Summer is just Autumn’s opening act
If you could grade how people spend their summers, I would get an F.
You know those people who get an A+ in summer : catching fireflies, sitting on the porch at dusk, going to the beach, wearing flip-flops, etc. I regard these folks with equal parts bewilderment and jealousy. I truly don’t understand what they love about summer, yet I wish I could enjoy it like they do.
The reason I fail summer so miserably is because I don’t particularly like it. Don’t get me wrong, I love things associated with summer - long sunny days, fresh vegetables, etc. But the reality of summer (for me, at least) is more like this:
- sit in a freezing cold office
- burn myself with the seatbelt in my 100-degree car
- go jogging on the lakefront and dodge slow-moving tourists
- get an ice cream cone at Oberweis, only to have it look like this 5 minutes later:
It’s these things that send me running home to inhale the scent of my pumpkin candle, turn on my Home Alone DVD, and pretend it’s November.
Those of you who live in Chicago know that our summers can be brutal. I’m usually counting the days until I see Back to School sales. That’s how I know the worst is behind me.
But until then, I’ll appreciate Summer for the good things it has to offer… like watermelon. Check out this great recipe for Watermelon Italian Ice, courtesy of The Perfect Scoop:
Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 c. watermelon juice/pulp (about half of a regular-sized watermelon)
- 1/4 c. sugar
- Big pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
Heat 1/2 cup watermelon juice with sugar and salt until fully dissolved. Mix in with remaining watermelon juice/pulp. Pour directly into freezer-safe pan or flat plastic container, and place in the freezer. After one hour, start scraping the sides and pushing the crystals to the middle of the pan. Continue this for several hours, if you have the patience! Enjoy!
Coming soon: Costco vs. Jewel. The price breakdown you’ve always wanted to see.
