It's Memorial Day Weekend! We'll have some recipes that straddle the line between BBQ and a dinner party tomorrow, and on Monday, we'll reminisce about the Memorial Day parades we have known and loved. But we're all running around like mad today, so it's going to be a Fast Five Questions about the start of summer!
JULIA:
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? My mom's potato salad recipe. Simple, cheap, and everybody loves it.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Heck, no. My feet look like they've just been released from a Siberian gulag. I desperately need a pedi.
3. What's your summer jam? Fishin' in the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? I will, with God's help. (That's a joke for the Episcopalians out there.) If the temperatures manage to reach something resembling summer, I'll be dunking in Lake Arrowhead this weekend, otherwise, you can catch me swimming in the Saco River. In July, when it warms up.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. A cardigan! Because you never know when it's going to get chilly here in Maine.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Chilled Prosecco. Fresh fruit--blueberries, raspberries, peaches. Peach pie!
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Yes! I just got turquoise. I feel so radical.
3. What's your summer jam? Basia--there's a song called ..ah, I will look it up. Time and Tide, I think. Girl from Ipanema. Beach Boys!
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Truro. But do I have to go into the water? We love to float in our back yard pool! We get big puffy pool floats and books, and lemonade, and float. looking up at the blue blue sky and up through the giant sugar maples. It is glorious and inspirational and very very Zen.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Sunscreen. A hat. Sunglasses. (And I swoon at the fragrance of Coppertone and Bain de Soleil!
HALLIE EPHRON
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Sesame noodles with mushrooms, and cucumbers. There's a Mark Bittman recipe for it that ran in the NY Times.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? I just bought myself sandals that cover my toes so I can put off addressing this very issue.
3. What's your summer jam? In the Summertime, when the weather is hot...
4. Are you going swimming, and where? I'll fully intend to and then usually never actually take the plunge. Peaks Island in Maine where the water is NOT hot.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Vodka and club soda and cranberry juice and lime.
DEBS:
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Bottles of chilled rose and Sauvignon Blanc. Oooh, and my watermelon and feta salad.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? You betcha. This is Texas. I've been in sandals for two months. My toenails are a happy coral.
3. What's your summer jam? Roundabout, by Yes. Always makes me want to drive with the windows down and the sunroof open.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Sure. If someone who has a pool invites me.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Mosquito repellent!
Jenn McKinlay:
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? -- Deviled Eggs!!! Always.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? -- Yes, mostly because I just don't care (my, god, I love being over 50).
3. What's your summer jam? -- Lounging on the hammock on the porch of our summer house in Nova Scotia while reading and listening to the Grateful Dead. Bliss.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? -- Yes, in my pool in AZ when it's over 100 or in the Bay of Fundy, usually because I tipped my kayak over and have no choice.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. -- Sunscreen.
LUCY BURDETTE:
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Jenn got to the eggs before I did, but that's what I'm bringing too!
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Yes, pale pink toes:)
3. What's your summer jam? Under the Boardwalk (people walking above...)
4. Are you going swimming, and where? John's family reunion is in Cape Cod. Really hoping it's warm enough to swim in July--the kids will all be going in!
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Rosé!
RHYS BOWEN:
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? How come everybody has already brought the deviled eggs? That's what we bring. Okay, secret recipe baked beans.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Not exactly. Pedicure needed before I take off for Europe
3. What's your summer jam? Anything Beach Boys. Barbara Ann.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? I swim year round at my health club and in the pool in Arizona and I'm seriously miffed that I won't have much chance to swim as we criss-cross Europe. Maybe I'll brave the ocean in Cornwall. But I'm a wimp. Brrrr.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer.: My bathing suit.
JULIA: What is Rhys's secret recipe for baked beans? Will anyone invite Debs to their pool? How many times will Jenn tip her kayak in the Bay of Fundy? Stay tuned for the answer to these and more questions as summer unfolds! Meanwhile, dear readers, you can copy and paste the questions, below, and add your Fast Five to the comments!
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout?
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season?
