds...I could watch them for hours as they drink and hover around. 

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe:

You will need:

1cup of water

¼ cup of white sugar

Mix the water and sugar in a measuring cup and stir. Place in the microwave until boiling/until the sugar is dissolved. 

Let it cool completely and fill your hummingbird feeder and watch them enjoy it!