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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Here we are again, the last Sunday of the month…and less than a week out from July 4th. How is this possible? I have to say, I am really looking forward to July! It’s a new month, the first full month of summer, and there’s so much going on. Everything from the 4th of July on Saturday, to birthday celebrations (Red and Creighton), to a possible trip to Cleveland for my grandpa’s birthday. There’s also fun studio improvement projects, lots of ICE CREAM, and all that summer produce that I love so much (hello to peaches, all the tomatoes, and all the fruits, and just about everything in between). Wow!
So you see? Plenty to look forward to, plenty to be thankful for, and so much to be smiling about. I’m excited!
In other news…my younger brother Red is turning 20 tomorrow. I really can’t even believe he’s no longer a teenager. It’s crazy to have watched this kid grow up. From that tiny little baby (I’m not joking, he was only 5 pounds) that I got to hold in the hospital to the adult he is today. I was 6 when Red was born and I remember the day so well. It’s so hard to believe that 20 years have passed. I always think of Red as the little kid who lived life running around, never ever, ever sitting still, always with a smile on his face. He’s still that same kid, still running around and never sitting still, but he’s very much an adult now.
Coming up this week on HBH, it’s all about last-minute July 4th recipes. I’ll be sharing a new summer grilling recipe that isn’t your average July 4th dish…but is so delicious. Then on to one of my favorite easy side-dish recipes (that’s actually more exciting than the main – to me anyway). Then a sweet dessert inspired by summer flowers. I’ll be closing out the week with a different kind of post, but one I hope you guys will all love! Taking the 4th off, so no cocktail post. But just in case you missed yesterday’s boozy popsicles, be sure to check out these salted spicy watermelon margarita popsicles. They’re my favorite!
Question: would you prefer to see a last-minute appetizer recipe or a last-minute dessert this week?
If you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. If you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s # 9 on the favorite’s list). You can grab the full grocery list for this week’s menu in our special Sunday newsletter.
1. a few questions for your summer edition…
Turning the tables on you guys and asking you some questions today! Excited to hear everyone’s favorite things about summer in the comments!
1. What do you love most about summer?
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
My answers…
1. It’s hard to pick just one thing I love about summer, but for me, I love the relaxed, laid back feeling of long summer days. Something about summertime takes me back to being a kid again. I’m constantly remembering back to the carefree days of my childhood summers spent in Cleveland with not a care in the world. I have a lot more happening now than I did back then. But summer always feels more relaxed to me, and I love that! And then, of course, there’s the sunny days and warm temperatures. I only wish they’d last longer here in the mountains. Our summers are way too short!
2. It’s got to be something fruity, maybe with peaches?. I’m going to call out two, my Peach Caprese Salad and Browned Butter Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon “Toast” Brioche Crumbs.
3. I am a DQ girl at heart and will forever love their Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and cookie dough blizzards. My go-to anywhere else will always be something chocolate, mostly likely with peanut butter. Typical right? But honestly, I need to branch out. Excited to hear what your favorites are. Give me some new ones to try!
4. Some of my family is heading to Key West this week, but I’m laying low at home and sitting out this family trip. Saving my vacation days for later this month. Details are not hammered out yet, but I will share more soon!
5. If I could go anywhere this summer, it would be along the Amalfi coast of Italy with Asher right by my side. She’s been dying to go and I want to be the one to experience it with her (I’ve never been). We’ll eat all the pizza + burrata.
6. My vintage Levis, either a simple tee or cute button-down, these sneakers, and my hair pulled back with my favorite scrunchy. PS. I have my eye on these white Levi’s too (which are on sale on Amazon right now).
7. I would start the night with this blueberry lemon thyme smash. As an appetizer, I’d serve this marinated goat cheese strawberry crostini and my summer farmers market platter. And as my main course? Hmm, hard to pick, but I think I would go with my pesto chicken caesar salad, lemon parmesan salmon, this corn pasta salad, and salt and vinegar potatoes. Dessert would be my blackberry lavender naked cake and giant hot fudge cookies, of course!
8. It would be summer without summer sunsets over the mountains and fresh basil on everything.
9. This summer I want to try making homemade strawberry ice cream bars (like the ones from the ice cream truck). Any other homemade summer recipes I should try to recreate?
