Ravioli with Tomato and Basil Cream Sauce

There's just so much to love about summer.

Warm, sunny days.  

No school.  All my kids are here, home for the summer, everybody under one roof.

Which means there are more people around for Gus to play frisbee with.

More people around for Clyde to turn his puppy charms on.

Those eyes....are like two puddles of...okay, I'll give you whatever you want.  *sigh*

And now that it's summer, our local Farmers Market is open.  Today's recipe was inspired by the ravioli I bought from the pasta vendor there!

Lemon Meringue Pie with Shortbread Crust

Am I the only one who thinks that May and June are THE most hectic months of the year?

I'm trying to find the time to slow down.  Unsuccessfully, I might add.

This is the groundhog who lives under my neighbor's porch.  He just waddles around aimlessly, poking through the grass.  He seems to have all the time in the world.  I'm kinda jealous of his free time.

Clyde has lots of free time.

Gus isn't one for lounging around.  His definition of "relax" involves some sort of manual labor.

See the frisbee...

catch the frisbee....

...stick the landing.  It's important to stick that landing so he doesn't crash into the rocks.

I think that I'm cut from the same cloth as Gus.  My favorite way to relax is to find something that requires focus, something that takes my mind off the myriad little stresses that usually crowd my day.

Am I the only one who thinks spending a couple of hours in the kitchen is a great way to relax?

It definitely is, especially when the end product is a lemon meringue pie!

Summer Salad Cooking Show!

We just finished taping another episode of the cooking show.  

Our theme was "Summer Salads."

Gayle joined me and we cooked up a storm.

BLT Chicken Salad

With a salsa dressing that is just perfect.

Strawberry Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

This salad is topped with glazed walnuts, you can either buy them or click here to be taken to my recipe for glazed nuts.

Click on the above salad links to be taken to the recipes.

Southwest Sirloin Salad with Ranch Dressing.