This Weekend: Make The Most Out Of What You've Got

You might have started June with a bang, but are you still going strong? Don't make the mistake of simply counting down the days until fall, in mourning prematurely, without appreciating the right here, right now. So — come September — you're not wondering why you never saw your friends more than once this summer, and where did all that time go?

Make a Quick Getaway: Every Friday marks the beginning of a mini-summer vacation. A mini road trip doesn't have to take a week, or cost you an arm and a leg—just a few tanks of gas and maybe a day or two of vacation time. Check out all the great places our contributors and house tour participants call home:

Hold Onto The Best of Summer: August is the best there is of summer, when everything is peaking and the season is in full stride. Figure out how to eke out every moment and make it last:

Connect With Friends: Soon everyone will have their noses back to the grindstone, and less available for relaxed, frivolous fun. Use this time to catch up with old friends, or put yourself out there and make some new ones:

Remember, as with all of our Weekend Projects, just do what you have the time and energy to do. And hey, if you don't feel like going on a picnic, choose one of our other weekend projects to get done.

Check out the entire 2016 Plan for a Healthy & Happy Home to access all the Weekend Project ideas and download our August Home Checklist while you're there. It's a great, low-pressure way to keep your life running smoothly and maintain a happy & healthy home!