Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit ya’ll. It’s June, and I can officially tell myself that summer has arrived. Now that it’s finally here, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to waste a whole Saturday afternoon sitting outside catching some rays and stuffing one’s face with an absurd amount of watermelon, cherries, sugar snap peas, or eventually, maybe even some garden fresh tomatoes. Am I the only one craving tomatoes? Our over-the-top insane amount of plants are showing very little sign of activity, which is driving me absolutely crazy. After all, I need to make tomato sauce something fierce for all of the grilled pizzas in our near future. What does summer look like to you? Lazily reading the day away, cooking out on the grill, long days spent at the pool, or a big bowl of potato salad? Tell me, I really want to know. Consider it research for a big Summer Bucket List for me to share with ya’ll.

1

Home fries are really the perfect summer side, especially when they are made in an oven. Food52 has a seriously unique recipe for how to make Better-Than-a-Restaurant Home Fries that I simply cannot wait to try. The secret is blending an onion with spices to create a mixture for the potatoes to roast in.

2

This Watermelon Pool Float almost makes me want to jump into the nearest pool. Chlorine and bathing suit unready body be damned.

3

Tomorrow is National Rocky Road Day, which to you might not seem all that special, but to me seems like a great excuse to churn up a batch of William Sonoma’s Rocky Road Ice Cream.

4

My Mom and I recently discussed whether or not these Shrimp and Scallop Grill Pans are worth purchasing. At first, I thought why bother? Wouldn’t skewers do the same thing? Now I’m thinking I really want to try one out because I could see how they would prevent the shellfish from burning and getting dried out. What do you think?

5

I can’t quit thinking about chicken salad and it’s only the beginning of the summer. I’m seriously thinking about making a big ol’ bowl of this Chunky Marinated Chicken Salad this weekend to possibly satisfy my craving.

6

I always look forward to summer reading and you better believe that a Nora Roberts book is always high up on my list of books to lounge away the day reading.  I can’t wait to get my hands on her latest book Come Sundown.

7

So I finally had some amazing strawberries last week. I’m talking real Heavens to Betsy knock your socks off naturally sweet strawberries. Such a rarity. Now, all I can think about is making Homemade Strawberry Butter like this recipe from Nest of Posies.

8

Do I need this Wake-N-Bake Tank from smashtransit on Etsy? Please tell me I need it. Please. Pretty please. Pretty, pretty, pretty please with sugar on top.

9

I will admit that I kind of laughed out loud when I saw this Dry Rub Shaker & Tenderizer in a magazine recently. Then, I started to wonder why I hadn’t seen it sooner; it so would have been in B.O.B. Bob’s Easter basket for him to use in all of his summer grilling.

10

I’m crazy about this Pineapple Salsa Recipe from The Gunny Sack, however, am I the only that just thinks that pineapple bowls aren’t worth the effort? I want this salsa something fierce but I want it in a real honest to goodness no hassle bowl.

11

 I recently bought the last two Flamingo Drink Floats from the Target $1 section, while there spending a small fortune on things I really didn’t need but couldn’t resist putting into my buggy. Now, I think I need to add these Unicorn Drink Flats to my ever-growing summer beach trip wish list. They are just too cute to resist.

12

You may have noticed on our Instagram lately, that Brenna has been wearing some seriously festive cat collars. If you’re thinking that your kitty could use a little summer lovin’ as well, you can find them at Made by Cleo on Etsy.

13

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck’s recipe for Malibu Crockpot Peach Beach Crisp is being featured in the June/July 2017 edition of Taste of Home Simple & Delicious. Make sure to keep an eye out for it in the magazine section of your favorite store or market.