It's too hot to cook.

But nothing beats a good f***ing watermelon. And a bit of Speak Your Piece.

Jul 09, 2025

It's simply too hot to cook. I have no interest in anything that is not some form of a salad or watermelon for the most part. I won't deny my love of red wine (on a rainy or humid night all year long) appropriate and let's be honest, I drink it all the time too. But today, I feel the tide shifting after a birthday party last week where lots of natural wine was consumed. I might be back on the natural wine track and have acquired two bottles to try at some point soon. Otherwise, the day has been filled with red tape garbage, but perhaps one day this house will be approved for Airbnb like I hope that it will. In the meantime, let me share a bit of gossip for your Wednesday.

^ Hunter’s 40th

^ Lilies in the kitchen.

Speak Your Piece

Other Bits:

^ a really good sheet pan shrimp dish. I liked it a lot, but wanted to make it one more time to be able to take good notes for you all. Broiled shrimp. Heirloom tomatoes. Feta cheese. Some of the tomatoes and oregano were from the garden.

Fourth of July at Cara and Nicky’s. Mixers. Homemade lemonade and stainless steel cups to take down to the fireworks with us.

Amazing food. Fried chicken. Watermelon and feta and cucumber salad. Some great baked beans. Shrimp. Guacamole. And a tomato and mozzarella salad. So good. I’d love to share Cara’s baked bean recipe as she used the big Judion style beans I loved.

Playing with Sparklers at Hunter’s birthday party.

^ paella pans as serving dishes. I have the yellow one here, but never use it enough.

Heirloom tomatoes and XO sauce. Would also post the recipe for this one if she will give it. I’ll save back some photos and videos for that post. I’ll pester her this evening for the recipe 🤣