OPEN Doors

In the warmer months, there’s a wonderful moment when you know that summer is here to stay. Doors stay open a little longer and windows are pushed wide, allowing fresh air to fill the corners of the house where winter lingers. It’s my favourite time of year, when the division between indoor and outdoor is beautifully blurred and a jacket is an accessory, not a must.

My house is at its busiest in June, with my six-year-old, Adelaide, home from school and our three-year-old twins, Hugo and Posy, making mischief wherever they go. They band together with the neighbourhood kids, and, armed with bubble mix and Popsicles, the whole gang hops from one yard to the next. We grown-ups step out onto our porches to see where they are (or what they’re up to) and end up indulging in impromptu dinners and glasses of wine.

It’s also the season for hitting the street or the park and running into a friend or neighbour you’ve missed through the winter months. Reconnecting is so effortless: The perfect get-together is just a step away from a casual invitation; the barbecue is easy to fire up, and there’s always something that looks fresh and enticing at the market.

Now that summer is finally on its way, we want you to make the most of it. With our budget-friendly guide to enjoying an incredible staycation (page 51), perfect outfits for the season’s many weddings and garden parties (page 24) and irresistible homemade spreads that’ll add a little something to your next meal (page 94), this issue has everything you need to ensure this summer is your best yet.

It also seems like the perfect time to introduce myself to you as the new editor-in-chief of Canadian Living. While it may not be easy to have all of you over to my place (it would be fun, but cramped!), I’d love to connect with you on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (I’m @jeswatson). Come drop by and say hello. I’m so excited to hear your feedback and ideas—it is your magazine, after all! And my door is always open.