We are supposed to have hot, humid 90 degree weather for the weekend. That is killer here in East Tennessee. Here are a couple of recipes to help beat the heat and keep your cool.
Juice Up Your Water
You know the advice: Drink eight glasses of water each day to stay healthy. But getting that water can be a drag. And flavored bottled waters often contain extra calories, salt, and artificial sweeteners. So why not make your own fruit-flavored water. You can make a pitcher of refreshing citrus water and keep it in the fridge for up to five days.
Makes 16 cups
16 cups (1 gallon) water
2 large lemons, sliced
1 large orange, sliced
Combine water with fruit slices in a large pitcher, chill 1-2 hours.
Strain out fruit after 2 hours. (I have also been known to put a few sprigs of mint in my water~very refreshing)
Tomato-Cucumber Salad
Stir together 1 seedless cucumber, sliced; 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced; and 2 cups small, vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into quarters. Add 1/4 cup olive oil-and-vinegar dressing, 1/2 tsp. lemon zest, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.
Makes 4 servings.
TIP: Grape or cherry tomatoes, halved, may be substituted. Newman's Own Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing is a great choice!
We spent an afternoon in the pool with Sophie. What a fun way to cool off in these terribly hot, humid dog days of summer. She is quite the little fish, swimming underwater easily now. She knows how to hold her breath, keep water out of her nose, float on her back, totally relaxed in the water. 
We got Sophie a pool for the summer. She loves it! She has spent nearly all day every day in it with various friends and famil members.
Summer sun, summer sun we watch you as you set, Sending your long arms of light from the west, Summer sun, summer sun, you shine so bright. As you begin your return to the night.
Taking the drummer, John's drum and her own to the circle to begin the drumming.