10. Chill.
2. the most popular recipes of June.
Most Popular: 25 Minute Korean Bulgogi BBQ Chicken with Spicy Garlic Butter Corn
Technically posted this May 28th, but since we missed a lot of content this past month, I am counting this recipe for June! It’s a good one and my family’s personal favorite too. And? It’s EASY, requires no oven use, and major bonus…this comes together in no time at all (under 30 minutes). Perfect for busy weeknights when you’re looking for something a little more exciting, but still quick and DELICIOUS.
Runner Up: Swirled Blueberry Lemon Thyme Cake
So happy you guys love this cake! It’s one of my favorites of the month too. I was nervous to share it, but I’m so glad I did! It’s a unique cake, but delicious! Sweet lemony sour cream cake swirled with a mix of fresh blueberries and blueberry jam. And it’s simpler to make than you’d think. Plus, it’s a great way to use up all those summer berries!
Also have to Mention: Giant Salted Espresso Hot Fudge Cookies
These are simply the best. Add ice cream and enjoy!
3. July 4th entertaining finds.
4. Favorite question of the week…
q: Would love to know your food photography gear, process, and preferred presets?
a: I keep it simple. My camera is a Canon 5D Mark IV. I edit in Lightroom, but not heavily, and I don’t use any presets. I like to edit each photo individually. And I don’t use any lighting, I only shoot in natural daylight. Everything you see on IG stories is always shot with my phone.
5. latest recipe videos.
20 Minute Orzo Carbonara with Crispy Prosciutto + Burrata…the easiest summer pasta dinner.
5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake…the melty chocolate cake…you can have in minutes.
And on Instagram stories…
20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken with Burst Cherry Tomatoes…DELECTABLE.
Raspberry Lemon Brioche Rolls with Whipped Ricotta Cream…every bite is melt in your mouth delicious.
Mac and Cheese Stuffed Oven Fried Zucchini Bites…golden, cheesy, and perfect. Different, but GOOD!
Greek Salmon with Lemon Feta + Orzo Summer Salad…Very delicious. Pretty simple. Extra summery.
Skillet Blueberry Bourbon Pandowdy…enjoy warm, right outta the oven. So. Darn. Good.
6. Photo I loved most this week…
Asher, already looking like a teenager. Please stop growing up.
7. Favorite links i’m loving…
Meet the Former Lawyer Behind This Soon-to-Be-Everywhere Glassware…the prettiest glass wear.
Celebrities Broadcast From Their Homes…a peek into the homes of your favorite celebrities (Taylor’s wallpaper!)
Martha Stewart Announces New HGTV Show Martha Knows Best…excited about this.
These Striking Photos Capture the Spirit of Summer in Europe…can’t wait to visit.
A Design Lover’s Guide to Safe Summer Road Trips…all the places to see and things to do.
The Shocking Relaxing Power of a Hammock + The Best Ones On The Internet…now I need a hammock.
15 Fun Ideas for Hobbies to Try this Summer…if you need some new ideas.
How to Start a Nature Journal Today…love this idea.
Elaine Welteroth Got Married on Her Brooklyn Stoop, Then Threw a Virtual Block Party…what a special wedding.
How to Improve Your Posture While Working From Home…I need all of these tips.
Emotional Burnout Is Real…here’s how to heal.
Paris’s Eiffel Tower Reopens but With Major Restrictions…after 104 days.
Tata Harper’s New Skin-Plumping Flower Mask…excited to try this product out myself.
Tour a Brooklyn Brownstone With Equal Parts Tradition and Whimsy…such a pretty home.
25 (Really Good) Pasta Recipes…bring on all the pasta.
Vegetables Are the Unsung Hero of Summer Grilling…here’s how to prep them just right.
30 Summer Essentials From Amazon for Even Less…love a good amazon fashion find.
I Have a Soft Spot for Floral Dresses…40 favorites for summer.
23 Binge-Worthy Podcasts for Your Summer Road Trip…need to deep dive into some of these.
27 Stylish Pieces That Support LGBTQ+ Rights…ordering this candle.
Let’s Talk Vessel Sinks & Wall-Mount Faucets… I’ve always wanted a wall-mount faucet.
