Too Hot to Handle? Simple Ways to Beat the Summer Heat! . . . by Amy Vastine and Carol Ross


Summer, we love you! No buts!

All across the country (and most of Canada from what we hear) we’ve been waiting and waiting and…waiting for summer to arrive. Finally, it’s here and we are so, so grateful! But… Ok, no buts. But  some of us promised we wouldn’t complain about the heat (if it would just hurry and get here) and we are determined to keep that vow. Aside from visiting that second cousin once removed in the Yukon, here are some of the best ways Amy and I have discovered to tame those torturous summer temps.

Take it from Amy and...
·       Take in a matinee. Not only does hanging out in an air-conditioned theater keep you cool, going during the heat of the day allows you to enjoy those matinee prices! Plus, the best movies come out in the summer. Have you seen Wonder Woman yet? We strongly suggest you do!

·       Go bowling. The best thing about bowling is that it’s fun for everyone - young or old. Take the kids or grandkids or call up your girlfriends and get that strike!

Cool off, get that strike, and still have time to spare!

·       Head to the library to find some new summer reads. Thanks again to the air conditioning, the library is a great place to spend some time during the hottest part of the day. Find a new romance or dive into a mystery. Whatever your mood, the library should have what you’re looking for. Of course, you could always download Carol’s new book, Summer at the Shore, and find a comfortable nook at the library to read away!

Your next summer read?

Cool suggestions, Amy! And thanks for the shout out, my lovely friend! 

In case it's too far (or too much effort) to head to town, here are Carol’s stay-at-home heat busters:
·       Freeze some fabric. Moisten wash cloths, roll them up, place them on a cookie sheet and freeze for a couple hours. Place cool fabric on hot skin and let your troubles melt away… Along the same line, you can place your sheets in the freezer for about 30 minutes before bedtime for a cool start to those sweltering nights.

·       Cold Potato. If you’ve got kids around, try playing a game of “cold potato.” Fill some water balloons and then refrigerate until chilled. Poke a pinhole in the balloon and then see how long you can toss it around before all the water is gone. For extra fun, recruit Granny to play. Hilarious. (Warning: you will get wet!)

One potato, two potato, cold potato?

·       Try some frigid fruit. Freeze blueberries, raspberries, mango, grapes, even cantaloupe for a healthy and refreshing popsicle. Try using in place of ice cubes in lemonade, tea, or water.



·       Hibernate. To keep your non-airconditioned house as cool as possible, issue a moratorium on virtually all appliances (except the freezer, you might need that for the towels and fruit.) The oven, dishwasher, and washer and dryer are the obvious ones, but even the shower, toaster, and hair dryer can heat up your space. Seriously, do we need to give you a better reason NOT to cook or clean?

Hey, you know what would be extra cool? Help us keep our promise and share some of your favorite ways to beat the summer heat!


 For more information on Amy Vastine and Carol Ross, including a complete list of their books please visit their websites!










Comments

  1. I love the heat! We experienced a heat wave the last few days, and there were no complaints from me. (Now, the mosquitoes are an entirely different matter and no promises that I won't complain--incessantly--about them!)

    Thank you for sharing your ideas for staying cool. They all sound wonderful to me, except for the hibernation one (sorry Carol!). I repeat, I love the heat and like to enjoy it while we can. While I think of it, driving around with the top down on a convertible is also a good way to keep cool . . . as long as you're not stopped in traffic.

    Congratulations on your new release, Carol. I love the cover and I know I'll love the story, too. Amy, you must be due for another release soon.

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    1. Thanks, Kate! I love the heat, too. I'd much rather it be too warm than cold. I so agree about mosquitoes! I've heard it said that all of God's creatures serve a valuable purpose but could someone please clue me in to the point of a mosquito? I like that convertible idea.

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  2. Fun post, ladies!
    I'm with Kate, I'd rather have the heat than freeze! My office is so cold, I look forward to commuting home with the windows up and the A/C off.
    Your cover is beautiful, Carol. Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks, Jill! I don't like A/C either if I can avoid it. Luckily, here in the Pacific Northwest it doesn't get so hot that we need it all the time like it does in other parts of the country. My favorite thing is to find a shady spot and enjoy the sun in the shade.

