FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer solstice begins on Jun 21 2011 at 1:16 P.M. EDT. The longest day of the year, it's also considered the first day of summer!

All through time, humans have celebrated the beginning of summer in various ways:

Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.

In Ancient Sweden, a Midsummer tree was set up and decorated in each town, and the villagers danced around it.

The Celts celebrated with bonfires that would add to the sun's energy, Christians celebrated the feast of St John the Baptist towards the end of June, and it is also the festival of Li, the Chinese Goddess of light.

At Stonehenge, revellers still gather to see the sun rise...

How will you celebrate the first day of summer? Why not welcome summer with new art and decor from Serendip?

LP Designs offers these delightful glass panes, fresh and pretty for your summer windows.

This French Pot from Rush Creek Mosaics is great indoors or out, filled with flowers or on its own to accent.

Carol Fiorella's most recent offering is this watercolor of a tulip in soft, airy colors to complement the fresh, open decor of summer.

Handpainted oilcloth tablerunners offered by LP Designs will bring the sheer fun of summer to every meal!