June 24, 2011

Summa Summa Time

Summer is finally here, and like Will Smith said, time to sit back and unwind! Time for pool parties, BBQ's, the lake, pedicures, concerts, sun dresses, and refreshing cocktails.  In honor of this glorious season, which seems to put everyone in a permanently good mood, here are some of my favorite summer things.

SUMMER JAMS:

Nothing like driving around with the windows down (or the AC on if you live in Kansas City), or cruising on the boat with some great tunes. These are some of my favorite summer songs right now:




CHAPPO- "Come Home"


THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR- "Golden Age"


AVRIL LAVIGNE- "Smile"


METRONOMY- "The Bay"



SUMMER POLISH:

Summer means time to prep those digits, especially your toes. I am a nail polish freak, and we have quite the collection between the 4 of us. Some of my favorite colors for the summer.


From Left: OPI- Gargantuan Green Grape, CHINA GLAZE- Island Escapes, ESSIE- Tart Deco, OPI- Lucky Lucky Lavender, Sinful Colors- 24/7, ESSIE- Mint Candy Apple
*Side note: who gets to name nail polishes, because I would love to have that job!



SUMMER GRILLINGS:

Our grill is a staple in the Summer at our house. Kebabs are probably our favorite things to grill. Food Network published 50 kebab recipes on their Web site, and they all look delicious!  


The top of my list to try are:

5. HERBED BEEF- Marinate cubed beef tri-tip in 1/2 cup olive oil, a smashed garlic clove, a pinch each of salt and red pepper flakes, and torn mixed herbs. Skewer and grill.

29. CHICKEN SAUSAGE-  toss quartered peaches with vegetable oil, fresh thyme and salt. Skewer with cooked chicken sausage; grill.

31. GREEK SHRIMP- marinate large shrimp in olive oil and chopped marjoram, dill and garlic. Skewer with grape tomatoes and lemon slices. Grill, then top with feta.

46. VEGGIE SOUVLAKI- Mash 3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon each coriander seeds and olive oil, and 1 teaspoon each cumin, paprika and salt into a paste. Brush on zucchini, eggplant and bell pepper chunks. Skewer and grill.



SUMMER SIPS:

What's a summer day without some iced tea, or a summer night without a refreshing cocktail or sangria. Here are some recipes to quench your summer thirst.
FROZEN WATERMELON MARGARITAS- Puree 1 1/2 c cubed watermelon, 1 c tequila, 1/2 c each lime juice and orange liqueur, 1 to 2 tbs powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 3 cups ice in a blender. Garnish with lime and watermelon.

PEACH-GINGER ICED TEA- Mash 6 canned peach halves with 1 1/2 c of the juice. 1/3 c sugar and 1 tbs grated ginger in a pitcher. Add ice and 6 cups of cold English breakfast tea.

ROSE SANGRIA- Mix 1 bottle dry rose wine, 1/4 c brandy, 2 tbsp raspberry liqueur and 2 tbs sugar in a pitcher, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add 1 1/2 c raspberries, 1 1/2 c quartered strawberries, 1 sliced lemon. Refrigerate at least 1 hour, and 1 1/2 c seltzer before serving.

source: Food Network

Enjoy your summer!

-Whitney

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