8. all the floral pieces I love…
9. this week’s dinners…
Monday: 20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Tuesday: Greek Salmon with Lemon Feta and Orzo Summer Salad
Wednesday: Mac and Cheese Stuffed Oven Fried Zucchini Bites
Thursday: Summer Niçoise Salad
Friday: Jammy Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas
Saturday Drink: Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
Sunday Brunch: Raspberry Lemon Brioche Rolls with Whipped Ricotta Cream
Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.
The most incredible ice cream is Baskin Robbins GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE! BAR NONE!
Thank you! xTieghan
Will you share the recipe for your ploughman dressing?
Hey Kathryn,
Sorry I am not sure which dressing you are looking for. Please let me know how I can help. xTieghan
1. What do you love most about summer?
Skin! Showing it, seeing it, the easy openness in the way we dress and laze around wearing not much.
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
Grilled chicken with grilled peaches and pesto – Tieghan-style.
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip.
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
No plans, but it would be nice to drive the 2 hrs to San Diego to visit family and play in the ocean.
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
Australia’s Kimberley Coast: waterfalls, hiking, gorgeous rocks.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
Grass-fed burgers with grass-fed cheddar, grilled zucchini planks with melted butter and pizza seasoning, berries. This is on repeat.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
Crops, Vans slip-ons, and an amusing tee.
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
Evenings chatting outside with the neighbors.
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
Black garlic. Not a summer thing per se, but I want to try it.
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
Easy.
Hi Julie! Wow Kimberley Coast is now on my bucket list haha. That looks so gorgeous! Also, I cannot wait to wear a tank and feel the sun on my skin! Such a good feeling haha! Thank you so much for sharing! xTieghan
2. A vegetable side dish of fresh corn, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, and a light sprinkle of cheese.
7. A loose dress and sandals. Every.single.day.
Mmmm that sounds delicious! Also, you can never go wrong with a dress and sandals! Thank you so much Margaret! xTieghan
1. What do you love most about summer?
Longer lazier days and sleeping in a little bit longer since school is out.
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
Anything Tomato – especially a perfect sliced and salted tomato on great bread slathered in mayo.
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Coffee
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
We were planning to drive (from Los Angeles) to Monument and Zion parks in Utah this spring but that got out on hold – so maybe this summer?
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
Italy or any remote tropical island.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
Grilled chicken, grilled corn succotash salad, potato chips and onion dip, and lots of rosè.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
shorts and sandals
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
The beach
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
to relax, and make the best of all this extra time at home with my family. Oh – and lose 8 pounds….
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
FREE
☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Ooo coffee is such a good one!! I hope you have an amazing time driving to Utah! That sounds like such a fun trip! Thank you so much Kim! xTieghan
I adore you recipes! I want to make almost every single one. This week you posted a photo of the flower filled vases. Where did you buy the vases? They are wonderful. Thanks for the joy of cooking and photography in your work and art.
1. What do you love most about summer? The PNW LONG LONG days. We pay the price in the winter though!
2. What is your favorite summer recipe? Matbucha, a cooked tomato salad, discovered from one of Joan Nathan’s cookbooks, any roasted vegetable creation.
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Pistachio.
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport? Covid wrecked my plans. Sitting on my deck and driving to farmer’s markets is the big thing.
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be? There is no where better to be than home(Tacoma, Washington) for summer.Mountains, water, loads of gorgeous trees and blooms all summer. It is our sweet spot. But come October…Hawaii.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu? Niçoise Salad or cous cous with loads of veggies and feta. Grilled seafod.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit? Straight elastic waist skirt made of ethnic fabric. Black T. Slides.
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without… eatting local cherries, making pickles, canning tomatoes.
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…online art class (watercolor), and paddle boarding.
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…Magical
3. Jeni’s lemon blueberry swirl. It is utter perfection.
4. We’re driving 15 hours from the Midwest and renting a cabin in Breckenridge, where my brother (who is a SF and EMS Supervisor for Summit County) and my cousin and her family from Denver will join us. LONG drive but cannot wait! Though we’ll be driving back on my daughter’s 11th birthday, which she’s not thrilled about. But I think a week with her cousins and beloved uncle whom she has not seen in a year, and sprinkle pancakes with whipped cream before we start our drive will make up for it!
