Sparkling Lemon Drop

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Sparkling Lemon Drop

Sparkling Lemon Drop

The sun has a longstanding history of becoming oppressive in late June. The humidity in the air swells as I walk outdoors in the afternoon heat, wishing I had something to fan myself. Living in the heart of the Midwest, I am continually astounded at the extreme cold and heat I experience each year, spanning a temperature range of 120 degrees between January and July. Perhaps that's why when summer finally arrives—heat, humidity, and all—I close my mouth against complaints about the soaring humidity and learn to embrace the beautiful weather instead.

Enjoying the summer heat would feel incomplete without a tall glass of fresh lemonade.

Sparkling Lemon Drop

Last Wednesday, after a long day in the middle of an even longer week, I decided that my glass of summer lemonade could wait no more. As I rooted around in the refrigerator, I came up with a single lemon, not nearly enough to round out the pitcher of lemonade I had dreamed of all afternoon. Instead of shutting the refrigerator door with a sigh (as I so often do), I found another use for the lemon. With a little club soda and liquor, the lemon transformed itself into a sparkling cocktail.

With the spirit of that tall glass of lemonade alive in my new drink, I put my feet up and gladly sipped it down, the evening sun shining brightly through the window.

Sparkling Lemon Drop

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Sparkling Lemon Drop

Sparkling Lemon Drop takes the classic summer lemonade and turns it into an adult cocktail. A squeeze of lemon juice is mixed with a shot of vodka and a touch of orange liquor to round out the citrus flavor. A pinch of sugar brings out sweetness while the addition of club soda makes it bubble and pop. This cocktail is lovely on hot summer afternoons, when the day is long and the weekend is too far away.

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Dill Dinner Rolls

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Dill Dinner Rolls

Dill Dinner Rolls

The weather has been moody lately, unpredictable in its temperamental swings. The days are hot and humid; the oppressive heat makes me want to sit by the neighborhood pool and eat ice cream until I join the ice cream in melting at the bottom of the pint. The evening skies have an ominous gaze, as heavy clouds gather overhead and the wind begins to sway the tree branches—a punishment for the warm weather. The nights are filled with rumbling and flashing lights, with rain that floods the sidewalks and streets and leaves a ticker of weather warnings scrolling across the bottom of the television screen.

Summer can be a temptress, charming by day and wicked by night.

Dill Dinner Rolls Dill Dinner Rolls Dill Dinner Rolls

In the morning, as the previous night's rain begins to clear and the sun is still hiding behind the clouds, it feels like baking weather. Perhaps only the gray clouds can convince me to turn on the oven. Though the yeast in my refrigerator has been ignored for the bounty of summer berries, after an Italian dinner and an incredible loaf of bread, I couldn't resist pulling it out to play around with it again.

With the workout my grill has been getting so far this summer, I wanted to create a bread that would go well with all the roasted potatoes, vegetables, and corn on the cob that was coming off the grill.

Dill Dinner Rolls

Dill has long been one of my favorite herbs. After the countless dill pickles enjoyed on sandwiches and eaten straight from the jar, the herb left a positive impression on me. It wasn't unusual for me to fill an ice tray with leftover dill pickle juice to freeze into popsicles for later. While I've already played around with using dill in cheddar biscuits, I wanted this bread to be a little more adaptable.

This bread is basic recipe that you can customize, if you so choose. While I loved them plain and straight from the pan, you could throw in a bit of cheddar, spread them with cream cheese, or use the rolls to soak up a rich gravy.

Dill Dinner Rolls

Dill Dinner Rolls are made with fresh dill which adds a bright flavor. The bread is spiced with salt and pepper and the addition of olive oil adds a smooth, rich aroma. The bread dough is easy to work with and rises effortlessly. The rolls are baked together in a round pan, making them easy to pull apart to serve. With a spread of cream cheese, the light herb rolls make a lovely accompaniment to a summer meal roasted on the grill.

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Nutty Rhubarb Oatmeal

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Nutty Rhubarb Oatmeal

Rhubarb Vanilla Almond Oatmeal Rhubarb Vanilla Almond Oatmeal

If there is anything this summer has taught me so far, it is to put my expectations aside and embrace the reality of the summer for what it is. This is, like most things, easier said than done. I am (and forever will be) a planner, picturing how an event will play out in my mind, making sure I know all of the details beforehand. I get so caught up in these designs and visions that when change surfaces unexpectedly, it becomes jarring. Taken off guard and scrambling, I find myself needing a moment to compose myself—needing a moment to allow my well laid plans to fade away.

This summer seems to deal me a new set of expectations at the end of each week. It is growing exhausting to keep up with the changes, watching my summer slip so far from the vision I longingly dreamed of in the middle of winter. Right now I am in the middle of taking a deep breath, of composing myself, of preserving a hopeful outlook.

Rhubarb Vanilla Almond Oatmeal

Earlier this week, my boyfriend abruptly had his own summer expectations wiped clean. After a bike accident and a trip to the emergency room, he left with a broken arm, immobilized with a tight-fitting sling. Though I happily took on the role of nurse, we realized the summer plans we made together were going to need quite a bit of editing. For dinner that evening, I cooked up a pot of oatmeal for two by request. Over the stove, as the oats bubbled and boiled, we started a new list of summer plans.

Oatmeal has its own unique curing powers—for body, for soul.

Rhubarb Vanilla Almond Oatmeal

Nutty Rhubarb Oatmeal combines almonds, vanilla, and the tart flavor of rhubarb. Rhubarb is roasted in the oven with a bit of sugar until tender. A traditional brown sugar oatmeal is mixed up, topped with the roasted vanilla rhubarb, a sprinkling of chopped almonds, and a spoonful of ground flaxseed. The oatmeal has a range of textures, spanning crunchy to smooth. This breakfast is lovely on cool summer mornings or when you need a bowl of comfort, served hot.

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