Staying Cool, What To Wear and Make For Dinner
It’s been really hot! So for our Sunday Faves with Annie and Cindy, I thought I’d share the ways we are enjoying Summer and staying cool. With a simple but impressive side dish, cute pool floats that the grandkids love, and what my daughter-in-law and I are wearing and feeling fresh in the heat and humidity.
What To Make For A Summer Dinner: Alexandra’s Zucchini Carpaccio
This dish that our daughter, Alexandra made is simple but makes a nice presentation! A mandolin works best for the thin slices. We like this one.
Alexandra’s Zucchini Carpaccio
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 small shallot chopped
- 1/2 cup green olives hand crushed into pieces
- 1/3 cup capers
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1/4 cup vineager red wine or other
- 1 medium lemon zested
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (basil, oregano, mint) chopped
Instructions
- Thinly slice zucchini with a mandolin into circles and arrange in a circular pattern on platter working from the outside towards the center.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and stir together as a dressing.
- Pour over the zucchini about 10 minutes before you serve so they can marinate slightly.
- Serve and enjoy!
Easy Chopped Heirloom And Grape Tomato Salad
The tomatoes are so good right now! These chopped tomatoes are drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped basil and a little flakey sea salt and pepper.
The Lemony White Bean Salad recipe is here.
Pool Fun
We are spending a lot more time in our small pool.
Mermaid Floats • Cornflower Blue Bathing Suit • Business and Pleasure Blue and White Floats (we’ve had these for four years and they still look great)
What To Wear To Stay Cool ~ Breathable Fabrics
Is the whole country boiling hot right now? My daughter-in-law, Mona and I are wearing light cotton from J. Crew.
Knee length embroidered gingham skirt • tank top older from Old Navy
Here the “girlies” as Louisa calls us are going out to dinner. I’m wearing the Sezane top (size 4) and skirt (size 6) that I mentioned before I was having shortened. The skirt is almost sold out but there are other patterns.
I love my new Margaux block heeled salads (go down a half size). I think I will take them to Paris for dinner out in a couple of weeks. Alexandra is wearing the silk caftan that I bought in Vietnam and Louisa is wearing a cotton dress that I bought for her from Quince (similar).
I am off to play Mahjongg. My new readers give me a certain level of confidence. Much needed since I am a beginner playing with sharp ladies.
cotton dress with lace inserts (size small regular, comes in Tall too) • leather purse • classic flat sandals • Blue and White Mahjongg set with quilted bag
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Lovely photos of “the girlies”, Mary Ann!
I wish I liked zucchini, but it is the only food (except raw meat and fish) from childhood that I STILL object to!
Well, I must admit, the entire country is not boiling hot right now. But even in the Puget Sound area of Washington State where the summers are amazing (I never want our summers to end) your Carpaccio would be a big hit!
That zuchinni carpacio looks delicious! We have three parties this week that I need appetizers for. It is hot here too. I think zuchinni would be a nice light change for an appetizer!!
Hi Mary Ann,
Such beautiful photographs of your family!! Love Alexandra’s show stopping recipe, thank you for that, and the tomato recipe and bean one as well. I love eating clean especially with the high temperatures. I tried that Sezane skirt but I would have to shorten it a great deal and decided to pass but the set looks so gorgeous on you!! Clever shopping!! Have a wonderful time with the family all together.
I am trying to learn Mahjong too, Cindy! And it’s not going well… I stink! Oh well onward we go. 💪🏻
Also wanted you to know I made the Carmelita bars recipe from your blog a while back, and they were a big hit, delicious!!
Sorry, Mary Ann! Can you tell I’ve been reading all the posts today?? 😜
Keep at it! I am not good yet either. Also everyone loves those Carmelitas…I can’t make them too often…or I eat too many.
Hi Mary Ann,
Good for you that you are sticking at playing Mahjongg. It must be very good for your brain.
Alexandra’s Zucchini Carpaccio looks so good, healthy and the way she plated it. I can tell cooking and creating beauty runs in the family.
Speaking of, the four girls are adorable. The pool pic is sweet.
Enjoy your beautiful family, you are blessed to have one another.
I do feel lucky that we have each other. Thanks for commenting…you are the sweetest!
I can’t wait to make Alexandra’s Zucchini Carpaccio! It looks so elegant! The “girlies” dresses are all so cute! And your new glasses! LOVE!
Everyone must be having so much fun in the pool and all being together!
xx