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  3. I had to laugh at your opening comment about no 'buts' and heat complaints, Amy and Carol. You're so right, that we wait so long for nice, warm weather until it gets a tad too hot. I liked your cooling ideas, especially the frozen fruits that would be great in iced tea, lemonade or....cocktails? Congratulations on "Summer at the Shore", Carol - lovely cover and another great way to beat the heat - reading in a hammock.

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    1. Right, Janice? I'm guilty of it myself. After the winter we had I really have promised not to complain this summer. Thank you for the book well wishes. Nothing can beat reading (or writing) in shady hammock.

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  4. Yes, Janice, anything cool + reading a romance = summer joy. Especially like the tip about freezing sheets. Throw in the pillowcases, too!

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    1. I love to read at the beach, too. Lounging under an umbrella with a cold drink and a good read - nothing better!

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  5. Great ideas. Can hardly wait for the weather to warm up so I can try them.

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! Hopefully, these ideas will help you enjoy your warm weather - without complaint.

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  6. Here in PA the heat and humidity make the sweet corn and tomatoes grow overnight. Kind of spooky. :)
    Congrats on the book!

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    1. I'm really glad we don't have that high humidity here, T.R. But I wouldn't mind growing a garden in it. That's another thing I love about summer, all the fresh fruit and veggies. Cannot wait for the first corn of the season.

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  7. I never thought of freezing fabric, but that's a great idea. Here in WI we talk about the long wait for summer and by July people are pining for fall. Love the title of the book, Summer on the Shore. It just sounds good! Congratulations!

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    1. Exactly, Virginia! It's funny. I think it was maybe Will Rogers who once said something like, "Everyone complains about the weather but nobody every does anything about it." Lol. Thanks for the book well wishes. I like the title, too.

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  8. Okay, I am definitely trying the cold potato game. Never heard of it or thought of it. And, I'm in Arizona, nuff said.

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    1. Do it, Pamela! It is a ton of fun, especially with a bunch of kids.

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  9. You could just try living in England We don't really have many over heating problems!!! It is nice and sunny today though to be fair x

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    1. Oh, Eleanor, that is a lovely idea! Packing and hoping your guest room is ready for me...? (;

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  10. Nice! As the weather is now about to hit 100+ for the foreseeable future, I'm saving this post for future reference, LOL. Although personally, I'm the crawl into a cave and wait it out kinda person. Until we hit Florida...Carol, bring some balloons.

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    1. LOL! Anna, we are going to need a boat load of balloons! And fruit and ice and towels and the library a bowling alley...

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  11. If you have air conditioning, close the drapes to keep the cool in. It will save on the electricity and your system won't need to work as hard.

    Also, if you have any unused rooms (guest room), pull the shades and drapes down in there.

    Shirley

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    1. Yes! Love these ideas, Shirley. We do these in our house since we have no A/C.

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  12. Love those suggestions. It's been cool and cloudy here, but once it warms up I'm trying that cold potato game as soon as I round up some kids to play with. Vacuum cleaners probably put out tons of heat and should be avoided, right?

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    1. It is a lot of fun, Beth. And, Lol about the vacuum. Yes, TONS of heat. In fact, they are veritable heat machines and should be avoided for virtually the entire summer!! And probably a good part of winter, too...

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  13. I love your suggestions. I'm sorry but I do not like hot weather, or rather, my body doesn't like it. The sun actually makes me sick. Isn't that terrible? I do whatever necessary to avoid the heat.

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    1. Laurie, I'm so sorry to hear this. It is terrible. I have a friend who is the same as you. She gets terrible migraines and sick to her stomach. Stay out of the heat!

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  14. I love to beat the heat by going to the beach. You don't mind if it's hot because once you take a dip in the ocean, you need the heat to warm up.

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    1. Oh, Lynn, this is so true! I think going to the beach is the very best way of all to beat the heat. I'm going with some friends in a couple weeks and I cannot wait.

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