A Summer Story

Photo by CarolynCochrane

Uncle Beefy is one Bradford Crowder, founder and writer of The Bedlam of Beefy, a lifestyle blog that largely focuses on art, design, and food, with the occasional tangent of you-never-know-what. Hailing from Bainbridge Island, W.A., just across Puget Sound from Seattle, he hunkers down in his little home with his partner, Kendall, and their “fur kids” Fergus, Winston, and Riley — a precocious Bichon and his two blind cat cohorts. With a degree in printmaking, he hopes to actually make good on having his own offerings in his Etsy shop one day.

Summertime: long days, blue skies, smells of county fair corn dogs or salty sea air, picnics in the park, punchy citrus hues, soothing ocean blues and greens, and soft evenings surrounded by the glow of all that is white and sun-bleached. All things seem possible in the summer, and there is no shortage of inspiration during this high season. Fortunately, thanks to the talents of those featured here, we also have a multitude of ways to carry that summer season inspiration with us even after the last beach ball has been deflated.

[Pictured: 1. Fair Wheel Fine Art Print by aVeryStory;  2. Summer Fruits Nesting Bowls by KarinLorenc; 3. Orange Linocut Letterpress Poster by thebigharumph; 4. Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe Print by lucileskitchen; 5. Tomato Poster by claudiagpearson; 6. Seed Bombs from visualingual.] 

When summertime starts, I can’t wait to feel the tingle of the sun on my poor winter-riddled skin. It’s early on that I crave the intensity of the season. Give me those bright, sun-drenched colors, a warm day at a frenzied farmers’ market perusing fresh produce, weekends planning garden plantings, that pop on the palate from a cool slice of lemon meringue pie, or spinning through skyscraper views on a ferris wheel with the wafting scent of fresh cotton candy. Bring it!

[Pictured: 1. Vintage Red Woven Picnic Basket from SnapshotVintage; 2. Vintage Pendleton Picnic Blanket from BirdinHandVTG; 3. Handmade Apple Twig Bottle Carrier from FrickandFrackScraps; 4. Set of 8 Vintage Orange Plaid Check Japanese Plates from jmhallcuriosities; 5. Pie Pops by CakewalkDesserts.]  

Admittedly, picnicking in the Pacific Northwest can prove somewhat precarious with the potential of invading pests, but that doesn’t deter us completely. After months of gray and rain, we’re up for fighting the good fight to enjoy a nice outdoor nibble. A stylish setting is always a must. I mean, we eat with our eyes first, don’t we?! You’d be the envy of your fellow grazers with all of these picnic props. Don’t worry, I’ll save you some pie.

[Pictured: 1. Vintage Clipper Ships Art Print Set by Vintagraphy; 2. Vintage Nautical Wood Crate from Hindsvik; 3. Nautical Doormat by KarensRopeWork; 4. Fish and Coral Melamine Plates by TheMadPlatters; 5. Anchor Screenprint by Monorail; 6. Nautical Brass Photo Frame from PortugueseVintage.] 

You can’t think of summer without thinking “beach.” By midsummer, I’m ready to enjoy my sun with a cool ocean breeze, and there’s no reason not to bring the outdoors in and surround yourself with nicely nautical touches. Even if you can’t get to the ocean, you can always give your imagination plenty of fodder for feeling like you’re there. After looking at these oceanic inspirations, just close your eyes. You can hear the crashing waves and seagulls squawking already, can’t you? See. Told ya so.

[Pictured: 1. Afternoon Bluffs Oil Painting by vanderhoekart; 2. Storm Petrel Vintage Bird Bookplate from shavingkitsuppplies; 3. Ocean iPhone 4 Cover by LisaRussoFineArt; 4. Painted and Distressed Shabby Chic Mason Jars by BeachBlues; 5. Ocean Books Instant Library Collection from sorrythankyou79;  6. Moss, Seashells, and Lichens Mason Jar Terrarium by DoodleBirdie.]  

As the season progresses, I start feeling a bit lazy, hazy. It feels like this could all go on forever. Relaxation takes it’s ultimate toll, and I effortlessly roll through the days. These are the times when I love quiet walks along the beach with just my meandering thoughts and daydreams. It’s also the time I look for softly wistful reminders of these moments in hopes of conjuring up this magic when this time has inevitably passed. Through a beautiful painting of the coastline, accents of coastal colors, my own itty bitty beach in a Ball jar, or a simple photographic memento on a phone cover to remind oneself of the beauty of being “disconnected”… I’ll be transported back in a flash, even if only in for a moment in my mind.

[Pictured: 1. White Bones Fine Art Photographic Natural History Print by MilesOfLight; 2. Small Disc Chimes by PigeonToeCeramics; 3. 3 Small Porcelain and Cotton Rope Hanging Planters by farrahsit; 4. Porcelain Mason Jar Votive Candle Holder by EcoElements;  5. Vintage Queen Conch Shell from 5gardenias; 6. Pink Sea Urchin and Air Plant Duo from toHOLD.]

Sigh. Late summer. There’s still time, but I know our days are numbered. These are the hours of napping in the heat and relishing the moment a breeze blows. Days feel longer and there’s less objection to the coming of a cooling nighttime dappled with candlelight and conversation. Now, it feels less about punch and color and more about the washed-out whites of a fading season. Summertime. Ah.

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