It’s hard to believe that we’re already halfway through summer. You know what they say about time flying… and the employees at De Ruijter are good at having fun! From gardening to vacationing, everyone’s been staying busy these days, and here are a few of our favorite (and not-so-favorite) things about summertime!
Ohio Weekend Get-Away
Some of us aren’t picky, as long as there’s water and warm weather! For a care-free long weekend, try camping at Lake Loramie State Park or hiking in Hocking Hills. You could spend a day at Kings Island or Cedar Point. Put-In-Bay provides a variety of activities for your favorite group of people, and who doesn’t enjoy a Friday Night fireworks display at Great American Ball Park, especially after a Reds win!
Favorite Vacation Destinations
Head south to Florida or Hilton Head, SC for a stay at the beach and even warmer weather. For a relaxing trip, you could rent a house or houseboat for the week in Lake Cumberland or Norris Lake in Tennessee. Alaska offers more daylight for the summer and some of the best scenery the world has to offer. You could head to a more exotic location such as Indonesia or Panama. Mexico isn’t too far, with many resorts and beaches that are sure to be a great time. Cabo happens to be a favorite among our staff. Again, as long as the sun is out and the water is close, most of us are happy. (And if a clothing-optional beach is near, some of the guys would love to check it out!) Unless you’re the guy who prefers to vacation anywhere his beautiful, talented, strong, perfect wife is. We’re certain it has a better view than the doghouse he must be in currently!
Outdoor Activities
This season provides so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Many love the exercise - whether it’s playing soccer, softball, or golf or hitting your local gym for an outdoor workout or yoga class. Taking a dip in your pool or pond also provides an excellent workout. Bike riding, walking, and running are also quite popular. Perhaps one of the best social activities is having a cook out with family or friends and drinking a nice glass of wine (or two). Other activities that our employees enjoy include boating, bird watching, and playing with their kids at the park.
Indoor Activities
When it rains or the temperatures are intolerable, there are also plenty of things to enjoy indoors. You could leave the house and catch a movie at the theater (where it’s always nice and cool) or visit the skating rink. Reading, watching TV, surfing the internet, or taking a nice afternoon nap also help to pass the time until the weather clears up! You could get that daily workout in, as the CrossFit members in our office are sure to do, or you could challenge the family to some arm wrestling?
Grilling
One of the most popular past times of De Ruijter employees is cooking and spending time with family/friends. What better way to combine the two, than to host a summer cook-out? There are a variety of foods that taste great off the grill: T-bone steak, chicken, shrimp rolled in bacon, bratwursts, tomato bruschetta, vegetables - corn on the cob, red peppers, and asparagus, just to name a few. Or combine some of the above and grill up some kabobs!
Gardening
About 1/3 of our team (although some leave it to their significant others) plants a garden, offering a variety of fresh produce throughout the summer. The most popular is tomatoes. Green beans, asparagus, potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, green onions, cucumbers, herbs, and garlic are also currently growing.
Overall best thing about summer
- Stay busy/more to do
- Longer days (more daylight)
- Local festivals and picnics
- Sun tans
- late night walks
- bikinis
- wearing sandals
- The HEAT
Overall worst thing about summer
- The HEAT
- Mosquitos/Flies
- Monday mornings
- NOTHING
- That it eventually ends and gets cold
- Humidity
- Thunderstorms
However you are spending your summer, we certainly hope you've enjoyed it, so far! Soak it in - it'll be over before you know it.
