If you have ever lived in Seattle, or know anyone who lives in Seattle, then you are familiar with the words “summer starts on July 5th”.  Some years we are lucky and get a sunny June.  This year the entire spring was a nightmare of cold temps and lots of rain.  It stays light here until 10pm around the solstice but what good does that do you if you can’t even be outside in the light because of the rain?  Those words – the ones about July 5th – became something of a mantra in our city this year.  Leading up to that (late) first day of summer, I was seriously considering a move to California.  And I grew up here.  I can’t imagine the poor souls who recently moved here and were wondering what in the sam hell is going on with the weather??

Well, what do you know.  July 4th was 57ºF and raining.  July 5th the heavens parted and the sun came out.  Today, Friday, it will be 91ºF.  Now trust me, seeing the sun and feeling warmth on my skin is intoxicating.  That vitamin D thing is real!  But (I swear I’m not complaining!) would it be too much to ask for, maybe 75ºF?

I have a backlog of recipes to share.  Summer means lots of things food-wise.  It also means new haircuts and shorts jammies.

Oh yes!  I had a little contest a few weeks ago and have finally picked a winner.  As usual, my trusty sidekicks picked the winning comment number and I took a picture of it.  That picture did not turn out.  So please trust me when I say comment #24  wins David Lebovitz’s The Sweet Life in Paris and her choice of one of his other books.  Cynthia says this about Paris:

There’s a hospital, or what I think is a hospital, near Notre Dame. I peeked in their courtyard, and saw a statue dressed in bright gold pajamas. I neither speak nor read French, and my traveling companion was off photographing the cathedral. Too see that bit of whimsy made my day. The fact that I was in Paris! didn’t hurt, either.

Cynthia, send me an email with you address and choice for the second book!  Thank you all for your thoughtful comments and suggestions.