5. We were supposed to spend 10 days exploring Boston and Maine/ Acadia this year. Fingers crossed for next year!
6. A perfect filet or ribeye and fresh corn on the cob, grilled on a charcoal grill and both slathered with roasted garlic compound butter with fresh thyme and rosemary the moment they come off.
2. See answer to 6! But also with a fresh cherry crisp to follow.
Aw that is SO FUN!! I hope you love Breckenridge! It is such a cute little town and full of fun activities in the summer! The drive will be long, but road trips were always something I’m glad we did when I was little! Thank you so much Amanda! xTieghan
I just love your style ! your barn is amazing!
As I te launch my career I find that your recipes make it so easy for me to pull together dinner! TY
Thank you so much Michele! xTieghan
I look forward to coming back and reading everyone else’s responses to your questions! My answers:
1. What do you love most about summer?
I’m a teacher, so summer means time off work! This summer is obviously a little more challenging, but it’s nice to have a bit of a break anyway.
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
Oh, that’s tough. Probably cucumber and tomato salad (dressed with EVOO and red wine vinegar) or pesto using basil from the garden.
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry, although our local spot has butterscotch brownies and that’s amazing.
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
Nope and nope!
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
Anywhere? I’d vote Copenhagen.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
I’m in the south, so I’d pick up some local BBQ pulled pork and mac and cheese. Then, I’d make some sides like cornbread and salad plus a dessert.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
Jean shorts + a tank (anything else to play with a toddler in!)
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
time off, lots of fruit, family time
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
watercolors! and to actually relax,
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
Hopeful
That is so nice that you have this time to relax and enjoy some time off! It definitely would not be simmer with out all of the fruits and some relaxation!! I hope you have an amazing week, Hilary! Thank you for sharing! xTieghan
1. What do you love most about summer?
The long summer nights when the sun doesn’t really set. I also have to mention the birds singing (I can hear them while writing this).
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
Anything involving peach and berries. Some kind of peach salad or cake with berries.
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate!
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
I’ll be traveling, not leaving the country though. I want to explore the nature as much as I can, camping, driving around exploring new places.
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
I love traveling in the country but I’d also love to visit Portugal or Malta.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
I don’t really have a menu, but I like to grill chicken skewers (and serve with salad) or hamburgers. Mushrooms stuffed with pepper jack cheese is a popular side dish.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
Dresses!
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
The long summer nights.
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
New dishes with seasonal produce.
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
(Being in) nature.
It truly would not be summer without the warm long nights! They are one of my favorites as well.. I just wish they would stay longer here!! I love that you are planning on camping! Do you know where you are headed yet? Thank you so much Berglind! I hope you have an amazing week! xTieghan
1. Spending time outside, walking by lush and green beautiful gardens, the smell of honeysuckle in the air.
2. I have a corn, blueberry, and avocado salad with honey lime dressing I make… it’s delicious, healthy, and feels like summer!
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Well, I was gonna say blackberry, but then you mentioned DQ and I do love a good mint oreo blizzard!
4. I am driving to meet a friend in the mountains of North Carolina for a weekend away, feeding my soul.
5. I grew up going to Maine and I dream of taking my kids to the coast of Maine and to Acadia National Park.
6. I don’t eat meat, so we like to grill burgers for everyone else, and portabella mushrooms for me! Pair that with the salad I mentioned earlier.
7. Cut off denim shorts, black and white vans, and a loose tank top with a sorts bra… during quarantine I’ve discovered I prefer wearing a sports bra any day!
8. It wouldn’t be summer without catching fireflies.
9. This summer I want to try… new creative endeavors just for the fun of it… watercolors, pastels, writing poetry.
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word… exploration
Ugh, the best! Walking around in the warm air and all of the flowers are blooming is so magical! I hope you are able to take your kids to the coast of Maine soon! Sounds like such a nice way for them to see how you grew up and what you did! I hope you have an amazing week, Cassie! Also, that salad sounds amazing!! xTieghan
1. What do you love most about summer?
The relaxed feel of it. I am a teacher, so I’m off in the summer. I have more time to cook and do all the things I love without the stress of work.
