First Day of Summer



Today is the first official day of summer! In the U.S.A. and the rest of the northern hemisphere, it is the day
of the year when the sun is farthest north. This day is known as the Summer Solstice. 
The Celts celebrated the first day of summer with dancing.
I wonder if the day is still celebrated around the world.

Have a great, sunny summer! Never forget to use sunscreen. xx

(Paintings by Michael A.)

82 comments:

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Happy summer, Betty!
Did you paint those first two pictures? Very nice.
I like the berries and corn too, especially the close up of the cherry.
Hugs, my friend,
xoRobyn

Betty Manousos said...

aw, rawknrobyn, i wish i could paint! those are oil paintings of a great artist.

Rick said...

Life imitating art ?

;-)

Nice paintings, and the photos look delicious !

Enjoy the first day of summer.

Ms. A said...

The only dancing I might consider, would be indoors, with AC. Too hot to go outside!

Love the photos, as always!

Alessandra said...

Hi!! haha I completely forgot today is the first day of summer..I guess I'm trying to forget because the humidity is terrible where I am. Such wonderful photos!

VandaQC said...

With your beautiful photos I think just in the summer and holiday!!!
Happy after!
Vanda

SquirrelQueen said...

The paintings and photos reflect so much of nature's bounty in this summer season. Beautiful shots Betty.

Happy Summer Solstice!

magda said...

Μπέττυ μου, καλό καλοκαίρι και επισήμως!!!
Με τις υπέροχες φωτογραφίες σου, ήρθε η χαρά και η αισιοδοξία!
Καλό καλοκαίρι σ όλη σου την οικογένεια!
Πολλά φιλάκια

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I was instantly drooling over those cherries!

Leckeres für Mensch und Katze said...

Beautiful summer shots! LG Tina

Joop Zand said...

Very nice Betty

Have a wonderful summen honey.

Greetings, Joop

Bel said...

I love the paintings!! I love fruit and food paintings haha :)

<3 Belly B

Emm said...

I just love your photographs of the fruit and corn. Stunning! Happy summer solstice!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Thanks for the reminder! I always love your photos. And I love the paintings too.

Happy first day of summer!

TexWisGirl said...

your photos look yummy!!! and very summery!

Samantha said...

Happy summer!
Watermelon and corn..two things that scream summer :)

Bob Bushell said...

That series is fantastic.

ΑΘΗΝΑ said...

You are right!The summer came!I love to look at the sea drinking a cold drink!Happy holidays with many trips near the sea!

Anonymous said...

I love summer, I love summer-pictures, I love summerfruits and so now is starting the best time of the year! :)
Greetings
moni

Darlene said...

Nothing says "summer" like watermelon, strawberries and corn on the cob! Great photos. Happy Summer!

Unknown said...

I will be dancing the solcitice in! Happy Summer!

Betty Manousos said...

haha, ms. a, you're right! :)

Bitch said...

A very happy and delicious summer
like your images, dear Betty.
I don't think, that here in Greece
is a celebration for this special
day!
Instead the people are doing their argumentation
at the constitution square,,,

Love and hugs
Monika

MadSnapper said...

these are all gorgeous. did you do the paintings? or are they done in photoshop? love them

Lynette Jacobs said...

The watermelon is making my mouth water...those are all the reasons why I love summer.

- Jessi - said...

Beautiful! Definatly summer worthy.

Anonymous said...

So much luscious fruit!

The Swedes celebrate Midsummer every year by dancing around a maypole to music and eating with family and friends.

Anonymous said...

may your summer be filled with beauty, love and peace my dear friend

Bossy Betty said...

All sorts of happy art here today!

Happy Summer to you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Summer!

Delicious artwork! :D
PopisK

Unknown said...

Very nice !Greetings Andrzej.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

That beautiful paintings! They certainly evoke the magic of summer!

Fábio Martins said...

Nham nham... i love all fruits :)
Good regists

Reena said...

Yummy artwork ... love how you pulled all the images together ... so refreshing!

Ryan said...

It's true us Celts still celebrate summer soltice with dance, music, drink, feasts but hey you know us, any excuse for a party.

Betty Manousos said...

ryan, haha, yes, i know. that's why i love scots!!:)

Leovi said...

Beautiful and refreshing photos to celebrate the entry of the summer. I love these paintings, are they yours? A hug.

Liz Mays said...

You make me want to rush to the farmstand right now!

Toyin O. said...

It feels like the first day of summer in NYC;the pictures look amazing, thanks for sharing.

Rui Pires - Olhar d'Ouro said...

Yes, summer has arrived ..

These beautiful your images to describe the entry of the summer. These good fruits ... huum ...

Thanks,

Rui
OLHAR D'OURO

Bobbi said...

