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Stylish Favorites (4)

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Bowlfuls of Lemons
As one season unfolds towards the next, there are a few items that are a must to withstand the heat and humidity of summer. A bowl of lemons are a constant on our kitchen counter, for spritzing up a simple glass of iced water by adding thin slices or mixing a few herbs with a bit of olive oil for a simple dressing, and the absolute best are a few wedges used to make an easy meal of shrimp scampi.

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Dinner at PassionFish
According to legend, the Watermen of the Chesapeake indicate the first opportunity for acquiring soft-shell crabs is during the first full moon of May. Whether this folklore is true or not, I can safely state this is a time when my girlfriends and I head to PassionFish at the Reston Town Center for these scrumptious crustaceans. It has become our yearly ritual to come to this restaurant for a delicious meal of soft-shelled crabs, which are piled high on a plate and served with… you guessed it… wedges of lemon. PassionFish is the perfect place to start the summer, and as always, nothing goes together like great friends and delicious food!!!

Project B- Photo Edition Prints, Rare Vintage Photos
Search the “Project B” site for limited edition or rare original prints from years past. The staff here preserve photographs’ from unknown photographers and will ship these vintage prints for a fee. It is like searching through the photography room at the Library of Congress in the privacy of your home.

Fresh Mint Tea for Breakfast
There is nothing like mint freshly picked from the garden for brewing the perfect cup of tea on a cool summer morning. The ingredients are very simple, earthy and a fabulous way to start the day.

›Several stalks of fresh mint
›Hot water

I like to rip the mint leaves and add a bit of the stalk to a cup. Pour hot water over the ingredients and let steep for few minutes, until the water turns a fresh green. Then sit out on the front porch with your cat and watch the day begin!!!

Watermelon Salad

›A few cups of seedless watermelon cut into 3/4-inch cubes
›A cup of chopped cucumbers
›½ cup of crumbled feta cheese
›A spritz of whole lemon
›A few fresh mint leaves, torn
›Several tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
›Several tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar
›Kosher salt and fresh black pepper

Combine the watermelon, cucumbers, feta cheese, spritz of a lemon and fresh mint into a bowl. Next, in a smaller bowl, whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar with the salt and pepper. Pour this mixture over the melon mixture and coat gently. You will definitely need to taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, but this is always a perfect start to a summer meal.

IMG_0182{Orange Asiatic Lilies}

Remember, nothing says stylish like decorating your summer table with flowers from the garden, Whether it is the Fourth of July, a huge family barbeque or simply a birthday, do not forget the flowers!

Have a stylish and cool summer!!!

K

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Summer Solstice

IMG_1395IMG_1398{Heath before sunrise}

Lately, the sights and sounds around Heath have been signaling the rapid approach of summer and today, June 21st will mark the longest day of the year, the summer solstice.

I decided to partake in the unfolding of treasures the day had to offer by getting up before sunrise, and put on a pot of mint tea (from the garden of course), then sat on the front porch to envelope my surroundings along with our cat Malcolm. Firstly, it was a bit cool around 55 degrees with no humidity, the air was fresh and extremely crisp to the point that I needed a sweater. There was no movement except for a slight rustling of the branches and trees. After a few moments of sitting the light of day began to inch across the lawn, next the chirping of the first bird resounded and then a few minutes later, several birds were joining the chorus.

IMG_1428{Malcolm the family cat}

It was great to see a few of my neighbors venture out before sunrise as well, tending their gardens and lawns before the heat of the day. Several minutes later the earth seemed to awaken with the noise of distant traffic, the smell of cooking from other homes and several of Malcolm’s (the cat) friends were running home… did I mention they are an opossum and a raccoon?

After observing the start to my day, I had to go to work, but made it outside at noon to see the sun high in the sky, along with my minuscule shadow on the ground. The heat of the day was progressing, but what I found incredulous about the summer equinox is after today, the days will begin to grow shorter and the nights will become longer, as we head back towards the winter solstice.

IMG_1446 IMG_0196{Heath at sunset and the moon playing her part in the summer solstice}

Walking this evening was fabulous; I went out after sundown to watch how the light plays across the atmosphere with the gorgeous indigo-blue tint in the western sky. There was a lot going on this evening beginning with fireflies flittering throughout the trees like shooting stars, crickets chirping, frogs croaking, and the occasional popping of firecrackers to indicate the start of summer or probably a  prelude to the fourth of July.

Being outside was a wondrous feeling because the sky was clear and of course I watched for shooting stars, but more importantly it was refreshing to take part in the symbiotic relationship of earth and sky simply by spending time outdoors.

Here’s to a fabulous summer!

K