Under the August Moon: Creating Magic in Summer Evenings
One of my favorite picnics of all time ended near midnight, long after the sun had set and the stars had taken their place.
It was a warm summer evening with friends in Seattle’s Discovery Park. We gathered on the bluff overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, timing it just right to watch the sun set. We ended up talking late into the night, looking up at the stars and wondering what’s there, and our place in the universe. The moment was simple, but unforgettable. I’ve thought about this evening a lot over the years.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what my perfect summer evening would look like today. It would include:
Flowers, of course! - cut fresh from my Slow Flower cutting garden here in Seattle, with added color and texture from Seattle Wholesale Growers Market
A charcuterie board with flavors galore, including cheeses from local Bella Luna Farms - rich, creamy, and delicious - with their small-batch honey and homemade jam. Plus, a pile of homemade seed crackers to accompany each bite.
And something delightful from RevelEleven advisory board member (and exceptional chef), Kathy Cooper. Here are her recommendations for the perfect summer picnic additions: Quinoa Arugula Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese, Tuna Salad on Rye, Green Goddess Feta Dip, and Cold Cucumber Soup.
And something delightful from RevelEleven advisory board member (and exceptional chef), Kathy Cooper. Here are her recommendations for the perfect summer picnic additions: Quinoa Arugula Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese, Tuna Salad on Rye, Green Goddess Feta Dip, and Cold Cucumber Soup.
This August, I’ll be recreating that feeling of wonder and warmth on the night of the Full Sturgeon Moon, Friday, August 9. According to the Local Mystic, the Sturgeon Moon symbolizes perseverance, the culmination of hard work, and the fruition of long-time goals. It’s a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate.
So I’ll return to Discovery Park - this time with a deeper connection to the soil beneath my feet, the hands (including mine) that help grow our food, and an even greater wonder and gratitude for the universe and this planet we call home.
What does your ideal summer evening look like?
I invite you to design your own magical night. Let August’s full moon - or any warm summer evening - be your inspiration.
Joanie Parsons
Founder/Adventurist of RevelEleven