The state of me, grilling recipes to take you into summer, what’s coming up, my favorite bullet journal items, and an adorable picture of my cat, Apollo.
Hello, everyone.
The State of Me
I can’t believe it’s already June. My flower gardens are full of life, my daughter is nearly finished with school for the year, and we’ve already had a heat wave. Like the world around me, I’m slowly coming back to life after a long stretch of pandemic malaise. There were months of executive dysfunction, trouble concentrating, and low recipe inspiration — and my camera was acting up — but things have improved and I’m feeling more energized.
- We are all vaccinated, including my 16-year-old daughter, which has eased a lot of stress.
- We visited my parents and were finally able to hug them in person.
- We’re planning a number of family visits over the summer, which I’m very much looking forward to.
- I replaced the camera batteries and bought a new charger, so I’m back to photographing food regularly.
- Spring is my favorite season; seeing all the green and the flowers has been restorative.
- I’m once again visiting farm stands and farmers’ markets for inspiration — nothing fires up recipe ideas like seeing good produce in person.
5 Grilling Recipes For Summer
Grilling is my go-to for summer dinners. I have several recipes in the Grilling and BBQ category and more on the way. Below are five favorites that cover a range of flavors and styles — from quick weeknight meals to something a bit more special.
- Balsamic Marinated Chicken – A juicy, straightforward option that’s quick to prepare.
- Zucchini Salad with Lemon Ricotta – Light and bright, this works well as a side or part of a simple summer meal.
- Breaded Pork Chops – If you haven’t tried grilling breaded meat, it’s worth experimenting with for a crunchy, smoky result.
- Spanish Swordfish Kebabs – Firm, flavorful fish that pairs beautifully with a Romesco-style accompaniment.
- Skirt Steak Gyros – Fast, hearty, and perfect when you want a satisfying grilled sandwich-style dinner.
What’s Coming Up
I’ve been testing lots of recipes and jotting ideas in my notebooks. Some need more tweaking, while others are ready for photos and a publish. Here are five recipes I’m excited to share soon:
- Rhubarb Cream Scones – Made with rhubarb from my mom’s patch for a sweet-tart balance.
- Grilled Steak and Broccoli Salad – Add brown rice and a blue cheese dressing for a full bowl meal.
- Chicken Spiedies – A classic upstate New York grilled favorite that’s fun to prepare.
- Blueberry Cheesecake Bars – These were tested earlier; now I just need to photograph them.
- Mai Tai Cocktail – Two tips: buy good orgeat and make your own simple syrup for the best flavor.
5 Favorite Bullet Journal Items
Putting pen to paper helps me focus and organize thoughts. I keep recipes in a large multi-subject notebook and manage my calendar in a journal. Pre-made planners never offer the same flexibility as a blank page — I use mine for recipe ideas, packing lists, weekly to-dos, and anything else that needs tracking.
A quick tip before the list: avoid getting lost in elaborate bullet journal inspiration online. Most spreads are beautiful but unrealistic to keep up with weekly. Keep your system simple and functional.
- Leuchtturm1917 Dotted Journal – I prefer dotted pages because they make it easy to create layouts while staying neat. These notebooks come in a wide range of colors.
- Pilot G-2 Gel Pens – Smooth, reliable pens in multiple colors make note-taking a little more fun.
- Uni-ball Signo Pens – Fine-point and consistent, these are great for daily lists and detailed entries.
- Sparkly Stickers – A few stickers let you personalize pages quickly without spending hours on design.
- Washi Tape – Versatile and decorative, washi tape is perfect for marking sections, making tabs, or adding color to layouts.
Pet Corner
This month’s pet is Apollo, our brown tabby who’s equal parts aloof and affectionate. He’s the kind of cat who will loudly complain from across the room yet secretly love to curl up on your lap when you least expect it. He prefers to hover just out of reach — unless I’m sitting with my legs up, then he becomes a full-on snuggler.
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– Stay safe, Annemarie