Iconic Bathing Suits

I'm not quite ready to be thinking of bathing suit shopping. (Actually I am never ready to think of bathing suit shopping.) However, InStyle Magazine has a slide show of some of the best iconic bathing suits of years past.

Flavored Ice Cubes

From Martha Stewart of course...
Get the Cucumber-Basil Puree
Get the Orange-Lime Mix
Get the Lemonade-Raspberry
Floral Ice Cubes
and more...

Beat the Heat

...with 23 Strategies from Real Simple
I particularly like the idea of putting a pan of ice in front of a fan. I remember my grandmother doing that when I was young.

Another good idea is to put a spray bottle of water in the refrigerator, so you can spritz yourself with cool water when the temperature rises!

What to Eat When It's too Hot to Cook

Ten recipes that are best served cold...
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Gazpacho Salad
Greek Pasta Salad
Feta and Chick Pea Salad
Italian Salad with Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
Meyer Lemon and Arugula Pesto
Creamy Caesar Gazpacho
Easy Summer Bruschetta
California Style Lemon Pepper Pasta Salad
Classic Tabbouleah Salad

Outdoor Lighting

I just love wonderful outdoor lighting in the summer. There is something so special sitting outside, on the patio with friends...talking, drinking wine, and having the patio come alive as the sun sets and the garden turns sparkly with evening lights. Martha Stewart, of course, has some fabulous lighting ideas including covering voltives with sheets of vellum held together with chopsticks.

27 Things to do with Fresh Corn

I love corn on the cob. I've never was much for cutting the corn off the cob (except for when my sister was a teenager and wore braces!). However my friend Lois makes a fabulous scorched corn off the cob. I came across this article in Sunset for 27 ways to do fresh corn - on and off the cobb. Yummmmm.

Cynthia

Cold Summer Soups

7 Summer Soups including...
Gingery Carrot Soup

Gaspacho

Nectarine and Tomato Soup

Moroccan Vegetable Soup

Asparagus Soup with Turkey and Tomato Tarts

Fresh Tomato Soup

Chilled Carrot-Ginger Soup

Read more: Cold Soups - Summer Recipes - Woman's Day 

13 Summer Coctails to Serve at your 4th of July Party

From HGTV.

Ten Things To Do With BBQ Sauce

I have been grilling a lot this summer so have been paying quite a bit of attention to BBG recipes. Bon Appetit has a terrific article on things to do with BBQ sauce. I especially like the look of the bacon and BBQ sauce grilled cheese sandwich pictured on the left. However, since I am doing Weight Watchers I am going to make the BBQ meatloaf poppers tonight. The recipes... 

Outdoor Fire Pits and Fireplaces

One thing I love about California is our mild summer evenings. It is perfect for an outdoor fire pit or fireplace. Fresh Home Ideas has some very cool examples that are perfect for hanging out with friends and family; drinking wine, roasting marshmellows. I especially like this modern gas fireplace.

Summer Cake

I saw this cake on the Anthology site and thought it looked just perfect for a summer party. It's called a Stella Cake and has a lemon curd filling.

Keeping Bugs Away During Your Picnic

I have officially (okay as officially as I can do) named 2012 the year of picnics. This slide show has 7 ways to keep the bugs away while you picnic.