Actually, it doesn't take much for a successful summer day other than good weather, a few nice people and cold drinks. At least in theory. In reality, however, there is not a shady spot everywhere and the ground is too hard for hours of walking. How good that there are some pretty companions that make your day outdoors a little easier and more carefree. They protect us from the sun, light up our way in the dark and also invite us to relax where the living room is far away. And some of them grow so dear to our hearts that we just take them into the house when the summer is over.