Hello and welcome back to The Stone Soup Cook–so glad you’re here!
It’s almost summer! I’m so grateful that I am healthy enough to enjoy the simple pleasures of this most magical of seasons. If you’re anything like me, you remember the giddiness of the last day of school. I always loved it when school ended on a Thursday so that sleeping in on Friday, which should have been a school day, felt like a delicious and decadent treat. Summertime as a kid meant hamburgers, hot dogs, long, lazy days of reading or napping or going to summer classes at the local museum–these classes were my mom’s answer to summer camp–they were fun workshops in anything from puppet-making to astronomy to cooking and the like, that got us out from under foot for a few weeks during the summer, but were a fraction of the price of a traditional camp.
This year, more so than any other year that I can remember, though, there seems to be a “rushing” of the seasons. This week, I got not one, but two “save the date” invitations for holiday events. Last weekend, our church announced a “Back-to-School” backpack and school supply drive that would be held in June. I found a similar flier this morning at my gym. I used to work in retail and even in the department stores, “back-to-school” didn’t start until late July.
Folks–our local school isn’t out of session for summer break yet! Tomorrow is that most magical of days.
This year and last year have been odd years. Last because of all the losses I experienced. This year because of all my health problems that took about two months away from me. Maybe one has to do with the other, I don’t know. But what I do know is that I want to enjoy being in the “now.” I am not ready to start shopping for a backpack/school supply drive. I am not ready to rsvp for a “holiday 2026” boutique. I am not ready to think about a winter wardrobe refresh. Please just let me live in the moment and enjoy the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables at my local market, the warm sunshine, my new white pants and my new summer sandals.
To help us all live in the moment, today I’m sharing this beautiful watermelon salsa recipe, which fits neatly into my series on the foundational sauces of California Cuisine.
Watermelon salsa is summer on a plate–cool, refreshing and just a little bit spicy! It goes beautifully with all the casual foods that you love for summer–burgers, dogs and any grilled meats you got. It’s just a lovely side dish for dinner on a hot summer night in the backyard.
Tune in later in the week when I will share more fun with salsa and summer!
Until then,
Peace, love and good food,
Keri
