Happy weekend, friends! As the warmth of summer fully embraces us, it’s hard to believe how quickly the days are flying by. With the Fourth of July weekend often sneaking up on us, it truly feels like a blink and suddenly, July is in full swing. This particular year, the holiday’s placement might make it feel like an extended celebration for many, offering a wonderful opportunity for relaxation, grilling, and quality time with loved ones.

For us, this Fourth of July promises to be a relaxed affair, centered around the joy of grilling. Our main priority will be keeping Marley, our beloved companion, comfortable and shielded from the city fireworks, which he quite understandably despises. Beyond that, the grill will certainly be fired up. I’m surprisingly craving a classic hot dog or bratwurst situation this year – there’s something undeniably nostalgic and satisfying about a perfectly grilled sausage on a summer day!

Last-Minute Fourth of July Menu Inspiration

If you’re still mapping out your holiday menu, or simply looking for some delicious and easy ideas for any summer gathering, here are a few of our absolute favorites. These recipes are designed to be crowd-pleasers, perfect for a backyard barbecue or a simple family meal:

• Everyday Chicken Marinade: This recipe is a true MVP in our kitchen, something we genuinely make all the time. It’s incredibly versatile, infusing chicken with fantastic flavor and ensuring it stays juicy and tender, whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan-searing. It’s the secret to effortlessly delicious chicken that everyone will love.
• Blueberry Peach Slab Pie: For those who truly appreciate a good pie crust, this slab pie is a dream come true. It offers a generous fruit filling of sweet blueberries and ripe peaches, all nestled within a buttery, flaky crust. The “slab” format makes it perfect for serving a crowd, easily cut into squares, and less fussy than a traditional round pie.
• Windy City Hot Dogs with a Twist: Elevate your hot dog game with this fun and flavorful take on a classic. The “twist” comes from spiralizing the hot dogs, which creates more surface area for charring and for the toppings to cling to. Combined with the vibrant flavors inspired by Chicago’s famous hot dogs, this dish is a guaranteed hit.
• Southwest Burgers with Pepper Jack Cheese and Avocado Salsa: Move beyond the basic burger with these incredibly flavorful Southwest-inspired patties. The blend of spices, creamy pepper jack cheese, and a fresh, zesty avocado salsa (which we consider mandatory!) transforms a simple burger into a culinary delight.
• Strawberry Caprese Farro Salad: This cold salad is not only bursting with fresh flavors but also incredibly colorful, making it a beautiful addition to any buffet. The combination of sweet strawberries, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and chewy farro creates a refreshing and satisfying dish, perfect for a warm summer day.
• Raspberry Roll Cake: A truly elegant dessert, this raspberry roll cake is light, airy, and features a delightful raspberry filling. For a perfectly patriotic touch, simply add a scattering of fresh blueberries on top, and you’ll have a stunning red, white, and blue dessert that tastes as good as it looks.
• Pineapple Punch: Stay hydrated and refreshed with this delicious pineapple punch. It’s wonderfully versatile, serving equally well as a vibrant, family-friendly mocktail or easily adaptable into a festive cocktail for the adults by adding your favorite spirit.

In case you might have missed them earlier this week, I also shared two incredibly easy and refreshing recipes that are perfect for summer: delightful tuna avocado boats and exotic mango lassi popsicles. Seriously, these are some of the simplest yet most satisfying recipes you’ll find on the entire blog, ideal for quick meals or cooling treats.

Life Updates and Summer Adventures

Beyond the festive preparations, life here is a mix of quiet moments and bustling activity. My husband, Connor, is on the cusp of starting his third official year of surgical residency next week. It feels surreal how quickly time flies, and we’re incredibly proud of his dedication and hard work. Meanwhile, I’m personally gearing up for what promises to be a very busy and exciting month ahead!

Soon, I’ll be jetting off to San Francisco for a special trip: to meet my brand-new niece, Cayla, for the very first time. There’s nothing quite like the joy of new family additions! And not long after that – in just about 25 days, actually – I’ll be celebrating a significant milestone myself, turning the big 3-0. It feels like a moment for reflection and looking forward to new adventures.