3. What's your summer jam?
4. Are you going swimming, and where?
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
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Favorite cookout dish . . . Homemade potato salad
ReplyDeleteSandal-ready . . . Yes, but I don’t wear sandals
Summer jam . . . Beach Boys
Swimming . . . No swimming
Always at the ready . . . Sunscreen and sunglasses
I'm happy to see sunscreen is on so many people's lists, Joan! Keep your skin safe!
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Strawberry rhubarb pie when in season, sausage rolls, because they are always in season and they are expected of me.
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Always. Feet in themselves are so often unattractive, so I keep things up all year round. For sandal season, add regular pedicures. Pale lilac polish at present, but will go next week and get something livelier, maybe a summer green or blue.
3. What's your summer jam? I'm with Lucy Roberta. Nothing says summer like "Under the Boardwalk."
4. Are you going swimming, and where? I go twice a week to the JCC, once for what I call "old ladies' water ballet" and a second time for water walking. I DO NOT get this peroxide blonde hair in the clorinated pool water, lest I end up like that Dean Stockwell movie, "The Boy with Green Hair."
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. The patio umbrella. Last summer's blew over a couple of weeks ago, was totaled, but a new one is on order, arriving Thursday.
Always red, which always fades but hey, tradition.
Never discount tradition, Finta. When I was still coloring my hair, I got a tip from a friend who was also a regular lap swimmer at the Y - slather on a conditioning treatment in your pre-pool shower and cover it tightly with your swim cap. It worked very well - my color staid true and my hair would be SUPER shiny.
DeleteStrawberry-rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream - heaven!
DeleteThanks for the trip, Julia.
DeleteAnd there’s enough tour for all
*Tip
DeleteHow fun! Love all those answers.
ReplyDelete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout?
Depends on what's ripe in my garden/farm stand! When my gold cherry tomatoes and cukes are ripe, I make a salad with them, feta, Kalamata olives, fresh oregano, and olive oil. The best part is dunking crusty bread in the juices.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season?
Yes, also turquoise! Agatha-winning Cindy Callaghan came to our retreat to work and eat yesterday, and hers are turquoise, too (but I've been using that color for years now).
3. What's your summer jam? Dancing in the Streets
4. Are you going swimming, and where?
I hope so! At Jeness Beach in Rye, NH in August, at Crane Beach in Ipswich, and in my sister-in-law's creek in Bethlehem, NH later that month.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer.
Gin and tonic and lime and ice!
Apologies for exceeding my exclamation point quota for the month in one comment...
DeleteEdith, I'm coming to your picnic!
DeleteEdith, your use of exclamation marks is understandable. For those of us who love summer, there are never enough ways to say "excited".
DeleteHallie, you are welcome to come. I learned the dish from a (male) Greek friend long ago, so it's "real" Greek salad.
DeleteLyda, LOL. So true.
Heck, yeah. Summer party at Edith's house! We can all paint our toenails turquoise.
DeleteSure! Except I don't have a pool...
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? I belong to the deviled egg brigade.
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? No, they are horrible. A pedi is on my list of things to do--after Band Camp.
3. What's your summer jam? Gotta be Stars and Stripes Forever. We're doing three concerts on July 4, if I can find a box truss to hang the giant flag from.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Yes! I will if I can find a place--like Deb, I'll have to hope someone invites me.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Mosquito repellent is a year-round thing there, and so is sunscreen.
You and I are in the Ugly Foot League, Gigi. It's like, sure, I'll get a pedi- but first let me get these 1,000 things done. Maybe next time Youngest comes down from Orono, I'll make her paint my nails.
DeleteOur friend with the pool moved into a new house, and hasn't put in a pool yet! Going to nag her, now!
DeleteDeviled eggs? Seriously? What is the allure?? Maybe I need deviled egg lessons.
ReplyDeleteThe mustard to mayo ratio has to be just right for them to hold any allure for me.
DeleteAnd with mayo, you have to be careful they are kept chilled in hot weather. Because food poisoning...
DeleteWhat i want to know is, do all these Deviled Egg bringers also have deviled egg plates? Mine broke years back and I haven't found a cheap substitute yet at Target or the Christmas Tree Shop.
DeleteGigi has a fabulous antique plate. I have a cute one I saw at my upmarket super market last year, white, rectangular. Someone needs to make some eggs...
