July was full with camps, some very hot weather, and fully feeling like summer. We swam a lot and made it to a few of our favorite ice cream places. The end of July always feels like summer is passing by with a mix of wanting to fit everything in.

I made some BLT Deviled Eggs for 4th of July with these tried and true flavors.

We had Blueberry Lemonade Waffles which felt very summery.

Then we had S’mores Brownies which were boarder-line too gooey.

August brings our beach vacation, C turns 8, and T will be mended. I have ideas for a sandwich and maybe a cocktail. I haven’t had lobster yet!

The Big Kid: He liked intro to middle school camp, also because he then had afternoons free. He took a spill off his bike and ended up with a fractured arm and a ton of scrapes. Healing will take time but it is hard to rest. He’s into Uncrustables and rainbow sherbet.

The Littler Kid: Gymnastics camp is her favorite, and there were some good school ones – Passport to Paris and Styling Studio. She has perfected her drive and has been swimming so much. She’s all into pancakes and Babybell cheese.

Goals for the year:
Year of new footwear – I was due for some new socks.
Side dish emphasis  – ehh, nothing supper interesting.
Soups & salad – ’tis the season for tomato, mozzarella, basil
More drinks – I got what seems like a lifetime supply of Truly summer flavors.
What I’m reading – I read Hour of the Witch and loved Boston for the witch era. I listened to Now is Not the Time to Panic and thought it was great. Rabbit Hole was an absolute train wreck – but in a captivating way. I like Heir Apparent with some nods to the British monarchy.

June was an absolute doozy and about 34,893,027 days long. Not a lot of interesting cooking happened but just about everything else under the sun happened. The girls weekend away was amazing and we have had fun with some family visiting. Later in the month Dottie was sprayed by a skunk, and I was in an accident, then I needed a new car at the same time that Mr J’s needed work. There were so many end of school events, we hosted 2 parties, I operate on a fiscal year ending on June 30, and it just all felt nutty.

Thankfully Mr. J’s birthday was uninterrupted and we had a burger with a Japanese Twist

I also whipped up Chicken Cordon Bleu as a burrito.

In July there’s potential for so much I didn’t get to in June. I anticipate an app, a cocktail, a side that deserves a refresh, and maybe more. I was mostly surviving, not thriving, so it was what it was.

The Big Kid: He is ready for summer but unsure if the intro to middle school camp will feel like school or camp. He had a great end of the year with so many celebrations. Foodwise, he has handled braces & palate expander well and is a good sport that parade candy is often not what we can have. It was so fun to see him enjoy ribs on Father’s Day after begrudgingly trying them.

The Littler Kid: She is so sad to be done with 2nd grade. She has been more into PB&J lately and taught herself how to use chopsticks and likes to use them whenever possible.

Goals for the year:
Year of new footwear – I got cute basket-y flats that are kind of between flats and sandals.
Side dish emphasis  – ehh, not really
Soups & salad – repeats, but not new ones
More drinks – again, not really
What I’m reading – I read Everyone in this Room Will Someday be Dead and it was ok, but had such potential to be amazing. Meant to Be Mine was a cute palate cleanser after a few very therapy-heavy books. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone was ok, but I didn’t love it.