This Week’s Favorite Finds and Inspirations:

As always, I’ve stumbled upon a few things that have truly captured my attention and sparked my interest this week:

• DIY Floral Ice Bucket: Jessica from How Sweet Eats shared how to make a stunning floral ice bucket, and I’m utterly smitten. It’s such an elegant and relatively simple way to elevate any summer gathering, adding a touch of natural beauty to your drink station. Seriously, it’s pretty much all I want to craft right now!
• Food & Wine Magazine News: Did you catch the big news about Food & Winemagazine’s major move? It’s a significant shift that highlights the growing influence and innovation of Southern cuisine in the American dining landscape. A fascinating development for food enthusiasts!
• Popsicle Week Obsession: This week, during the delightful “Popsicle Week” celebrations across the food blogosphere, my heart was well and truly stolen by several creative concoctions. I’m pretty sure these incredible carrot cake cream cheese pops, refreshing lemon bar popsicles with shortbread crumble, and decadent tres leches cakesicles are the ultimate summer treats. While you’re at it, do yourself a favor and explore all of these incredible popsicle recipes – there’s something for every palate!
• The Great Hot Dog Taste Test: Just in time for the Fourth of July, The New York Times published an official taste test of hot dogs. It’s a fun and informative read for anyone planning a summer cookout and wanting to find the best frankfurter. And once you’ve picked your winner, you know just how to put them to good use in our Windy City hot dogs!
• A Cookbook Revelation: I was thrilled to receive a complimentary copy of Samin Nostrat’s new cookbook, Salt Fat Acid Heat, in the mail this week, and I am utterly in love with it. This book is a culinary masterpiece, scientifically grounded yet incredibly easy to read, and filled with the most beautiful, illustrative explanations of fundamental cooking principles. It truly transforms your understanding of how food works. I highly, highly recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their cooking knowledge, regardless of skill level.
• The Truth About Healthy Ice Creams: We’ve all seen the trend of “healthy” ice creams promising indulgence without the guilt. The Washington Post delved into whether healthy ice creams can truly deliver on their promise. The verdict is in, and, well… it’s not as great as we might hope. Sometimes, a little indulgence is simply the best option! Ha!

Essential Summer Tips and Delights:

Beyond food, here are a few other things that are making summer living a little bit better:

• The Mobile Passport App for Travelers: If you’re planning any international travel this summer, make downloading the Mobile Passport app your top priority. I cannot stress enough how much time this app has saved us in security lines at airports. It allows eligible travelers to submit their passport and customs declaration information via their smartphone or tablet, often bypassing long queues upon re-entry to the U.S. It’s truly the best-kept secret for smoother travel, and the best part? It’s completely free!
• Farmer’s Market Freshness: Last weekend, I spotted the very first, perfectly ripe raspberries at our local farmer’s market, and their arrival has sparked a flurry of creativity. I’m currently brainstorming a host of new raspberry recipes. Do you have any favorite raspberry dishes or anything specific you’d love to see me create? Let me know!
• Rediscovering the Joy of Jigsaw Puzzles: Connor and I made what I swear is the best purchase I’ve made in months last weekend: a jigsaw puzzle! It brought back such fond memories of summers spent in England with my grandmother, where we’d always work on puzzles together. It’s incredibly decompressing to engage in an activity that requires zero technology – just pure focus and quiet enjoyment. Seriously, if you’re looking for a simple way to unwind and unplug, go out and buy a puzzle!
• Comfortable Summer Style: I’m absolutely loving these linen shorts. They’re the epitome of effortless summer style – breathable, comfortable, and perfect for everything from a casual day out to lounging at home.
• Smart Home Lighting Innovation: This is a bit random, but did you guys know that Rejuvenation now sells LED Edison-style bulbs? It’s so freaking cool to get that vintage, warm glow with all the energy efficiency of LED technology. I’m definitely picking one up for this table lamp that we’ve had for a couple of years – a small upgrade that makes a big difference.
• A Touch of Patriotism: For a deliciously patriotic and visually stunning dessert, you can’t go wrong with this ‘Murica-themed pie! It’s a festive way to celebrate the holiday. 🇺🇸✌️

I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, and delicious weekend, whether you’re celebrating the Fourth of July or simply enjoying the summer season. Tell me, what are you loving right now? What are your plans? I’d love to hear from you!