DeleteDeviled Eggs FTW!!!
DeleteDeviled eggs are delicious!
ReplyDelete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Depends on what is in the garden/market. But I make an easy four-bean salad with canned beans and edamame, gobs of chopped parsley and ground pepper, sea salt, and Italian dressing. It's always a big hit, and can take more heat than mayonnaise-based dishes.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Sort of. All my polish is packed up and in a box. Someplace in the basement of the new house. But the girls gave me a spa package for Mother's Day, which I intend to use soon.
3. What's your summer jam? Up On The Roof, by The Drifters, and Red Rubber Ball, by The Cyrkle. My sister and I both loved those songs.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Probably not, I'm not even sure I still have a bathing suit that hasn't disintegrated. Although Steve's cousin and I might start water aerobics together once a week.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Bacon! Because BLT's are our official easy supper.
Oh, I love red rubber ball! Thank you for reminding me.
DeleteBLTs here, too, but not until local 'maters are ripe.
DeleteThumbs up for bacon, and also, when the tomatoes are ripe, tomato sandwiches with Miracle Whip!
DeleteMiracle Whip. Please discuss. :-)
DeleteBLTs, yes!! And I just picked my first tomatoes! But NO on the Miracle Whip, Hank. Just, no. Must be real mayo.
DeleteYou can have all my share of Miracle Whip, Julia. I'm with Debs on the real stuff.
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? My dad's potato salad recipe - ranch dressing instead of mayonnaise
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Definitely not.
3. What's your summer jam? I have a whole playlist for going on a car trip, which usually only happens in the summer. Roll With It, Steve Winwood, is one of my favorites.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Probably not. The Gulf of Mexico is beautiful and only 45 minutes away if the traffic is "normal" but the summer is not normal. Yesterday there was a 10-mile backup on the highway that gets you there from here. If you finally get there, there's all that sand, and heat, and sweat. No thanks!
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Batteries and ginger snaps (hurricane supplies).
Visit Maine, Mary! We have loads of beaches, sandy and not so much, and there's never a ten-mile back up to reach them. There is a tiny downside in that the water temperature peaks around 62 degrees in August, but as soon as your entire body goes numb, you feel fine.
DeleteThanks, Julia. I love Maine! I've been twice, but definitely not recently enough. Hoping for more time there so I can stick a toe in the water and see/do more things.
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Usually Caprese salad
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? NO! Must fix that this weekend. I'm with the turquoise crew in the summertime.
3. What's your summer jam? Boys of Summer by Don Henley
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Yes! I live on the Cape, so it would be a waste not to.
Lucy, if you're on the South side, it will definitely be warm enough in July. North side will most likely stay on the chilly side all summer.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Tea brewed for iced tea.
Oh yes Caprese salad! Always delicious…
DeleteTea brewed for ice tea is an excellent choice, Mary. I always make simple syrup and add it to the tea when it's still hot. Sweet tea 4-EVR.
DeleteNope, nope, nope, Julia. Iced tea should only have lemon or mint:-)
DeleteI’m with Debs on the tea! Fresh mint is divine!
Deletepay No mind to the Debs behind the curtain. She lives in the land of sweet tea
DeleteLove all the jamming to summer songs this morning. Great choices and a great start to Memorial Day Weekend!
ReplyDeleteI had a great time listening to them when I was putting them up, Mary! If I can ever figure out how and where, we should do some Jungle Red playlists.
DeleteLoved the summer jams, too. Working my way through them now!
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? A cucumber/garbanzo bean/feta-on fresh greens salad. (Note to Hallie: the deviled eggs can be made so many ways--love them!)
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? As ready as they always are.
3. What's your summer jam? Summer Breeze, Seals & Crofts.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Like Hank, a comfy float in a pool, my fingers and feet trailing in the water, something cold to drink, a good book, ahhh....
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Sunscreen, shades.
Flora, Summer Breeze was my second choice!
DeleteFloating is so fabulous!
DeleteI never think of floating because all my swimming is in rivers or lakes (except for exercise at the Y pool.) Relax on a float on the Saco and next thing you know, you're leaving the state of Maine via Camp Ellis.
