summer

Loving Lately

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.

Loving Lately ?

Loving Lately: Lingering Summers

I’m one of those parents that doesn’t want summer to end or school to start. I do love all the seasons and the holidays… I guess I just wish that life was one big vacation.

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I love all of the flowers and greenery.

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I love the berries and tarts!

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But even though I’m trying to hold on…

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I know the seasons have an inspiring way of keeping you excited for what’s coming next.

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I’ll be ready, but I don’t have to think about that today. Maybe I’ll think about popsicles?

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Thank you Pinterest for helping me put my thoughts into photos… I’ll be outside.

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Simple Summer Entertaining

It occurs to me that I haven’t contributed to my entertaining section of my blog in a while. And although I haven’t hosted any major gatherings lately, there have been several little ones. So here are some tips for those awesome summer days that turn into impromptu gatherings. I just love this time of year. 

1. Invite (or cordially accept) your friends over. Maybe the people you hung out with on the 4th of July? You probably like them.

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2. Whether you are sending out informal invites (phone calls or texts) or the neighborhood has migrated to your back yard, serve snacks. Everyone wants to eat- usually right away, and in my experience often all day. Keep corn chips and salsa on hand at all times. (If you happen to have avocados, tomatoes, onions and seasonings, a little guacamole is a fun seasonal treat.) Of course most kids (and adults) I know are happy with Doritos too.

3. The same goes with drinks. Sure it’s nice to have a cooler full of chilled pop (or whatever you like). If you have the time to stock up on beverages great! Maybe you have a limited budget? Hey, no worries, it’s just nice to be together… but at least serve water… iced is even better… and if you have time for lemon or limeade, they’re just classic.

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4. Just add water. In the northern midwest we have a short season where it is desirable to be wet while we are outside. I like to take full advantage of it. You don’t have to have a pool or pond or lake… The kids I know are happy with a sprinkler or slip ‘n slide or good old fashioned balloon fight!

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5. Now you are not obligated by any means to feed everyone a meal unless you have said you would, but I can’t imagine another way. If you’re not prepared, it’s always fun to order pizza. I think it’s a good idea to keep hot dogs and buns on hand all summer long. We’ve had parties where everyone brings their own meat (and/or veggie patties) to grill which can be fun too. Of course it’s always a winner when you put burgers and brats over the flame. Can you smell the summer in the air?

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6. The fun is not over until you serve something sweet. It can be cheap and store bought. It can be thoughtfully homemade. My suggestion? Make it something that’s going to melt. Popsicles or ice cream cones… Sticky chins and drips down shirts are what memories are made of this time of year.

 

A Blur in Review

If time flies when your having fun, then this was the funnest summer ever!

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And don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about Fall; the baking, the color changes, the sweater weather…

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But I’m not ready to put the pool cover on!

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And even though we’ve done the school shopping, I’m not ready to send my baby to fourth grade!

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I am extremely happy to share that my infant’s skin condition has improved immensely. Thank you to all of the eczema supporters out there!

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Weddings, birthdays, graduation parties, horseback riding lessons, vacations, holidays, swimming, BBQ-ing, boating, beaching we did it all! Summer living… see you next year!

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School’s Out for Summer

The time has come! School is out and summer vacation can begin! Of course we have to celebrate!

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It seems like just a few weeks ago, it was the first day of school…

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And I had to chase your bus down the street, pregnant and in the rain… right after we took this picture, because it didn’t stop at our house like it was supposed to. But forget all of that! Let’s jump in the pool!

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And squirt water guns!

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Let’s blow bubbles!

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It’s time to kick off our shoes and play in the sprinkler!

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We need to jump in a bounce house!

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And have a water balloon fight!

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We need to eat Popsicles!

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…And more junk food!

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Because by golly, school’s out and summer is here! And that’s something to wipe our chalk-y hands off and smile about!

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