Here are my favorite summer Friday things — seasonal recipes, drinks, playlists and little things that make warm days feel extra special.
EATING
I live for my hot bacon caprese salad each summer; it’s a once-a-year must. I also make my summer rotisserie chicken salad frequently — both recipes use the same bright, tangy dressing and are perfect for light, sunny meals.
DRINKING
When figs come into season I reach for my brown sugar fig bubbly — it’s fruity, fizzy and endlessly refreshing. Another favorite is palomas with salty chili sugar for a slightly spicy, citrusy cocktail.
MAKING
I love making a big pot of summer pesto mini meatball soup. It’s comforting but light, full of fresh basil and flavor, and everyone in the family asks for seconds.
BAKING
It’s zucchini season, so I bake all the zucchini things: zucchini bread, chocolate zucchini cake and zucchini cupcakes with rich frosting. They’re a great way to turn an abundant vegetable into crowd-pleasing treats.
GRILLING
For summer cookouts I do smoky grilled chicken nachos and the best grilled vegetables — charred, caramelized, and seasoned simply so their natural flavors shine.
CRAVING
Right now I’m craving cheesy stuffed pesto garlic bread — gooey, herbaceous, and perfect for sharing.
LISTENING
I’ve been playing a coastal grandmother playlist that perfectly suits slow mornings and summer afternoons. It pairs nicely with my “summer kitchen” playlist for cooking and entertaining.
READING
I’m reading When We Were Bright and Beautiful — a lovely pick that I recently received from my book-of-the-month selection. It’s been an engaging summer read and a nice escape between recipes and daily life.
WEARING
I’ve always loved a platform shoe — they add height and a playful retro vibe. Lately platforms have been higher than I expected, and while I adore a few designer pairs, I tend to picture wearing them with flared jeans and save the very tall styles for occasional outings.
SHOPPING
One of the best purchases I made last holiday season was the Bonne Maman advent calendar — we all loved it. It tends to sell out early, so if you enjoyed it before, keep an eye out when it’s released each year.
SHARING
I’ve posted some new short videos featuring baked peaches & cream oatmeal cups, grilled chicken avocado orzo, and a bright chilled queso. They’re easy, seasonal recipes worth trying if you want quick, flavorful dishes this summer.
LOVING
I’ve been enjoying a new podcast series all about first ladies — it’s thoughtful and informative. If you missed the host’s previous Momentum series, that’s worth listening to as well.
PREPPING
We’re getting ready for back to school with supplies and routines mostly in place. We’ve used the Yum Boxes for years and they remain our favorite lunch boxes — durable, easy to clean, and kid-approved. I also use compact ice packs that fit in lunch containers and work for many outings and picnics.