DeleteTo answer:
ReplyDelete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? - I don't have a favorite dish to bring. Instead, I just ask the host, "What do you want me to bring?" Saves time. But I don't really have to worry about that much. I don't know many people that throw cookouts.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? - I don't wear sandals. I'm either in sneakers or barefoot.
3. What's your summer jam? Ummm...big music fan here, remember? I listen to a little bit of all my beloved rock and metal. I'm seeing Iron Maiden for the 5th time on August 1st, so they'll be getting a lot of play. Of course, once the car windows are open, I like to play anything that's brutally fast and loud so as to freak out the people coming out of the grocery store or similar places. So Overkill songs like "Electric Rattlesnake" or the entire "The Years Of Decay" album. And of course, the Sabaton albums "Heroes" or "The Last Stand". Kind of depends. Just as long as the volume goes to 11!
4. Are you going swimming, and where? It's unlikely that I'll be going swimming. Just last year I went to the beach for the first time in 30 years. (There's a pic or two of that on my FB page). But that was when I was making the final attempt at dating someone. That crashed and burned and I probably won't be making a return trek until my Viking funeral. Plus, as I've said for years, every time I get out of the water, the environmental movement shows up and tries to roll me back into the water. LOL
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Nothing exotic or fashionable. I just make sure to have a bottle of water and something to read wherever I go. But that's pretty much like the rest of the year too.
Jay, my son introduced me to "Thunderstruck" (AC/DC). It is now my go-to, roll down all the windows, blast it out as I leave work on Friday. It is beyond cathartic!
DeleteOh, I forgot to add that other great summertime pleasure - concerts! I know bands play them year round, but there's something special about music outdoors.
DeleteLyda, that is a great "get the blood pumping" type of song.
DeleteJulia, outdoor concerts are good as long as the band knows how to play an outdoor gig. The sound tends to vary at least a little from an enclosed building and if they don't have the right sound guy, a show won't be good.
1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? 2 liter bottles of diet soda. Need to hydrate.
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? When I lose enough weight to see my feet, I will worry about this.
3. What's your summer jam? Lovin' Spoonful Summer in the City
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Two choices, Sand Key right on the Gulf, or Cypress Point Park (Tampa City Park on Tampa Bay). Will go soon, the water temp is now 82 degrees.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. An umbrella. Monsoon season in Florida.
Coralee, I'd be willing to trade a little monsoon for 82 degree water. I would live at the beach if I were in Florida. Sigh.
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Rum raisin peach cobbler
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Yes, I am currently robin's egg blue. Like Hank, I feel so "hip"
3. What's your summer jam? Sloop John B by the Beach Boys
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Yes, in the pool at home or...Glen Ivy spa if I'm really, really fortunate this summer!
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. shoes!! All sorts of summer shoes!
Wow, Lyda, you just upped the cookout ante! Rum raisin peach cobbler sounds delicious!
DeleteW may need to feature Rum raisin peach cobbler on a Sunday recipe blog!
DeleteYUM please please please..xoxo
DeleteMy Best Peach Cobbler Ever
Delete400 degree oven; 9 x 13 baking pan; Dutch oven or large stew/spaghetti pot
8 cups fresh peaches, sliced (Trader Joe’s “Early Rich” are amazing.)
2 cups sugar
2-4 tblspns flour
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup butter
1 ½ - 2 cups of golden raisins
Enough rum to completely cover the raisins
1 pkg Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix (use 1 cup)
½ cup butter
Place raisins in a small bowl, cover completely with rum. Cover bowl and leave to soak overnight. (Raisins should be plump and soft before adding to peach mixture)
Place sliced peaches in a Dutch oven add sugar, flour and nutmeg.
Blend together and set aside to allow juice to thicken.
When peaches have formed a syrup, bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
While peaches are simmering, blend together cookie mix with ½ cup butter to form a crumble the size of peas. Set aside.
Drain rum from raisins and set aside.
Once peaches are done simmering, remove from heat, add vanilla and 1/3 cup butter. Stir until butter is melted.
Add raisins and blend together.
Place peach/raisin filling into baking pan, leaving enough room at the top for the “crumble”.
Top generously with oatmeal cookie “crumble.”
