Lady Nine

This past weekend we hosted a few friends over for some wine and antipasti.  This was a perfect menu for me because cooking in my kitchen during the summertime is very dangerous.  I think if I turn the oven on for more than 20 minutes, my kitchen shelves will begin to melt.  We live in a traditional older Uptown duplex, and with only one window air conditioner, cooking in my kitchen becomes an activity similar to sitting in a sauna.  I tend to make the most of fresh food, and take advantage of our specialty foods in the nearby grocery stores.  Hosting an antipasti party allowed me to assemble, rather than cook, and the results were delicious.  This weekend allowed me to participate in the best parts of the summer;  eating fresh, natural, and simple food. Caprese on a stick Sun dried tomato and parmesan cheese Antipasti platter

Outdoor concert at the Wolfe Park Amphitheater It's finally the weekend, we made it! I am looking forward to this weekend for various reasons. In particular, I do not have any plans.  There is not a single place that I have to be at any given time.  That has not happened since April.  Ok, maybe not April, but not for a really long time.  This weekend is whatever I want it to be, and that is a wonderful thing.  Tonight, I will start the weekend by watching the opening ceremonies to the Summer Olympics while ordering takeout (USA) and drinking wine (Italian).  Obviously, I will be celebrating multiple countries tonight. I wish you all a wonderful weekend, and I leave you with my top three items on my shopping list this week.  Cheers! Such a cute flat for this fall I love the print on this inkjet scarf I will be ordering these crinkle fans for my summer wedding

Lake Harriet Bandshell Picnic It is almost August, I am not quite sure what happened to July.  It seems like one long humid blur.  I have spent my days hanging on patios with friends, eating grilled food when possible, and taking cool showers before climbing into bed.  The hot humid days seem to go on forever and yet, summer is beginning to fade as the nights begin to cool off and the sun sets a little earlier every evening.  It has been a wonderful summer, and even though I haven't blogged as much as I have wanted to, I know that I have spent my days doing other things that I love.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past few months, enjoying every minute of this Minnesota summer. Birthday party at Lake Calhoun Adult pi ñ ata treats Cold drinks at Spill the Wine Key Biscayne Beach in Miami 4th of July fireworks over the ocean A fedora will alway make humid hair look good Ice Cream from Sebastian Joe's