It is July!

I love July because it truly feels like summer and Brian and I get to celebrate our wedding anniversary (celebrating 6 years this year!).  But, I don’t want to get ahead of myself because this post is all about things I enjoyed about June.

June started out with a visit from college friends who live out of town and the Meridian Kessler Home Tour (a home tour in our neighborhood). Then, the past couple of weekends, Brian and I actually stayed home and didn’t have visitors…which was kind of wonderful and refreshing. Now, we are off to Denver for the 4th of July holiday. Wishing you the best holiday week!

Other notes from the month:

• Damn Delicious Meal Prep cookbook. I checked this book out from the library and have made a couple of the recipes for Brian’s lunch (Chicken Tikka Masala bowls and Spicy Tuna Bowls) and both were SO good. I plan on making more from this book – everything is so tasty and SIMPLE!

• We have been making a conscious effort to wind down at night by reading on our front porch and we are absolutely LOVING it. Also, our sod was installed last week – so we have grass (and finally not a dirt pile) to look at in our front yard. Things are really coming together. Pictured above are the pups snuggling and being cozy on the porch with us while we read.
• The Young House Love Podcast – I started listening to this back in May, but I am SO hooked. It’s lighthearted making it great for background noise, but I really enjoy listening to what Sherry and John have to say and how they interact with each other. I love putting it on in the kitchen while I am recipe testing or making dinner, or when I go out for a run.

• The Patachou Foundation First Friday on the Farm – This foundation works to feed children in low income families as well as educate them with simple culinary techniques. I absolutely LOVE this foundation and doing whatever I can to help support their mission, and attending the First Friday on the Farm dinner is a really fun and delicious way to show my support. (If you are local, I highly recommend that you check out the dates for First Friday on the Farm to see if you can attend!)

• Summer meals outside and melamine outdoor plates and serving ware. Now that we have grass and almost have a fence, Brian and I are dining al fresco whenever possible. The meal above was grilled lemony chicken with my version of my dad’s macaroni salad and my mom’s cucumber salad. So satisfying!
  • Here is a link to the plates!! (affiliate link)

Enjoy July! Can’t wait to check in again in August!