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
I love to grill meats!
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Pistachio
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
South Carolina and we are flying!
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
I would visit my cousin in Madrid and take small trips out of Madrid all over Spain.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
Grill Argentine sausages and meats along with vegetables.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
Cool summer dresses
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
The beach
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
To cook as many new recipes as possible
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
Relaxation
That is the best that you are getting to relax and enjoy right now! Also, have you been to Madrid before? I would love to hear about it!! I would really love to take a trip to Spain! I hope you hav an amazing week full of relaxation and hopefully a lot of beach time! xTieghan
1. What do you love most about summer? I love the long days! After work I still have “day” left. I’m an RN in a mask all day and now coming home and being outside until 9pm is even more special!
2. What is your favorite summer recipe? Not so much a recipe as food. All the fresh picked produce, especially tomatoes and watermelon. We have 2 local farmers markets that are incredible!
3. What is your favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia!
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport? Headed to Emerald Isle, in NC. Family tradition for years but this will be the first time me and my husband are taking our grown children and their children. I have gone from being youngest adult on the trip to the grandmother! We live in NC so will be driving.
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be? The Cotswolds of England, the English country side is so beautiful.
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu? Burgers and dogs, corn on the cob.
7. How about your go-to summer outfit? Dresses, dresses, dresses. Oh and flip flops!
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…Heat, humidity, cicadas and a trip to the beach!
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try enjoying the season, my family and friends all while keeping us all safe and healthy (darn COVID). I also became a beekeeper this year so everything about this is new and exciting!
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word, I need 2…my FAVORITE.
Aw I bet thats the best that it still feels like you have time in the day! And watermelons right now… so good!! I have been loving them! I hope you have an amazing summer going to visit family and eating all of the ice cream haha! You can never go wrong with a dress! xTieghan
1. What do you love most about summer?
The feeling of ‘magic hour’ right around 6-7m when it starts to cool down and the light starts to change. Even better when you’ve been in the sun all day and you have that beach feeling on your skin and you sit down to enjoy it with an ice cold glass of wine!
Summer cocktails in the garden over long conversations.
Eating ice lollies in the paddling pool.
The feeling I get in early August knowing that fall is around the corner!
2. What is your favorite summer recipe?
Ploughman’s salad – baby jem lettuce, toasted walnuts, focaccia croutons, apple, vintage cheddar, tomatoes, all tossed in a tomato chutney and grain mustard vinagrette.
3. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla (clotted cream vanilla if I can find it!)
4. Are you traveling anywhere this summer? If so, where are you heading? Are you driving or are you braving the airport?
We’ll go to Lisbon, Portugal for a long weekend soon and are hoping to get to the South of France for a week! We’ll road trip to somewhere on the sea in the UK, possibly Cornwall or Devon.
5. If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would it be?
If I wasn’t heavily pregnant, we’d probably do Greece or Italy. We’ve also been wanting to to the Almafi coast for a long time!!
6. What is your go-to back yard BBQ menu?
Some kind of sausages for the grill (chicken is too fussy, it goes from raw to dry in a second!) your herby potato salad, bacon wrapped halloumi chunks, some sort of cous cous or orzo salad (depends on the mood!), Mexican street corn salad, and lots of fruity drinks and cocktails!
7. How about your go-to summer outfit?
If it’s super hot, a cotton sundress. If it’s not too hot, jeans and a white or black tank. Always with flip flops and giant sunglasses. Simple and no fuss!
8. Finish the sentence: It wouldn’t be summer without…
It wouldn’t be summer without…rose wine, Apperol Spritz and sitting outside for hours!
9. Finish the sentence: This summer I want to try…
This summer I want to try…to relax and enjoy it as much as possible before baby number 2 comes along in September!
10. Describe summer to YOU in one word…
I can’t do it in one word! This about sums it up for me: “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” – Van Morrison
Such a good feeling in the summer!! I love that the nights are warmer and still light out.. the best! Also, so fun that you are going to Portugal! Please let me know how it is, I would love to take a trip there soon! Thank you so much, I hope your pregnancy is going amazing, Kim! It will be fun to travel to Italy and Greece with the two babies! I hope you have a great week! xTieghan