My favorite summertime apps

Did you ever pass a flower or a tree on a walk around the neighborhood and wish you knew it’s name? Have you thought so many times it would be nice to know how far you actually went on that walk? I am sharing my favorite summertime apps so you will wonder no more!

• 

I have heard the phrase “there’s an app for that” so many times over the years. It turns out…there really is! Some are free, some have a small monthly charge, and others you renew and pay for annually. My favorites include a mix of them all. Most apps will offer both a free and premium version. I recommend you always try the free version, if offered, first. Sometimes it does enough to meet your needs. Sometimes you try it once and never think of it again.

Picture This

I take a walk nearly every morning. The one thing I always take with me is my phone. Mostly for safety reasons but also because depending on the day, I like to talk and walk. I can catch up with my daughter, my sisters, or my aunt while walking. But some days it never leaves my pocket. On those days I just prefer the quiet solitude. It’s on those days that I love to just concentrate on the beauty around me.

There have been so many times that I have been tempted to ring a neighbor’s doorbell to ask what that beautiful potted plant in their front yard is. Or I’ll notice a tree that I would love to add to my backyard. Well guess what! This app is exactly what I needed without having to bother anyone.

I purchased the premium version for 20.00 a year. I use it constantly and it is well worth the price to me. Especially during the summer months. Not only will it tell me what the flower I love so much is, but it will tell me when to water my own.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Walkmeter

I am currently using the free version of the Walkmeter app. It’s very simple to use and tells me everything I need to know. I am not a fitness fanatic by any means. A daily walk is about as much exercise that I am dedicated to doing. This app tells me my distance, time, pace and calories burned. I do have to put up with ads along the way so I will most likely switch to premium at some point. $9.99 a year makes it ad-free.

• 

• 

• 

For the moment, I am happy as is. It keeps track of my routes so I can compare and challenge myself. That’s about all the technology I need for my fitness routine!

My Radar Weather App

This is also a free app that I love. Other than a small banner ad on the bottom of my screen, it does just about everything the paid version does. I love that it gives me an alert as to when the rain will be starting in my area. I also love being able to see weather around the country.

• 

• 

• 

This app would have come in handy a few years ago when I walked out my front door and saw this! It was really just a baby.

Cocktail Flow

Sitting outside on the deck with friends with a good summer cocktail is always such fun. Of course, these days we are keeping mostly to ourselves. But even though most of the social distancing rules still apply, we have managed a few small get togethers.

It’s funny how a cocktail never occurs to me in the dead of winter but on our beautiful summer nights, a nice frozen something is in order. I have found so many drinks I have never heard of on this app and several more made better by adding some obscure ingredient. I can even enter what I have on hand and it will give suggestions on what to make. This has earned it’s place as one of my favorite summertime apps for sure!

• 

• 

• 

• 

How to BBQ right

Ok so….who doesn’t need this one? So many great BBQ recipes right on my phone! The app breaks things down by food type and offers so many great tips on the “how to” of it. Even better, it’s a free app and a new recipe is added each week.

BBQ done right is about the best thing ever. This app can help make sure that it is. The recipes are all from Pitmaster Malcom Reed who is world renowned. There are several Smoker recipes too. Best of all, pictures! That way, you will know what it’s supposed to look like in the end!

• 

• 

• 

Pack This

More than any other on my favorite summertime apps list, this is the one I want to use most of all. If I get to, it will be because I am on my way to see my daughter! It’s been a year…longer than ever before.

Last year was the first Christmas we missed together. Work was busy and she couldn’t get away but it was ok. It was ok only because we were planning on heading west as soon as February. We all know what happened then!

This app is a great way to make sure you don’t forget anything. You can put in a destination and time frame and it will make a list for you based on location, weather, and activities you have liked in the past. Of course, you can edit those however you choose.

You can add travel companions and email lists to them. That way, you will never get to the campsite and find out that the chocolate and graham crackers you brought are now worthless because your bestie forgot the marshmallows! So incredibly easy to use!

• 

• 

• 

Just FYI

We have made the trip to California so many times over the years. Normally, I could pack to spend two weeks there blindfolded. But this time will be different. There are so many things I’m not used to taking. So many things that are more important than I could ever have imagined.

I have done my research. Having read all the CDC guidelines, I have checked with our favorite hotels inquiring about their new Covid cleaning practices and safety measures. We have even outfitted our Ford Expedition XLT with a memory foam mattress, pillows, and sleeping bags. Talking it over, we have decided it would be safer to sleep there on the trip out. At this posting, California cases are rising so this trip is not in our immediate future. We will, however, be ready when it happens!

While doing my research, I thought I would share some of the information I have accumulated. You can find it all in my latest post Planning/Packing for a road trip in the Covid era.

Gas Buddy

This is a great one! Have you ever paid for gas and then on your way home, you see it’s 20 cents per gallon cheaper a mile away? So frustrating! This free app makes sure that doesn’t happen. It is great around town as well as on the road. I’m always amazed how the prices vary from block to block and to what degree.

Gas Buddy will also lead you to the closest station in case you waited a little too long to fill up! I know this app will get plenty of use on our upcoming road trip.

• 

• 

• 

I hope you find something useful in my favorite summertime apps! If you haven’t joined us yet, please do! You can sign up below, confirm your subscription, and a welcome email will be in your inbox shortly. You’ll have immediate access to all the free printables in the member’s only library and I’ll keep you up to date on all the latest trends in home decor. Hope to see you again soon!