feels like summer

4th of July. 

100% summer-y-ness. 

We filled our backpacks with towels and snacks and headed up the mountain to escape the holiday crowds and the heat. 

Past one lake, past another and another.....heading up the trail to our icy swimming hole.

We claimed our beach, spread our towels, and played in the water until our limbs were nearly frozen.

There were rocks to examine, logs to paddle around like boats, and sticks to throw for Charly.

 Then we stretched out under the sun and ate cherries and let the juice run down our arms. 

We came home and grilled and chopped and mixed for a family dinner outside. 

Dinner on the Porch:

Carne Asada Tacos with all the fixins (salsa, guac, cheese, cabbage)

Watermelon (of course) 

San Pellegrino (Limonata is my favorite)

Warm Zucchini, Corn, and Black Bean Salad

in a large pan with olive oil on medium high heat saute:

-2 medium zucchini, diced

-2 ears of corn, cut off the cob

-1 small red onion, diced

-1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

-2 garlic cloves, minced

-large pinch of coarse salt

when zucchini starts to get tender (I cooked mine for 7-8 minutes, but you can cook it as long as you like, depending on how small you diced it, and how firm you like it), add: 

-2 cups of black beans, drained and rinsed

cook for a few more minutes until beans are heated through. 

turn off heat and add:

-zest of 1 lime

-juice of 1 lime

-a large handful of chopped cilantro

mix together and enjoy!

dessert blogged next week!

We were lucky enough to have a front row seat to our town's firework show.....in our very own yard! We spread out blankets and watched the colorful explosions, and ran around with sparklers with friends until almost tomorrow.

Perfect summer day.

Happy Weekend!