July: Spontaneous
July ushers in the start of the dog days of summer: the bluest skies, the juiciest and most vibrant market food, and the imminent presence of humidity. Regardless of the heat, embrace the summer frizz and dew as July is the perfect time to be spontaneous: to say yes to last-minute drinks, museum nights, and picnics in the summer sun abound with bread and cheese and some spur-of-the-moment, adventurous sides. July is the month to tap out of your comfort zone and dive into something new and uninhibited.
Savor the warm summer breeze by cooking outside surrounded by friends, family, and clinking cocktail glasses with grilled steak salad with beets and scallions, or for a more veggie-friendly option, grilled corn with basil butter. If outdoor grilling isn’t for you, why not bake Martha Stewart’s famous flag cake! Preparing this classic summer dessert will leave you with enough time to take a spontaneous walk, dance, or skip down a different country road or summer street, and maybe bump into a new friendly face at a sidewalk café.
While the 4th is a great excuse for barbecues and beach vacations, we must remember that as our nation was founded upon the principles of freedom and equality, it is important that we protect what those principles mean in their entirety, and that the freedom and equality of all people is upheld.
Don’t forget to spice up your favorite ice-cream flavor on the 17th for national ice-cream day with an impulsive topping or two. Better yet, revel in July’s spontaneity and choose a completely new ice-cream flavor—surprise yourself!
Happy July!
Xo Kate
Photo Courtesy of Aleksandra Boguslawska