I love summer fruits and veggies! Makin me hungry!

chow and chatter said...

lovely photos but its winter for you down under right :-) I guess you miss the summer, sending you a plate of pasta

Diane AZ said...

Delightful post for first day of summer! I love the paintings and all the beautiful fresh produce. :)

Kelly said...

What lovely and refreshing photos for this hot first day of summer!! I love summer fruits and veggies. :)

Nancy said...

Well, we are dancing in the rain today. No sun until Thursday, weatherman says.

Hope you are having a glorious day, Betty. :)

Pat said...

Nothing like fresh summer fruits! Yum!

Alice said...

Yep. Looks like summer to me. Happy Solstice.

Nevine Sultan said...

Happy Summer, my dearest! May your days be filled with sunshine and flowers... and all of the other beautiful things of summer!

Big hugs,
Nevine

RIZALENIO said...

I love the colors and smells of summer. Happy Summer.

Unknown said...

We used celebrate it as a Midsummer day because sun doesn't go down in Finland but these days it has removed to the weekend that we won't get free day off from work:) It is also my birthday:)

Betty's Cuisine said...

Καλό καλοκαιράκι συνονόματη!
Οι φωτό σούπερ... είναι τόσο ζωντανές!
Φιλιά...

LifeRamblings said...

i love the paintings and the fruits look yummy. Happy summer solstice.

Betty Manousos said...

henrietta,happy birthday to you!!xo

DoanLegacy said...

Beautiful painting, yummy fruits, and mouth-watering..

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful !! I like these painting :))

Bye**

Susan said...

I love that first painting, great job! Thanks for stopping by my blog. :-)

Trac~ said...

Happy summer my bloggy bff! I miss you! :) Love the photos of the fresh fruit - YUM! :) xoxoxo

Jennifer Fabulous said...

My summer has been a little dreary so far. Sigh. But I do love watermelon and strawberries. Those make any dull day happier! ;)

Allison said...

Fresh corn... the best!

Irredento Urbanita said...

Here in Barcelona is also celebrated Summer Solstice. And tomorrow we celebrate San Juan (St. John Day), a holiday with fireworks.

Regards

Valery

Barcelona Daily Photo

urban muser said...

beautiful photos. happy summer!

Felicity Grace Terry said...

What a wonderful collection of images, those strawberries look yummy, so fresh.

The Druids at Glastonbury (England) still dance to greet the summer solstice.

yonca said...

Ah, you want me want some watermelon righ now..xx

Betty Manousos said...

thanks, petty witter, for providing such interesting info. :)

Sérgio Pontes said...

I really like the summer, its m y favorite season =)

ANRAFERA said...

Resfrecantes fotografías.
Buena serie, muy tipica de esta Estación.
Saludos, Betty.
Ramón

Anonymous said...

Perfect!
Well done!

ruma said...

Hello, Betty
Your heartwarming poetry and works fascinates everyone feeling.

 Thank you for your kindness.
 Have a good weekend.

Greetings.
ruma

Unknown said...

Good entry, in honor of the first official day of summer!
Here in Spain, the sun is further north. This day is known as the summer solstice.
Here in Galicia as a good land of the Celts, on 23 at night celebrated the first day of summer with bonfires, fire, dance and barbecue meat and fish.
Greetings .-

SquirrelQueen said...

Summer colds are especially annoying, hope you are feeling better soon.
Judy

Hilary said...

Yay for summer and for scrumptious summer foods. Hope you feel better soon.

EG CameraGirl said...

Wonderful images of summer! Hope you get over your cold quickly!

Craver Vii said...

Yumm!!!

I suppose dancing is a good way to celebrate just about anything. I've never felt comfortable enough to really dance, but heartily enjoy seeing people who are free enough to shrug off inhibitions and move to the music. Ellen Degeneres is really cool that way.

Cloudia said...

feel better soon!



Aloha from Waikiki


Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>


> < } } ( ° >

< ° ) } } > <

La sonrisa de Hiperion said...

Estupendas todas las fotos que nos has dejado en estos últimos post. Siempre un placer volver por tu espacio.

Saludos y un abrazo.

Donna said...

I'm following back from the It's Almost Friday hop. Sorry it's taken so long! Thanks for stopping by Pot of Gold Giveaways and following!

I hope you're feeling better!

Donna

Claudya Martinez said...

Cold watermelon in the summer is a bit of heaven.

I hope you are feeling better, Betty. Best wishes for your overall health.

The Blonde Duck said...

Hope you're having a good summer!

Ryan said...

Get well soon Betty

de wereld volgens essi said...

What a fantastic summer picture collection.
Greeting , Essi

SquirrelQueen said...

I hope you are feeling better Betty.

Happy 4TH!

Anonymous said...

What do you mean?