Hey there! Have you painted your nails some combination of red, white, and blue yet? Do you have your once-a-year firework earrings ready to go? We are coming up on one of my favorite holidays. Fourth of July signals visions of long evenings at the oceanside eating Twizzlers and snacking on colossal, bright yellow bags of Lays. This July we get a weekend, one day of work and then a holiday. It makes Monday feel a little out of place but I'm ready to roll with it.

I will be making the most cliche, 1950s-esc dessert today to kick off the festivities. It's definitely not "on-brand" with this European-inspired life I like to live, but there's something about that tri-colored stratification of pretzels, cream cheese, and strawberry-studded gelatin that calls to my heart. I can and will eat the whole pan. No joke. And, since we aren't going anywhere this weekend and Mr. Pedantic doesn't eat strawberries...I probably will. I will make my own whipped cream though, Cool Whip is not allowed in this house.

Thoughts on sweet corn ice cream? I'm down. Dominique is my culinary hero.

I am also whipping up some pretty fab popsicles today that I'll hopefully be sharing in time for your Independence Day festivities. Stay tuned.

I just made a batch of my favorite ravioli yesterday and popped them in the freezer as per Mr. Pedantic's request. It's one of his favorite weeknight dinners, and I love how fast they cook up. Serve them with a bright, caesar salad and call it a day. Summer livin'.

I would gladly trade you a flag cake for these lime & coconut trifles. They are so good and SO easy!!

What are you jammin' to this summer? I'm waffling between the La La Land soundtrack (obviously) and the Disney Hits station on Spotify. Keepin' it classy.

I'm about two years late to the party, but I just discovered that Reese (apparently we are on a first name basis) has a clothing line and I love just about everything from it, especially this Cherry Orchard skirt. I have fallen down a rabbit hole with fruit-themed clothing this summer.

I tried a sample of Starbuck's prickly pear frappuccino and I'm so over it. It tastes exactly like every other pink drink they sell - fake raspberry. I'm over it and, frankly, pretty much over the brand in general.

Speaking of how millennials are ruining the world... Why is everything neon these days? Can we just have our prosecco sans the built-in instagram filter?

I saw this adorable bottle stopper while we were road tripping a couple weeks back and I am really wishing I had bought it. I suffer from something we will call "not-buyers remorse."

Wishing you all the most wonderful celebrations!

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

weekend eats...

This Blueberry-Lime Coconut Frozen Yogurt is vegan, dairy-free, and full of vitamins and probiotics! Not to mention it is delicious, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make - all you need is a food-processor! Find the recipe on WWW.PEDANTICFOODIE.COM!

Dairy-Free Blueberry-Lime Coconut Frozen Yogurt

Several weeks ago, after posting this incredible ice cream which feels like the epitome of indulgence, I received several requests for a dairy-free frozen treat that felt a little healthier.

Now, health food is not exactly my métier. Here at the Pedantic household, we eat healthfully, primarily using whole ingredients and running away from words like “processed,” but I would never claim to be a health junkie. That said, dietary limitations are becoming more and more ubiquitous in this world of ours, and I firmly believe that everyone should be able to make themselves a delicious treat, no matter their restrictions!

Fudge-Swirled Red Wine & Black Cherry Ice Cream

The words “record-breaking” used to illicit thoughts of Rapunzel-esc hair, giant rubber band balls, and jump-roping contests, but no such awe or excitement has been present this week when the record-breaking heat is the topic of everyone’s conversation.

ROASTED PINEAPPLE SORBET

Run up to your neighborhood Aldi’s because we are turning cheap wine into something extra special.

Saint Patrick's Day is looking prettier than ever with this Lucky Charms Ice Cream! Sweet, Lucky Charms cereal milk forms the base of this easy-to-make ice cream! Find the recipe and many more on www.pedanticfoodie.com!!

Lucky Charms Cereal Milk Ice Cream

The cutest and most festive ice cream coming at you!!

BAILEYS PUMPKIN MILKSHAKES WITH GINGERSNAP CRUMBS

There’s a little something I do. It’s a habit of sorts, but, unlike most of my habits, this is one I strive to maintain rather than suppress.

Brown Butter, Peach & Spiced Pecan Ice Cream

Summer is fleeting fast and I realized that I have shared exactly one ice cream recipe with you this year.

That's a problem. We all need more ice cream. The whole world needs more ice cream.

This faintly-sweet watermelon kombucha slush is the perfect mocktail for summer afternoons! [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

Watermelon Ginger & Grapefruit Kombucha Slush

Let's whip up something pink, refreshing, and healthful for these hard-working bodies of ours.

KIWI-LIME SORBET

I have several layers of a soon-to-be assembled cake baking in the oven and Spotify is bringing my soul peace with a little Hawaiian playlist.

It's a Friday afternoon and I am typing steadily at my desk. I can hear Sabine chewing on something I very much hope came from her toy basket. My ears are perked to detect an often-unreliable oven timer. It is all very much as usual, but my heart is far from settled.

Roasted Strawberry-Lime Frozen Yogurt

There they sit, resting threateningly on the edge of optimal consumption and shriveled disappointment.

White Mocha Milkshakes [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

WHITE MOCHA MILKSHAKES // MEMORIES THROUGH A STRAW

Growing up, my father faithfully took my sister and I on dates. Sometimes separate; sometimes together. Trips to the mall for browsing and food court cheesecake, or ventures to the local pet shop for puppy ogling and, if we were lucky, a run through a favorite drive-thru would follow.