I woke up today thinking this is probably the best summer day we’ve had so far in the Northeast! It’s perfect outside, warm, sunny and best of all dry! If we could get everyday of the rest of the summer to be this perfect 🙂

With that said, I figured I would post a picture appropriate for the day. This is an oldie taken a few summers ago in Mattapoisett harbor at sunset.

Photo taken in Mattapoisett, MA – Summer 2007

This isn’t a recent photo but I’ve always liked it and I randomly came across it this morning.

Photo taken in Paris, France – February 2008

I’m a huge fan of Mexican food so thought I would share a salsa recipe that I make often. I love this recipe because it’s perfect with just chips but I think it would be amazing (I haven’t tried this just yet, maybe tonight) on grilled chicken or fish! The best part is that you don’t have to follow the recipe exactly (I usually just estimate the ingredients), and you can alter it in different ways (i.e. leave out the black beans, jalapeno, etc.). I even think it’s better the next day, so it’s perfect to make ahead of time and bring to a cookout, yum:)

I didn’t expect I’d be posting a recipe on my site, but why not…

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

1 package of frozen white and golden corn (or all yellow corn)- cook as directed, and drain well

3/4 can black beans- rinsed well

1 medium red onion- finely chopped

1 Jalapeno- seeds discarded, finely chopped (the smaller, the spicer!)

2-3 gloves of garlic- minced (I love garlic so I put a lot)

Juice of 1 lime

1 medium to large tomato- chopped (or try using 1 can of diced tomatoes w/ Chiles, it adds a lot of flavor!)

fresh cilantro- chopped (I’d say about 2 tbls?)

Kosher Salt & Black Pepper- to taste

Combine all ingredients, chill, enjoy with a cold margarita perhaps!

Can’t have a recipe without a picture….

Saturday I spent the day in Newport, RI and on the way down we decided Newport Vineyards was the perfect pit stop! After a quick wine tasting I figured I couldn’t leave without getting a few shots of the scenery.

After all, winery + gorgeous summer day= photo op. 

Photo taken in Middletown, RI – August 2009

I took this picture while on vacation at a lake house during the Fourth of July weekend. I love how perfectly it depicts the ending of a long summer day.