Fruits of Summer

One of my absolute favorite things about the summertime is the abundance of delicious fruit. I hate the winter when fruit is astronomically expensive and just not up to par with summertime quality.

Over the last bunch of weeks, Shaun and I have been enjoying the fruits of summer like it's our job. Each week we stock up on lots of fruit goodies and proceed to devour it all. 

It's just one of those things that I simply don't mind spending some coin on. The season is so fleeting and what better snack than some of nature's candy?

Some of my favorites this season include:

Juicy, acidic pineapple

Sweet cantaloupe

Cherries (perhaps the most fleeting of them all) and bright, crunchy green grapes. To me, grapes are only sufficient when the skin is taut!

And not so much in the fruit category, but another healthy snack I've been enjoying...carrot chips! I love these so much more than baby carrots! They actually feel like you are eating chips. Sort of. Dipped in hummus, tzatziki or light onion dip, these are my new go-to carrots!

So that's a little glimpse into my snacks of choice lately. In fact, I'm about to devour some grapes, pineapple and cantaloupe right now!

Hope your Tuesday is off to a fantastic start my friends!

What are your favorite summer fruits?

What about favorite summer snacks in general?

8 Things I Wish I Was Eating Today

It's Friday! Which, in my book, is always a cause for celebration. What are your weekend plans? I'm heading out to Long Island to do some baking and favor crafting for Lindsey's engagement party next weekend...yay for girls day!

So today I'm kind of in an indulgent mood. All I want is decadent food and to pretend that calories, fat and sugar do not exist. Do you like this game? Here are some of the things I'd like to eat today (ok, perhaps not allll of it, but if someone offered me any of these things, I wouldn't turn it down!).

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes. Is that a breakfast of champions, or what?

Irish Stout Cupcakes What? I just want to get my St. Patty's on.

Asiago Fig Macaroni & Cheese. One of the most decadent dishes I've ever made and I'm wishing I still had some hidden away in the refridgerator (perfectly preserved, of course).

Bratwurst + German Beer. Preferably while sitting outside, soaking up the sun.

Grandma Mary's Apple Pie. Or any of the homemade apple pies from our Two Girls, Two Guys, Four Pies series. I'm aching for warm Fall weather and hearty foods!

Dexter Cupcakes. Vanilla cake, sour cherry filling, light-as-air frosting. What could be bad? Oh and I'd also like a seasons 1-5 marathon too please.

Carmelized Potato Parsnip Tart. Need I say more? Just look at it.

Peanut Butter + Jelly Bars. For Fourth of July's sake.

So that's about all I think I could handle. Can someone come over make these for me? What are you wishing you were eating today?

Starbucks Holiday Cups

Love 'em? Hate 'em? Couldn't care less about 'em?

Though I'm anti-Starbucks on principle, I can't deny my love for the delicious specialty drinks (though I've even managed to find a way around that). I always love when the holiday cups make their appearance, signifying the kick off of the holiday season. It seems like this year is earlier than usual, no? I pass a giant Starbucks on my way to work in the morning and have seen many a red cup gracing the hands of bustling New Yorkers. My favorite beverage? It's a tie between the Caramel Apple Cider (oh so sweet and warming) and the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (a mouth-watering treat that disappeared after only one holiday season. I'm crossing my fingers they will bring it back this year!). So the question of the day is: Are you a Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop fan? If so, what's your poison?

Psst...want to see more DIY specialty beverages? Add your picks in the comments and I'll devise some twists on coffee shop specials!