Summer settled in early this year and July promises more of the same…hot and humid.

Our grandchildren, who are truly gifts to us, are kept so busy all year with school and after school sports work, and activities that it’s difficult to get everyone together for family time. That’s why we all really enjoy our beach time, so once again we will be heading to the shore for a week of family fun, scavenger hunts, tie dye shirts, s’mores night, couples cooking, games, and margaritas but most of all togetherness.  We will all settle in for fun in Wild Dunes.

Here are two quick recipes we’ll be cooking up that I thought you might enjoy, too, during this hot weather.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA – 1 LB of Pasta, 1 large ripe tomato, 2 cloves of garlic, ¼ cup olive oil, 7 or 8 basil leaves, 1 small onion, 1 ¼  cups shredded mozzarella, salt and pepper to taste.  Early in day, Chop the tomato, thinly slice the garlic, slice the onion, tear the basil leaves into small pieces, shred the fresh mozzarella and combine all in a bowl with the olive oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and let sit to marinate.  At dinner time boil the pasta al dente, drain and toss with the marinated tomatoes, etc. and serve. The heat of the pasta will make the mozzarella soft and stringy.  That’s why the kids love it and it is so easy.

Now Dessert – QUICK BLUEBERRY BUCKLE – ¾ sugar, ¼ cup shortening, 1 egg, beaten, ½ cup milk, 2 cups sifted flour, ¾ tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 cups blueberries. (You can even use peaches if you prefer and sometimes, I mix both together).

Cream sugar and shortening, beat in egg and milk, then the sifted dry ingredients.  Stir in berries, gently so as not to crush.  Spoon into a greased 9X13 pan, top with crumbled mixture of: ½ cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 cup butter.  Bake @ 350 for 35 – 40 mins.  Serve with ice cream.  All the better if the ice cream is home made!

Have a great July, enjoy a safe holiday whatever you are planning, celebrate the 4^th, fly your American flag proudly, watch a parade and while you are having a good time remember Our Troops.  We’ll be celebrating with patriotic music and some flag waving. And we’ll take time to say a prayer for the safety of Our Troops who are making it possible for us to enjoy this holiday.

So, stay cool and enjoy July!