Bake for 12 minutes in 400° oven, checking on it ½ way through. Crumble topping may brown too quickly. If so, loosely tent with foil for remainder of baking time.
Options:
1. Add a scan amount of the drained off rum/raisin liquid in with the peaches as they simmer. Alcohol will burn off, but the rum flavor will be retained. Do this only if you prefer “rum” over “peach” flavor.
2. Use the drained off rum/raisin soak as a drizzle over the warm cobbler or make a rum sauce. This is for those who really, really want the rum to shine.
3. Serve with vanilla ice cream, for those who adore the peaches. (this is me
Thank you for this, Luda! I love, love, love peach cobbler in the summer!
Delete1. Favorite dish for cookout: I have a Thai Quinoa salad that has been my go-to for a couple summers now. It looks beautiful with bright summery colors in it, is light and different, and gets lots of compliments. Plus, it's easy to make.
ReplyDelete2. Feet ready for sandals: Yes! I went with a robin's egg blue.
3. Summer jam: Pretty fond of Jimmy Buffett for the summer months
4. Going swimming? Nothing planned, but I'm game if the opportunity arises.
5. One thing you always have at the ready: This one was hard, but I'm going to go with Julia's cardigan, because I hate going in and out of air conditioning in the summer.(Though I do always have sunscreen, mosquito repellant and sunglasses, too.)
Susan, it it's not too much trouble, could I ask you to send me your recipe? I love That, and I've been cooking a lot with Quinoa (now I don't have kids around to say, "what's this?") and I'd love to try a new summer salad.
DeleteOops, I forgot to add my offical email has gone wonky on me - you can reach me at juliaspencerfleming via the Google Mail.
DeleteI would love this, too, Susan.
DeleteDitto, Susan. DM me on Facebook. I'm the only Lyda McPherson.
DeleteWith three requests, I thought it might be best to just post it here. Sorry I didn't get back to the blog until just now!
DeleteFor the salad:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed or pre-washed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized strips
1 carrot, peeled and grated (I don't peel.)
1 English cucumber, diced
2 scallions, white and green parts, finely sliced
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh chopped mint or basil (I slightly prefer the basil, but it is surprisingly good, though a little different, with the mint, too.)
For the Dressing:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, from 3 to 4 limes
2 1/2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add quinoa, salt and 1 2/3 cup water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool in the refrigerator.
In the meantime, make the dressing by combining the lime juice, fish sauce, vegetable oil, sugar and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
Once the quinoa is cool, add the red bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, scallions fresh herbs and dressing. Toss well, then taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, sugar, and lime juice if necessary. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This salad keeps well for several days in the fridge.
1) Either my version of Mom's version of Grandma Jeanette's potato salad or, if it's August, Gravenstein Apple pie. The gravs must be from Sebastopol, none of those huge mealy things from other places.
ReplyDelete2) Yes, my sister introduced me to pedicures two years ago, currently wear pale pink with opalescence.
3) Summer jam - okay, got me on that one - hmm, I love music but can't come up with something unless sitting on the cliff head, listening to the Pacific crash into rocks on the Sonoma Coast counts.
3) Swimming - love it but haven't been in the water in years, I think I have a swimming suit somewhere, just not in the heat of the day.
5) Sunscreen is year round now. Water, book, shady tree, ice cubes and frozen novelties.
Deana, I've never even head of Gravenstein apples. They don't grow them here on the east coast. Now I want to try one!
DeleteJulia, head south to Connecticut. Gravensteins are available at several orchards. Vaguely remember my aunt swearing by them for apple pie.
DeleteThe Gravenstein grown in Sebastopol are very different from those grown in Oregon, which is the only ones I can compare. The ones in Sebastopol are grown small area just before very last small foothills that separates Bodega Bay from the rest of the county. They are small, compact, tart and sweet. They have a very short harvest season. The orchards are being pulled for vineyards. If you get here in August to early September, find a good farmer's market or a local grocery. Look for green with a little bit of red and a dusty cap. No larger than a smaller fist.
DeleteThank you for this! I'm heading to Novato in mid-August and I alwats make time for Bodega Bay. I'll be on the look-out.
