So many things to love lately.

1. Let’s start with deep dish (square) BBQ Chicken Pizza from Jet’s because it’s the best. Grilled chicken, red onion, and barbecue sauce on top of their perfectly balanced crispy crust with a little soft chew. I just can’t get enough of it lately. Towards the beginning of summer my in-laws came over and ordered one… and for a moment everything was right. Genius! It’s summer pizza, and “ba-da-da-da-da I’m lovin’ it.”

2. Haircuts. We’re getting ready for back-to-school over here. Look at those little hoodlums with their tight lines. (I really don’t know why they gave the scowls. They remind me of some Irish ruffians from the local football (soccer) club hanging out at the neighborhood pub.) Love ’em.

Number 3. True story: I’d been eyeing this popular blogger cookbook, hugely successful, awarded and recognized… and I like to support my fellow bloggers (even though they have no idea who I am). But, it’s kind of pricey. And because I have more cookbooks than I could ever really make all of the recipes, I really try to bargain hunt. But this one boasts recipes made by specific farmer’s market ingredients from like avocado to zucchini or something- so I splurged. (And on my way out I grabbed the bargain, Cook’s Country Cookbook– every recipe from every season.) When I got home I went through every page of my new collection of recipes. I quickly realized that the whole book was vegetarian, which is okay I don’t mind a “meatless Monday” now and again. Except to me the whole thing seemed like uninspiring side dishes. I don’t know how many vegetarian tacos I could eat? Then I opened my ‘bargain’ book- the first recipe was that mac n’ cheese with tomatoes pictured above. (Coincidentally enough it’s vegetarian.) It jumped right out at me and immediately I wanted to eat it. My mom used to bake tomato slices on top of her homemade mac n’ cheese! I love how the bursts of tomato and their little acidity gave a burst of juice and complimented the cheesiness. That was just page one, and the awesomeness didn’t stop there. Needless to say, I returned the pricey ‘popular’ book. Loving Lately: The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Cookbook.

Quatro. I love Michigan summers. I’m sure most people who live in regions with similar climates (cold and snowy winters) love this time of year. Everything is green and the sky is blue. But I am so partial to Michigan! Our lakes and waterways get so much play and appreciation right now. The picture above is from the Tahquamenon River just a couple weeks ago, and for a minute I was in a time warp. It was so peaceful and could have easily been fifty- or one hundred- or so on- years ago. I love those little connections where we seem so small and insignificant and get to enjoy such vast timeless beauty… and I love summer in Michigan.

I really could go on. Right now the kids are healthy, I’m not stressing over pulling weeds or school clothes shopping. (I probably should be.) I’m trying new recipes and enjoying the prospects of writing… I’m just loving.