Hi everybody! Well, can you believe it is already the unofficial end of summer. I hope everyone enjoyed whatever they could and had a safe summer. I for one am ready for fall! To be fair, I’m always ready for fall… all year long. But, I do enjoy the transition into every season. So let’s praise summer for this one last weekend. Of course, in my opinion, the best way to do that is with food.

I’m a little all over the place this weekend with what I want to eat. I don’t have enough days in this holiday weekend to eat everything I’m in the mood for. I want jumbo hot dogs, beer-broiled brats, mac & cheese (pg. 75 in your cookbook), bbq ribs (pg. 97), potato salad (pg. 76), watermelon.  Basically every kind of traditional American fare. Then, as I was scrolling through Instagram a few more things really stood out and I want to add them to the list.

Check out this shrimp boil from Julie’s Eats and Treats.  The picture really grabbed my attention with all the beautiful colors.  I can’t add the picture because I don’t know all the copyright rules but when you click on the link you will see what I mean.  And, she pares down the recipe to serve 6 (since all our gatherings are quite a bit smaller this year).  This is our Monday night plan.  My kids like all the things in it!  I have high hopes!

Then, I saw these beautiful mascarpone tarts from the amazing Sarita Gelner of ritzymom.com .  First I saw the tarts on Sarita’s Instagram, then I saw her make them on a local television show, Show Me St. Louis.  These look delicious and really quite simple to make.  Sarita was a contestant on The Great American Baking Show so you know she’s legit!  These tarts look so refreshing and summery, I can’t wait!

Do you have your weekend menu planned?  Let me know what it is in case I need to add something to my list.

Below is a collage of our summer.  It wasn’t eventful but we will never forget it! Happy Summer everyone and here is to a hopefully peaceful and healthy fall!

#ChooseKind