DeleteHow fun! For me, the taste of peaches and watermelon means that the summer has started.
ReplyDeleteNO way would my feet ever be ready for the summer. LOL. I have weird toes and I am too embarrassed to show them. Yes, I wear sandals that do not show my baby toes.
NO idea what my summer jam is.
Swimming? If I am staying at a place with indoor swimming pool, then yes. Unfortunately, I burn very easily so I have to wear sunscreen all the time.
My summer go to is sunscreen and a big hat at all times. Comfortable light clothes for hot weather. Layers because it can quickly become chilly.
Diana
Protect that skin, Diana! I love to hear people are wearing sunscreen.
DeleteJulia, thanks!
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? The CSA is not delivering here this summer, so no vast quantities of veggies. The last Y potluck I brought chips, and people liked them.
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? I'm amused by the pedi references. I break all rules and wear socks, because they feel better that way.
3. What's your summer jam? Classical music playing right now.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Y is 1/4 mile from me.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. A big stack of books, and ice cream in the freezer.
HAPPY SUMMER, ALL. <3
A big stack of summer reading may be the best part of the season, Mary!
DeleteCookout bringalong: A cold bottle of vinho verde.
ReplyDeleteHave never worn sandals. Not starting now. Just flipflops or water shoes as needed.
Summer music: Help Me Rhonda (Beach Boys); Galveston (Glen Campbell); Freddie and the Dreamers I'm Telling You Now; Herman's Hermits.
Swimming: if we go to the beach or a river
Summer necessity: sunscreen year round. mosquito repellant. Vinho verde.
Pat D, I'm with you on the never wearing sandals. I just go barefoot (flip flops flip me over. LOL)
DeleteI like your absolutely necessary wine, Pat! Herman's Hermits makes me smile - Ross LOVED that band and insisted "I'm Into Something Good" was Our Song. I pointed out its inculcsion as the couple's song in POLICE STORY was meant to be satiric, but he wasn't much of a satire kind of guy. :-)
ReplyDelete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout?
ReplyDeleteMy mother's baked bean recipe, which is not so much a recipe as a sense of knowing how much brown sugar and ketchup and bacon strips to add. And always drain off the liquid from the canned beans first.
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season?
Nope. Still trying to hide my hoofs under closed-toed shoes right now.
3. What's your summer jam?
Since going to Universal Harry Potter World with my daughter and her family two years ago and waking the younger granddaughter each morning by putting Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling," it's been a go-to song for summer pep. Of course, I'm still attached to my old Beach Boys' songs, Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City," Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime, and "DNCE's "Cake by the Ocean."
4. Are you going swimming, and where?
It's doubtful.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer.
A full shade hat and a visor. Also a sweater for restaurants or other indoor places that seem to be intent on freezing you and your food before you can eat it.
Kathy, I laughed out loud at "my hoofs." I think I need to rent a sandblaster for my tootsies.
DeleteA sandblaster would come in handy for me, too, Julia. Hahaha!
DeleteBaked beans - I remember them from my childhood as an absolute essential at cookouts!
ReplyDeleteStill VERY essential in New England, Jenn!
DeleteI am late to the party today because I shot out the door to hit the farmer's market first thing this morning. The last few Saturdays have either been canceled due to storms, or chilly and rainy--unheard of for Texas in May. But today it was in full swing, and I came home with a bounty. Now I have to figure out how we're going to eat it all!
ReplyDeleteLove all these recipes! I did get half a watermelon this morning, so that I can make my watermelon, feta, and mint salad using a bit of the mint forest I have growing right now.
Love the jams, and everyone's nail colors. I usually do turquoise or robin's egg as we really get into summer, but for now still enjoying my spring pinks and corals.
Julia, you said only one thing, so I didn't cheat! Sunscreen and hat come right after the mosquito repellent!! I absolutely hate Deet, so use one with picardin for light mosquitoes, but it doesn't work as well as Deet. Can anyone recommend a natural one that really works? There was a spray bottle of Naturally Green at our safari tent, and that layered with the picardin seemed to work pretty well.
Not to shoot down natural repellents, but I heard a doctor on Maine Calling (our local NPR talk/interview show) say DEET bug sprays were harmless SO LONG AS you wash off your exposed skin at the end of the day. Just as an FYI.
