I am not SUPER familiar with epicurious.com, but I did come across this interactive map that shows what you can buy in your area that is in season and produced locally.

the summer of a thousand popsicles.

first of all, you need this simple machine. every one does.

and then muddle/chop/blend/juice/squish any variety of fruits, veggies and herbs.

*basil or rosemary or ginger or lavender simple syrup are helpful adhesives. and rhubarb simple syrup, too. that's what i used in all these..

to make simple syrup:

put 1 part water 1 part sugar on the stove. add in your choice of flavoring or not, regular simple syrup is nice, too. simmer until it thickens, stirring occasionally. store in the fridge.

suggestions on freeze pops:

chunks of fruit. whole raspberries.

citrus.

cucumbers.

and a little simple syrup to fill the spaces between the cracks. (or lemonade, or orange juice).

the possibilities are literally endless.

and patience is also a required ingredient.

sandwhich on the porch.

eating lots of open faced sandwiches lately. here's one:

baguette.

baby spinach.

thin cucumber slices.

gorganzola/raspberry balsamic vinaigrette. (from trader joe's)

sunflower seeds.

poached eggs.

s+p.

sweet potatah fries.

slice sweet potatoes into as-even-as-possible rectangular shapes.

toss in evoo, s&p.

roast at 425 for about 15/20 minutes.

when there's about 4 or 5 more minutes left before they are finished in the oven, sprinkle some brown sugar over the top.

lunch.

those thin rice cake things made out of corn*

your favorite hummus.

feta cheese.

green tomas and baby cukes from your local farmer's market. (salt and peppered..)

eat four of them for lunch on your friend's back porch.

*will get the actual name sometime soon.

a salad from things that my mom always has in the fridge.

baby spinach.

red grapes.

fresh mozzarella (salted a little).

almonds *sliced would have been better.

and some kind of a balsamic vinaigrette.

(this photo was taken after salad was half way eaten).

there's no more lemonade. what do we do?

put some water, ice, 2 peeled and seeded lemons, a few cucumber slices and some simple syrup in the blender. garnish with a mint sprig. best lemonade ever.