Today is officially the last day of summer, September 21 aka the day before the autumnal equinox. I’m writing this on a flight to Iceland, so this year, the change in season will feel even more dramatic thanks to a rapid transition from sunny 78 degree days to 48 degrees and partly cloudy. 

Summer’s end always feels like it comes too soon. I can’t remember a time in my life when I found myself thinking “you know what, summer has been going on for long enough… I’ve had my fill”. Don’t get me wrong, fall is a top-three season, but it’s arrival is more bitter than sweet. Pumpkin spice lattes and fall foliage aren’t enough of a consolation prize for the departure of sundresses, warm summer nights, picnics in the park, and weekend trips to the beach. 

My hypothesis for why summer feels so fleeting is that it’s a season full of potential. So many possibilities are in store when warm weather rolls around — places to visit, adventures to be had. Summer brings with it bounty — the farmers market stalls are a cornucopia of heirloom tomatoes, peaches, cherries, sweet corn. People spill into the sidewalk, lingering at bistro tables and parklets. They take their time as they look over the menu, a spritz in one hand, a bowl of olives to whet their appetite nearby. They order everything on the menu. They stay for dessert. 

There are always too many things to do in summer and not enough summer in which to do it all which often makes summer a race against the clock that you don’t realize is happening until it’s over. You find yourself asking “did I really only go to the beach that one time?” Summer starts to feel aspirational. 

This year, a friend of mine hosted a craft night where everyone made a summer bucket list. A manifestation of your summer plans (although in reality you may only achieve a fraction). I filled the page. Some things were predictable — picnic in Prospect Park, go to the beach, see fireworks. Some were ambitious — run 300 miles, go on an international adventure, make croissants from scratch. Some were wildcards — get a piercing or tattoo, do shrooms. And some were just reminders that even small simple things can be the best part of your summer — drinking an aperol spritz on the street, riding the ferry, or baking a pie. 

At first, I was crossing off items left and right. Eat a lobster roll? Check. Concert at the pier? Check. A work trip to Brazil? Technically an international adventure so, check. But as summer went on, I found myself enjoying other things that I hadn’t thought to put on my list. I went on a sail boat. I saw a Broadway musical. I saw magic shows (yes, plural) and discovered a new speakeasy bar and tried every drink on the menu. 

Suddenly, I didn’t need a bucket list to enjoy summer. It had things in store I hadn’t expected — summer was full of surprises. 

Still, summer passed too quickly. First came July, then August. Finally September showed up. I looked at my list and only saw everything I hadn’t done. Strangely enough, some of the items remaining were some of the simplest. Like drinking an aperol spritz in the street. Or baking a pie. 

This week, I had an amaro spritz on the sidewalk at a restaurant in our neighborhood we’ve been meaning to try for ages. They didn’t have aperol, but the spirit was there so I say close enough. 

And here’s the pie — Atlantic beach pie, a perfect embodiment of summer on the shore. I made them miniature, easy for sharing and transporting to the beach. Bright citrus — both lemon and lime — sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks make a bright yellow custard that fills a ritz cracker crust. Whipped cream, zest, and flaky salt crown the top. Salty and sweet. Perfectly balanced. Each bite leaves you wanting more. Kinda like summer.