DeleteJulia, thanks. It's not that I think it's bad for me, it's that I can't stand the smell! I've found an unscented one that's not as bad as some, but still smells like Deet. Ugh.
DeleteWhen I pick blackberries in the summer, I spray my clothing and hat, instead of my skin. Works just as well, as long as no skin is exposed.
Delete1. What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? Rice Salad
ReplyDelete2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Yup, pedicure yesterday, toes are a beautiful blue, together with a skin slough and polish, I feel great!
3. What's your summer jam? So hard, “Slow down you move too fast”, can’t remember the title. Beatles, Mozart, not too picky.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? In my Maine lake, yes you are all invited.
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Sun glasses, can’t go outside without them, plus a hat, plus lakeside stuff which always includes a book and Pimms.
I trust there will be Pimms fixings at the lake?
Delete1. Favorite dish: Greek Pasta Salad.
ReplyDelete2. Sandal ready? Never. I need to know where Hallie got sandals that cover her toes!
3. Summer Jam: Anything by Jimmy Buffett but especially Margaritaville
4. Swimming: No. I nearly drowned when I was 6 and never quite got over it. However, I love to walk on the beach at Presque Isle, Lake Erie.
5. One thing: bug spray that keeps the ticks away!
LOVE Jimmy Buffett, Annette. Ross was a real Parrothead. In fact, the last non-classical concert I saw was Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band in Bangor, ME.
DeleteFavorite dish - potato salad My mother was known far and wide for her cooking but she said my potato salad was the best she ever had! She never said that about anything else I ever made.
ReplyDeleteSandal ready? Pretty much. I have teeny tiny nails so there's not much point in polishing but I have been using a foot cream for the past several months so they actually feel smooth and nice.
Summer jam: Kid Rock's All Summer Long; Shooter Jennings' Fourth of July; Beach Boys' Sloop John B
Swimming: probably not
One thing ready for summer: ice cold limeade
Let's all get together - I'm sure we'd have a blast!
Limeade! Oh, Judi, just the word has me suddenly craving it, and it's not that warm here. I may need to to run over to the grocery store for a can.
DeleteHaving read this all day, I've noticed that shades of blue and turquoise seem to be de rigeur for summer this year!
ReplyDeleteI know what I'm asking for for my feet now!
DeleteWhat fun this had been! Here's my list, just under the wire for today:
ReplyDelete1.What's your fav dish to bring to a cookout? If I can mange the transportation, strawberry shortcake. The real deal- fresh baked biscuits, local berries, fresh whipped cream
2. Are your feet ready for sandal season? Not even close. I still have the ghostly chips of last pedicure. Must make a plan for soft rose polish
3. What's your summer jam? Beach Boys, the sounds of summer for (mumble, mumble) number of years.
4. Are you going swimming, and where? Not if I can help it.I'm a terrible swimmer. Beach is as close as a subway ride, and we have a family week on Cape Cod with both beach and poolaccess. I will sit in the shade with my book, applaud the grandkids and give out snacks and sunscreen.Perfect!
5. Name one thing you always have at the ready in summer. Sunscreen.I burn to a crisp. Now I have a big straw hat too, dr. orders.
Triss, I love strawberry shortcake, but it really needs to be done your way, with home-baked biscuits. Too many people try to shortcut, and they just wind up with delicious creamy strawberries on top of cardboard.
DeleteBaked Beans
ReplyDeleteYes because I wear sandals all year long
The local orchestra playing for free in the park
Yes I swim all year long, but in summer we always make it to Highline Lake and Rifle Falls
Frozen water bottles
Frozen water bottles is an EXCELLENT thing to sling in your car every morning in the summer, Pauline. Where I live, nature freezes 'em for you between November - March.
DeleteMy favorite dish to bring is macaroni salad made by Atlantic Deafood in Baldwinsvillr.
ReplyDeleteMy feet will never be ready for samdals.
My favorite summer song is Popsicle by Jan and Dean.
I swim all the time - inside at the Y :)
I fix chicken thighs in my air fryer.
B'ville! I graduated from Liverpool High, Saxlady!
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