It is blisteringly, gloriously hot in Washington at long last. As I swelter oh-so-happily I am most definitely in the mood for cold foods and colder drinks.
Last night I mixed up 1 part chilled Riesling with 1 part seltzer water and the juice of one lime for a marvelously refreshing drink that cooled me off beautifully while the sun set over the trees.
How has your week been, dear ones? Have you been working on any projects that are delighting or baffling you?
I had a rather serious relapse from my car accident, and it’s been a painful few weeks for me. Thankfully things are getting better now and it makes me smile that the sunshine arrived just as I started getting back to my old self. Such a splendid gift!
While recovering I spent many an hour in the grass on the creek bank, reading, thinking, napping, writing. I love that dear spot.
This weekend I hope to put my house back in order. Dishes, vacuuming and such are NOT a priority when I feel wretched, and it will be marvelous to see things gleaming and tidy again.
Last night I had no idea what to make for dinner, especially as I perused the contents of my fridge and pantry: mint leaves, English peas, apricots, red leaf lettuce, goat cheese, coconut-almond pancake sauce, etc.
On a whim I decided to throw it all together in a rather random salad. I’m so glad I did. Mmm, mmm – delicious!! I heated the coconut-almond sauce to make it the consistency of dressing, and drizzled it over everything else. It gave a lovely tropical twist to the salad and the sweetness was marvelous with the creamy goat cheese.
I’ve caught myself reading a lot more travel blogs lately, sighing happily over gorgeous pictures, dreaming about jetting off to the beaches of Greece or a tropical isle in the South Pacific or a beach house on the Gold Coast of Australia. I’m sensing a theme here.
In the meantime I’ve been looking at places I might visit within a couple of hours of home.
I’d love/hate to walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge in British Columbia. Yipes! I’m such a scaredy cat of heights, and wobbly heights are practically the devil! Sure looks beautiful though.
A sunny day ferry-hopping to the San Juan Islands sounds jolly.
And a picnic lunch and a bit of hiking around Mt. Baker would be wonderful.
What is your favorite inexpensive thing to do during the summer? I hope you have a gorgeous weekend and I will see you bright and early Monday morning! 🙂
This post is my contribution to Happy Hour Friday.
Coconut Almond Sauce
Ingredients:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup ground almonds
Directions:
- Combine honey, agave, butter and coconut milk in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Stir in ground almonds.
- serve warm or let cool and use as a spread.
Lime Wine Cooler
(serves 1)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chilled Riesling
1/2 cup chilled seltzer water
Juice of one lime and a few strips of zest
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients, pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Great one! Definitely sounds crisp and refreshing.
Thanks, Myscha! It is now my favorite summer drink. 🙂 Like a gin and tonic but sweeter with no bitter aftertaste. 🙂
That salad looks wonderful. Truly. The drink you concocted is perfect alongside. You are a natural.
Thanks so much, Tracy! I’m just learning about drinks and it’s so fun discovering what I like AND what I do not. 🙂 I really, really like this one. 🙂
That salad looks absolutely amazing. Wow! i want to eat it now. We are in Vietnam at the moment and what I would do for a healthy salad like that!
Good question Krista! I guess just making pure fruit ice blocks and eating them on the balcony with hubby and some other good company! 😀 I wish we had a garden!
Oh Krista, it makes me so happy to read your blog posts! It’s like reading a mini-chapter of a good book or watching a wistfully romantic movie – one that makes you savor all the details, appreciate nature and beauty and come away feeling that all is right with the world. 🙂
Hoping this works…leaving a comment for you, sweet girl! So fun to see you just take what you have and make something new, creative and tasty.
That salad looks so pretty, your pictures look so sharp too. My week has been so busy that I’m looking forward to a rest after these weekend! Hope you are feeling better after difficult few days. xx
You are fortunate to live in such a beautiful state. And once again, I’m amazed by your creativity when it comes to making beautiful food with only a few ingredients. This looks amazing!
And I hope that you will make it to Greece or the South Pacific. Dreaming about the places we want to be, to me, is the first little step to getting there. 🙂
I love your everything but the kitchen sink salad…perfect way to use up random ingredients in the fridge and to relax with after a hectic week! I’m SO sorry that your injuries have been acting up again! I want you to get better! Rest up chica!
Your sipper looks super, but your your salad is what really caught my eye. What a perfect summer side dish. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Your recipe for the lime wine cooler reminds me of wine spritzers from years back! That was all the rage 20 something years ago.
So green and refreshing! A perfect summer meal. Awesome!
Cheers,
Rosa
So green and refreshing! A perfect summer meal. Awesome!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hey Krista
Great images!
When you have time please stop by my blog, I have some awards for you if you would like them!
Dennis
this meal looks so refreshing! Just what you need for this hot weather eh? It’s been so hot here in toronto! I hope it cools down soon or else I’m gonna melt! Have a great weekend 🙂
jen
Both the cooler and the salad are just perfect for these hot days. You are so creative! And gorgeous pics! I do hope you are feeling better and lying on a lounge chair with this wine cooler can’t but help, right? Take care of yourself!
This is an amazing salad. Capilano is very touristy but everyone should go there at least once. It’s almost better than bungy jumping and not as painful:D How’s about heading further north and visiting Gibson’s, or Saltspring Island:D
refreshing, beautiful photos 🙂
I want both… NOW!
What a nice salad! I like the use of the fresh peas!
Thank you, Anthony!! I remember craving salad something fierce when I traveled to certain places. 🙂 I hope you get some soon!
Oh Lorraine, “pure fruit ice blocks” sound marvelous!! What a lovely way to spend a hot evening with your dear ones. 🙂
My dearest Michele – your comment absolutely made my day! Thank you so much for coming by and cheering your friends heart. 🙂 Love you!
It worked, dear Judy!! 🙂 I’m so glad you’ve got it all sorted. 🙂
I’m so glad you like the pictures, Sarah. 🙂 I hope you had a beautifully restful weekend. 🙂
You’re so right, Valerie! I am very fortunate and so grateful to live here. 🙂 Thank you so much for cheering me on. 🙂
You described it PERFECTLY, Joanne! 🙂 No worries, luv, I’m doing better and better. 🙂
Oh thank you, dear Mary. 🙂 I am having a very beautiful day!
Ohhh, that’s good to know, Bunky! 🙂 I just mixed up what I had on hand and loved it. 🙂
Thank you, Rosa! I’m so glad you like it. 🙂
Thank you, Dennis! And thank you SO much for the awards you gave me! I really appreciate it. 🙂
Thank you, Jen! I hope you get cooler weather soon! It’s dreadful to be melting. 🙂
Thank you so much, Jamie! 🙂 I rested a lot all weekend and feel much, much better. 🙂 You’re right, the wine really helps. 🙂
Ohhh, I would love to go to Saltspring Island, Val!! Is that anywhere near you, perchance? 🙂
Thank you, Elra! They were both very refreshing. 🙂
I would happily share with you, Duchess! 🙂
Thank you, Kevin! I really like the peas too. 🙂