We are home – and Marc is on the golf course. I haven’t enjoyed this kind of quiet … in a few days.

It’s been wonderful to scroll through the dozens of photos and seconds of video from our quick getaway and remember how much fun it was. I promise more on Monday, but for now, how about a few favorites from our “family photos by the lake” on Wednesday evening. First – because this just cracks me up – an outtake of the boys as we were warming upCharlie has obviously been practicing his “ROAR” face … and Sam has just practiced being a two-year-old angel 😉

A bit of Marmie patience and the trick of better lighting led to this one

A bit more cajoling and everyone (Daddy, Mommy, Poppa!!) gathering in (along with Katie’s friend to snap the photo) captured thissweet memories.

and a wonderful segue into the real content of today’s post – my first Cheers to Summer!

When the boys visited two weekends ago, we bought a “little” seedless watermelon. They loved it, we loved it … but whoa, we never seemed to even begin to see the end of it. So Marc puréed a lot and froze it. When he told me about it, I had all kinds of ideas in my head for frozen watermelon drinks … then discovered he’d frozen it in one big block. Like you might scrape to make a light watermelon ice after a meal … but not at all like you’d toss into the blender to mix up a frozen summer drink.

Thankfully, he’d left a container of watermelon cubes in the refrigerator and this morning, I laid them in a single layer in a freezer proof pan, and froze them (note – they freeze quickly – 4-5 hours tops!)

I remembered a girls’ weekend years ago when we pulled ice cube trays of watermelon out of the freezer and made margaritas. This year, I wanted something without tequila (but if that’s your thing, this one looks amazing) and a more complicated flavor. To me that means gin and something botanical to mix in. Kat suggested a frozen negroni, substituting watermelon for the sweet vermouth … and the recipe I ended up with as my inspiration definitely evoked that vibe. 

Cheers to Summer – serves 2
(inspired by Honest Cooking)

2 cups frozen watermelon cubes
1 lime, juiced
3 oz gin
1 oz Campari
a few ice cubes

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Notes – don’t let the Campari deter you! yes, it’s a little bitter (and that’s what I like) but Aperol would be good step down. or an orange liqueur like Gran Marnier (I might not use as much) … even orange juice. I’m not quite sure about about vodka – maybe substitute for the Campari and gin? and maybe with orange or lemon instead of lime (I used lime to complement the Campari’s bitter). I think it would also work with prosecco – without the gin, subbing Aperol for Campari …and maybe(?) orange for lime (I guess that’s a frozen Aperol Spritz) – also, I’d maybe blend some of the prosecco, but for sure float a little on top. If you try any of these alternatives, I’d love to hear about it!

Cheers to Summer, my friends!