Thoughts of Summer...

It's the middle of January, the dead of winter, cold and dark. Here in the northeast, we're having our fourth snow storm since Christmas with another forecast for the end of the week. I don't like winter under the best of circumstances and this one is shaping up to be particularly egregious.

So, as we spent yet another weekend stuck in the house, I was looking through our photos from last summer and reminiscing about how much fun we had. Yes, there was that amazing vacation on the coast of Maine in August. But even without that it was a great summer, spent enjoying the outdoors.

I love the time we spend on the south shore of Long Island, near the water, with acres of open grass for our pup to run free and chase after the balls we throw. I love shopping for veggies at the farmers markets and turning them into the freshest salads, watching Brian grill summer corn and steaks while I bake pies with sweet summer fruit. I love sitting on the porch, sipping frozen daiquiris, savoring our time together and being ever so grateful for it.

The great thing about New York weather is that all four seasons are so clearly represented. Spring and fall bring their own delights but, trudging through this morning's freezing sleet to get to work, I only wanted summer...

A big batch of frozen strawberry daiquiris helps us relax and enjoy beautiful summer afternoons.

Cooped up in the city all winter long, our pup finally gets to enjoy running free on the grass. She'll chase that ball all over the yard, hop on the porch for a drink of water and head right back out.

Why eat inside when nature has provided this lovely setting in the front yard?

Long Island summer corn is so sweet and fresh. Markets and farm stands have them piled high, sold by the dozen for very little money. A little grilling to bring out their natural sugar and we can't stop eating them!

Brian, the grill-master, making sure everyone's steak is as requested. The summer corn heats through, waiting for it's turn on the flame. The aluminum foil packet contains waxy new potatoes, sliced and tossed with olive oil and garlic.

A mixed garden salad, made with wonderfully fresh farm stand veggies, is simply dressed with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

A perfectly done steak (we splurged for prime meat) joins the potatoes, tender on the inside with slightly crispy edges. We couldn't pass up a sale on a case of fruity hard ciders at the store.

Home-made rustic peach pie for dessert. We save the fussy, perfectly formed crusts for holiday entertaining. This rustic shape is quick and easy. I bake apple and blueberry versions of this pie as well. But the peaches at the market that day were so juicy and fragrant, that the choice of pie was easy.