After a long winter of daydreaming about summer activities, warm weather is finally here. That means it’s time to actually start all of the projects that you’ve been talking about for the last six months. Whether it’s making a unique gift for your dad on Father’s Day or taking your summer vibes to the next level, there’s something invigorating about getting your hands dirty with a DIY project. Combine that with sunshine, and you have yourself a summertime hobby! Here are our suggestions for summery projects that will hit the spot.
Perfect your grilling technique
Summer is the time of cooking over an open fire. There really is nothing like eating smoky and delicious food outside during the summer. This summer, take your cooking from basic to elegant by learning how to refine your grilling technique. Don’t get me wrong, burgers and hotdogs have their place, but as a dandy, I’m always interested in elevating my style and my life. Leave the old standbys behind and learn how to cook more interesting and delicious meats and vegetables that pair well with wine. Meats like steak and rack of lamb require a deft hand at the grill, but make for impressive dinners for date nights during the summer. Everyone loves a man who can cook!
Restore an old canoe or kayak and hit the water
I don’t know about you, but sunshine always makes me want to be outside and active. When it’s this hot, that means I want to be out on the water, either sailing, kayaking, or canoeing. While a sailboat might be out of many people’s price range, kayaks and canoes are much cheaper and are still fun to use. Instead of buying new, find yourself a used vessel for under $500 and get to work restoring it. Not only are vintage boats typically well made, but they’re stylish too! Let your creative side out and take some artistic license with the stain and paint. Just don’t forget the waterproof epoxy. Trust me, there’s just no way to look good while your kayak is taking on water.
Upgrade your backyard space
Another highlight of summertime is the outdoor happy hours and parties with friends. To host a swanky event though, you can’t have the same tired backyard space that everyone else has. Wow your friends and make your home the spot for the season by building a gorgeous outdoor bar setup. We suggest going for an industrial vibe for a look is both classy and masculine. Start by buying a large piece of reclaimed wood to build around, and then add darker metal accents. Finally, add some seating and plants as the finishing touches. You can dress it up for a classy cocktail party, or keep it lowkey for whiskey and beer with the boys. Dates will love the new look and your friends will be jealous of your killer backyard space.
Brew your own beer
Speaking of beer with the boys: Why not try your hand at brewing your own? While breweries might seem full of complicated equipment (and they are) brewing on a smaller scale is actually not that difficult. Think of it as an adult science project with a guaranteed good time at the end. Some companies even sell kits, taking all the guesswork out of gathering the materials. Give your friends a before and after, by inviting them over during the initial brewing process. After fermentation and carbonation (about 4 weeks), have your friends over for a keg tapping party to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Don’t be afraid to try different recipes and experiment with flavors. No matter how it turns out, the beer always tastes better if you had a hand in making it.
Are you going to take up any of these hobbies this summer? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
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